After being all tied up at one with the Padres, and giving up them a two-run lead in the tenth inning, the Giants rallied back and walked off with a 4-3 win in the bottom half of the inning. It was a dramatic and exciting game for the Giants; each game they play seems to have been decided by a single run.
Both starters pitched exceptionally well for their respective clubs, each surrendering a run. Tim Lincecum was given the lead in the sixth inning, but was forced out of the game in the eighth when he gave up two hits to start the inning. Jack Taschner and Tyler Walker were brought in during the eighth to try to maintain the 1-0 lead, but allowed one of the runners Lincecum let on base to tie things up. Closer Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts, hoping the Giants would win it in the bottom of the ninth, but instead the game went to extra innings. Alex Hinshaw nearly pitched his way through the tenth inning, but then gave up a two-run homer to Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, giving San Diego a 3-1 lead. He was in line to get the loss until the Giants rallied in their half of the frame.
Fred Lewis became a hero with his two-run pinch-hit triple in the tenth inning that tied the game. The Padres then intentionally walked Randy Winn to help set up an inning-ending double play, and they got the ground ball they were looking for when Jose Castillo hit a sharp liner to Edgar Gonzalez (who made his first start at shortstop this season). Gonzalez had a tough time fielding the ball cleanly, and by the time he had a handle on it all the runners were safe, including Lewis at home, scoring the winning run. The Giants scored their first run of the game on a solo shot by Aaron Rowand. Rowand has been on a tear lately, going two-for-three last night, his other hit was a single; he also reached base on a walk.
The Giants will host the Mets tonight, hosting a them for a three-game series. Game one is set to be a showdown between Jonathan Sanchez and Oliver Perez. The game will start at 7:15 p.m.
