Giants avoid sweep by topping Jays in 13th
SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Giants are struggling so badly for offense of late, they will take wins any way they can get them. With one hit in his last 24 at-bats, Buster Posey ended it in the 13th inning Wednesday, drawing a walk with the bases loaded as the Giants avoided being swept by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4.
Brandon Belt was hit by a pitch leading off the 13th inning. Denard Span bunted and on a sacrifice fielder's choice, there were runners at first and second. With Joe Panik at-bat, reliever Ryan Tepera uncorked a wild pitch putting runners at second and third. Panik was intentionally walked, loading the bases with nobody out. With a drawn in infield, Matt Duffy hit a soft-liner to first baseman Edwin Encarnacion. That set it up for Posey, who won it without having to swing the bat.
Pinch hitting in the top of the seventh, Michael Saunders homered to center in the top of the ninth to tie the game and force extra innings. He ended up with two hits in four at-bats.
Madison Bumgarner worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning to toss 6 1/3 innings, allowing only three hits, one run, and notching five strikeouts, but earned a no-decision.
Marcus Stroman avoided the loss, pitching six innings while allowing eight hits and four runs, while walking two and striking out five in a no-decision of his own.
Edwin Encarnacion, Russell Martin, and Justin Smoak had RBIs for the Blue Jays.
Ahead 2-1, the Giants made it 4-1 after five when Hunter Pence doubled to center.
The Giants got the leadoff man on base as Brandon Crawford hit a seeing eye single between first baseman Encarnacion and second baseman Darwin Barney in the second.
Crawford advanced to second and Conor Gillaspie was on first after reaching base on a fielding error by Troy Tulowitzki. Gregor Blanco took advantage with two runners on base by doubling down the right field line to score Crawford and Gillaspie moving from first to third. The lead was the first for the Giants in the series. Gillaspie though not a fleet footed runner, was able to score from third to make it a 2-0 cushion.
NOTES: Blue Jays OF Michael Saunders was out of the starting lineup despite going 6-for-14 (.429) over his last four games. Manager John Gibbons said it was routine, to keep him fresh. .... Blue Jays LHP Aaron Loup (strained left elbow) threw 10 pitches in an extended spring training game on Tuesday, and if it went well, he was scheduled to start a rehab assignment with High Class A Dunedin on Saturday. ... RHP Roberto Osuna, Toronto's 21-year-old closer, was not available Wednesday after pitching in three consecutive games. Gibbons options for the day? "You name it," He said. ... Giants RHP Sergio Romo was extended to about 35 pitches off the mound and continues making progress from a right elbow injury. "There are no issues with his elbow," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's on his way." ... RHP George Kontos (right elbow flexor strain), currently on a rehab assignment, is expected to rejoin the Giants in San Diego next week. ... Giants C Buster Posey entered play Wednesday on an 0-for-18 hitless streak, the second longest of his career. He went hitless in 19 straight in July 2013.