San Francisco Giants Rally For 2 In 9th, Beat White Sox On Joaquin Arias Walkoff Single
By Phil Watson
Mar 12, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Gregor Blanco (7) scores as the ball gets past Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers (21) during the first inning at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants’ bullpen didn’t allow an earned run over 4.2 innings Wednesday and Joaquin Arias capped a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth with a walkoff RBI single as the Giants beat the Chicago White Sox in Cactus League play 4-3 at Scottsdale Stadium.
The Giants were down 3-2 headed to the bottom of the ninth against Chicago right-hander Nestor Molina (0-1).
Hector Sanchez led off with a single and Nick Noonan doubled deep to left to bring home pinch-runner Juan Perez to tie the game. After pinch-hitter Brandon Hicks sacrificed Noonan to third, Arias lined a single up the middle to end it for the Giants (9-5).
Tim Lincecum surrendered his first runs of the spring, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in 4.1 innings, fanning three. Dan Runzler surrendered the lead while getting the final two outs of the fifth, allowing one runner he inherited from Lincecum to score. He gave up two hits and struck out two.
Yusmeiro Petit gave up an unearned run on one hit with two Ks in two innings, Santiaga Casilla worked a perfect eighth and Mason Tobin (1-0) worked around two walks in the ninth, fanning one.
The Giants got to Felipe Paulino early, scoring twice in the first to put the White Sox (5-6) into a 2-0 hole.
Gregor Blanco singled to lead off and Michael Morse skied a double to right that scored Blanco. Morse wound up at this when shortstop Leury Garcia’s relay throw was wild. Buster Posey then singled to right to bring home Morse.
It stayed 2-0 until the fifth. Alejandro De Aza had an RBI single with one out in the top of the fifth off Lincecum and with runners on first and third, Runzler came on to relieve Lincecum. Garcia laid a bunt down the first base line that scored De Aza. Runzler surrendered a hit up the middle to load the bases, but then punched out Gordon Beckham and Jose Abreau on called third strikes to preserve the tie.
Chicago took a 3-2 lead in the seventh. De Aza reached when Petit’s throw to first was wild, stole second and scored on a single by Tyler Flowers.
The Giants had nine hits on the day, with Blanco and Posey getting two apiece. Blanco’s 2-for-3 day raised his spring average to .238 and Posey is now at .450 this spring after going 2-for-3.
San Francisco heads to Surprise Stadium for their first night game of the spring schedule, facing the Texas Rangers at 6:05 p.m. Pacific.