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Velez lifts Giants past Diamondbacks

Sep 10, 2008 - 6:35 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Eugenio Velez grounded the game-winning single with one out in the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the San Francisco Giants to a 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

With runners on first and second and the score tied at 4-4, Velez was brought in to pinch hit for closer Brian Wilson (3-2). He grounded a single off reliever Juan Cruz through the right side of the infield, plating Pablo Sandoval, who had singled to left field off Jon Rauch (4-7) to lead off the inning.

"I keep making mistakes left and right and it keeps putting this team farther and farther out of playoff contention," said Rauch, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals on July 22. "I really just don't know what to do right now. I wish I had an answer."

Wilson (3-2), who blew his fourth save in 41 opportunities, earned the victory despite allowing a game-tying two-run home run to Chris Snyder in the ninth.

"The home run means nothing," Snyder said. "The feeling is if we want to be playing here in the next four weeks, it's got to change.

"Hopefully we can start scratching and clawing to get back into it. It's not over, the season is not over. There's still plenty of baseball left to be played. We've just got to keep reinforcing that."

The Giants had taken a 4-2 lead in the eighth on RBI singles by pinch-hitter Fred Lewis and Rich Aurilia.

"I think you look at the timely hitting," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We had so many guys come through with huge hits tonight. Bengie (Molina) got one to tie the game. Sandoval, Richie, we had a lot of good things happen offensively."

Omar Vizquel sparked the Giants' eighth-inning rally with a leadoff double to right and was sacrificed to third by pinch-hitter Dave Roberts. Lewis then chopped a single into right field and Aurilia followed with a base hit to left off reliever Tony Pena.

"It was a good win because we were playing a contender and you know they are trying their best to win the game," Vizquel said. "We were just able to battle back and regain the lead. I think the younger guys are doing a great job of picking everyone up.

"Sandoval has been amazing and Velez is getting a chance. Those new guys are playing good and trying to impress the coaches to make a run for next year."

Barry Zito turned in a second straight solid outing for the Giants. He allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, walking three while striking out nine - one shy of his season-high.

"The Diamondbacks have given me some problems in the last couple of years, so it was good to come out and have a good one," Zito said. "We just want to come out and make a statement with this young movement we have. (We played) well in August, and we want to play well in September as well. We have some young studs that are just going to get better and better over the next couple of years."

Arizona's Doug Davis was equally as effective, surrendering two runs, six hits and two walks while striking out two in 5 1/3 innings. But, his performance was not enough to keep the Diamondbacks from dropping their fifth straight game as they fell 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers (74-71) in the National League West.

"It was a pretty frustrating loss. We just couldn't keep the momentum right after that (Snyder home run)," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "We give up a hit and walk and put ourselves in a situation where we've got to be perfect with our pitches and another ball found a hole between first and second.

"Obviously, it (has) been a frustrating trip for us up to this point. You have no choice but to go out there, try to take the last game of the series tomorrow and get back on a roll at home."

Arizona claimed a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a bases-loaded single by Davis and a sacrifice fly by Stephen Drew.

The Giants halved the deficit in the bottom of the frame. After Nate Schierholtz tripled with two outs, Vizquel was walked intentionally and Zito lined a single to right field to plate Schierholtz.

Pinch-hitter Molina tied the score in the sixth with a single through the left side, scoring Schierholtz, who was hit by a pitch to open the inning and moved to second following a walk to Vizquel.