Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

After two tough losses to the Oakland A’s over the weekend, the San Francisco Giants wanted to get back in the win column in a hurry in their current series against the Seattle Mariners.

Pablo Sandoval hit an infield single in the top of the ninth inning that Dee Gordon was unable to handle, as his throw went away from Ryon Healy and the Giants defeated the Mariners 4-3 at Safeco Field Monday night.

Steven Duggar scored the winning run, as he was on second base after he advanced an additional 90 feet on a Alen Hanson groundout.

Sandoval was hitting for Chase d’Arnaud, who drove in the first Giants run of the evening in the top of the third inning, as he hit an infield single that scored Kelby Tomlinson, who tripled just prior to the d’Arnaud infield hit.

Guillermo Heredia tied up the game in the bottom of the third inning, as he took an Andrew Suarez offering over the center-field wall.

Tomlinson gave the Giants the lead once again in the top of the fourth inning, as he singled to score Brandon Crawford.

Unfortunately, the lead was short-lived, as former Giants centerfielder Denard Span hit a sacrifice fly to Nelson Cruz from third base.

The Giants took the lead for the third time on the night, as Hunter Pence hit his first home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning, a home run that was measured at 445 feet and went off of the facade of the upper deck in left field.

Suarez got into trouble in the bottom of the sixth inning, as he gave up a leadoff single to Kyle Seager; however, Healy then grounded into a double play and it looked like Suarez might get out of the jam, but it was that man Span again. Span walked, and that was the end of the night for Suarez.

Reyes Moronta came into the game, and the usually solid Moronta then walked Mike Zunino and then pinch-hitter Ben Gamel singled off of Moronta to score Span with the tying run; therefore, within two batters, Suarez went from the win to not getting a decision.

Suarez went 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out one on the night.

Despite the walk and the single allowed by Moronta, the bullpen was outstanding, as Moronta, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson and Will Smith combined for 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and a strikeout.

Dyson struck out two in his only inning of work, before giving way to Watson and the left-hander, shut down the Mariners in order and then Smith struck out two of the three batters he faced to pick-up his fourth save of the season.

Austin Slater came up with the defensive play of the night, as he threw out Seager at the plate on a Zunino single in the bottom of the fourth inning.

James Paxton, who threw a no-hitter earlier in the season was supposed to start the series opener for the Mariners; however, his back flared up over the weekend and he was unable to go.

Roenis Elias got the start for the Mariners, and he went just 3.2 innings, allowing two runs and threw a season-high 75 pitches on the night.

NOTES: The game will be on Facebook only with Rich Waltz, former Giants pitcher Shawn Estes and Ryan Rowland-Smith on the call.

Evan Longoria’s rehab stint will continue with the Sacramento Rivercats for a few more days, as Longoria was hit by a pitch and suffered a triceps contusion on Sunday. Joe Panik will begin his rehab assignment on Thursday, as he recovers from a groin strain he suffered on July 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Mariners will conclude their series Wednesday afternoon at 1:10 pm PDT.

Derek Holland will start the finale for the Giants, as Jeff Samardzija is on the disabled list for the third time this season with a sore right shoulder.

Mariners manager Scott Servais will send former Giants pitcher Mike Leake to the hill, as he looks to improve to 9-6 on the season.