His heart's in Frisco
SAN FRANCISCO — Sean Casey has produced ridiculously big numbers in San Francisco's new ballpark.
The 31-year-old first baseman had four hits for the second straight game, Victor Santos allowed four hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Giants on Friday night.
Casey improved his average in San Francisco to .472 (42-for-89). He is hitting .595 (22-for-37) over his last eight games in San Francisco.
"This game goes in waves," Casey said. "I'm getting good pitches to hit and I'm not missing them. This is one of my favorite parks to come to. I love the background."
Santos, who matched his season high in innings, earned his second win in as many starts in the Giants' new ballpark.
"What we're beginning to see is Victor gaining an understanding of what we are encouraging him to do," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said.
Santos (4-6), who threw his only career complete game here last April 22 with Milwaukee, allowed two runs, walking one and striking out three.
"I love playing here," Santos said. "It's a great atmosphere. It always a big crowd and that helps me get into a groove out there."
Mike Gonzalez got through a rocky ninth inning for his ninth consecutive save. With one out, Moises Alou singled, and one out later Pedro Feliz hit a ground-rule double to put runners on second and third. Gonzalez then walked Jose Vizcaino to load the bases before striking out Eliezer Alfonzo.
"(Pitching coach Jim) Colburn came out to tell me to bear down and that no one will hit my stuff if I'm throwing a good breaking ball," Gonzalez said. "After I walked that guy, I looked at him again and he calmed me down with a couple of words."
The Pirates improved to 2-13 in one-run games on the road and are 7-18 overall.
Barry Bonds missed his third straight game with a sore left side.
"Barry was not available and is questionable for (Saturday)," Giants manager Felipe Alou said. "During the game the trainer told me that he still has the strain and they are afraid he'd aggravate that and then he would be lost for many days. That's why he didn't pinch hit. We'll see about what he looks like."
Matt Morris (3-7) lost to the Pirates for just the third time in his last 14 starts against them. He gave up three runs and eight hits with a walk and a season-high eight strikeouts. He's 10-3 against Pittsburgh in that span.
Jason Bay's 19th home run of the season, and his 12th on the road, gave the Pirates a 3-2 lead in the fourth. Casey opened the inning with a single.
Bay has hit eight home runs and driven in 16 runs in his last 10 road games. He's batting .515 (17-for-33) over that span.
"There are stats to make you look good or bad for anything," Bay said. "It's just one of those things that I'm good on the road."
