AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO –

Heading into the All-Star Break on a high note the Giants sweep the lowly Philadelphia Phillies with a 4-2 win and completing a series sweep in front the sell-out crowd of 42, 387 at AT&T Park. It was the first time the Giants have swept the Phillies since September 4-6 2000.   Overall the Giants were 18-43 9.(419) with runners in scoring position in the series.

Giant’s starter Chris Heston pitched well in his first career matchup against the Phillies. Heston faced the minimum in the first three innings despite allowing 3 hits. Thanks to solid defense (2 double plays and a caught stealing). Heston who picked up his ninth win of the season is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his last three home starts.

‘ I think he’s getting a little more confident out there, I think he did a good job keeping the hitters off balance all day, but mainly just vintage Heston with the sinker in and out, he was giving guys fits.” Giant’s catcher Andrew Susac said following the game.

He’s been a savior. You lose Cain, you lose Peavey. He’s been our steady guy in the rotation. I’m proud of this guy with all he’s been through. H e persevered and now he’s one of our Guys. Said pleased Giant’s Manager Bruce Bochy

The Phillies who have the worst record in the Majors are likely looking forward to the break, the team. The Phillies have 63 losses through their first 93 games, which ties them for their most losses before the All-Star Break in franchise history. (1997, 24-61).

The Phillies no doubt have increased the Giants confidence in the series both at the plate and on the mound.

The Giants got on the scoreboard first scoring four runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning. With one-out Buster Posey singled to center Posey was followed by All-star starter Brandon Crawford who lined a solid single to left driving in Posey for the game’s first run.

Things are going so bad for the Phillies that Brandon belt grounded into what could have been a double play to end the fourth inning without further damage, but Phillies starter Chad Billingsley was slow to cover the base and it allowed Belt to beat Billingsley to first and kept the inning alive.

Andrew Susac made the Phillies pay for the mistake increased the Giants lead by driving the ball to straight away center for a 3-run homer 410 feet giving the Giants a 4-0 lead. It was Susac’s third home run of the season.

“Susac said “He (Billingsley) threw me a slider and I missed it “I’ve been trying to do to much lately, He threw the slider again, I’m sure it’s not where he wanted it, I made a good adjustment and drove it out. “

Susac talked about the performance of Heston and the growth of the young pitcher at this point of the season.

‘ I think he’s getting a little more confident,I think he sees this park isn’t easy to get hits. I think he did a good job keeping the hitters off balance, but mainly just vintage Heston, started giving guys fits.”

The Giants as a team are pleased the way they finished things up heading into the All-star break

“It’s very positive for us, we knew we had to do it. You don’t want to get too far back. We’ve got to keep it going on the same track we’re on.” Susac said about the team’s current performance.

Notes:

After the All-Star break the Giants will return to action in Arizona to face the Diamondbacks on Friday July 17^th.

Prior to the game Bochy did not say what his starting rotation would be after the break, but he talked about the health of his starters, Particularly Tim Hudson who he believe is ready to go and will likely get a start in the first week after the break. Both Hudson and Peavey are expected to be ready to go after the break.