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Lewis, Rowand spark extra-inning rally

Apr 24, 2008 - 7:09 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Fred Lewis and Aaron Rowand each drove in a run during the decisive top of the 13th inning, lifting the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

With the game tied at 1-1, Lewis lined a single to center field off reliever Glendon Rusch (0-2) to plate rookie Emmanuel Burriss, who led off the 13th with a double down the right field line.

Lewis advanced to second on the throw home and, after a groundout by Dan Ortmeier, moved to third on a grounder by reliever Keiichi Yabu.

Bengie Molina was walked intentionally, putting runners at the corners for Rowand, who added an insurance run by driving in Lewis from third with a single to left-center.

"This team doesn't ever quit fighting or quit battling," Rowand said. "It says a lot for the guys."

The Padres did not go quietly, however, loading the bases with none out against Giants closer Brian Wilson in the bottom of the 13th.

After narrowing the deficit to just one on Colt Morton's sacrifice fly, San Diego failed to get any closer. Khalil Greene flied out and Tadahito Iguchi grounded out with the bases loaded as Wilson notched his sixth save in seven opportunities.

"The bullpen stepped up and did the job tonight," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's good to win a game like this any time, but we had a tough time here last year, so it's good to come away with a win."

Yabu (2-1) retired the only two batters he faced in the 12th to pick up the victory.

The contest reached extra innings when Trevor Hoffman's second blown save of the season spoiled a stellar outing by starter Greg Maddux, who was in line to notch his 350th career victory.

Hoffman served up a solo home run by Molina in the ninth that evened the contest at 1-1.

"You don't see that happen a lot," Rowand said. "Hoffman is one of the best. He is the best, and has been for a long time. He's probably the smartest pitcher I've ever faced. Even the best sometimes make a mistake with a pitch, and he happened to with Bengie."

The 40-year-old Hoffman - baseball's all-time saves leader - has struggled this season, as his ERA inflated to 8.22 after the blast.

"Trev's been through this before, and I'm sure there is frustration on his part," Padres manager Bud Black said. "In that case, Bengie went down and got a low changeup. I'm sure Trev is frustrated with what happened. He'll be all right."

Maddux, who allowed a career-high nine runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his previous start, cruised through seven scoreless innings, giving up just four hits while striking out five.

"Greg was outstanding," Black said. "He bounced back from his outing in Arizona and threw a gem."

Giants starter Matt Cain also pitched well, surrendering just one run and five hits in seven innings. The 23-year-old righthander walked three and struck out seven.

"It was a good ballgame," Black said. "It was well-pitched on both sides. They got the hits at the end, and we didn't. We had a couple of opportunities and they made some pitches."