http://0rz.tw/qZSHo
Huff, Schierholtz help Giants edge Reds
By Chris Haft / MLB.com | 6/13/2011 2:26 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants are proving that heart, quite obviously, is more
essential than statistics.
After all, using numbers to explain their National League West-leading
record, their success at home or Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati
Reds is an utter waste of time.
Sure, the Giants possess excellent pitching -- remarkable enough for them to
build a 37-29 record despite being outscored, 233-230.
The Giants also boast the West's best home record (19-12) despite averaging
2.8 runs per game at AT&T Park. The 6-4 homestand they completed Sunday,
during which they scored all of 24 runs, was typical.
"As bad as we've done offensively, it's a testament to our pitching," Aubrey
Huff said. "My God, if we could hit a lick, we'd probably be 10 games over
the D-backs right now."
Besides, these facts and figures say nothing about determination, such as the
kind displayed by Nate Schierholtz, and perseverance, as defined by Huff's
efforts.
Unfazed by batting third for only the second time this season and by his
previous struggles against left-handed pitching, Schierholtz scored the
Giants' first two runs and drove in the third.
Fatigued by the Giants' stretch of 20 consecutive games, during which he
received scant rest, Huff stroked three hits while driving in San Francisco's
first and last runs.
The outcome not only gave the Giants a split of the four-game series with the
Reds but also left them with a 10-10 record between their previous off-day,
May 23, and Monday, when they'll fly to Phoenix for a three-game series
against second-place Arizona beginning Tuesday.
A lot happened to the Giants during those 20 games. Buster Posey's season was
ruined. Freddy Sanchez's year might have ended, too. Tim Lincecum encountered
another rough stretch. Yet the Giants never slipped farther than a half-game
behind Arizona and cling to a one-game lead entering this week's showdown.
Manager Bruce Bochy reminded that being in first place "means nothing now."
But weathering adversity is a different matter.
"I'm proud of how they haven't dwelled on what's happened, injuries or
losses," Bochy said.
Referring to Saturday's 10-2 loss, which matched the Giants' largest margin
of defeat this season, he added, "We got boat-raced yesterday but they came
back ready to go. We put together a really nice game. It's all about being
resilient. These guys are. They keep battling."
The Giants were forced to be stubborn after falling behind, 2-0, in the
fourth inning. They halved the difference in the bottom of the inning against
Reds starter Edinson Volquez. With one out, Schierholtz singled and scored on
Huff's double. They collaborated again in the sixth as Schierholtz drew a
leadoff walk, sped to third on Huff's hit-and-run single and scored the tying
run on Cody Ross' fielder's-choice grounder.
Schierholtz and Huff received some help in the seventh to break the deadlock.
Chris Stewart drew a leadoff walk from Jose Arredondo (0-2) and moved to
third as Andres Torres bounced a one-out double over first base. Reds manager
Dusty Baker elected to walk Miguel Tejada intentionally to load the bases,
which set up a force at any base or an inning-ending double play. Baker also
played the percentages by summoning left-hander Bill Bray to face
Schierholtz, a left-handed batter who was hitting .150 (3-for-20) off
southpaws. But Schierholtz defied the odds by lining Bray's first pitch to
center field field for a sacrifice fly.
Bochy had right-handed-batting Aaron Rowand, hitting .380 (19-for-50) against
lefties, on the bench. But Bochy never considered removing Schierholtz.
"What I liked about his at-bat is that he was aggressive," Bochy said. "He
didn't back off, and that was a tough pitcher he was facing there."
Schierholtz sensed that he held an advantage over Bray.
"I knew he had to come in there and throw strikes. I was ready," he said.
Huff, who entered the game hitting .176 (6-for-34) since his three-homer
outburst June 2 at St. Louis, then singled home Torres.
"It feels good to contribute," said Huff, who's batting .234 overall. "It's
been such a grind this year for me. More than anything, I get a little more
pep in my step knowing there's an off-day."
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.113.63.48