video thumbnail

NYM@SF: Schierholtz drives in Sandoval with a single

SAN FRANCISCO -- Nate Schierholtz went 4-for-4 to help support Matt Cain and another solid relief effort Sunday as the Giants entered the All-Star break with a 4-2 triumph over the New York Mets.

The Giants extended their National League West lead to three games over second-place Arizona. They captured the season series from New York, 4-2, by winning twice in this three-game series.

Cain (8-5) lasted six innings while enduring constant duress. He stranded eight baserunners, including six in scoring position. But he validated his presence on the National League All-Star team by holding the Mets hitless in nine at-bats with men in scoring position.

San Francisco opened the scoring in the third inning with a pair of runs off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey (5-8). Pablo Sandoval, freshly named to the NL All-Star team, extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a one-out RBI double that followed Andres Torres' leadoff double. Schierholtz's second hit, a single to center field, delivered Sandoval.

The Giants added two runs in the seventh. Facing Mets right-hander Jon Niese, Mike Fontenot singled off first baseman Lucas Duda's glove and Schierholtz doubled. D.J.Carrasco replaced Niese and yielded RBI singles to Miguel Tejada and Aaron Rowand.

Pinch-hitter Nick Evans started the Mets' scoring by homering with two outs in the eighth inning off Jeremy Affeldt. Justin Turner notched his fourth hit of the game with an RBI double off Giants closer Brian Wilson in the ninth before Wilson sealed his 26th save of the season.

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.