Phillies 2 - 4 Giants
Final
  for this game

Susac, Heston help Giants beat Phillies 4-2, complete sweep

Jul 13, 2015 - 12:00 AM SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Andrew Susac hit a three-run homer to back Chris Heston's superb start, and the San Francisco Giants rolled past the last-place Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

Heston (9-5) allowed one run and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. He struck out seven and walked none to help send the reigning World Series champions into the All-Star break on a high note.

Santiago Casilla gave up a run in the ninth for his 23rd save in 27 chances.

Buster Posey and Angel Pagan each singled three times, and Susac's homer highlighted a four-run fourth against Chad Billingsley (1-3) that handed Philadelphia its fifth consecutive defeat.

The Phillies (29-62) set the franchise record for the most losses before the All-Star break, surpassing the previous mark of 61 in 1997.

Ryan Howard hit two catchable balls that dropped in the outfield to drive in Philadelphia's runs.

The loss capped a forgettable first half for the Phillies. Ryne Sandberg resigned as manager June 26 amid the losing, and Pete Mackanin has failed to stop the slide as interim manager so far.

After dropping seven in a row, San Francisco is suddenly stringing together wins again - though playing the Phillies certainly helps. The Giants (46-43) have won four of five, and the offense is finally finding its groove.

The Giants got going by turning three double plays in the first four innings, with Posey starting two of them. The All-Star catcher, playing first base to get a rest from his regular duties, snagged a bunt by Billingsley in the third and a hard-hit grounder by Maikel Franco in the fourth before smoothly throwing to second each time.

Susac, who started in Posey's place at catcher, also threw out Cesar Hernandez trying to steal second in the first inning. But his biggest contribution came at the plate - not behind it.

After Brandon Crawford's RBI single, Susac hit a three-run drive onto the netting that covers the kale garden over the wall in center. It was Susac's third home run this season.

TRAINER'S ROOM:

Phillies: 2B Chase Utley fielded ground balls and resumed running as he continues to progress from a right ankle injury that landed him on the disabled list June 24. He hopes to begin hitting again Friday.

Giants: LHP Jeremy Affledt (strained left shoulder) could make a rehab start before returning this month.

UP NEXT:

Phillies: Philadelphia starts a six-game homestand against the Marlins on Friday. The post-break rotation is expected to begin with Adam Morgan (1-2, 4.32 ERA), followed by Billingsley and Cole Hamels.

Giants: San Francisco starts a six-game road trip Friday at Arizona. Bochy said the post-break rotation depends on how much Madison Bumgarner pitches in the All-Star Game, but RHP Tim Hudson (right shoulder) will start one of the first five games. Bochy indicated he'll stick with a five-man rotation but will need to decide which starter is the odd man out now that Bumgarner, Heston, Hudson, Ryan Vogelsong, Matt Cain and Jake Peavy are all healthy. Tim Lincecum (bruised right forearm) is still not ready to rejoin the rotation, Bochy said.

---

This story has been corrected to a final score of 4-2.






Related News