Apr 16, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI single in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants have played six straight one-run games, winning four of them, including taking a 2-1 decision Wednesday over the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park.
Pablo Sandovaldrove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Giants (10-5) moved back into first place in the NL West (sorry, no magic numbers in April) while also clinching a series win over L.A. (9-6).
Ryan Vogelsongdidn’t get a decision, but had by far his strongest outing of the season, allowing a run on four hits and two walks in six-plus innings, striking out two. He came in having allowed eight runs in nine innings over his first two starts, allowing 14 hits and posting a rugged 1.889 WHIP.
Wednesday’s effort dropped his ERA from 8.00 to 5.40.
The Giants took the lead back in the seventh against relieverJ.P. Howell(1-1).Joaquin Ariasled off the inning with a walk and pinch-hitterEhire Adrianzasacrificed him to second.
After a strikeout and an intentional walk toHunter Pence, Sandoval grounded a single up the middle to chase Arias home and give San Francisco a 2-1 lead.
The bullpen made sure that lead stood up.Santiago Casillaallowed a hit while getting two outs in the eighth,Javier Lopezcame in to retire lefty-swingingCarl Crawfordto end the eighth andSergio Romopicked up his fourth save, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth.
Jean Machi(3-0) got the win, allowing a hit and striking out one in the seventh after taking over for Vogelsong.
San Francisco got their only run off Dodgers starterPaul Maholmin the bottom of the third. Pagan walked to lead off the inning and was forced at second on a grounder by Pence. Sandoval singled up the middle to move Pence to second andBuster Poseydelivered a groundball single to left field that scored Pence.
L.A. finally got to Vogelsong in the sixth, when he walked his opposite number, Maholm, with two outs beforeDee Gordonblasted a triple to the wall in right-center.
Vogelsong came out after starting out the seventh by hittingHanley Ramirezand allowing a single toAdrian Gonzalez. Ramirez had to come out of the game after being hit on the left hand.Accordingto the Dodgers, X-rays on the hand were negative.
Giants shortstopBrandon Crawfordwas held out of the lineup Wednesday with tightness in his right hamstring,accordingto MLB.com. Arias started in Crawford’s place.
The Giants will go for the sweep Thursday at 12:45 p.m., withMadison Bumgarner(2-0, 3.31 ERA) scheduled to faceHyun-Jin Ryu.
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