Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Giants 5, Dodgers 2
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Jason Schmidt won for the fourth time in five starts as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 Tuesday night for a one-game lead in the NL wild card race.
The Giants have won five straight games and 13 of 16 to take over the wild card lead for the first time since Aug. 13. Both teams have 18 games remaining, including Wednesday's finale in this three-game series.
To chants of “Beat LA! Beat LA!” Barry Bonds drove in two runs with a first-inning single and Benito Santiago hit a solo home run in the fifth off Kevin Brown (3-4).
Los Angeles has lost four in a row and five of six.
Schmidt (11-7), who didn't get a decision in his first four outings this year and then lost in his fifth start, retired his first seven batters and 10 of 11. He allowed a solo homer to Shawn Green in the sixth.
He had late-season success last year, too, going 7-1 with a 3.39 ERA after being traded to the Giants from Pittsburgh on July 30.
He allowed two runs and six hits with six strikeouts and one walk in 7 2-3 innings, tipping his hat to the crowd of 41,325 that gave him a standing ovation when he gave way to reliever Scott Eyre.
Schmidt also hit a single in the second inning and scored on a fielder's choice RBI by Rich Aurilia. Schmidt appeared to step on the glove of catcher Paul Lo Duca after a throw home by shortstop Alex Cora, but Schmidt was called safe. Jeff Kent then drove in Kenny Lofton, who doubled, with a groundout for 4-0 lead.
Robb Nen pitched the ninth for his 38th save in 46 chances.
Santiago hit the first pitch Brown threw him with two outs in the fifth over the wall in right field for a 5-0 lead.
Brown got in trouble early in his first start for the Dodgers since having back surgery in June. Pitching in place of right-hander Andy Ashby, who has a blister and infection under the fingernail on his middle finger on his throwing hand, Brown loaded the bases for Bonds with no outs in the first.
Bonds' single to left-center scored Lofton and Aurilia, who both singled. Brown retired the next three batters to get out of the inning.
He had never lost in San Francisco, entering with a career 9-3 record and 2.51 ERA against the Giants in 14 starts, including a 7-0 mark here.
Brown allowed five runs and six hits in five innings with four strikeouts and two walks.
Giants first baseman J.T. Snow showed in the first inning how well things have been going for San Francisco — he sprinted toward the bullpen and fell over the fence only somewhat gracefully to catch a foul ball by Lo Duca.
Notes: Bonds drew his major league-leading 56th intentional walk. He also leads the majors in total walks with 166. ... Brown lost 9-2 to the Giants on opening day. ... Dodgers OF Luke Allen, recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, walked in his first major league at-bat. ... Green's homer snapped a 52-inning homerless streak by Giants pitchers.
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Giants 5, Dodgers 2 
