Pierzynski Has Last Word for the Giants

A.J. Pierzynski has been booed by the Giant faithful and ripped by three pitchers he works with every day.

On Saturday, the embattled catcher made a big statement with his bat that he’s serious about his job with San Francisco -- despite what others say.

Pierzynski hit a tiebreaking, two-run single and also had a triple among his three hits in San Francisco’s 6-3 win over the Florida Marlins.

Pierzynski was criticized anonymously by several teammates in recent days for his work ethic and it showed up in a newspaper Friday. It appears to have motivated the fiery player, who pumped his fist when he stepped on first base following his seventh-inning single.

“I’ve been taking a lot the last couple days,” said Pierzynski, who also threw out speedy Marlin center fielder Juan Pierre trying to steal second.

“If it turns things around, then hey, I’m a scapegoat. I went out there with the same attitude I always go out there with. What’s done is done. I don’t have a time machine to change things.”

Jason Schmidt (2-2) struck out nine in seven innings and earned his second win this week. Matt Herges got four outs for his ninth save in 10 chances.

Schmidt earned his first win of the season in the Giants’ 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night. The right-hander won 17 games last season and led the league with a 2.34 earned-run average, but the Giants have struggled to score runs for him.

He fell behind, 2-0, Saturday in the first inning, when the Marlins scored one run on a passed ball and another on Mike Lowell’s RBI double.

When asked about Pierzynski, Schmidt said, “It’s a dead issue. It’s over,” then acknowledged Pierzynski’s hit was huge.

“Maybe he’ll be [a hero] tomorrow too,” said Schmidt, who improved to 6-0 in 13 starts against the Marlins.

Carl Pavano (2-1) pitched 7 2/3 effective innings and hit the first homer of his career, a solo shot into the left-field seats in the fifth to give the Marlins a 3-2 lead.

He didn’t give Barry Bonds many chances.

Bonds had a flyout and four intentional walks -- a major league record for a nine-inning game. He came up in the seventh with two out and J.T. Snow on third. Edgardo Alfonzo then drew a walk to load the bases for Pierzynski, who singled to left.