By Kahlil Najar

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. – In the iconic words of Han Solo, “Never tell me the odds!” On Star Wars day at AT&T Park, the Giants were able to hold off on elimination from playoff contention today by beating the Diamondback 3-2 with a bottom of the eleventh walk-off single by hero Angel Pagan. Javier Lopez was credited with the win bringing his record to 3-2 and the Diamondbacks Joe Thatcher was given the loss to bring him to the same record of 3-2.

Going up against Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Thatcher with the score tied at 2, Hector Sanchez grounded a leadoff single to left field to start the Giants eleventh inning rally. To add some speed to the bags, Giants manager Bruce Bochy put in pinch-runner Ehrie Adrianza in his first major league appearance. Gregor Blanco followed with sacrifice-bunt attempt to help move Adrianza over to second however instead of going for the sure out at first, Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero threw to second base and wasn’t able to get Adrianza and Blanco reach first safely. Pagan then came up and knocked a 1-1 four-seam fastball to left field that Willie Bloomquist tried to relay in but if was off-line and Adrianza was able to slide in safely.

On scoring his first run in the big leagues, Adrianza said that “I was a little nervous out there but I tried to be in control and win the game.” Adrianza has been in the Giants farm league since 2006 and has 107 stolen bases to his credit, so the speed is there. Speaking on Adrianza, Bruce Bochy said “I’m going to have to try and find a spot for him. It’s good to have him out there.”

Madison Bumgarner who was looking for his first win since August 2nd threw 6.0-scoreless innings, allowing just four hits with nine strikeouts. Bumgarner struck out 5-straight Diamondbacks, tying the most consecutive strikeouts in his career. On his quick outing and performance Bumgarner said, “You want to stay out there but it’s their (the managers) job to look at the big picture and ours to look at today. I felt pretty good out there.” On him not getting the decision, Bumagarner continued, “it doesn’t matter if I get the win or not, all the starters are trying to do is eat up some innings and give us the chance to win.”

The Giants were able to get on the board first when in the bottom of the fourth Hector Sanchez hit a line single to right field that brought in Tony Abreu who walked to start off the inning. A few batters later on a wild pitch to Juan Perez, Buster Posey came in to score to make it a 2-0 Giants lead. In the eighth, Arizona tallied their two runs on a sacrifice fly from Eric Chavez and on a single from A.J. Pollock who brought in Adam Eaton to tie the game at 2.
The turning point of the game came in the top of the 10th when a call was turned over by umpire Ron Kulpa. Arizona had runners on first and second with two outs when Aaron Hill hit an easy grounder to Buster Posey at first which took a weird bounce and hit Posey in the chest. Giants pitcher George Kontos who was sprinting over to first to cover the bag was able to get there in time but Hill was initially called safe. After a brief conference by all four umpires, Kulpa changed the call and called Hall out. Understandably Arizona head coach Kirk Gibson went out to argue the call was then thrown out of the game, his fourth time this year. That momentum from the overturned call and the manager ejection gave the Giants the motivation they needed to ended the game as soon as possible and Angel Pagan was happy to deliver.

“They (the Diamondbacks) came back to tie the game in the eighth. If the game gets away from you after having the lead, it’s disheartening, but when you win it’s huge,” said Bochy on the win.

The Giants hope to continue their winning ways tomorrow when they face the Colorado Rockies at home. The Rockies send Jhoulys Chacin (13-8) to the mound while the Giants put Tim Lincecum (9-13) up to battle. Game time 7:15pm.