Pirates Spoil Ponson’s Giant Debut

Reggie Sanders’ two-run double in the eighth inning spoiled Sidney Ponson’s outstanding debut with the San Francisco Giants and gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 2-0 victory Wednesday night.

Ponson (0-1), acquired by the National League West leaders in a trade with Baltimore last week, held Pittsburgh scoreless for the first seven innings. He gave up seven hits and retired 10 straight batters during one stretch, but the Giants couldn’t give him a lead against Pittsburgh starter Josh Fogg, who also pitched six shutout innings.

In the eighth, Jason Kendall doubled and Brian Giles walked. Sanders, who played right field for the Giants during last season’s run to the National League pennant, hit Ponson’s 109th pitch over Barry Bonds’ head in left, scoring both runners and ending the Pirates’ 19-inning scoreless streak.

Ponson then tipped his cap to the Pacific Bell Park crowd after he was removed.

The Pirates won for only the fourth time in their last 21 games in San Francisco, while the Giants lost at home for only the second time in their last 15. San Francisco is 13-6 since the All-Star break.

Former Giant Julian Tavarez (1-3) pitched three scoreless innings of relief for the victory, retiring nine of the 10 batters he faced.

Ponson was 14-6 with a 3.77 earned-run average with Baltimore this season. San Francisco expects long starts and dominant performances from Ponson -- and the affable right-hander was everything the Giants expected in his debut.

Ponson gave up an extra-base hit in each of his first three innings, but otherwise was in control. He retired 10 straight until getting into trouble in the seventh.

“We know what he’s about, and how he’s going to go out and do his business,” Giant General Manager Brian Sabean said before the game. “He’s pitched too well for too long to be a mystery.”

But Fogg matched Ponson’s every pitch, retiring 11 in a row after Ray Durham’s leadoff single.

He needed only 57 pitches to complete his six innings, giving up three hits and a walk.