SAN DIEGO — Gorkys Hernandez did not let a gift go to waste.
A few minutes after the Padres inexplicably bunted with the winning run on third and just one out, Hernandez ignited a rally that clinched a 5-3 win over the Padres at Petco Park. Hernandez got a hanger while leading off the top of the 12th and smoked it deep to left, and the Giants would tack on an insurance run shortly thereafter.
Will Smith, who got the final out of the 11th, shut it down in the bottom of the inning on a night that ended up being quite productive for a team that had been in a free fall. The three teams ahead of the Giants in the NL West all lost.
Here's what you need to know from a loooooong night...
—- On a day the Giants called up two middle infielders, Chase d’Arnaud made an early statement. D’Arnaud hit a three-run shot into the Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field to give the Giants a lead in the second inning. The homer was his third in 13 games for the Giants. He’s tied with Pablo Sandoval for the team lead in July homers.
—- Steven Duggar and Austin Slater showed their speed. They also showed that they are rookies. Both stole bases, but both were also thrown out on the bases. Slater tried to take third on a grounder to shortstop in the sixth and was easily thrown out. Later in the inning, Duggar tried to advance on a pitch that bounced in front of the plate. He was thrown out at second after sliding past the bag.
—- Derek Holland had another good one, allowing two earned in five innings. With both Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija now on the DL, it looks like Holland has a clear path to finish the season in the rotation.
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—- Reyes Moronta took over for Holland with a runner on and no outs in the sixth and pitched two dominant innings to take a one-run lead into the eighth. It was the eighth time Moronta has pitched two innings in a game this season, and he has yet to allow a run in those appearances.
—- Mark Melancon allowed a single and then an RBI double with one out in the eighth, coughing up the lead. He has given up runs in three of his last four appearances.
