Morse Paces Giants Past Phillies 5-2
A little bit of patience has led to a lot of confidence for Michael Morse, who finished the three-game series with Philadelphia reaching base in nine straight plate appearances.
Morse got three hits and scored twice as the San Francisco Giants won consecutive home games for the first time in over two months, beating the Phillies 5-2 on Sunday.
"I'm just getting hits now. I'm not trying to do too much, just get a pitch to hit," Morse said. "I'm not seeing the ball any better, I'm being more patient."
Andrew Susac had two hits and drove in the go-ahead run for the Giants, who won their first series at home since taking two of three from Arizona right before the All-Star break. Brandon Crawford drove in a pair of runs.
Chase Utley and Cody Asche drove in runs for the Phillies, who have lost seven of their last nine.
Tim Lincecum (10-8) managed to work through five innings to end a personal three-game losing streak. He gave up two runs and seven hits, walking four and striking out two.
"I tried to do my best with what I had," Lincecum said. "I started doing what I wanted later but my pitch count got up there."
Lincecum needed 76 pitches to finish three innings and came out after throwing 97. The Phillies stranded eight runners over the first five innings, including the bases loaded in the third.
"We couldn't come up with the hit with runners on," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He doesn't give up. He stayed with his changeup. He gets you fishing in those situations."
Javier Lopez, Jean Machi, Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla combined for four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out nine. Casilla earned his 10th save in 13 chances.
Not since June 8 had the Giants won two straight at AT&T Park.
David Buchanan (6-7) allowed two earned runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.
Phillies: LHP Jesse Biddle, considered one of the team's top prospects, strained his right quad on Saturday in a start for Double-A Reading. . RHP Kyle Kendrick apologized to Sandberg for storming off the mound when he was removed from Saturday's game against the Giants. He said he was upset about coming out and not at teammates Chase Utley and Ryan Howard for allowing a pop fly to land safely.
Giants: Bryan Stow, the Giants fan who was the victim of a brutal beating at Dodger Stadium on opening day in 2011, was a surprise visitor to the San Francisco clubhouse before the game. Third base coach Tim Flannery ushered in Stow in his wheelchair. Stow's son, Tyler, accompanied him. Stow visited with nearly every player and left with several souvenirs. "I know all those players have to be excited to see him and have him here at the ballpark and the clubhouse," Bochy said. "With all he's been through, all his family's been through, it's great to have him here." ... INF Joe Panik suffered a dislocated finger on his left hand and had X-rays taken. He'll be re-evaluated when the team goes to Chicago . C Hector Sanchez (concussion) was a scratch from Friday's lineup at Triple-A Fresno with back spasms. He also left Saturday's game after getting hit in the mask by a foul tip. He's rejoined the team in San Francisco for further evaluation.
Phillies: RHP Jerome Williams (2-5, 6.43) will make his second start since being claimed off waivers when he pitches Monday at home against Seattle. He allowed two earned runs in 5 1-3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels last Tuesday.
Giants: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (7-8, 3.71) gets the start Tuesday when the Giants open a road trip at the Chicago Cubs. He's 3-3 with a 6.19 ERA in nine career appearances at Wrigley Field, though he's currently on a three-game winning streak there.
