Giants 4, Phillies 2
SAN FRANCISCO -- Closing out the first half of the season with a third consecutive win, the San Francisco Giants completed a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 4-2 victory Sunday.
Catcher Andrew Susac belted a three-run home run in a four-run fourth inning, and rookie Chris Heston won his ninth game as the Giants (46-43) settled into second place in the National League West at the All-Star break, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Phillies lost their fifth in a row and completed a 2-8 trip. Their 29-62 record is the worst in the majors, and the 62 walks are a pre-All-Star-break franchise record.
Center fielder Angel Pagan and catcher Buster Posey had three singles apiece for the Giants, who followed up 22- and 15-hit explosions against Philadelphia pitching with an 11 -hit attack in the series finale.
The sweep was the Giants' first over the Phillies since the first year of AT&T Park in 2000.
Heston (9-5) added to his National League lead among rookies not only in wins but also in strikeouts (89) and innings pitched (111 2/3) when he fanned seven in 6 2/3 innings.
He gave up three consecutive hits, including an RBI single to Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, in the seventh inning before leaving in favor of left-hander Josh Osich. Heston allowed seven hits and just the one run. He did not walk a batter.
Howard also drove in the Phillies' second run with a two-out single in the ninth against Giants closer Santiago Casilla, who nonetheless registered his 23rd save.
Neither team scored before the Giants finally got to Phillies starter Chad Billingsley (1-3) in the decisive fourth inning.
After Posey and right fielder Hunter Pence singled, the Giants got a two-out, run-scoring hit by shortstop Brandon Crawford.
Susac followed with a blast to center field, his third homer of the year, to give Heston a four-run cushion.
The home run was the Giants' only extra-base hit of the game.
Osich pitched 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief before handing the ball to Casilla with a three-run lead in the ninth.
Pence had two hits for the Giants.
Howard, left fielder Cody Asche and center fielder Ben Revere each collected two of the Phillies' nine hits. Revere finished the first half with at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 games, raising his average to .297.
Billingsley allowed four runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings. He didn't walk a batter while striking out two.
NOTES: Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced that RHP Tim Hudson (sore right shoulder) would return to the rotation immediately following the All-Star break. RHP Tim Lincecum (bruised right forearm) will not. Bochy would not reveal which of the current member of the rotation would be demoted (probably to the bullpen). ...The Giants open the "second half" Friday at Arizona. ... The 1997 Phillies were 24-61 before the All-Star break, the franchise's highest "first-half" loss total before this year. ... The Phillies lost 16 of their 18 first-half road series. ... Phillies manager Pete Mackanin decided upon his starting pitchers for the three-game home series against the Miami Marlins that immediately follows the All-Star break. LHP Adam Morgan will start Friday, RHP Chad Billingsley on Saturday and LHP Cole Hamels on July 19.