Phillies Fall to Giants 7-2

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ It was a surprise to Pablo Sandoval that he
had splashed a solo home run into McCovey Cove on the 50th
anniversary of Hall of Famer Willie McCovey's debut with the
Giants.

That made his drive in San Francisco's 7-2 victory over the
Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night even more special. McCovey
is a regular visitor in the Giants' clubhouse and he and Sandoval
often speak.

``It's special right now. I hit McCovey Cove and McCovey's
here,'' Sandoval said, noting he had seen the former first baseman
earlier. ``He talks to me every time he's in the clubhouse.''

Jonathan Sanchez (4-9) struck out seven in 5 2-3 innings in the
left-hander's first home start since throwing the team's first
no-hitter in 33 years on July 10 against San Diego. Sandoval also
hit a two-run double and Eugenio Velez had a career-high three hits
and drove in three runs in San Francisco's fourth straight win.

Next up Friday is the highly anticipated Phillies debut of
reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee, acquired along with
outfielder Ben Francisco from Cleveland on Wednesday.

New Giants first baseman Ryan Garko was a teammate of Lee's
until being traded to the Giants on Monday. San Francisco sought
his insight during a meeting Thursday.

``He won the Cy Young for a reason,'' Garko said. ``I didn't
really want to tell them what I've been seeing. He's been tough.
He's going to be one of the best you face.''
  
Francisco started in center field as All-Star Shane Victorino
rested his bruised left knee that forced him to leave Wednesday's
4-0 loss at Arizona in the seventh inning.

Ryan Howard doubled in a run in the first that put the Phillies
ahead, but they did little else against Sanchez until Chase Utley's
leadoff homer in the sixth.

Both benches were warned after former Giants pitcher Tyler
Walker hit Utley in the left shoulder in the seventh. That came
after Sanchez sailed a pitch over Utley's head in the sixth before
his homer.

``I didn't try to hit him,'' Sanchez said. ``I have nothing
against him. It was supposed to be away and got out of my hand.''

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel didn't think Sanchez tried to
get Utley.
 
``The score was 7-1. I don't know why he would be trying to hit
him,'' Manuel said. ``I give him the benefit of the doubt.''

Garko said he didn't think Walker threw at him intentionally
either. While he was a little bit sore, Garko wasn't concerned.

All four Giants' runs in the fourth were unearned after third
baseman and former Giant Pedro Feliz made a wild throw to second
for an error on Juan Uribe's grounder.

Sanchez left to a roaring standing ovation when replaced by
Justin Miller following a two-out walk to Raul Ibanez in the sixth.
Francisco followed with his first hit with the Phillies, a double.
It was the first decision for Sanchez in six career appearances
against Philadelphia.

Phillies starter Rodrigo Lopez (3-1) was tagged for eight hits
in four innings but only three of his seven runs were earned.
Philadelphia had won all four of his previous outings this year.
  

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