Mercury News
Freddy Sanchez finally experienced joy in a Giants uniform. He also got kicked in the face.
He could have done without the flying cleat to his jaw, which happened while he covered second base on a steal attempt in the second inning Thursday. But he showed a little toughness while shaking it off, then he put his talents on full display at AT&T Park.
A little more than a week after making his season debut, Sanchez became the difference-maker that the Giants long envisioned in a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals. He made several tough defensive plays, got on base four times and hit the two-run single that put the Giants ahead in the seventh inning.
The three-run seventh propelled the Giants to a series victory and kept them above .500, where they've resided all season.
"It's something we needed," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We needed somebody to pick us up, and he certainly did today. He's a professional hitter. He's going to put the ball in play and put good wood on it. That's his forte.
"This guy can hit, and he'll get comfortable the more he plays."
The Nationals led 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh before John Bowker reached on first baseman Adam Dunn's error and scored on Nate Schierholtz's pinch single. Andres Torres followed with a double to put the tying and go-ahead runs into scoring position for Sanchez.
Sanchez got a fastball he could handle from former Giant Tyler Walker and didn't try to do too much with it, serving his single to left field. Torres scored ahead of Josh Willingham's off-line throw. "Those are the situations you want to be in as a player," Sanchez said. "You won't always get it done, but when you do, it feels good. I haven't had much going on here." Sanchez also saved a run in the fourth when he stayed with Cristian Guzman's hard grounder, which took a wicked hop off the mound. And he showed quick hands while deftly flipping to start a double play that eased Guillermo Mota's burden in the eighth. Sanchez said he didn't necessarily need an all-around game to build confidence. But it's something the fans probably needed to see. Ever since arriving hurt from the Pirates in a highly scrutinized trade last July, Sanchez has been in the news more for his injuries, surprise surgeries and deliberate rehab pace than any exploits on the field. Sanchez has looked more and more comfortable since his debut but said he isn't where he wants to be. "I'm just trying to battle every pitch," he said. "I've got a lot of making up to do. I'm just trying to see pitches and make contact." But not shoe-to-the-face contact. Sanchez called timeout after Justin Maxwell inadvertently kicked him in the jaw while stealing second base. Sanchez didn't have any lacerations and said he was fine. Later in the game, Sanchez was thrown out trying to steal — and where do you suppose Washington shortstop Ian Desmond applied the tag? Right on the kisser. The Nationals reserved a few smacks for Barry Zito, too. The left-hander had allowed just one home run in his first nine starts but gave up two in the first two innings. Dunn found the right-field arcade in the first, and Josh Willingham led off the second with a blast into the left-field bleachers. Dunn came within inches of a two-homer afternoon, but his shot in the seventh hit the concrete facing at the top of the arcade. Umpires ruled it a double, and replays upheld it. Santiago Casilla got the final two outs of the seventh and received credit for the victory — his first since May 19, 2009, with the A's. Mota filled in for ailing setup man Jeremy Affeldt, and Brian Wilson retired the final three hitters to end it.
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