Luis Matos scored the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, while Spencer Howard pitched four scoreless innings, helping the San Francisco Giants secure a 1-0 victory over the MLB-leading Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
Despite the Phillies failing to score in the top of the 10th inning against Sean Hjelle (2-1), Tyler Fitzgerald advanced to third base on a flyball by Wilmer Flores. Matos then brought him home with a flyball to left field off Matt Strahm (3-1).
A total of five San Francisco pitchers combined to keep the Phillies scoreless for 10 innings. The Giants utilized an opener followed by Howard as their main pitcher. According to Hjelle, there was a strong sense of focus among the pitchers early on, creating a contagious atmosphere of success in shutting down the opposition inning by inning.
Reflecting on the team’s recent performance, manager Bob Melvin highlighted their ability to excel late in games, emphasizing their confidence in winning close matchups.
This victory marked the Giants’ 10th win in their last 12 games, securing the first two games of the three-game series against the Phillies, following a previous sweep by the Phillies earlier in the month.
The Phillies, who hold the best record in the majors at 38-18, suffered their first three-game losing streak of the season.
Howard, who started his career with the Phillies, delivered an impressive performance against his former team, pitching four scoreless innings in his first appearance of the season. Despite facing familiar batters, Howard maintained his focus on pitching effectively and contributing to the team’s success.
Expressing his approach to the game, Howard emphasized his aim to pitch efficiently and provide value by conserving the bullpen’s resources.
