Photo Bullpen helps Schmidt slam door in sweep of Rangers

By Jeremy Harness

June 29, 2006
San Francisco Giants' Omar Vizquel, right, is greeted by catcher Todd Greene, left, after they defeated the Texas Rangers to sweep their three-game interleagues series in San Francisco, Thursday June 29, 2006. Vizquel hit a go-ahead single with two outs in the eighth inning that sent the Giants to a 2-1 win over the Rangers. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
 



The Giants’ bullpen, which has taken its share of criticism for much for the last three years, stepped up in a big way on Thursday, limiting the Texas Rangers to two walks over the final two innings in a 2-1 win at AT&T Park.

Kevin Correia and rookie left-handed fireballer Jonathan Sanchez each pitched the eighth inning, with Sanchez getting the win for finishing the inning, while Jeremy Accardo allowed only a walk in the ninth to nail down his third save of the season.

With the score tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Omar Vizquel’s single to right scored the speedy Jason Ellison, thus giving Sanchez his second win of his young major-league career without a loss.

Starter Jason Schmidt did more than his share to quiet down the explosive Texas bats. He went a strong seven innings and allowed only a run on four hits, striking out five hitters while walking only two of them. In the process, he dropped his ERA down to 2.73, which ranks him third in the majors for starting pitchers.

Vizquel had two hits for the Giants, who were without a resting Barry Bonds, and raised his team-high average of .306.

The Giants will now head to San Diego for a weekend three-game series at Petco Park, as they resume their play against the National League.

 

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