The Game of Baseball

The San Francisco Giants' starting pitching, save for Barry Zito, has been surprising effective - especially Jonathan Sanchez. Friday's game showcased Sanchez as he had one of his better pitching performances; Sanchez pitched 8 innings, striking out 10, in leading the Giants to a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at AT&T Park. San Francisco was led by Eugenio Velez and Bengie Molina with 2 hits each - with Velez scoring twice and stealing a base while Molina drove in 2. The winning pitcher was the aforementioned Sanchez as he pitched 8 innings, allowing only 4 hits, an earned run, walking 1 while striking out 10; closer Brian Wilson notched his 8th save. Cincinnati managed only 4 hits - 2 by Ryan Freel while pinch-hitter Brandon Phillips hit a HR, his 3rd of the year. The loss went to Aaron Harang; Harang pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing 8 hits, 2 earned runs, walking 1 while striking out 8. San Francisco (11-13) plays again on Saturday as they host Cincinnati (9-15); Kevin Correia (1-3) gets the start for San Francisco while Matt Belisle (0-1) toes the rubber for Cincinnati.