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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- As far as Livan Hernandez is concerned, let
the playoffs begin.
|  | | Ken Griffey Jr. did not quite feel well enough to play center field on Tuesday, but he did manage to rip home run No. 40 off Giants starter Livan Hernandez in the eighth. |
"I'm ready. Two more starts and I don't care who is coming
in," he said. "I'm ready."
Hernandez pitched a seven-hitter Tuesday night to win for the
12th time in 14 decisions at Pacific Bell Park, and the San
Francisco Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3.
It was his fifth complete game of the season, and 16th of his
career.
"He wanted that tonight," Giants manager Dusty Baker said.
"It's great he had the desire and determination to finish."
Hernandez (16-10) struck out three with no walks to stop
Cincinnati's four-game winning streak.
The loss ensured St. Louis, the NL Central leader, would finish
no worse than tied for the division title.
Ken Griffey Jr., who had missed seven games with a partially
torn left hamstring, hit his 40th homer in the eighth when he pinch
hit, making him the fourth player to reach 40 in seven seasons.
Babe Ruth did it 11 times, and Hank Aaron and Harmon Killebrew
eight each.
"I'll have the same role tomorrow -- I'll come off the bench,"
Griffey said. "But I'll be ready to play Friday."
San Francisco, which lowered its magic number to three for the
NL West title, opened a season-high 10½-game lead over second-place
Arizona.
Hernandez also hit a run-scoring single in the sixth, giving him
hits in 14 of his last 20 outings. He is hitting .247 (21-for-85)
this season with nine RBIs.
"He helps himself on the bases, in the field and with the
bat," Baker said. "He's a complete player."
Reds rookie Rob Bell (7-8) gave up four runs and seven hits in
five innings for the Reds. He struck out four.
Chris Sexton's RBI single up the middle put the Reds in the
second inning. Giants catcher Bobby Estalella, attempting to tag
Casey out at home, argued the runner never touched the plate but
umpire Mark Hirschbeck called Casey safe.
Casey left the game after the inning with tightness in his right
hamstring.
Estalella doubled in the third, beating a throw by right fielder
Alex Ochoa, took third on Hernandez's grounder, and scored on
Marvin Benard's double.
Benard scored on Bill Mueller's single, and Mueller scored on
Barry Bonds' double for a 3-1 lead.
Jeff Kent's RBI double in the fifth inning scored Bonds, who
walked. Estalella added a run-scoring triple in the sixth inning,
and Hernandez hit his run scoring single.
Rich Aurilia added an RBI single for the Giants in the seventh
inning.
Dimitri Young had a solo home run in the ninth for the Reds.
Game notes
Tony Bennett crooned "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
for the crowd before the game. "That was cool," Baker said. ...
The Reds have played in front of 33 sellout crowds, but just three
at home. The rest have come on the road, including Tuesday night's
game. ... Barry Bonds needs one home run to tie Lou Gehrig for 17th
on the career list with 493. ... Bonds has hit 40 or more home runs
in four different seasons with the Giants. Willie Mays holds the
record with 40 or more homers in six different seasons. ... Giants
prospect Kurt Ainsworth limited the Netherlands to one run in 6 2/3
innings as the United States won 6-2 at Olympics on Tuesday.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Cincinnati Clubhouse
San Francisco Clubhouse
RECAPS
Oakland 7
Baltimore 4
Oakland 0
Baltimore 0
(2nd game)
Boston 7
Cleveland 4
Chi. White Sox 6
Detroit 2
Toronto 16
NY Yankees 3
Seattle 5
Tampa Bay 2
Kansas City 5
Anaheim 1
Minnesota 15
Texas 7
Florida 3
Montreal 1
Pittsburgh 12
Philadelphia 8
Atlanta 12
NY Mets 4
Milwaukee 9
Chicago Cubs 8
Houston 8
St. Louis 6
San Diego 7
Colorado 2
Los Angeles 1
Arizona 0
San Francisco 7
Cincinnati 3
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