The San Francisco Giants clubbed 18 hits and beat the New York Mets 10-1 to earn a split in the four game set.
Aaron Rowand had four hits and launched his tenth homerun of the season as the Giants hitters feasted early and often on former San Francisco rotation stalwart Livan Hernandez (7-8), touching the veteran up for six runs in 5 1/3 innings. Joe Martinez (3-1), a New York native, had a successful homecoming, tossing five innings of five hit ball while surrendering one run. Nate Schierholtz added a two run pinch-hit double and Randy Winn had three hits to pace the Giants offense.
In the Friday night opener, Met rookie Bobby Parnell (3-4), making only his second start on the year (against 54 relief appearances) was masterful, tossing six shutout innings, striking out seven while walking none, as the Mets won 3-0. Angel Pagan led off the game with a homerun (3) off Barry Zito (8-11) and Francisco Rodriguez tossed a perfect ninth for his 26th save.
In the second game of the set, Benjie Molina broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the tenth with a homerun (15) off Francisco Rodriguez (2-4) as the Giants prevailed 5-4 in ten innings. Brian Wilson (5-5) blew a long save for Matt Cain, but tossed 2 2/3 shutout innings for the win. Cain was strong again, notching 7 1/3 strong innings and leaving with the lead. Earlier in the game, Cain hit David Wright in the helmet with a fastball, knocking the slugger out and sending him to the hospital. Mets starter Johan Santana retaliated, throwing behind Pablo Sandoval in the seventh. The Giant third baseman responded by depositing the next pitch over the left field fence for his 18th homerun of the season.
The third game was likewise a pitcher’s duel as Jonathan Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey matched pitches for more than seven innings, each leaving with the score tied 2-2. Daniel Murphy drove home Jeff Francoeur, singling off Jeremy Affeldt in the bottom of the ninth to win the game for the Mets 3-2 and make a loser off Sergio Romo (3-2). Francisco Rodriguez (3-4) struck out the side in the top of the ninth for the victory.
Well, they got the split. That’s what you ask for on the road, right? But the bats (with the exception of the last game) were silent. Four good outings and two wins to show for it. I don’t know. I’m amazed more the more I watch this. Come on guys. Cain losing a three run lead was a bit of a shocker, too. I pray that David Wright is okay. It appears as if he is. Ended up on the disabled list with a concussion. Martinez played well. That’s nice to see. Let’s keep this momentum going into the next series. Heck, the Dodgers keep losing. Perhaps the Giants can win this thing yet.
The Giants will next travel to Cincinnati on Tuesday to play the Reds. The Mets host the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.
