Resurgent Peavy Leads Giants Past Phillies, 5-4
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The "even-year" San Francisco Giants are on a history-making run.
Jake Peavy threw seven strong innings in another solid start, Brandon Belt hit a three-run double and Angel Pagan had three hits as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Friday night.
San Francisco, the World Series champions in 2010, 2012 and 2014, has won 12 of its last 13 games and 31 of 40, tying a record for the best 40-game clip in franchise history (June 12-July 21, 1954).
"Wow," Belt said, "honestly, I didn't know that, that's pretty impressive."
The Giants trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning when Belt cleared the bases with a shot to center off Elvis Araujo (1-1).
"Just good concentration, determination, both of them really," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of his team's propensity for getting the big hit with runners in scoring position this year.
"Tonight we needed it and Belt came through for us."
Peavy (4-6), 1-5 with an 8.21 ERA over his first nine starts, is 3-1 with a 1.94 ERA in his last six after allowing two runs and seven hits in seven innings.
"What a gutty effort," Bochy said. "You look at the job he did, his (pitch count) was getting up there and he had a runner at third with one out (in the seventh) and he saved us by keeping him from scoring.
"Well deserved win. It's nice to get him a win when he battled so hard tonight."
Santiago Casilla got Tyler Goeddel to ground out for the final out for his 17th save after loading the bases on a walk, a hit and a hit batsman.
The Phillies have lost 10 of their last 11. Philadelphia got a strong pitching performance from Zach Eflin, a 22-year-old rookie acquired in a three-way deal in 2014 that sent Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Matt Kemp the San Diego Padres.
The right-hander allowed one unearned run and five hits with no walks in his third career start.
"(Elfin) did heck of a job," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "He made mistakes that he got away with, but nevertheless, he didn't give up an earned run, you have to like that.
"He's 22 years old and a full house in San Francisco against a team that's won (31 of their last 40 games)."
Maikel Franco's one-out triple in the eighth started a two-run Phillies rally in which four straight batters reached safely with two outs. Cory Gearrin got pinch-hitter Andres Blanco to ground out with the bases loaded to end the rally.
"You watch how hard they play, down to the final out, on the road, I was very impressed with that," Peavy said. "I really respect the way they went about it, and down to the last out. You've got to respect that."
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Phillies: RHP Vince Velasquez, on the disabled list with a right biceps strain since June 9, rejoined the team Friday. Mackanin said his staff will probably make a decision on when Velasquez joins the rotation on Saturday. Velasquez threw a bullpen session Friday.
Giants: RHP Sergio Romo was evaluated by Giants trainer Dave Groeschner after pitching for a second straight day on Thursday on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento, Bochy said. Romo has been on the disabled list since April 15 with a flexor strain on his right elbow. ... RHP Matt Cain, on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday and will throw again on Sunday, Bochy said. ... C Buster Posey was given Friday off as Trevor Brown started in his place. Posey got into the game, though, and had a pinch-hit single in the seventh.
UP NEXT:
Phillies: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-6, 4.41 ERA) has lost his last five decisions, but he's coming off his best outing this month. Hellickson allowed three runs in seven innings in 3-1 loss to Arizona on June 20, his first quality start since May 30.
Giants: LHP Madison Bumgarner took the loss in his most recent outing despite allowing just one run in eight innings in a 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh. Bumgarner had won his seven previous decisions and the Giants were unbeaten in his previous 10 starts. Bumgarner ranks third in the league with a 1.85 ERA.
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