Cardinals Vs. Giants: San Francisco Walks Off In Extras

Aaron Rowand might not have a starting job, but for the second straight home opener, he had the game-winning hit for the San Francisco Giants. The Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in 12 innings on Friday afternoon, 5-4.

The two teams used a combined 14 pitchers in the game, with the Giants using every reliever in their bullpen. Jake Westbrook started for the Cardinals, throwing 5 2/3 innings and allowing three earned runs. Freddy Sanchez doubled in a run in the third inning after Miguel Tejada hit solo home run. Pat Burrell also contributed a solo shot in the sixth, giving the Giants a 3-2 they hoped the bullpen could hold.

Brian Wilson, fresh off the disabled list, could not hold the lead. He allowed a walk, an infield single, and a hit-by-pitch before Ryan Theriot hit a two-out, two-run single into left field. Wilson, who though he had struck out Theriot looking on two close pitches, barked at the home-plate umpire as he left the field.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Pablo Sandoval hit an RBI single off Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin, sending the game into extra innings.

After wasting a golden scoring opportunity with a runner on third and no outs in the 11th inning, the Giants benefited from a rare Albert Pujols error, who dropped what would have been the last out of the 12th inning. After two intentional walks from the Cardinals loaded the bases, Rowand singled to deep left-center, giving the Giants the win.

The series continues tomorrow with Jaime Garcia going for the Cardinals (2-5), and Matt Cain going for the Giants (3-4).

For more on the Cardinals and Giants, please check out team blogs McCovey Chronicles and Viva El Birdos.