Second of Molina's two home runs gives the Giants a 3-2 win over Padres
Associated Press
Bengie Molina could get used to hitting game-winning home runs.
"To see those guys waiting for you at home is just amazing," Molina said after hitting his second homer of the night with one out in the 11th inning off Cla Meredith to give the San Francisco Giants a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. "When I got to first, I wanted to turn around and go back home. It was great."
Brad Hennessey (1-0) threw two shutout innings as the Giants snapped a four-game skid.
"Brad saved us," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We were down to one pitcher and one player. Bengie, he's so clutch. He's the guy you want up there when you need a big hit."
Brian Giles had four hits and drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth for the Padres.
Brian Wilson blew the save opportunity after walking Josh Bard to open the inning and giving up a hit to pinch-hitter Tony Clark ahead of Giles' flyball to left.
Meredith (0-1) struck out Aaron Rowand to start the 11th, but Molina hit a 1-2 pitch over the left-field wall for his first homer in extra innings. Molina pumped his fist over his head as he ran toward first base.
"I was just looking for something middle in," Molina said. "I got it and I didn't want to miss it. I try to concentrate on defense and calling a great game. That's my game. When it comes to hitting I don't think about it. Maybe that's when I can hit it."
Meredith said if he made a better pitch, he would have gotten Molina.
"It wasn't an absolutely bad pitch but I picked a bad time to let a slider fall out on me," Meredith said. "I think he had made up his mind to swing and I had him right where I wanted him."
Giants starter Tim Lincecum allowed a run and seven hits over six innings, with a walk and seven strikeouts.
"It was a little nerve-racking but close games always are," Lincecum said.
Padres starter Randy Wolf pitched effectively for six innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out four.
Molina led off the second inning with his second home run of the season, a drive into the left-field bleachers.
"I made a couple of mistakes and obviously one of them was right down the heart to Molina," Wolf said.
Wolf walked Brian Bocock on four pitches to start the third. Lincecum sacrificed him to second and Randy Winn followed with an RBI double to make it 2-0.
Lincecum loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth. He gave up singles to Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff, and hit Jim Edmonds. Khalil Greene then hit a flyball to left field that appeared to be catchable, but went off Daniel Ortmeier's glove. Gonzalez scored on the play, but Kouzmanoff was forced at third.
Lincecum then struck out Scott Hairston and got Bard to fly out to limit the damage.
"I just tried to settle down from there and managed to get out of it," Lincecum said. "I forgot a lot about that inning, it was hectic."
Notes: Padres C Michael Barrett went on the disabled list with a strained ligament in his right elbow. ... Giants OF Dave Roberts went on the DL with left knee inflammation and may undergo minor surgery. ... Giants OF Clay Timpner made his major league debut as a defensive replacement. ... Padres INF Callix Crabbe singled in the 10th for his first major league hit. ... Hairston was ejected for the second time in his career and the first since 2004. ... Former Giants LHP Steve Kline cleared waivers and became a free agent. ... Giants RHP Vinnie Chulk (right shoulder strain) threw a simulated game.
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