Both starting pitchers deserved a better fate. Both could have -- or should have -- thrown shutout ball.
Each surrendered four runs, however, a testament to the level of defense that was played in Friday’s opener of the Giants-Cardinals series. When it was over, and Mike Leake and Michael Wacha were long gone, the Giants won 5-4 after breaking the tie on a ball that couldn’t be defended.
Facing a five-man infield, Kelby Tomlinson hit a bases-loaded single up the middle against lefty Kevin Siegrist, who had trouble throwing strikes throughout the ninth inning.