After being swept to start the second half of the season, the Giants are now in position to sweep themselves. An eighth inning rally led San Francisco to a 6-4 win over the Nationals in the second game of the series.
Kevin Correia got knocked around a bit, but worked his way out of trouble through the first four innings. He lasted just five and two-thirds innings while giving up four runs (three earned) on twelve hits. A two-run homerun by Jesus Flores which gave Washington the lead in the sixth inning ended Correia’s outing. Alex Hinshaw relieved him to end the inning, retiring the one batter he was brougt in to face. Osiris Matos took the Giants into the eighth inning without allowing the Nationals to threaten, but then needed help from Geno Espineli to end the inning. After rallying back to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, Espineli was in position to earn his first Major League win, and Brian Wilson secured it in the ninth inning after earning his twenty-seventh save.
The Giants took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when Bengie Molina doubled in Fred Lewis and Randy Winn. Molina would have a three-for-four day when he would add another double and single later in the game. Omar Vizquel’s bat has finally come alive as he also went three-for-four with an RBI double in the eighth inning to give the Giants their sixth run of the game. Rich Aurilia highlighted the eighth inning comeback with a two-run double that scored pinchrunner Emmanuel Burriss and John Bowker, giving the Giants a 5-4 lead. It was a good collective effort by the Giants hitters with everyone chipping in to earn the win.
Matt Cain will look to complete the sweep this afternoon at 12:45 p.m. Tim Redding will pitch for Washington, but both starters have struggled in their last starts. A tough weekend series against the D-backs awaits the Giants.
