San Francisco, CA -- The game went into extra innings but before that the bullpen did something they haven't done in the last two games. They kept the Marlins off the scoreboard through ten frames, closer Sergio Romo came in the eighth for the second time this season.
He struck out Giancarlo Stanton with a runner on base and pitched 1 2/3 innings. Sandy Rosario pitched the final 1 2/3 frames without allowing a run for the Giants 2-1 victory over Miami.
"I didn't have a play," Justin Ruggiano said. "If I had dove for the ball, there is no play on that. My only chance was to get it on a clean hop, which was tough because it was spinning sideways, and try to throw the guy out."
Ruggiano is speaking of the play that won the game and the ball that dropped in front of him. Pinch-hitter Hector Sanchez hit a walk-off single to left field with the bases loaded in the eleventh inning. Today's victory snapped a nine game losing streak against the Marlins at AT&T Park.
"Thank God I was able to contribute to a much needed win," said Sanchez.
This marked Hector's third walk-off hit and San Francisco's eighth walk-off win this season. After Ed Lucas belted a solo home run in the first inning, the Giants tied the game 1-1 when Gregor Blanco nearly hit a home run but the ball dropped on the warning track and leaped over the wall for a fan to grab it in the fifth.
First-base umpire Mark Wegner ruled Barry Zito would've scored on the play and he did. Home plate umpire Mike Winters did not see the fan interference and allowed Blanco to advance to third base. But eventually sent him back to second for the double.
Despite Lucas going 3-for-4 with a walk and his first career home run. Miami stayed cold on their offense. Placido Polanco got robbed in the eleventh when Hunter Pence's diving catch ended the inning. That catch was hug for San Francisco and gave them momentum heading into the bottom of the frame.
"I knew it would be close," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It was a great catch that saved the game for us."
Zito tossed seven innings surrendering only one run on six hits. An emotional day for the southpaw as he lost his father this past Wednesday at the age of 84. Barry wanted to stay in the rotation and keep focus.
"I just tried to minimize distractions and take the mound regardless of what it is," said Zito. "Some things are a little heavier than others but at this time I don't wish to discuss my loss at this time. Let's just keep it about baseball."