THE SIDELINES : Winning Run Scampers Home on Wild Pitch as Reds Best Giants 3-2

Craig Lefferts’ wild pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning scored Barry Larkin with the winning run today as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 3-2.

Lefferts relieved Mike LaCoss, 2-5, and finished walking pinch-hitter Dave Collins to load the bases with none out. After Paul O’Neill popped out, Lefferts threw a pitch in the dirt to Bo Diaz, scoring Larkin, who had opened the inning with his third hit of the game.

Rob Dibble, 5-2, pitched out of bases-loaded threats in the seventh and eighth innings to get the win. John Franco worked the ninth for his 17th save in 18 opportunities.

Dibble came on for starter Danny Jackson in the seventh and struck out Will Clark with the bases loaded to end the inning. He also fanned Donnel Nixon with the bases loaded to end the eighth.