SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants began the current seven-game homestand in desperate need of a winning streak and Tuesday night, they clinched their second consecutive series win to continue their slow climb up the NL West standings.
With solid defense, timely hitting and another outstanding outing from their starter Tuesday night, the Giants earned their fifth straight win in a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers.
Ty Blach took the hill to start for San Francisco and turned in another quality start – the third in his past four starts and San Francisco’s sixth in a row. Blach tossed seven innings while allowing just five hits and a run in his winning effort. In four home starts this season, Blach has allowed just five runs in 26 innings.
Brandon Belt continued his recent power surge with a solo home run in the bottom of the 4th inning that gave the Giants a 1-0 lead. The homer was the Giants’ 12th consecutive solo shot, and Belt’s team-high eighth bomb of the year. After Los Angeles tied things up on a home run from Chris Taylor, Belt helped the Giants retake the lead again.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Dodgers removed starter Rich Hill and brought in fellow lefty Luis Avilan to face Belt, who beat the shift with an infield single to shallow right that was knocked down but not converted into an out by Taylor.
After advancing to second base on a passed ball and moving to third on a groundout, Belt was singled home by Brandon Crawford to help the Giants take the lead for good.
It looked like the bullpen would run in to trouble in the 8th when Hunter Strickland allowed a leadoff single to Taylor and Corey Seager pinch-hit, but Strickland induced a double play and later got his way out of the inning unscathed.
In the top of the 9th, temporary closer Derek Law entered the game and picked up his 4th save of the season with a lock down inning.
The Giants will look to finish off the sweep of the Dodgers tomorrow afternoon at 12:45 p.m. when Johnny Cueto (4-2, 4.15 ERA) takes on Clayton Kershaw (6-2, 2.43 ERA).