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| Recap: SAN FRANCISCO 3, Pirates 0
SPORTSTICKER NL RECAP SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants almost regretted taking Jason Schmidt out of the game a tad early. Serious business, investment and technology intelligence for a serious advantage - BizVantage! Schmidt recorded his fourth consecutive victory after Tim Worrell worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning, preserving the Giants' 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Schmidt (12-4) has won his last four outings, allowing just seven earned runs in 26 innings during that span. He defeated his former team for the second time in three tries since being traded from the Pirates on July 30, 2001. "He's the same guy," Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He won his last six starts with us. It wasn't a great discovery. He's been on a roll since he got here. He threw the ball well." The 30-year-old righthander allowed just three hits while striking out four in seven innings. He did not walk a batter and left after throwing just 80 pitches. "After seven, he told us he had enough," San Francisco manager Felipe Alou said. "You've got to be careful with him. He's fine. We just want him to be doing okay." "It's the time of year where you've got to be careful," Schmidt said. "You've got a three-run lead and you've got a good bullpen. Why not go to them and let them take over." Jason Christiansen worked around a hit in the eighth before Worrell started the ninth. He issued a leadoff walk to Brian Giles and Reggie Sanders followed with a single. After Randall Simon grounded out, pinch hitter Matt Stairs walked to load the bases. But Worrell escaped with his 24th save by getting Jack Wilson to hit into a game-ending double play. Pittsburgh starter Kip Wells (5-5) took the loss after allowing three runs and six hits in seven innings. He issued three walks and lost for the first time in five starts. "Some pitches weren't where they needed to be," Well said. "After I gave up one run, I knew I really had to bear down with (Schmidt) throwing. He's thrown a lot of good games and he had another one tonight." "I was hoping for a little better," McClendon said. "I was hoping for a complete game shutout. He pitched well. He left a couple pitches up in the zone and that cost him." Wells breezed through the first two innings but struggled in the third, when rookie Cody Ransom hit a leadoff infield single. After Schmidt sacrificed, J.T. Snow delivered a two-out single to plate Ransom for a 1-0 lead. Marquis Grissom followed with an infield hit and Barry Bonds walked to load the bases before Wells returned Edgardo Alfonso to escape further damage. The Giants extended the lead in the fourth, when Benito Santiago led off with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. Ransom walked with two outs and the runners advanced on a sacrifice by Schmidt before scoring on a two-run single by Jose Cruz Jr. for a 3-0 cushion. Wells allowed just one hit thereafter but was outpitched by Schmidt, who retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced.
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