Pinch-hitter pitcher Gausman sac fly in 11th, SF tops Braves

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pinch-hitting pitcher Kevin Gausman lofted a full-count, bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the San Francisco Giants edged the Atlanta Braves 6-5 Friday night to increase their NL West lead.

The Giants, saved when Donovan Solano came off the COVID-19 injured list and connected for a tying, pinch-hit home run with two outs in the ninth, moved two games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division race.

Atlanta had its NL East lead trimmed to two games over Philadelphia.

The Giants were out of position players when Gausman, a .184 hitter this season, stepped up for reliever Camilo Doval, who had never batted in his pro career.

Gausman hit a flyball to shallow right field and Brandon Crawford beat the throw home with a head-first slide. Gausman's teammates chest bumped him and cheered near first base a day after the right-hander took his first defeat since July 30.

Crawford began the final inning at second base and advanced on a wild pickoff throw by Jacob Webb (4-3), who then intentionally walked Evan Longoria. With one out, Solano was walked to load the bases.

Tyler Matzek had retired Crawford on a grounder with two outs in the 10th and the bases loaded.

Doval (3-1) pitched a perfect 11th for the win.

Down 4-2, the Braves rallied in the ninth when Travis d’Arnaud hit a go-ahead, three-run homer. Austin Riley and Adam Duvall hit consecutive singles to start the inning against Tyler Rogers and d’Arnaud connected one out later.

Solano homerd off former Giants reliever Will Smith, who blew just his sixth save.

Brandon Belt hit a two-run homer, Crawford also connected and LaMonte Wade Jr. had a splash homer for the Giants.

San Francisco starter Logan Webb struck out nine and didn't walk a batter, allowing two runs on six hits. He was...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Pinch-hitter-pitcher-Gausman-sac-fly-in-11th-SF-16469101.php