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Gallardo, Brewers survive late charge by Giants

Jun 19, 2007 - 4:52 AM Milwaukee (Ticker) -- Rookie Yovani Gallardo pitched 6 1/3 solid innings and emerging slugger Prince Fielder homered as the Milwaukee Brewers held on for a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

In his major-league debut, Gallardo (1-0) surrendered just three runs and four hits with four strikeouts and three walks and kept Barry Bonds from moving any closer to Hank Aaron.

Taken 46th overall in the 2004 draft, Gallardo got his chance after an outstanding stint at Class AAA when Chris Capuano went on 15-day disabled list with strained left groin.

"The first inning got a little long for him, but I guess that's natural when you're making your first start," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "(Gallardo) buckled down after that and he really got into his game, which is throwing strikes with his fastball and curveball. He did a nice job for his first big league start."

Gallardo went 8-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 13 starts at Nashville, but even more impressive were his 110 strikeouts against 28 free passes through 77 2/3 frames.

The 21-year-old righthander dug himself a small hole early as Bengie Molina laced a run-scoring single to left in the first inning, giving the Giants a 1-0 edge.

"In the first inning, I was a little bit nervous, but I was able to settle down after that," Gallardo said.

"Prince said, 'Don't worry kid, I'll pick you right up,'" Yost said.

Fielder had Gallardo's back in the bottom half, taking the first offering by Giants starter Noah Lowry (6-6) over the left-center field fence for a two-run blast. It was Fielder's National League-leading 26th home run.

Gallardo helped his own case in the second with his first major league hit, an RBI double to left as the Brewers pushed the lead to 3-1.

"I was just trying to help myself in that situation," Gallardo said. "I was very excited about that, I've always loved hitting."

In the seventh, the Giants made things interesting. Pedro Feliz hit a leadoff homer - his 10th of the season - against Gallardo and Ray Durham stroked a two-run blast off reliever Carlos Villanueva to crawl within 5-4.

Derrick Turnbow tossed a scoreless eighth, but Brewers closer Francisco Cordero had to work extra hard in the ninth to pick up his 26th save. After walking Dave Roberts to load the bases, Cordero fanned Randy Winn and got Ryan Klesko to ground out to first to end the game.

"You're doing and creating what you want, and that's the opportunities, and we're just coming up short," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's hard to explain what's going on, believe me. We're in a situation so much in these games where anything gets us a win and at this point, we'll take anything. A blooper, or anything to get us over the hump."

Bonds finished 1-for-2 with two walks, remaining eight homers shy of passing Aaron's all-time mark.

"I just focus on making quality pitches; I just tried to make good pitches to (Bonds)," Gallardo said.

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks returned from the 15-day disabled list and finished with an RBI and two doubles.

"It felt good, man, it felt real good," said Weeks, who batted from the eighth spot for the first time this season. "It was good to be back and help the team to win. We won the game, so that's the biggest thing."

Lowry was pounded for five runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 frames to remain winless in three career starts against the Brewers. The southpaw walked three and struck out three.

"I just fell into hitters' counts a lot and didn't make the pitches I needed to make," Lowry said. "I'm always disappointed when I don't go deep into the game, or give our team a chance to win. I put our team in a whole early, and they did a good job battling back but we gave them too much, too quick."