Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — With his old Marlins teammates standing in the opposite dugout and his wife and children in the ballpark to support him, Casey McGehee received his Players Choice NL Comeback Player of the Year award. That reminded San Francisco's struggling third baseman how far he has come, from New York to Japan to Miami and on to the Bay Area.
One mighty swing helped lift his spirits in a big way, too.
McGehee hit the third grand slam of his career, Tim Lincecum struck out a season-best eight batters, and the Giants beat the Marlins 6-0 on Friday night.
"It's a reminder you've overcome adversity before and keep doing what you do," McGehee said. "I didn't come out of it by pouting."
Lincecum (3-2) ran his scoreless innings streak to 15 to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season. He struck out Giancarlo Stanton on a changeup with the bases loaded to end the fifth, sparking the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner to pump his right arm in triumph and yell. He immediately told manager Bruce Bochy he wanted another inning, and pitched a 1-2-3 sixth before giving way to Yusmeiro Petit.
"It was just a big situation," Lincecum said. "I was pretty excited. It's just an emotional setting."
Brandon Belt doubled among his season-high four hits as San Francisco bounced back from a 7-2 loss in the opener. He raised his average 34 points to .308.
McGehee came into the game batting just .178, was hitless in his previous eight at-bats and 8 for 56 with only one RBI in his previous 18 games. His slow start prompted manager Bruce Bochy to give him a mental break this week as Matt Duffy did well in his spot.
"I've proven I can hit in this league, I've proven I can be productive in this league," McGehee said.
Justin Maxwell hit a pair of RBI singles, each scoring Buster Posey. The catcher singled twice, walked twice and scored three runs.
McGehee, batting eighth for the first time since 2012 and sixth time in his career, hit just his second home run with the Giants. He returned to the starting lineup at third after not playing Tuesday or Thursday and coming off the bench Wednesday. He also singled in the fourth before later grounding into his 10th and 11th double plays. Still, he was happy with his four at-bats.
"It's nice to see Casey come through," Bochy said. "It should give him a boost and a shot of confidence."
Lincecum lowered his ERA from 2.40 to 2.00 and improved to 45-0 when receiving at least five runs of support.
"He was very deceptive and he got out of some jams," Miami's Michael Morse said.
Petit pitched the final three innings for his first career save, finishing the Giants' fifth shutout that matches Oakland for most in the majors.
Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich went 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts after coming off the disabled list. He was sidelined with a back injury since April 20. Miami lost for just the fourth time in its last 17 games at AT&T Park.
Starter Jarred Cosart (1-3) was done after four innings. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits, walked three and struck out two.
"The second inning was the story of the game," Cosart said.
BELT'S DOUBLES
Belt has a double in six straight games, the second-longest streak in San Francisco history behind Jeff Kent's seven.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: 2B Dee Gordon — with that majors-best .437 batting average — was held out with tightness in his right hamstring, which acted up Thursday night. Manager Mike Redmond expected him to be back starting Saturday night.
Giants: RF Hunter Pence tested his fractured left forearm in his first rehab game for Triple-A Sacramento. He went 0 for 2 with a sacrifice fly and a strikeout. ... RHP Matt Cain (strained flexor tendon) threw for a second straight day from up to 105 feet. ... RHP Jake Peavy (back strain) threw a bullpen and is likely to head on a rehab outing soon.
BALLPARK TOUR
Ichiro Suzuki played his first regular-season game at AT&T Park on Thursday night, and now — if his memory serves him correctly — only needs Cincinnati to have played in all 30 major league ballparks during the regular season. The Marlins go there next month. He hit an inside-the-park homer in San Francisco during the 2007 All-Star Game.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP David Phelps (1-0, 3.24 ERA) will face the Giants for the first time. He looks for his first win in three starts.
Giants: Bumgarner (3-1, 3.03) will try to win a third straight start Saturday night. The lefty (3-1, 3.03 ERA) took a no-hit bid into the seventh against San Diego his last time out.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
