VanLandingham Walks Out Early

San Francisco starting pitcher William VanLandingham walked seven in one-plus innings before he was replaced in Saturday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

VanLandingham threw 32 balls and 14 strikes in the shortest start of his career. He equaled his career high for walks in a game, but it took 6 1/3 innings for him to reach that figure in a game against Colorado last season.

Prior to this start, VanLandingham had walked 23 in 50 1/3 innings.

In the first, VanLandingham walked Michael Tucker, Fred McGriff, Ryan Klesko and Jeff Blauser, the last two forcing in runs as the Braves built a 3-1 lead.

VanLandingham started off the second by walking fellow pitcher Denny Neagle on four pitches. When Lofton and Tucker also walked, the Giants replaced VanLandingham with Joe Roa, who got out of the bases-loaded, no-out jam without giving up a run.

*

Florida shortstop Edgar Renteria suffered a mild sprain in his left knee in the third inning against Colorado. He remained in the game until the eighth.

*

Quinton McCracken tied a Colorado Rockies club record with his 13th consecutive stolen base.

*

The 7-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs was Cincinnati’s 500th all-time defeat at Wrigley Field. The Reds are 409-500 in Chicago.