SAN FRANCISCO -- Pablo Sandoval felt so ill before Tuesday's game that he needed IV fluids just to get in the lineup.
Unfortunately for the Washington Nationals, Sandoval claims he plays better when ill, a statement he backed up with a majestic walk-off home run at AT&T Park.
Sandoval hit one to Barry Bonds territory with one out and a runner on in the bottom of the 10th. In fact, the blast that clinched a 4-2 win nearly hit the sign in deep right field commemorating Bonds' all-time home run record. The walk-off homer was the second of Sandoval's career, and both have come against the Nationals. It was the sixth walk-off victory of the season for the Giants and their 13th come-from-behind win.
"We love pressure, man," Sandoval said, smiling and sniffling at the same time. "It's our favorite part of the game. We come from behind and we win these games. We play better in the bottom of the ninth, one run behind."
That's precisely the position the Giants found themselves in. Trailing 2-1 with Nationals closer Rafael Soriano on the mound, the Giants found life when Buster Posey hit an infield single off Soriano's glove. Posey was replaced by Andres Torres, and the former track star soon had both arms pumping. With two outs and two strikes, Gregor Blanco hit a triple to right that brought Torres racing home as the tying run.
"He's that guy that quietly is doing a lot for us," starter Matt Cain said of Blanco, who is hitting .293.
"He's obviously sneaky at the plate, and he does a lot to keep rallies going. He's a good guy to have on your side."So is Cain, especially when Stephen Strasburg is on the other side. Long before Blanco and Sandoval got the crowd buzzing, Cain and Strasburg put on a show of their own.
The aces each went seven innings and struck out seven, with Strasburg edging Cain by giving up just one run to Cain's two. With Strasburg dealing, Cain did more than enough to give the Giants a shot at another comeback.
"That's critical," manager Bruce Bochy said. "(Strasburg) was throwing great, so you are hoping your guy puts up zeros and keeps you in the ballgame. You keep it close and anything can happen."
That was the feeling in the dugout as Cain kept pace with Strasburg, and the Giants finally broke through in the late innings to get a win that salved a lot of wounds. The Giants were coming off a 1-5 trip, and although they won the opener of this series, they took a significant loss when Ryan Vogelsong was lost to a broken hand.
Cain knew what was at stake.
"That's the hard thing about baseball," he said. "There are so many games and injuries, and you really can't sit on it. It's a hard thing to see Vogey go down, but you have to move on really fast."
Thanks to Cain, Blanco and Sandoval, the Giants wasted no time getting back on course.
First baseman Brett Pill and right-hander Sandy Rosario were called up from Triple-A Fresno, and more moves could be on the way. Bochy said the Giants still have not decided on a replacement for Vogelsong, but several players are being considered. Bochy said the Giants will push back the next scheduled start for Vogelsong's spot, meaning the replacement will start Tuesday instead of Saturday. Cain and Madison Bumgarner will be moved up a day.
For more on the Giants, see Alex Pavlovic's Giants Extra blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/Giants. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/AlexPavlovic.
wednesday's game
Washington (Gio Gonzalez 3-2) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner 4-2), 12:45 p.m. CSNBA
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