SAN FRANCISCO -- Bruce Bochy’s decision betrayed a feeling of urgency. With the Giants mired in a two-week slump, already trailing the Washington Nationals by three runs and building a budding rally in the fourth inning Saturday, the manager lifted his starting pitcher, Jake Peavy, for a pinch-hitter, hoping to spark his struggling offense.
"It was one of those games I felt like we had to throw everything at them to try to win this ballgame," Bochy said.
The pinch-hitter, Mac Williamson, drew a walk to load the bases and set up a three-run inning. The Giants squeezed two more runs out of another bases-loaded situation in the seventh.