(AP Photo/David Banks)

By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Francisco got to Chicago Cubs starter Jason Hammel, but the early hole was one run too deep, as the Cubs won 5-4 to open the series Thursday.

In what was not as an exciting game as the last time the two teams met, neither pitcher made it to the fifth inning.

Chicago got to scoring early. In the first, with one out, Kyle Schwarber walked. With two outs, Anthony Rizzo was hit, Kris Bryant walked and Jorge Soler singled in two runs.

The big hit came in the second inning however. Two leadoff singles set up Schwarber, who after one out, hit his second home run in as many games, including his third in four games. It was Chris Heston’s first home run given up since May 23.

Hammel sported a one-hit shutout heading into the fourth, but that changed. Hunter Pence had a two out double to continue his four-game hitting streak and Brandon Belt followed with his second home run in four games.

The Giants had more opportunities in the fifth. Ehire Adrianza led off with a walk, stole second, and Hector Sanchez walked with no outs. However, this led to a pitching change from Jason Hammels to Justin Grimm. Grimm proceeded to take the threat in order, though he had to make 10 pitches to get out Nori Aoki.

In the sixth, both teams had a runner steal base with two outs, but it was San Francisco who capitalized. It was Pence’s second stolen base of the season. After, Brandon Crawford hit his third home run in as many games to make it 5-4.

The Giants’ Sergio Romo struck out the side in the eighth inning but Cubs’ relievers combined to keep San Francisco hitless from the end of the sixth to game end. Hector Rondon got the save.

Game notes: San Francisco’s Buster Posey did rest, but was available off the bench. He entered in the ninth to bat second, but flied out. The Giants play the second of four games Friday at 12:30