Hershiser’s New Home Happy One

Orel Hershiser didn’t get the win in his first home start in a Giants uniform, but he got something far more precious: a standing ovation from fans who spent more than a decade booing him.

His Houston counterpart, John Halama, has to be looking forward the Astros’ next series against the Dodgers. He has had enough of San Francisco after being roughed up for the second time in a row Tuesday in a 5-4 loss.

Halama has pitched only two major league games, both against the Giants, and on Tuesday, he gave up four runs and six hits in four innings. His wild pitch in the fourth inning scored the Giants’ second run. He has an 11.20 earned-run average to show for his two starts against San Francisco.

Can it be any more difficult in Los Angeles?

“My big problem was falling behind the hitters. I can’t pitch from behind,” Halama said. “Last week, I had no stuff. This week it was much better, but I just have to forget about what happened against the Giants.”

San Francisco pinch-hitter Rey Sanchez singled in the winning run in the 10th inning of the Giants’ home opener, by which time both starting pitchers were history.

Hershiser, who joined the Giants as a free agent last December, gave up two runs and three hits, striking out six. Once a favorite target of Giants fans when he pitched for the hated Dodgers, he got a loud ovation when he left the game in the sixth inning with a 4-2 lead.

“I got goose bumps walking off the field when they gave me a standing ovation. I could have tipped my cap for about three or four minutes,” he said. “I really appreciate what they did. I was really relieved and glad and happy at the same time. It was a lot of fun.”

With one out in the 10th, J.T. Snow and Rich Aurilia drew walks off Billy Wagner (0-1). Sanchez then lined a single to center, and Snow slid around the tag of catcher Tony Eusebio to score the winning run.

Wagner’s first two pitches to Sanchez were way out of the strike zone. After taking a strike, Sanchez smacked a fastball up the middle.

“He wasn’t throwing strikes. You’ve just got to wait for a good pitch,” said Sanchez, signed as a free agent in January. “You either walk or you know you’re going to get a good pitch to hit.”

Robb Nen (1-0), acquired by the Giants in a trade with the Florida Marlins, pitched two perfect innings, striking out two.

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NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Houston Astros

WHERE: Dodger Stadium

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m., Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 5 p.m., Monday, 5 p.m.