Giants Clinch West After Yet Another Rally

The Giants clinched their second National League West title in four years, getting a go-ahead sacrifice fly from Russ Davis in the eighth inning Thursday night to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8-7.

Ellis Burks hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs for San Francisco, which twice overcame two-run deficits to eliminate the Diamondbacks, their last rival for the division title.

The Giants (92-60) have won 18 of 22 to forge the best record in the major leagues and the best home record at 54-23.

San Francisco, which opened the season 3-9 and trailed Arizona by nine games on May 28, pulled away from the NL West defending-champion Diamondbacks in the past month.

Arizona has lost six consecutive games, dropping to 6-13 in September to put Manager Buck Showalter’s job in jeopardy.

After Robb Nen retired Jay Bell on a game-ending fly out to center, the Giants poured out of the dugout to congratulate each other while the crowd at Pacific Bell Park cheered.

San Francisco will open the playoffs Oct. 2 or 3 against a team to be determined. The Giants haven’t won a World Series title since 1954, when they played in New York’s Polo Grounds.

Doug Henry (4-4) pitched two hitless innings for the victory. Nen pitched the ninth for his 39th save in 44 opportunities but allowed a run for the first time since July 13.

Pinch-hitter Tony Womack led off the ninth with a single, and Danny Bautista brought him home with a two-out double off the wall in right. But Bell’s long fly to center was caught by Marvin Benard, and catcher Bobby Estalella grabbed Nen in a triumphant hug as fireworks and water cannons exploded in right field.

Nen has converted 26 consecutive save chances and hadn’t allowed a run in his previous 27 appearances, a span of 26 1-3 innings.

With the score 6-6, J.T. Snow led off the eighth with a double against Mike Morgan (5-4) and Burks reached first with an infield single. One out later, pinch-hitter Davis’ fly to deep center scored Snow and touched off a celebration in the stands.