Giants win West as Padres are eliminated
Five strong innings from Jonathan Sanchez, RBI’s from Freddy Sanchez and Aubrey Huff and a home run from Buster Posey ensured the San Francisco Giants made their first play-off appearance in six years.
Needing just one win in this weekend’s series with the San Diego Padres, the Giants secured their play-off place on the last day after losing the first two games of the three-game set. The 3-0 win on Sunday evening secured the NL West title and eliminated the Padres from the post-season as they missed out on the wild card by one game to the Atlanta Braves.
Giants general manager Brian Sabean was delighted to end the play-off drought saying it was a long-time coming for his ballclub.
“We've been marching toward this for a while. Our organization is built on pitching. It's old-school baseball. Versus the past when we lived and died with one superstar player, there aren't any superstars on this team. There might be a couple of rising stars,” Sabean said.
Even with their Ace, Matt Latos, on the mound the Padres couldn’t find any offence when it really mattered, claiming just four hits all game – three of those coming from lead-off hitter Chris Denofia. It was the 12th shut out against the Padres this season, leaving manager Bud Black disappointed.
"Anyone who goes through this has a good sense of what's going on. Reality sets in and you know we didn't make it. But we still had a great season,” Black said.
The Giants relied on Sanchez down the stretch to see them through to the play-offs. In his last seven games Sanchez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball going 4-1 with a 1.03 ERA. On Sunday he didn’t disappoint, even helping out with the bat, hitting a triple in the top of the third to get the Giants’ offence going.
"I told myself, 'This is my last start and I'm going to win this game,'" Sanchez said.
The Giants now go on to play wild card winners the Braves with the first game scheduled for 9:37 pm ET.
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