Giants can’t close deal
GLENDALE — The San Francisco Giants will have to wait at least one more game to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2002.
Though former Glendale Community College and Burbank High standout Freddy Sanchez collected two hits, it wasn’t enough, as the Philadelphia Phillies recorded a 4-2 victory against host San Francisco on Thursday night in the fifth game of the National League Championship Series.
The Giants hold a 3-2 lead in the series, which will shift back to Philadelphia for the sixth game Saturday. Should a seventh game be necessary, it would take place in Philadelphia on Sunday with the winner meeting the Texas Rangers or the New York Yankees in the World Series starting Wednesday.
Sanchez, a second baseman, had singles in the first and fifth innings to raise his average to .286 (six for 21) for the series. The Giants, who last won the World Series in 1954 when they resided in New York, finished with seven hits against five Philadelphia pitchers. Consequently, it was the second two-hit game of the series for Sanchez and both have been in Giants losses.
Sanchez, a three-time All-Star and a former National League batting champion, singled to center in the first on an 0-1 pitch from former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay to put runners on first and third. Buster Posey then hit into a force out at second that scored Andres Torres to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.
With Torres on first and one out in the third, Sanchez, who was acquired by the Giants from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009, lined out to right on an 0-2 pitch from Halladay.
Sanchez then came up in the fifth with two outs and Torres on first. He singled to left to send Torres to third, but Aubrey Huff grounded out to end the threat.
In his final plate appearance, Sanchez lined to third on a 1-0 pitch from Jose Contreras with one out and Torres on first.
The Phillies’ bullpen limited the Giants to two hits in the last three innings.
All six of Sanchez’ hits in the series have been singles.
