Giant Win For Hershiser

Orel Hershiser's hazing is over.

Hershiser won his first game in eight starts for San Francisco, giving up two hits in eight innings Sunday to lead the Giants to a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

"I'm done pledging," said Hershiser, who signed with the Giants as a free agent. "It was time to let me become a Giant."

Jeff Kent hit a two-run double in a three-run ninth for the Giants, who won for the sixth time in eight games.

Hershiser (1-3) walked two and struck out six in his first NL victory since Aug. 7, 1994, for Los Angeles. He has not allowed a run in his last 14 innings, giving up just four hits.

"That guy is a competitor," Chicago's Jeff Blauser said. "He's not the same Orel Hershiser in terms of velocity. He's always had good movement on all his pitches. He keeps hitters off-balance and has lots of confidence."

The Giants needed a strong outing after playing a 14-inning game Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday. Both teams were worn out.

"We were tired. They were tired," href=http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/baseball/mlb/players/3056.htm>Darryl Hamilton said. ``After two long days, it's good to go home with a smile on your face."

Hershiser gave up a single to Brant Brown with two outs in the third, then retired 10 straight batters before Sammy Sosa singled to lead off the seventh.

Robb Nen pitched the ninth for his sixth save, completing the combined three-hitter.

"It's nice to get the win but it's also nice when you do your job," Hershiser said. "(Losing) wasn't eating at me. I thought I had been throwing the ball well all year."

Mark Clark (2-5) dropped his fifth straight start, giving up four hits in 8 1-3 innings. He struck out eight and walked one, although Clark didn't agree with plate umpire Jerry Crawford's call on a 3-2 pitch to Hamilton with one out in the Giants ninth.

"You make a good pitch on strike three and it's ball four," Clark said of the walk to Hamilton. "He shouldn't have been on base to begin with. It's tough luck."

"The pitch he called before set it up," Hamilton said. ``It's just one of those things where it was more inside than the pitch before. I'm glad I asked Jerry Crawford before that (ball four) pitch."

After Hamilton walked, Bill Mueller single to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 14 games. Right fielder Sosa's relay throw short-hopped shortstop Blauser, who was charged with an error that let Hamilton score.

"It bobbled long enough for me to get going," Hamilton said.

Bob Patterson intentionally walked Barry Bonds and Kent greeted former teammate Rod Beck with a double.

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