|
 "We've seen this many times," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "This
was a game that could have gone either way."
The Giants prevailed, outlasting the Padres 1-0 in 12 innings in San
Diego's home opener on Thursday.
Justin Maxwell's two-out, pinch-single drove in shortstop Brandon
Crawford for the winner. Crawford reached on shortstop Clint Barmes'
error when he dropped a pop fly while backpedaling into left field.
"That's on me," Barmes said. "(Upton) was playing back, no doubles.
I felt I should have easily caught it. I drifted with the ball
instead of going to the spot."
George Kontos (1-0), the sixth of the Giants' seven pitchers, got
the win after working 1 2/3 innings. Santiago Casilla notched his
third save in as many chances.
Nick Vincent (0-1) took the loss.
But don't overlook Tim Hudson's performance as the Giants' starter.
He pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, dancing around five walks and
five hits to keep the Padres at bay.
"It is a pretty good pitcher's park, but you have to understand how
good their pitching is," Hudson said. "If you give up a crooked
number early, that could be the game."
The Padres, who had runners at third base in the ninth and 10th
innings, squandered an opportunity in the ninth when left fielder
Justin Upton reached after McGehee misplayed his grounder for an
error. Then second baseman Jedd Gyorko contributed a two-out single.
But Barmes grounded out to Crawford.
Angel Pagen opened the Giants' ninth with a triple to right-center
field off new Padres closer Craig Kimbrel. It came after Pagen and
Padres catcher Derek Norris exchanged words, which led plate umpire
Greg Gibson to warn both benches. Catcher Buster Posey then walked.
But Kimbrel got Crawford to pop up to shortstop Alexi Amarista.
McGehee then grounded to Amarista and he started an inning-ending
double play.
The Giants left two runners in scoring position in the eighth after
a single by right fielder Gregor Blanco and a walk to pinch-hitter
Matt Duffy. Both advanced on left fielder Nori Aoki's fly ball to
right. But second baseman Joe Panik popped up to third for the final
out.
Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso walked to start the seventh and
when Hudson allowed a one-out single to Amarista, he was pulled for
reliever Jeremy Affeldt. He got pinch-hitter Yangervis Solarte to
ground into an inning-ending double play, the fourth the Padres hit
into one.
"That was a big double play," Bochy said.
The Padres put runners on the corners with one out in the sixth
after center fielder Wil Myers singled and right fielder Matt Kemp
walked. But Upton erased Kemp on a grounder and third baseman Will
Middlebrows flied out to right.
[to top of second column] |
In the Padres' fifth, Middlebrooks doubled and moved to third base
on Alonso's single to right. Gyorko then hit what looked to be a
run-scoring base hit up the middle. Buut Crawford made a diving snag
and flipped the ball with his glove to second baseman Joe Panik. His
relay to first baseman Joaquin Arias was in time to retire Gyorko,
the second double play he hit into in two at-bats.
"He is one of the best I have ever played with," Hudson said of
Crawford. "He makes all the routine plays and he makes the great
plays look routine. That's what makes him such a good shortstop."
Amarista walked, but pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne grounded out to end
the inning and strand Middlebrooks to third.
Padres starter Ian Kennedy was lifted for Despaigne after throwing
his 33rd pitch to Aoki in the third inning. Kennedy, who was 13-13
last year with a career-high 207 strikeouts, strained his left
hamstring.
"I felt something grab," Kennedy said. "I've never had that before
and it feels tight right now. The main thing is how it feels
tomorrow."
Padres manager Bud Black said Kennedy could be a candidate for the
disabled list. If he lands there, Despaigne would fill his spot in
the rotation.
"He's a pitcher that uses his legs a lot," Black said.
Despaigne, who lost his bid to become the team's fifth starter in
spring training, was solid. He pitched 4 2/3 innings scoreless and
hitless innings. He retired all 14 batters he faced.
"He did a helluva job," Black said.
NOTES: Giants RHP Jake Peavy is on track to start Sunday in San
Diego against his former team. Peavy, who won the 2007 National
League Cy Young Award with the Padres, was scratched from his first
start because of a sore back. ... After a dreadful spring
offensively, the Giants came alive in their opening series with the
Diamondbacks. The Giants hit .330 (37 for 112) with a gaudy .509
slugging percentage. ... 1B Brandon Belt (groin) remains day to day.
... Padres manager Bud Black said RHP Josh Johnson was throwing a
bullpen session. Johnson didn't pitch last year because of an arm
injury. ... C Derek Norris sprained an ankle Wednesday night but was
in the lineup. ... The Padres debuted their new video board, which
is the largest in the National League.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
