Crazy Finish Reinforces San Francisco Giants Home Field Advantage

Baseball is a game of endless statistics and unpredictability. Giants Manager Bruce Bochy was the first to agree he has never witnessed a game end the way Saturday's second matchup with the Los Angeles Angels finished; with a walk off hit runner for a 5-4 home victory.
"It's the first time for me," Said Bochy. "I've never seen that. He smoked the ball, the runner never had a chance."
The hit was by Matt Joyce in the top of the 9th with two outs and runners at first and third. Joyce lined a ball that struck Angels pinch-runner Taylor Featherston for the final out, and a fitting end to what fans know all too well as Giants "torture."
The sold out day game featured a stellar pitching performance by Tim Hudson who took his team into the final inning leading 5-2. The 39 year old starter then walked the first batter he faced in the 9th, forcing Bochy to turn to his bullpen.  The Angels made it a one-run thriller on back to back, two-out RBI singles first off reliever Jeremy Affeldt, and then off closer Santiago Casilla who got the final out on Joyce's hit.

"I don't think I've ever seen that,"said Hudson who watched anxiously from the dugout. "It  got a little more exciting than we wanted at the end there. But it was a real good win for us."
Hudson becomes the second starter along with Madison Bumgarner to go deep into a game. He shared much of his success with his teammates.
"Buster did a great job calling the game and mixing it up," said Hudson. "They came out swinging the bat. I had some good pitches, but our guys played good defense and had timely hits."
Bochy had nothing but praise for his number two pitcher who retired the first 10 batters he faced and gave up just two hits.
"Impressive. He was really good," said Bochy. "It was obvious going into the 9th he was hitting his spots. He was mixing in all his pitches against a tough line. It's amazing at his age pitching in the 9th. I was hoping he'd make it all the way through. but he had some pitches get up and that's why i took him out."
Nobody needed a good game more than third baseman Casey McGehee, who has been struggling miserably both at the plate and defensively. Walking in North Beach Saturday morning, at the Liguria Bakery, Mary Gebhart said what many Giants fans are feeling. "McGehee is driving me crazy!"
The former Miami Marlin finally broke through just hours later with his first three hit game as a Giant and some fine field work at AT& T Park.
"He's been seeing the ball better," explained Bochy, refusing to listen to critics asking for a replacement. "He had a clutch two out RBI for us early. He had good at bats the whole game. It's coming together for him. It's a matter of time. He can hit. The knee injury set him back no question. But it looks like he's getting his timing back."
No doubt about Brandon Crawford's timing, especially against lefties. The Giants shortstop has 18 hits this season including his fifth home run to lead all shortstops.
"I wish I knew what it was. I also try against righties," said Crawford. "I've put in a lot of work against lefties. They were throwing everything at me today. Nice to see the respect."
Buster Posey matched Crawford with his fifth homer in the seventh adding to the Giants lead.
Albert Pujols and Mike Trout also homered, recording the only two hits against Hudson.
The Giants are enjoying being back home, having won four in a row and eight of 12 overall
in China Basin.
"It's really nice," added Bochy. "Everyday we have such a great crowd. A great fan base, especially when playing teams in California. We have played well against the LA teams. The pitching has been good. That's where it starts. it sets the tone. (Chris) Heston yesterday and (Hudson)Huddy today."
The World Champions, who have hung three banners in the last five years will try to sweep the Angels tomorrow with Tim Lincecum on the mound.