Monday, May 06, 2002
Giants saved by Bell
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — These are the kinds of hits David Bell likes. The Cincinnati native and Moeller High product tied the score in the ninth with an RBI single and the San Francisco Giants rallied past the Reds 6-5 in 10 innings Sunday.
“It's very important when you struggle, if you come up with some hits, a sacrifice fly, anything,” said Bell, who was 0-for-4 on Saturday.
He was also sick.
“I didn't think he was going to play at the start,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He was vomiting and I could tell his equilibrium was off.”
The Giants, who trailed 5-3 going into the eighth, have won four straight overall and six of their last seven after dropping a season-high four straight.
Now 19-11 and a half-game behind first-place Arizona in the NL West, the Giants head to New York for a three-game series with the Mets starting Tuesday.
J.T. Snow had narrowed it to 5-4 with an RBI single in the eighth off Danny Graves, who had converted nine straight save chances.
With one out in the ninth, Ramon Martinez, pinch-hitter Rich Aurilia and Bell all hit consecutive singles to tie it. Graves struck out Marvin Benard, then loaded the bases with an intentional walk to Barry Bonds, who earlier homered for the second straight day.
Jeff Kent grounded out, sending the game into extra innings. It was the third blown save for Graves in 13 chances.
“Hits like that are more important than getting a lot of hits,” Bell said.
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Bell saves day for Giants
