Aurilia gets key hit, makes pitch for old guys

Henry Schulman - San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate)

This time of year, older players on losing teams know they could be traded any day. Any big hit, such as Rich Aurilia's decisive two-run double in the eighth inning Wednesday night, could move an executive of a contending team to say, "I want that guy."

After the Giants came from behind to beat the Nationals 6-4, Aurilia reiterated he is not worried about being moved. But his words contained what sounded like a gentle pitch to management to keep players such as himself and Omar Vizquel to guide the kids who choose to mine all of the information that can be had.

"There's a wealth of knowledge in this clubhouse with a few guys," Aurilia said. "I hope people realize that and take advantage of it."

Aurilia spoke after the Giants took advantage of a weak Washington bullpen and scored three runs in the eighth to overcome a 4-3 deficit, clinch a home-series win for the first time since May 9-11 against Philadelphia, beat the Nats for the sixth time in six games this year and deliver Geno Espineli his first big-league win.

"Tonight was a complete momentum boost for us," said Brian Wilson, who had a wacky closer-ish way of explaining why he looked so strong pitching on his second consecutive night and earning his league-leading 27th save.

"I did my running this morning, washed out all of last night from my arm, and I was ready to rock and roll tonight," he said.

With the win, the Giants completed 100 games at 42-58. Last year, they were 43-57, which means the doomsayers were right: They are worse without Barry Bonds.

Something else to consider while giving a shout out to Bonds on his 44th birthday today: Will manager Bruce Bochy really plant Vizquel on the bench in August if he keeps hitting the way he has in this series? Vizquel is 4-for-6 since he had "the talk" with Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean on Tuesday about his curtailed role after the trade deadline.

Already, Bochy is rethinking his plan to rest Vizquel and an equally hot Bengie Molina today. Finally, Vizquel said after his first three-hit game since May 15, he is starting to feel it with the stick.

"I've been feeling better at the plate the last week or so, no doubt," he said. "I feel more comfortable about my swing."

A day after hitting two home runs, Molina hit two RBI doubles to help stake Kevin Correia to a 3-1 lead. Correia could not hold it, allowing a two-run Jesus Flores homer as part of a six-hit, three-run sixth. Pinch-hitter Johnny Estrada's pinch single gave the Nats a 4-3 lead.

After 21/3 shutout innings of relief from rookies Alex Hinshaw, Osiris Matos and Espineli, Bochy had Wilson start to warm up even before the winning rally in the eighth. It began with Molina's third hit, a single against Luis Ayala.

John Bowker drew a one-out walk before Aurilia's electric confrontation against Ayala, which started with two quick strikes and lasted eight pitches. Aurilia fouled off two fastballs and a slider and built the count to 2-2 before blasting a changeup into center field for a two-run double and a 5-4 Giants lead.

"He didn't throw me anything good to hit until the last pitch," Aurilia said. "When you get down 0-2, you've got to put the ball in play. You battle until you get something to hit hard. It felt good getting a big hit after a good at-bat."

Vizquel's double brought Aurilia home with a run that helped ensure the win for Espineli. The tall, side-winding lefty walked his first hitter in the eighth but retired Ronnie Belliard and Willie Harris to keep it a one-run game. In the clubhouse, his teammates gave him the business in the usual Giants way.

"I expected the old-fashioned, corny cream pie in the face," Espineli said. "Instead I got a good 20-beer drenching."

And the Giants got a pair of much-needed wins for the home folk. Never mind they came at the expense of one of the majors' worst teams.

"I was just thinking I can't remember the last time we won back-to-back games at home and a series at home," Aurilia said. "We played decently the last couple of days. Hopefully we can go out tomorrow and do well, too."