The Giants and Cubs traded homeruns in last night’s game, but Chicago produced more runs. After falling behind 3-0 late in the game, San Francisco was able to respond and eventually tie things up at five, but ultimately lost 6-5.
Kevin Correia pitched into the seventh inning, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks. He also managed four strikeouts, but the Cubs got to him early, scoring a run in the second inning to establish an early lead. Chicago added two more runs in the sixth inning when Jim Edmonds took Correia yard. Correia got one out in the seventh inning before leaving the game. Sergio Romo was unable to strand the runner Correia left on base for him to deal with, and would allow a run of his own to score in the inning as well, but then got two strikeouts to end the inning. Tyler Walker pitched the eighth inning, and allowed one big hit, a solo homer to Mike Fontenot that put the Cubs ahead 6-5. Keiichi Yabu pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to maintain the one-run deficit, but San Francisco was unable to get anything off Chicago’s closer.
All of the Giants runs came in the sixth and seventh innings, two in the sixth, and three in the third. John Bowker’s ninth homerun of the season, a two-run shot brought the Giants within a run, but the Cubs responded the next inning with more offense. Ray Durham’s three-run blast in the Giants half of the seventh inning would tie the game at five, but once again the Cubs would respond. In addition to the homerun, Durham also had a double and single. Jose Castillo hit a pinch-hit triple in the ninth inning, but failed to score the tying run.
The Giants will wrap up the four-game series this evening at 4:05 p.m. They will attempt to split the series with Tim Lincecum on the mound, and Sean Gallagher pitching for the Cubs. After this series is over, the Giants will host their long time rivals, the Dodgers in a weekend series.
