Giants Rally for 5-4 Victory

Rich Aurilia and Yorvit Torrealba each drove in two runs during a sixth-inning rally and the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-4, Monday night for their fifth consecutive victory.

The National League West-leading Giants moved eight games ahead of the Diamondbacks in the division race by taking the opener of this important four-game series. San Francisco has won 10 of its last 13 games and is undefeated so far on this 11-game home stand to start the second half.

The Diamondbacks couldn’t hold a three-run lead on the way to their third consecutive loss.

With the Giants trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Elmer Dessens (5-7) provided an opportunity for San Francisco when he loaded the bases with one out. He gave up a single to J.T. Snow and then a double to Marquis Grissom before intentionally walking slugger Barry Bonds.

Jose Cruz Jr. struck out, then Aurilia hit a two-run single to center off Dessens and Torrealba singled two batters later to bring in two more runs as the Giants took a 5-4 lead. The Giants batted through their order in the inning.

Torrealba, starting at catcher in place of injured Benito Santiago, also drove in his team’s first run in the fifth on a groundout.

Chad Zerbe (1-1) got the final out in the sixth for the win and Tim Worrell worked the ninth for his 22nd save in 26 opportunities.