Pagan, Duffy lead Giants to 8-5 in over Phillies

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Sunday, July 12, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO -- Someone asked Giants manager Bruce Bochy if it was too late to add Matt Duffy to the All-Star Game.

"Maybe not," Bochy said of his third baseman, who has given the Giants stability at a position manned by postseason star Pablo Sandoval the past few years.

Angel Pagan and Duffy each drove in a pair of runs in the sixth inning and the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 on Saturday night.

Brandon Crawford had three hits and drove in a run for the Giants, who have won three of four after a seven-game losing streak.

Duffy, who had four hits in Friday night's victory, was a home run shy of the cycle for the second straight day.

"The door was opened for him and he's taken advantage," Pagan said. "He's really impressive."

Duffy opened the year batting seventh or eighth and has risen to the third spot, where he's hitting .309 in 16 games. Pagan started the year as the No. 3 hitter and feels more comfortable leading off.

"I liked what I saw from him last year," Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong said of Duffy. "If you can say anything about him, it's that he's a gamer."

Josh Osich (1-0) recorded the final out of the sixth and earned his first major league victory. Santiago Casilla got the final out for his 22nd save.

Ryan Howard hit a home run and drove in two and Cody Asche added a two-run shot for the Phillies, who have lost four straight and 14 of 17 overall. Freddy Galvis doubled and tripled and Odubel Herrera had two hits and drove in a run.

"There's a reason these guys are the champions," Howard said. "Even when they get down they continue to fight. It's a battle for 27 outs and we came up at the wrong end."

Luis Garcia (3-4) gave up three runs in 2/3 innings after allowing two over his previous 15 innings.

David Buchanan pitched five strong innings in his return to the rotation, but still has not won in 15 consecutive starts dating to last August. He made his first start for the Phillies since April 30.

Buchanan allowed a run on eight hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.

Vogelsong took his second straight no decision. He gave up four runs on five hits. Vogelsong walked three and struck out five.

The Giants batted around in the sixth, scoring all five runs with two outs. Buster Posey, who had three hits, also drove in a run. San Francisco has accumulated 37 hits in the past two games.

TRAINER'S ROOM:

Phillies: Right-hander Severino Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Leigh Valley before the game to make room for Buchanan.

Giants: Left-hander Jeremy Affledt (left shoulder strain) is tentatively scheduled for a July 20 return.

SPLASH HIT:

Asche became the first Phillie to hit a ball into McCovey Cove, the body of water just beyond the right field fence connected to the San Francisco Bay, and was the 37th hit by an opponent. There have been 105 total splash' hits, including playoffs.

WILD ONES:

Buchanan and Garcia were each charged with a pair of wild pitches, the most by Phillies pitchers in a nine-inning game since throwing five in a game on May 4, 1997.

LEAVING THEM STRANDED:

Giants reliever George Kontos has not allowed any of his 25 inherited runners to score this season. In addition, batters are 0-for-27 against him with runners in scoring position and two outs.

UP NEXT:

Phillies: Right-hander Chad Billingsley (1-2, 6.67) is scheduled to pitch Sunday's finale against the Giants. He's coming off his best start of the year, a win over the Dodgers in which he gave up two runs in six innings.

Giants: Right-hander Chris Heston (8-5, 3.51), who took over Matt Cain's spot in the rotation and kept it, goes in Sunday's series finale against Chad Billingsley (1-2, 6.67) and the Philadelphia Phillies. Heston is coming off a no-decision, 7 1/3 scoreless innings, against the New York Mets.

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