Mercury News
Statistically speaking, Ryan Vogelsong is better than any pitcher in the major leagues at home. For once, the Giants' lineup posted some robust numbers at AT&T Park, too.
The result was an 8-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon that kept the Giants from slipping into second place in the National League West. It also broke their five-game losing streak, which could have turned into a double-digit panic with the fearsome Philadelphia Phillies coming to town next.
For all those reasons, Giants manager Bruce Bochy called the victory "probably our biggest to this point in the season. We had to stop the bleeding."
Vogelsong (9-1) took a shutout into the seventh inning before walking off to a standing ovation, and the new-look offense had its best day of the year at the ballpark beside McCovey Cove.
Hard to believe, but the Giants hadn't scored more than six runs in any of their first 52 home games. They topped that figure by the fifth inning, as Carlos Beltran had three hits -- including his second triple in three home games -- and Orlando Cabrera hit a two-run double to help the Giants avoid being swept by their only challengers in the N.L. West.
Before the game, Bochy was asked why he maintained the belief his offense would turn it around.
"Because I think we have the talent. That's where I'll start," he said. "It's a better lineup, a better offense than we were. You look at our new additions, and they're professional hitters."
Bochy also switched Nos. 3-4 hitters Pablo Sandoval and Beltran in the order, "just to break it up. That's the best way I can put it."
The Giants needed more than an icebreaker. They faced something more resembling a mile-thick glacier while going 53 innings without scoring multiple runs. That streak finally ended in a four-run third, when leadoff man Andres Torres began a parade of four consecutive singles. All came against Jason Marquis, a tough right-hander whom the Diamondbacks acquired because of his success against the Giants.
The former Washington Nationals pitcher gave up Cabrera's double before getting knocked out in the fifth. Then Arizona's other pitching pickup, former A's right-hander Brad Ziegler, gave up a two-run double to Cody Ross on the first pitch he threw with his new team.
The Giants' new guys did better than Arizona's new guys. Jeff Keppinger also had two hits for the Giants; their three trade-deadline acquisitions combined for six hits, four runs and four RBIs.
"You're joining a new team, you're moving your family -- there's a grace period there," Bochy said. "As they get to know each other, they pull for one another.
"These guys are pros. That's why I didn't think the transition would take long, and that's why I'm hoping this game will get us going."
The Diamondbacks had forged a tie atop the division by beating Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum in the first two games of the series. But the Diamondbacks could not conquer Vogelsong, who has a 1.30 ERA in 10 games at AT&T Park this season and rediscovered his cutter along with a hard-breaking curve to disarm a powerful Arizona lineup.
Vogelsong allowed one run. Guillermo Mota struck out three consecutive batters in the seventh to strand two runners and keep Vogelsong's ERA as pretty as possible.
Vogelsong leads the N.L.'s qualifying starters with a 2.19 ERA.
"It's been crazy, definitely something I'm not used to," he said, of all the newfound recognition. "I'm just trying to stay grounded and keep throwing good games."
Bochy said: "The guy on the hill sets the tone."
The difference this time: The offense followed that tone with more than crickets.
"I like to believe if you win the World Series, you have to hit at some point," Cabrera said. "It's pretty much the same team. So eventually, we'll put runs on the scoreboard."
The Giants beat a pitcher who was targeted to face them. Now they'll have their hands full with the Phillies in a four-game series. Roy Halladay is not listed to pitch in the series, but the Giants will get Cliff Lee in the first game.
Beltran faced the Phillies tons in his N.L. East career with the Mets. He'll preach more of the same approach.
"Today was a good example," he said. "Take the walk, try to use the hole, go first to third, put yourself in position for the next guy to drive you in."
And if not?
"Doesn't matter," Sandoval said. "You can still get there. You can score one and win."
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