Sandoval's Hit Streak At 18 Games, Giants Fall To Reds
CINCINNATI (CBS / AP) -- Scott Rolen's homer started a four-run rally in the seventh inning that swept the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 victory Wednesday night, extending the San Francisco Giants' misery at Great American Ball Park.
Rolen's first homer since July 6 ended Barry Zito's shutout and got into the Giants' bullpen, which let the game get away on a rain-slicked field.
Clay Hensley (1-2) threw wildly for an error after slipping as he fielded a bunt. Jeremy Affeldt's wild pitch allowed the go-ahead run to score.
It was another miserable game for the Giants at Great American, where they've dropped seven straight and 12 of 16. Zito remains winless there in six starts.
Jose Arredondo (2-0) had one perfect inning. Sean Marshall pitched the ninth and remained perfect in four save chances.
The Reds have won five of their last six overall.
Before the game, the Giants put Aubrey Huff on the 15-day disabled list while he gets treatment for an anxiety attack. Huff left the team after having a tough time in a game on Saturday. He could rejoin the team in San Francisco next weekend.
Pablo Sandoval singled in the third inning, giving him a hit in each of the first 18 games. That matches Johnny Rucker's mark with the 1945 New York Giants for best season-opening streak in franchise history.
Neither team did much through the first six innings, when a steady rain forced the grounds crew to spread bags of drying material around the infield at each changeover.
Angel Pagan hit a solo homer in the third off Bronson Arroyo, giving him a 10-game hitting streak that matches his career high. Arroyo lasted five innings, giving up at least one hit in each of them. He allowed nine in all and one walk, but escaped with only two runs—one earned.
Until Wednesday night, Zito has struggled at Great American, going 0-2 in five starts with 7.20 ERA. The left-hander allowed only four singles through six shutout innings, then left after giving up Rolen's leadoff homer in the seventh.
Hensley, who hadn't allowed an earned run this season, gave up a single by Ryan Ludwick and set up the Reds' go-ahead runs with a slip. He nearly lost his footing while fielding Ryan Hanigan's bunt, then threw wildly to first.
Drew Stubbs' walk loaded the bases, and Wilson Valdez's sacrifice fly tied it. Affeldt threw a wild pitch that let in another run, and Joey Votto doubled for a 4-2 lead.
NOTES: The Reds swept a three-game series from the Giants at Great American last July. ... Ryan Vogelsong starts the final game of the series for SF. He's 2-3 career against the Reds with a 5.40 ERA. ... Homer Bailey starts for the Reds, looking for his second straight win. He went a season-high seven innings in a 9-4 win in Chicago on Friday. ... The Giants filled Huff's spot by calling up infielder Joaquin Arias from Triple-A Fresno, where he batted .400. ... Sandoval hit in 22 straight games last season, a career best. ... Sandoval hit a foul ball that cleared the stadium roof on the first base side.
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