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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Livan Hernandez loves to pitch at Pacific
Bell Park.
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| Hernandez |
Hernandez threw eight strong innings Sunday to win his seventh
straight decision at home as the San Francisco Giants beat the
Chicago Cubs 5-2.
"It was good to come back home and be able to pitch a good
game," Hernandez said. "The wind was blowing into the plate, so I
knew they wouldn't hit home runs and I was able to throw more
fastballs."
Russ Davis homered and drove in two runs as the Giants improved
to 79-56, the best record in the NL. They have won five straight
and completed a three-game sweep of the Cubs.
Hernandez (14-10) gave up two runs on three hits in the first
inning, but then did not give up a hit after Mark Grace's two-out
single in the third. The right-hander improved to 11-2 overall with
a 2.41 ERA at the Giants' new ballpark.
"The last time out I pitched poorly, so I told myself that's
enough," said Hernandez, who allowed seven runs in two innings at
Pittsburgh on Tuesday. "I had to come back and pitch strong
here."
He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter in adding to his
career high for victories in a season. Hernandez retired 16 of the
final 17 batters he faced.
"All he does is change speeds and move the ball around," Cubs
manager Don Baylor said. "He's not overpowering, but he hits his
spots and he makes good pitches."
Robb Nen got the final three outs for his 33rd save in 38
opportunities.
"Livan is always the same," Giants' manager Dusty Baker said.
"I'm sure he didn't like that last outing. We all knew he would
come back strong."
Daniel Garibay (2-7) lost his fourth straight start and hasn't
won any of six starts since entering the rotation Aug. 1. He
allowed four runs on 10 hits with five walks and two strikeouts.
"He just threw too many pitches for the short time he was out
there," Baylor said.
Grace left the game after fouling a ball off his right kneecap
in the ninth. He suffered a bone bruise, and X-rays were negative.
"I don't think anything is broken, but he'll be sore for a
couple of days," Baylor said.
Chicago got on the board with two runs in the first. Damon
Buford led off with a double and went to third when Sammy Sosa's
pop fly fell in behind second base for a double. After Grace hit a
sacrifice fly, Ricky Gutierrez singled home another run.
Jeff Kent's first-inning single scored Calvin Murray to bring
the Giants within 2-1, and Davis, appearing in just his 65th game,
led off the second with his seventh homer of the season to tie the
score at 2.
"In situations where you're only playing once in a while, you
have to stay mentally ready," Davis said. "You just want to stay
sharp and concentrate."
With two outs in the fourth, Ramon Martinez singled, Barry Bonds
walked and Kent singled to load the bases. Ellis Burks followed
with a sacrifice fly to give the Giants the lead.
Murray singled in a run in the fifth, and Davis added a
run-scoring single in the eighth.
Game notes
The Cubs purchased the contract of LHP Ozwaldo Mairena from
Iowa of the PCL before the game. ... 2B Eric Young was scratched
from the starting lineup, and Baylor indicated it was to give him
some rest. ... Including the victory over Garibay, the Giants have
won just three of their last 10 games against left-handers. ...
Bonds, who went 0-for-4, stranded seven runners in scoring
position. ... The Giants have the best home ERA in baseball with a
3.17 mark. ... The 11 home wins by Hernandez are the most by a
Giants pitcher since Shawn Estes won 11 at Candlestick Park in 1997.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Chicago Cubs Clubhouse
San Francisco Clubhouse
$32.5M deal makes Giants' Nen highest-paid closer
RECAPS
Cleveland 12
Baltimore 11
Texas 4
Detroit 1
Minnesota 2
NY Yankees 1
Oakland 4
Toronto 3
Kansas City 8
Tampa Bay 2
Chi. White Sox 13
Anaheim 12
Seattle 5
Boston 0
Cincinnati 8
Montreal 1
St. Louis 4
NY Mets 3
Milwaukee 6
Colorado 4
Houston 9
Atlanta 3
Pittsburgh 8
San Diego 6
San Francisco 5
Chicago Cubs 2
Arizona 10
Florida 5
Los Angeles 6
Philadelphia 1
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