Apr 18, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) celebrates with third base coach Tim Flannery (1) after a solo home run during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants played their third straight 2-1 game and their eighth consecutive game decided by one run, losing to the San Diego Padres 2-1 at Petco Park in San Diego Friday night.
The Giants (10-7) are 4-4 in those one-run games and have dropped two in a row. On a night when catcherBuster Poseytook a night off to rest, not having him behind the plate made an immediate impact.
San Diego (8-9) scored in the bottom of the first whenChris Denorfialined a one-out triple to right field and, one out later, starterMatt Cain(0-3) walkedJedd Gyorko. Ball four got away from backup catcherHector Sanchez, allowing Denorfia to score the game’s first run.
That was all the Padres would get off Cain, who allowed just the unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in seven innings. It was by far his best start of the season, lowering his ERA to 2.88.
The Padres got an insurance run in the eighth off relieverJ.C. Gutierrezthat would turn out to be huge, however.Yasmani Grandalled off the inning batting for starterTyson Rossand took a 2-1 pitch over the wall in right field for his first homer of the season.
The Giants attempted a rally in the ninth.Brandon Belthit his sixth homer of the season—tied withMark Trumboof Arizona for the National League lead—with one out in the inning off closerHuston Streetand after slumpingPablo Sandovalstruck out,Hunter Pencewalked and stole second. But Sanchez struck out swinging to end it.
Ross (2-2) had the Giants flailing at air all night, striking out nine in eight shutout innings while allowing only four hits and a walk. Street got his sixth save despite giving up the homer to Belt.
Angel Pagancontinued his hot hitting, going 2-for-4 with a double to raise his average to .385, and Belt was also 2-for-4. But the rest of the lineup combined to go 1-for-27 and San Francisco was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Michael Morsealso took the night off, withGregor Blancogetting the start in left field, andEhire Adrianza—after going 3-for-3 against the Dodgers Thursday—started at second base, but was 0-for-2 before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth.
The series continues Saturday evening, with a 5:40 p.m. start scheduled.Tim Hudson(2-0, 2.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Giants against left-handerEric Stults(0-2, 5.52 ERA). The game can be seen in the Bay Area on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area, with the game also being carried by KNBR 680 AM and KTRB 860 AM.
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