Photo by Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group
San Francisco, CA - Off to a good start, Ryan Vogelsong pitched his best game of the season. He tossed more than five innings for the first time in the 2-1 decision over the Dodgers. The Giants have won the series for the second time this season.
Vogelsong yielded one run and four hits in six plus innings. Trying to get back to form after two inconsistent outings, he admitted to not having his mechanics in order. Tonight he threw a first pitch strike to 16 of 21 batters.
"I finally got the results I've been looking for," Vogelsong said. "We've been working real hard on the side and it just kind of all came together for me. I was able to make pitches tonight and keep them off balance."
"He stayed consistent with his delivery," said manager Bruce Bochy. "Tonight, he stayed in sync and had good command throughout the game. He pounded the strike zone."
San Francisco got going early when Buster Posey's RBI single scored in Hunter Pence for the 1-0 lead bottom of the third. Paul Maholm walked Angel Pagan to led off the inning, Pence then grounded into a fielder's choice. Pablo Sandoval's single moved Pence to third and Posey's hit brought him home.
Dee Gordon tied the game with a RBI triple top of the sixth. Yet LA still struggled offensively throughout the game. After Hanley Ramirez was hit by a pitch on his left hand which took him out of the game in the seventh. The Dodgers loaded the bases and left runners stranded for a second day.
"It's good news because it's not broke," Ramirez said whose X-rays came back negative. "I'm going to come in early and try to hit. If I can go then I'll be in the lineup."
"Obviously I'm not trying to hit him in that situation, but putting the winning run on base in the seventh inning," said Vogelsong. "I'm trying to run the ball in on him."
Pinch-runner Justin Turner came in for Ramirez . Vogelsong gave up a single to Adrian Gonzalez and that was then end of his night on the mound. Jean Machi replaced him, striking out Matt Kemp and surrendering a single to Andre Either loading the bases. He got Juan Uribe to ground into a double to end the threat.
Sandoval who was hitless in the last game came through in the seventh. His second RBI single was the winning run that gave the Giants a 2-1 lead and clinched the series for the second time this season. Joaquin Arias leadoff the frame with a walk, then advanced to second on Ehire Adrianza's sacrifice bunt.
Pence was intentionally walked by J.P. Howell and Sandoval's single brought in Arias to seal the victory. LA got off to a shaky start with multiple errors, Kemp dropped a routine fly ball, Gonzalez was called for interference with the catcher on a pop-up and two players were picked-off trying to steal bases all in the first three innings.
"Started off with a walk and that got them momentum, but I've got to tip my hat to Pablo, he hit a tough pitch," Powell said.
"We're leaving too many men on base," said Ramirez. "It is what it is. How many more series do we have left against this team? It's a long race to the end and we have to continue to play our game."