Category: Uncategorized

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Clayton Kershaw is seen as one of the best pitchers in the major leagues for many reasons, and the San Francisco Giants found that out in the second game of the three-game series.

Kershaw pitched a complete game, allowing zero runs on just two hits, walking just one and striking out six, as the Los Angeles Dodgers moved back into first place with a 5-0 victory over the Giants before a crowd of 42,060, the 301st consecutive sellout at AT&TPark.

It was another tough loss for Ryan Vogelsong, as he went six innings, allowing four runs (two of them earned) on eight hits, walking one and striking out four.

Vogelsong retired the first 11 batters he faced, but then Adrian Gonzalez doubled to right field that Hunter Pence lost in the sun.

Gonzalez then scored the Dodgers first run of the evening, as Hanley Ramirez singled to left field; however he was then thrown at second base by Michael Morse to end the inning.

Juan Uribe drove in the Dodgers second run of the game in the top of the fifth inning, as Carl Crawford scored after he singled to leadoff the inning versus Vogelsong.

Yasiel Puig scored the Dodgers third run of the game, as he singled to leadoff the top of the top of the sixth inning and then scored when Buster Posey was unable to hold onto Dan Uggla’s throw from second base for a fielding error on a ball hit by Crawford.

Uribe added another run batted in with a double to right-center field that scored Crawford with their second run of the inning, and their fourth run of the game.

The Giants offense disappeared for the third straight game, as they could muster only one hit off of Kershaw thru the first five innings and only two base runners thru that same period.

Kershaw retired 11 in a row after allowing Blanco’s base hit, as Morse walked with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Gonzalez picked up his third hit of the night to score Gordon after he led off the inning with a single of his own.

Morse picked up the Giants’ second hit of the night in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he singled off the glove of Gordon and into centerfield.

After getting hit in the mask on Friday night, it was discovered that Hector Sanchez suffered a concussion and was placed on the seven-day disabled list.

Andrew Susac was recalled from Fresno, and the native of Roseville, CA made his major league debut, as he replaced Posey behind the plate in the top of the eighth inning.

Susac made his first plate appearance in the bottom of the eighth inning against Kershaw, and on the first pitch he saw, he grounded out to Uribe for the third and final out of the inning.

That was not only move by the Giants on the day, as they acquired Jake Peavy from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league pitchers Edwin Escobar and Heath Hembree.

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-You knew Yasiel Puig would get to the San Francisco Giants sooner or later, and sooner became in the opener of the three-game series on Friday night.

Puig hit three triples and a double in his first four at-bats and ended up going 4-for-5, as he flew out to centerfield in his last at-bat, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-1 before a sellout of 41,753, the 300th consecutive sellout at AT&TPark.

The Dodgers got to Tim Lincecum in the first inning, as Puig tripled to left-center field and then scored on an Adrian Gonzalez single.

After settling down from the second until the fourth innings, Lincecum got roughed up in the top of the fifth inning, as Zack Greinke got the hit party started, as he singled off of Lincecum, then Dee Gordon tripled and then Puig made three straight hits, as he tripled to score Gordon from third.

Gonzalez then singled score Puig and then Hanley Ramirez made it five hits in a row, as he singled to send Gonzalez to third and that was the end of the night for Lincecum.

Juan Gutierrez was able to put an end to the streak, as he got Carl Crawford to line out sharply to Michael Morse at first base for the second out; however Matt Kemp got into the hit parade, as he tripled to right-center field to score Gonzalez and Ramirez.

Puig’s fourth hit of the night, and third triple drove in Gordon, who singled with two outs against Gutierrez.

By hitting three triples in the game, Puig tied a Dodgers team that was set by Jimmy Sheckard on April 18, 1901 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The five triples ties a Dodgers team record that was set in 1921 at the Polo Grounds versus the Giants.

Greinke pitched a great game for the Dodgers, as he went seven innings, allowing zero runs on four hits, while walking one and striking out 10.

Four of Greinke’s strikeouts came in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he struck out Hector Sanchez, Hunter Pence, who reached on a Greinke wild pitch and then ended the inning by striking out Gregor Blanco.

Greinke became just the fifth Dodgers pitcher in team history to strikeout four players in an inning, joining Pete Richert, Don Drysdale, Darren Dreifort and Brad Penny.

The right-hander is just the 12th National League pitcher to strikeout all four batters in successive order, and the third Dodger (Richert and Drysdale).

Lincecum, who saved the Giants 14-inning victory on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park did not get out of the fifth inning, as he went 4.1 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out six.

Dan Uggla made his Giants debut, and went 0-for-2 versus Greinke.

Uggla was not the only new Giants player on the roster when the game began, as Tony Abreu was also recalled from Fresno along with Uggla.

Both Ehire Adrianza and Marco Scutaro were placed on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game.

Adrianza was placed on the disabled list with a right hamstring strain, and Scutaro went back on the disabled list with a lower back strain.

To make room for Abreu and Uggla on the 40-man roster, the Giants designated left-handed pitcher Jose DePaula and infielder Nick Noonan for assignment.

Sanchez was forced to leave the game after getting hit in the catcher’s mask and that sent Morse to first base, Buster Posey to catch and Tyler Colvin entered the game in left field.

Ramirez finished off the scoring for the Dodgers in the top of the eighth inning, as he singled off of George Kontos to pinch hitter Andre Ethier, who walked to leadoff the inning.

Colvin broke up the shutout in the bottom of the ninth inning, as he singled to right field off of Paul Maholm to score Joaquin Arias from third base.

BY PAUL GACKLE

OAKLAND — Brandon Moss gave Jeff Samardzija more run support in one swing than he’s received in two-thirds of his starts this season.

Samardzija has received the fourth lowest run support in the majors this season, but the A’s supplied plenty of offense on Thursday, including a grand slam from Moss, as they defeated the Houston Astros 13-1 at the O.co Coliseum.

“When you have a lead, you can take a deep breath and pound the zone,” Samardzija said.

The All-Star right-hander received little offensive help when he was a member of the Chicago Cubs earlier this year. The Cubs provided four or more runs of support in only four of his 17 starts and he received as much offense from the A’s on Thursday as his former club provided in his last six outings with the team.

The American League’s top run-scoring team opened up the scoring with a three-run, two-out rally in the third inning. Josh Donaldson picked up his 72nd RBI of the season, scoring Josh Reddick with a single to right and then Eric Sogard scored on a wild pitch after swiping third in a double steal with Donaldson.

The All-Star third baseman eventually scored on a single to right by Derek Norris.

After adding a run in the fourth, the A’s gave Samardzija a 7-1 cushion in the sixth when Moss smacked his third grand slam of the season with Coco Crisp, Donaldson and Sogard aboard.

“Twelve RBI in three at bats — that’s not fair,” A’s Manager Bob Melvin said, referring to Moss’ three grand slams. “You’ve got guys who have to work to get 12 in a month and he’s got them in three at bats.”

Samardzija said the grand slam changed the mood in the dugout.

“That really broke it wide open,” he said. “It made the dugout nice and loose.”

The A’s tacked on a ninth run later in the inning and added four more in the eighth, allowing Samardzija (2-1) to cruise to an easy victory.

Josh Reddick continued to impress in his return from the disabled list. He went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI returning to Wham’s “Careless Whisper” as his walk-up music one night after using “Wild Thing” to the chagrin of the home crowd.

Whatever music he uses, Reddick’s hitting the ball, going 4-for-8 in two games.

As the bats piled it on, Samardzija continued to impress his new club, surrendering one run on five hits in eight innings of work. He’s pitched at least seven innings in all four of his starts with the A’s.

“He goes out there and takes nothing for granted,” Melvin said. “He’s just as comfortable, probably, in two or three-run games as he is with some runs.”

By Jeremy Kahn

PHILADELPHIA-Still after eight and a half years, Cole Hamels continues to be a mainstay in the Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation.

Hamels went eight innings, allowing just one run on six hits, walking just one and striking out 10 and the Phillies salvaged the finale of the four-game with a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants before 33,258 at Citizens Bank Park.

By striking out 10 in the game, it was the fourth time this season that Hamels topped the double digit and the 27th time in his career.

Hamels threw 116 pitches on the afternoon, 90 of them were strikes and just 26 balls.

Chase Utley gave the Phillies the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he singled up the middle to score Ben Revere from second base after Revere reached second base after Michael Morse was not able to catch the Revere hit ball for a two base error.

Marlon Byrd drove in the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, as Jimmy Rollins scored from third base after the former Encinal of Alameda High School star doubled and then advanced to third on a Buster Posey passed ball.

The inning could have been even worse, but Hudson was able to get Grady Sizemore to line into a double play to end the inning.

With a chance to get something going in the top of the fourth inning, as Joaquin Arias came to the plate; however he grounded out to Rollins to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.

After the Giants failed to get on the board in the top of the fourth inning, the Phillies put two on with one out in the bottom of the fourth; however Hudson was able to get Wil Nieves to pop out to Adrianza at second base and then Hamels to strikeout to end the inning.

Adrianza got the Giants on the board in the top of the fifth inning, as he singled up the middle to score Gregor Blanco, who singled and advanced to second on a Hudson sacrifice bunt.

Hudson went pitched six innings, allowing two runs (neither of them earned) on eight hits, walking two and striking out six.

Both of the runs came courtesy of Posey’s passed ball in the bottom of the first inning and then Morse’s two-base fielding error in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Hunter Pence, who was the hero in Wednesday night’s 3-1 victory struck out three times against Hamels.

The last time Pence struck out three times against a starting pitcher was Scott Collmenter of the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 16, 2011, while Pence was playing for the Phillies.

By Jeremy Kahn

PHILADELPHIA-With thunder and lightning being seen from a distance at CitizensBankPark, the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies were still able to get the third game of this four-game series in the books.

After a 59-minute rain delay that saw the tarps pulled off by the ground crew and then put back on the field and finally taken off for good, there was a game that was played between the two opponents from the 2010 National League Championship Series.

“That rain delay, I was talking to Sabes (Giants General Manager Brian Sabean), we were getting ready to send somebody here that would have been a nightmare for us to scratch Bum and find six innings of pitching, we had some guys on alert,” said Bruce Bochy.

Madison Bumgarner and A.J. Burnett matched each other for zeroes on the scoreboard, until Hunter Pence broke the scoreless tie in the of the ninth inning with a bases clearing double down the right field line and the Giants defeated the Phillies 3-1 before a crowd of 28,648 at Citizens Bank Park.

“Pence is the guy you want up there with his speed, and he has the knack for putting the ball in the right place,” said Bochy.

Jonathan Papelbon, who gave up a game-tying home run to Buster Posey on Tuesday night came on to replace A.J. Burnett and promptly hit Michael Morse in the rib cage area to lead off the top of the ninth inning, but he was able to get Adam Duvall and Tyler Colvin on strikes and then after an intentional walk to Brandon Crawford, Papelbon walked pinch hitter Hector Sanchez to load the bases and then gave up the double to Pence.

Bumgarner got into jam in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Carlos Ruiz and Domonic Brown singled and then advanced an additional 90 feet on a Darin Ruf sacrifice bunt; however Bumgarner struck out Andres Blanco for the second out and then pinch hitter Grady Sizemore flew out to Michael Morse in left field to end the threat.

Bumgarner pitched eight innings, as he did not allow a run on just five hits did not walk a batter and struck out six to pickup his 12th win of the season.

Santiago Casilla allowed two hits, a double to Jimmy Rollins with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, but then got Chase Utley to ground out to Adam Duvall, who threw to Casilla for the second out and then Marlon Byrd singled to drive in Rollins, before Ruiz flew out to Blanco in centerfield to end the game to pickup his seventh save of the season.

With a chance to break the scoreless in the top of the eighth inning, Hunter Pence walked to lead off the inning with versus Burnett and then stole second.

Unfortunately, due to the dirt on the infield being wet from the rain, Pence slid over the bag and after avoiding the tag from Rollins; Pence proceeded to take off for third base, where Rollins threw to Blanco, who tagged out Pence.

Burnett was able to regroup to strikeout Ehire Adrianza, and after a walk to Buster Posey, Burnett got Pablo Sandoval to fly out to Ben Revere in left field to end the inning.

After 131 pitches, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg pulled Burnett, as he went eight innings, as he did not allow a run, while scattering four hits, walking four and striking out six, as he did not fare in the decision.

“That’s impressive, really on both sides, Burnett to go thru a rain delay, both were locked in,” said Bochy.

By Jeremy Kahn

PHILADELPHIA-Brandon Crawford came up with the biggest hit of the night, and it happened over five hours the first pitch was thrown.

Crawford hit a bases clearing opposite field double off of Jeff Manship in the top of the 14th inning, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6 before 30,109 at CitizensBankPark.

“Hard fought game, great comeback, they had us on the ropes on a few times, pen did a great job,” said Bruce Bochy.

After getting Ehire Adrianza to fly out for the first out of the inning, Manship gave up a double to Posey, then Pablo Sandoval was walked intentionally and then George Kontos laid the perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Posey and Sandoval.

Following the sacrifice bunt, Gregor Blanco walked and then Crawford blasted Manship’s pitch off the left field wall to score Posey, Sandoval and Blanco.

Hector Sanchez then got in on the act, as he singled in Crawford with the Giants fourth run of the inning; however the Giants loaded the bases again, as Tyler Colvin and Hunter Pence each hit singles, but Adrianza grounded out to end the inning.

That was the seventh at-bat of the game for Adrianza; after he came on to replace Joe Panik, who suffered a sprained right ankle while running out a ground ball.

After taking a four-run lead into the bottom of the 14th inning, Kontos gave up a single to Ryan Howard, Marlon Byrd then flew out for the first out and Wil Nieves hit a pinch hit while batting for Manship.

With no relievers left, Bruce Bochy turned to Tim Lincecum, who pitched on Sunday against the Miami Marlins and despite the fact Cody Asche hit a groundout to score Howard, Cameron Rupp walked to bring the tying run to the plate in the presence of Domonic Brown, who grounded out to Posey, who threw to Lincecum for the final out of the game.

By closing the game, it was the first regular season save of Lincecum’s career.

“Timmy was only good for an inning,” said Bochy.

Posey tied up the game in the top of the ninth inning, as he took the first pitch he saw from Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon and put it into the left field seats.

That was the third hit of the night for Posey, who ended up going 4-for-7 on the night with a single and two double to go along with his 11th home run of the season.

This was the first home run allowed by Papelbon this season and his first home run allowed since September 28, 2013, when Justin Upton of the Atlanta Braves hit a three-run home run off of Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth inning at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Following a groundout by Ben Revere to lead the bottom of the ninth inning against Jeremy Affeldt, Jimmy Rollins was safe at first base after Brandon Crawford bobbled the ball and his throw to Posey at first base was late.

It was the 15th error of the season for Crawford, then Chase Utley singled Rollins to third; however Affeldt was able to strikeout Howard and then got Byrd to groundout to Pablo Sandoval at third base to end the inning.

Yusmeiro Petit went five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out five, as he did not fare in the decision.

Phillies starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez went 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walking three and striking out one as did not fare in the decision.

The former Encinal (Alameda) High School star Rollins gave the Phillies the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, but it was all for naught after Papelbon allowed Posey’s game-tying home run in the top of the ninth inning.

In the half-inning prior to Rollins’ home run into the right field seats, and Byrd’s double off the right field wall that scored Howard, who singled, former Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence hit a solo home run that estimated at 454 feet.

With the home run by Pence being estimated at 454, according to ESPN Stats & Info, Pence becomes the fourth player in major league baseball this season to have multi 450 feet plus home runs this season, joining Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, J. Upton of the Braves and Pence’s teammate, Michael Morse.

Pence scored the Giants first run of the game in the first inning, as he scored on a double after he led off the game with a single and advanced to second on a ground out by Panik, in what proved to be Panik’s only at-bat of the evening.

Panik was forced to leave the game after narrowly being safe on that ground ball that was fielded by Howard, and just missed stepping on Hernandez’s ankle and in the process suffered a sprained right ankle.

The lead that Petit received in the top of the first inning was gone by the end of the first, as Utley singled to score Ben Revere, who led off the bottom of the first inning with a single of his own.

Byrd gave the Phillies their first lead of the game, as he grounded out to Petit to score Rollins, who walked following Revere’s single.

Crawford tied up the game in the top of the second inning, as he grounded out to Utley at second base to score Gregor Blanco, who walked, then stole second and then advanced to third on a throwing error by Cody Asche.
The Giants got within one run in the top of the seventh inning, as Adrianza doubled off the right field wall, advanced to third on a Sandoval singled and then scored when Utley was unable to field the ball for an error.

Kontos came on in the bottom of the 12th inning, and after getting Byrd to groundout for the first out of the inning, Kontos allowed back-to-back walks to Cody Asche and Reid Brignac; however Kontos was able to regroup to get Cameron Rupp to groundout to Crawford and then Colvin made a game-saving catch, as he crashed into the left field wall to snag a Brown hit ball.

NOTES: Between the two teams, there were 507 pitches on the night with a combined 29 runners left on base.

Posey’s home run was the third of his career in the 9th inning or later that gave the Giants the lead or tied the game.

Santiago Casilla extended his scoreless streak up to 14 innings, the longest by a Giants reliever this season.

It was the second career regular season appearance in relief for Lincecum, with his last coming on April 2, 2008 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

By Jeremy Kahn

PHILADELPHIA-Adam Duvall was in the lineup for the Fresno Grizzlies against the El Paso Chihuahuas playing third base on Saturday night in Triple-A, and two nights later, he was in a major league lineup facing Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Duvall smashed a Cliff Lee offering over the 401′ mark in straightaway centerfield in the top of the sixth inning, helping the San Francisco Giants defeat the Phillies 7-4 before a crowd of 27,334 at CitizensBankPark.

George Kontos earned the win for the Giants, as he pitched two strong innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three, as he picked up his second win of the season.

“No, not really surprised, Boch intends to put me in,” said Kontos.

Pennsylvania native Ryan Vogelsong lasted just three innings, allowing four runs (three of them earned) on 11 hits (all singles), not walking a batter and struck out three.

“They all did great,” said Vogelsong. “I cannot kick this cold, I had no energy going into the game, even warming up I did not feel that great,” Vogelsong added.

Lee went 5.2 innings, allowing six runs on 12 hits, walking one and striking out three in his first start since May 18 against the Cincinnati Reds, as he was then placed on the 60-day disabled list with a strained left elbow.

The lefthander was not the only player activated by the Phillies prior to the series opener, as infielder Reid Brignac and Catcher Wil Nieves were also activated and to make room these moves, Catcher Koyie Hill was outrighted off the 40-man roster, OF Tony Gwynn, Jr. was designated for an assignment and Infielder/Outfielder Cesar Hernandez was optioned to their Triple-A team in Lehigh Valley.

The first 21 hits of the game by the Giants and the Phillies were singles, and not until Duvall’s second home run of the season did that streak stop.

“No, no I didn’t,” said Duvall about his home run being the first non-single of the night.

Gregor Blanco drove in the Giants first run of the night in the top of the second inning, as he hit a sharp single to right field that easily scored Pablo Sandoval from third base; however Michael Morse was thrown out at the plate on a great throw by Marlon Byrd to Cameron Rupp.

Originally, Rupp did not tag Morse; however he went back and tagged him for the third out of the inning.

Following Rupp tagging Morse for the final out of the inning, Bruce Bochy came out to speak to the umpires and after a discussion, the play was reviewed by the umpires; however the play stood.

Vogelsong got into a jam in the bottom of the second inning, as he gave up back-to-back singles to Cody Asche and Rupp, and then on a sacrifice bunt to Lee, Asche was safe at third base to load the bases for Grady Sizemore.

Following a Vogelsong strikeout of Sizemore, former Encinal (Alameda) High School star Jimmy Rollins singled for the second time in as many at-bats to drive in Asche and Rupp to give the Phillies the lead.

Vogelsong was able to regroup to get Chase Utley to fly out to Hunter Pence to end the inning for the home standing Phillies.

That Phillies lead did not last long, as Lee gave it right back to the Giants, when Buster Posey hit a two-run single off of Lee in the top of the third inning.

The Posey single scored both Vogelsong and Hunter Pence, Vogelsong led off the inning by singling off of Lee and Pence followed Vogelsong by singling as well.

After a Marco Scutaro sacrifice bunt that advanced Vogelsong and Pence, Posey took a Lee and hit up the middle to give the Giants their second lead of the night.

Vogelsong got into a jam in the bottom of the third inning, as the Phillies loaded the bases with one out, after Ryan Howard led off the inning with a single, then Marlon Byrd singled; however Vogelsong got Dominic Brown to pop out to Brandon Crawford for the first out of the inning.

Asche then singled to load the bases; however Vogelsong was able to get out of the jam unscathed, as he struck out Rupp and Lee to end the inning.

The Giants loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning; however Vogelsong grounded into a fielders’ choice for the second out of the inning that retired Morse at the plate and then Lee got Pence ground out to Asche at third base to end the inning.

Asche made a terrific diving stop to stop Pence’s ball from going into left field, as he saved two runs and was able to get Vogelsong out at second base on a very close play.

After getting out of the bottom of the third inning, unscathed, Vogelsong loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Sizemore singled to leadoff the inning, Rollins was safe on a fielding error when Brandon Crawford was unable to hold onto the Sandoval throw and then Utley singled to right field on a play that just eluded Pence’s diving attempt.

On the sixth pitch of the at-bat to Howard, the 2009 National League Most Valuable Player hit a check swing flare into left field that scored Sizemore and Rollins and put an end to the night for Vogelsong, who was replaced by Kontos, who was recalled from Fresno earlier in the day after Matt Cain was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 11) with inflammation in his right elbow.

Kontos was not the only newcomer on the roster for the Giants, as Duvall was also recalled from Fresno to replace Brandon Belt, who was placed on seven-day disabled list with a concussion (retroactive to July 20).

After coming on with the bases loaded, Kontos was able to get Byrd and Brown out on strikes, and then got Asche to fly out to Pence for the third out of the inning.

Crawford made a great defensive in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he made a backhanded play on a Rupp grounder then threw to Ehire Adrianza for the first out and then Adrianza threw to Duvall to complete the double play.

Pence drove in the final run of the night in the top of the eighth inning, as he tripled up the right-center field alley to score Blanco, who led off the inning with a walk.

Sandoval ended the game on a bang bang play, as he snagged a Brown hit ball and threw to Duvall for the final out of the game; however Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg challenged that Brown was safe and after a 1:37 challenge, the play stood.

By Jeremy Kahn

MIAMI-Tim Lincecum pitched a great game, but unfortunately he threw one pitch that got by Hector Sanchez behind the plate.

Adeiny Hechavarria scored the eventual game-winning run on a Lincecum wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the Marlins salvaged the final game of the series with a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants before a crowd of 25,221 at MarlinsPark.

“Very tough way to lose a ballgame, Timmy threw great,” said Bruce Bochy.

Brad Hand went seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking just one and striking out four, as he left with the lead after being pinch hit for by Johnson.

Casey McGehee put the Marlins on the board in the first inning, as he planted a Lincecum pitch deep into the left field seats for just his second home run of the season.

“Threw a changeup there that slipped of his hand,” said Bochy.

Brandon Belt will go back on the disabled list after it was confirmed that he suffered a concussion when he took a throw off the face during batting practice prior to Saturday’s game.

As of now, it has yet to be determined if Belt will go either on the seven-day or the 15-day disabled list.

“Belt’s got a concussion, he’s going on the DL, that’s a bad break; because he is just coming off the DL.”

All signs show that Adam Duvall will join the team tomorrow night in Philadelphia, where the Giants will open a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.

The Marlins gave away three runs in the second and third innings, as they committed cardinal base running errors, as they attempted to advance to third base , but were thrown out on all three occasions.

Following a leadoff single and then stealing second base in the bottom of the second inning, Marcell Ozuna was caught in a rundown and tagged out by Pablo Sandoval on a ground ball hit by Hechavarria.

After advancing to second on the fielders’ choice, Hechavarria himself was thrown out at third base by Joaquin Arias, as he tried to advance an additional 90 feet on what turned out to be a Jeff Mathis fielders’ choice.

Giancarlo Stanton doubled off of Lincecum in the bottom of the third with two outs, but was thrown at third base to end the threat and the inning for the Marlins.

That would be huge for the Giants, as they tied up the game in the top of third inning, as Hunter Pence and Marco Scutaro each scored on a two-run double by Buster Posey.

The single by Scutaro was his first hit of the season in five at-bats after missing the first 93 games of the season with a lower back strain.

“I am not too concerned with production, the main thing is starting to feel good and today was a good day,” said Scutaro.

Scutaro missed the first two games of this series after tweaking his neck over the All-Star break.

Lincecum got into a jam in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he gave up a single to Jordany Valdespin, then after striking out Stanton and getting McGehee to fly out to center field, he walked Garrett Jones.

With Ozuna at the plate, Lincecum committed his first balk of the season and his first since August 19, 2013 against the Boston Red Sox at AT&TPark, according to Retrosheet.

Posey nearly extended the top of the eighth inning, as he narrowly thrown out at first base on a ground ball hit to McGehee; however after a 78 second (1:18) review, the play stood.

By Jeremy Kahn

MIAMI-Tim Hudson wanted to definitely rebound from his final start before the All-Star break, and he bounced back in a big way for the San Francisco Giants.

Hudson drove in an important run in the top of the fourth inning; as he walked against relief pitcher Sam Dyson to score Pablo Sandoval after the third baseman singled and the Giants would go on to defeat the Miami Marlins 5-3 before an announced crowd of 24,882 at MarlinsPark.

“He had a great first half, and made the All-Star team and I am going to look at that last start as he was tired,” said Bruce Bochy.

The run batted in by Hudson was his first as a member of the Giants, and his first run batted in since April 30, 2013, when Hudson, a member of the Atlanta Braves, hit a home run against Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals at Turner Field.

Hunter Pence then singled to right field to score Brandon Belt, and after a fielding error by Giancarlo Stanton in right field, Gregor Blanco scored right after Hudson scored easily.

Hudson pitched seven and one-third strong innings, allowing just one run on eight hits, not walking a batter and striking out three, as he raised his record to 8-6 on the season.

“This time of year extra rest is usually welcome, but I felt okay,” said Hudson.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez was forced to leave the game with a left ankle contusion after taking a shot to the leg off a ball hit by Joe Panik.

Prior to leaving the game, Alvarez lasted just two and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out one, as he lost for the fifth time against six wins on the season.

Sandoval picked up three hits in his first three at-bats, after going 2-for-5 in the 9-1 opening night victory over the Marlins on Friday night.

“It is very tough, it’s very challenging, he is a great ball hitter, as a pitcher that will fall out of your hand,” said Hudson.

Pablo Ozuna tripled off of Hudson in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, but was stranded at third base after Hudson struck out Jared Saltalamacchia to end the inning.

Brandon Belt drove in the Giants first run of the evening, as he doubled in Sandoval, who led off the top of the second inning with a double against Alvarez.

Belt then scored the eventual game-winning run late in that frame, as he advanced to third on a Saltalamacchia’s passed ball and then scored when Saltalamacchia’s throw down to Casey McGehee sailed into left field.

Unfortunately, Belt was forced to leave the game with dizziness when the Giants took the field in the bottom of the third inning and was replaced by Michael Morse, while Tyler Colvin went into left field.

“Belt got hit in bp from a throw and he started complaining of dizziness, headache, so we are going to give him a concussion tests,” said Bochy.

With Tim Lincecum pitching tomorrow, Buster Posey will play first base and Hector Sanchez will be behind the plate, catching Lincecum.

Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Sergio Romo came on to face Giancarlo Stanton and on the first pitch he saw from Romo, he put it into the left field seats for his second home run of the series and his 23rd of the season.

Ozuna doubled off of Romo, and then Santiago Casilla came on to close the game and promptly threw a wild pitch that sent Ozuna to third.

Following the Casilla wild pitch, Saltalamacchia singled in Ozuna to cut the Giants lead down to just two at 5-3; however Casilla was able to regroup and get Adieny Hechavarria to fly out to Pence in right field to secure the victory