Giants 2 - 3 Diamondbacks
Final/10
  for this game

Arizona's Upton hits walkoff HR in 10th

Jun 17, 2011 - 5:29 AM

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Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Justin Upton ripped a game-winning home run in the 10th inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks salvaged the finale of a three- game series with a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Chris Young had a two-run homer for the Diamondbacks, who came into the series only a half-game back of the NL West-leading Giants and are now a game and a half behind.

Arizona starter Ian Kennedy was superb in eight innings, giving up an unearned run while tying a season high with 10 strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision. David Hernandez (3-2) twirled a shutout 10th to get the win for the Diamondbacks.

Pat Burrell's pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the ninth forced the game to an extra inning, but Santiago Casilla (0-1) served up Upton's homer as the Giants' three-game win streak was broken.

Holding on to a 2-1 lead, Arizona gave the ball to usually reliable closer J.J. Putz. However, he gave up a leadoff single to Pablo Sandoval, who rounded to third on Aubrey Huff's single.

Putz bore down and got Cody Ross to strikeout, but Burrell followed with a hard liner to left that allowed Sandoval to rumble home safely and knot the score.

But after Casilla threw a scoreless home ninth, the game went only one more frame. Upton ripped the first pitch he saw from Casilla into the seats in right, an opposite-field blast to end the contest.

The Diamondbacks struck first in the fourth, when Upton led off with a single and Young clubbed the ball over the fence in left for a 2-0 lead.

But the Giants took advantage of a throwing error during the fifth to cut the deficit in half.

Ross and Nate Schierholtz started the inning with singles. After Brandon Crawford popped out, Kennedy got Eli Whiteside on a swinging strikeout while runners were in motion for a double steal. Catcher Miguel Montero's snap throw to third was way off target as Ross slid safely into third, popped to his feet and raced home.

The score stayed that way as Kennedy was brilliant all the way through to his last batter, pinch-hitter Bill Hall, who he caught looking at a fastball at the knees. That also concluded a string of six straight batters retired by Kennedy, who also retired the first eight batters he faced.

Game Notes

It was Putz's third blown save of the season...Six of the nine matchups this season have been decided by one run...The Giants, who had won five in row against the D-Backs, still hold a 7-2 advantage in the season series.






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