Pence Propels Giants to 6-4 Victory in Houston

Led by a four-run first inning capped off by a three-run homer from Hunter Pence, the Giants beat the Astros, 6-4. 

The wheels fell off early for Barry Zito, however. Signs of an Astros outburst loomed after Zito allowed a run in the bottom of the second inning. Not only did the Astros hit him hard, but Zito's command was all over the place leading to a abnormally high pitch count early. Those signs of a wobbly outing from Zito proved to be spot on. The southpaw allowed four straight hitters to reach base, and allowed one more before being summoned for George Kontos. The end result was 2 1/3 innings pitched, three earned  runs, and seven hits. 

Kontos saved the day, however. He was thrown into the fire, and delivered, logging 2 2/3 perfect innings. His four punch outs shouldn't be overshadowed, either. 

Pablo Sandoval drove in the white hot Angel Pagan to put the Giants on top early, 1-0. Buster Posey followed Sandoval with a walk, and Pence plated them all with a towering three-run homer, his second with the Giants. 

Joaquin Arias has been white hot in his own right. Fresh off delivering a game tying double on Tuesday night, he blew the game open in sixth frame with a two-run triple. The triple came as a result of an error on the play before. 

Guillermo Mota pitched for the first time in over three months. He appeared to be a bit rusty, allowing one run in under an inning pitched. 

Posted in: Barry Zito,buster posey,George Kontos,Hunter Pence,Joaquin Arias,pablo sandoval