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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- More than five years ago, Osvaldo Fernandez defected from Cuba. Soon afterward, he signed with San Francisco and spent four frustrating years with the Giants.
|  | | Osvaldo Fernandez fired his first complete game in four years against his former team. |
On Monday night, the Giants were victims of the talent they
spent serious time and money to develop.
Fernandez pitched a four-hitter for his first complete game in
four years, outdueling Shawn Estes for his first win since May 30
as the Cincinnati Reds beat San Francisco 7-1 Monday night.
The Giants gave up on the injury-plagued pitcher last winter. In
his first appearance at San Francisco's new ballpark, he pitched
his best game in years.
"This is what we hoped to see from him," San Francisco manager
Dusty Baker said. "But he's healthy now, and I see why we signed
him. He kept the ball down, had good movement, and he wasn't in
trouble all night."
The Giants, who lost for just the fourth time in September,
opened an eight-game homestand during which they hope to clinch the
NL West title. They still hold the majors' best record at 89-60,
and Arizona's 2-1 loss to the Dodgers dropped San Francisco's magic
number to five.
But they were stymied by a former teammate making his third
start since servnig a two-month stint on the disabled list and in the
minors. Fernandez (3-3) kept the potent San Francisco offense quiet
with surprising ease, throwing with expert control and staying
ahead of nearly every hitter.
San Francisco got just one runner to second base before the
ninth, when Barry Bonds hit a two-out RBI double to spoil what
would have been Fernandez's first career shutout.
It was still his first complete game since Aug. 25, 1996,
against Montreal, while he was still a promising prospect for the
Giants, and the third of his career.
"It's nice to play against this team, because I have a lot of
good friends over there," said Fernandez, pounding his chest twice
for emphasis as he spoke through an interpreter.
"I'm just feeling good, and I'm healthy now. I'm doing my best
to pitch well."
After Fernandez defected in July 1995, the Giants outbid several
teams for his services with a three-year, $3.9 million contract
that was thought by many to be overpriced.
In his first two years with San Francisco, he went 10-17. He
spent the next two years battling severe elbow problems that kept
him from throwing a pitch in 1998 and limited him to four games
with Single-A San Jose last year.
"He's pitched well for us ever since we've had him,"
Cincinnati manager Jack McKeon said. "When he came back (from the
minors), he was pitching just like that. Excellent job. Complete
command."
Alex Ochoa had four hits, scored three runs and drove in another
for the Reds, who won their fourth straight and eighth in 10 games.
Ochoa, who has 17 hits in his last 32 at-bats (.531) while
trying to win the Reds' right-field spot for next year, extended
his hitting streak to a career-high nine games with the second
four-hit game of his career.
Benito Santiago hit a ninth-inning homer and drove in three runs
for the Reds.
Cincinnati handed Estes (15-5) just his second loss since June
10. Estes, who allowed nine hits and four runs while walking three
and striking out six, led the majors in winning percentage before
the game and had won three straight.
"I didn't do very good damage control," said Estes, who walked
Fernandez with the bases loaded in the second to give Cincinnati
its first run. "I let the game get out of reach. (But) this team
has been very resilient when it comes to losing, so I expect we'll
come back and play very hard."
Cincinnati's three-run fifth inning was prolonged when Bonds ran
toward Sean Casey's drive into left field but made an awkward slide
and missed the ball. It bounced into the seats, and Cincinnati then
scored two-out runs on Ochoa's double and Santiago's single.
The Reds played their seventh straight game without Ken Griffey
Jr., who didn't take a scheduled batting practice session before
the game. Griffey, who partially tore his left hamstring last week,
will try to hit again on Tuesday.
Game notes
Estes dropped into a tie with Randy Johnson for the NL lead
in winning percentage. Boston's Pedro Martinez (17-5, .773) leads
the majors. ... The Giants drew the 3 millionth fan to Pacific Bell
Park on Monday night, increasing the franchise's season attendance
record and also setting a record for any Bay Area sports team. The
lucky fan was 76-year-old Peggy Long of Vallejo, Calif., who won
season tickets in 1985 and has been a faithful fan ever since. ...
The Reds got their first win at Pac Bell. They were swept in a
three-game series earlier this year. ... Bill Mueller leaned over a
sideline railing to make a nifty grab of Ochoa's pop foul in the
seventh.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Cincinnati Clubhouse
San Francisco Clubhouse
RECAPS
Oakland 12
Baltimore 3
Detroit 5
Chi. White Sox 2
Cleveland 2
NY Yankees 0
Seattle 4
Tampa Bay 3
Minnesota 3
Texas 1
Montreal 11
Florida 4
Pittsburgh 6
Philadelphia 5
Atlanta 6
NY Mets 3
Milwaukee 2
Chicago Cubs 1
Los Angeles 2
Arizona 1
Cincinnati 7
San Francisco 1
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