Baggs' Instant Replay: Mariners 2, Giants 1

BOX SCORE

SEATTLENeither the Giants nor the Seattle Mariners could create any breaks Sunday afternoon.

They failed to bunt over runners. They couldnt execute throws from the outfield to the plate. Hits with runners in scoring position? It was slim pickings out there.

But then Sergio Romo allowed two singles in the ninth. And the Mariners got lucky. Left fielder Melky Cabrera collected Justin Smoaks single off Javier Lopez and his throw hit runner Munenori Kawasaki in the back as the Mariners celebrated their second walk-off victory of the season, winning the rubber game of the series 2-1 at Safeco Field.
Starting pitching report
In his previous start, Madison Bumgarner joined Juan Marichal and Mike Krukow as the only starting pitchers in the Giants San Francisco era to hit a home run and strike out at least 12 in the same game.

There was no chance for Bumgarner to repeat that feat in an AL park, but he dominated the Mariners while holding them to four baserunners in eight innings.

He allowed his only run in the second inning when Casper Wells singled, Miguel Olivo doubled and Dustin Ackley hit a sacrifice fly. Angel Pagan caught the ball in somewhat shallow center field but his throw arrived on a bounce and was up the line.

Ackleys fly ball began a string of 18 consecutive batters retired by Bumgarner, who mixed his slider and moved his fastball in and out. He held the Mariners to three hits and a walk while striking out four.

Bumgarner had to adapt to a different strike zone in the eighth inning, after plate umpire Andy Fletcher left the game with a wrist injury. There was a delay in the top of the eighth as second base umpire Joe West rushed back to put on gear to replace Fletcher.

Bullpen report
Romo and Lopez only combined to do one thing right in the ninth. Lopez bounded off the mound to collect Michael Saunders sacrifice bunt and threw accurately to cut down the lead runner at third base.

Otherwise, the two relievers faced four batters and allowed three hitsthe same number of hits that Bumgarner allowed in eight innings.

At the plate
Felix Hernandez was tough, but the Giants were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 in the game.

They put immediate pressure on Hernandez when Pablo Sandoval and Melky Cabrera singled in the first inning. Pagans clutch two-out hit scored Sandoval from second base, as catcher Miguel Olivo couldnt handle the one-hop throw from center field.

But they didnt score again. Hernandez got fellow Venezuelan Hector Sanchez to fly out with the bases loaded, then the former Cy Young Award winner matched Bumgarner while settling into one of his familiar grooves.

The Giants only got one more runner into scoring position in Hernandezs seven innings, and that was when Buster Posey reached on an infield single and moved up on a balk in the third inning.

It was the only hit for either team from the third inning through the sixth.

The Giants threatened in the seventh inning when Brandon Crawford hit a leadoff single. But Emmanuel Burriss left his bunt within Olivos grasp and Crawford was thrown out at second base.

They came up short again in the eighth inning and lost Posey in the process when Bochy pinch-ran Justin Christian for him.

That decision loomed large in the ninth when the Giants loaded the bases and Poseys spot came up. Burriss singled, Gregor Blanco drew a controversial walk (after drawing ball five, apparently), and Sandoval walked on four pitches. But Melky Cabrera struck out on three pitches from closer Tom Wilhelmsen and Nate Schierholtz, pinch-hitting for Christian, got jammed while grounding out on a 3-2 pitch.

In field
Smoak, the first baseman, was the clear difference maker in this game. In addition to his walk-off hit, he made a diving stop and flipped to pitcher Brandon League with two outs and two aboard to retire Sanchez in the eighth.

Sandoval had a solid game at third base, moving well to his right while making a couple plays. He saved a run when he stopped Brendan Ryans hard grounder with a runner on third and two outs in the second inning.

Attendance
The Mariners announced 40,603 paid on Fathers Day. It was Seattles largest crowd since opening day.

Up next
The Giants visit Angel Stadium for the first time since Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. Theyll begin their interleague series with the Angels on Monday as Matt Cain (8-2, 2.18) takes the mound for the first time since his perfect game on Wednesday. Hell try to extend a streak that stands at 32 consecutive batters retired while facing a former minor league teammate in right-hander Jerome Williams (6-4. 4.20).