Cleveland fans were excited to see Omar Vizquel back in Cleveland, but disappointed when he brought in an important run with a sacrifice bunt to help the Giants defeat their team 3-2. Jonathan Sanchez was also a key factor in the game’s outcome, with a quality start to help the Giants to a rare win against an American League team.
Sanchez did a lot to help himself out, and lucky the offense came alive for him late in the game. He pitched seven and two-thirds innings, giving up just one run on five hits to give his team a chance to win. He also recorded eight strikeouts while walking two batters. He was forced to leave when the Indians were threatening in the eighth inning, but Tyler Walker came in and got the last out of the inning with a strikeout of Jamey Carroll. It looked as if the Indians might have some last at-bat heroics in them when they scored a run off closer Brian Wilson in the ninth inning, making it another one-run game, but with two strikeouts Wilson sealed the deal.
Cleveland got on the board first with a quick run in the first inning, but San Francisco responded to tie the game in the next inning. After reaching base to lead off the inning, catcher Bengie Molina scored on a single by third baseman Jose Castillo. Any offense would be pretty scarce until the eighth frame. Ray Durham scored from third base on a throwing error by Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach while trying to throw out Randy Winn stealing second base, giving the Giants a 2-1 lead. Vizquel would add a run on a squeeze play that scored Castillo from third base in the ninth inning.
Barry Zito will pitch against Indians winless pitcher Jeremy Sowers in game two of the series tonight at 4:05 p.m. With a win here, the Giants might be able to boost their confidence against American League teams, especially playing on the road, and end their latest weak run.
