=== San Francisco Giants Team Report - June 18 === (My Sportsbook) - The Giants' lead in the NL West has dwindled to just one game and they must fight to hold on to the top spot tonight against the arch- rival Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco dropped a 4-1 decision to the Dodgers in the first of their three-game set on Tuesday night. Giants starter Jesse Foppert (4-6) was saddled with the loss, surrendering four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He fanned one and walked two for San Francisco, which has lost three of four. Benito Santiago went 2-for-4 in the defeat, while Edgardo Alfonzo added an RBI double. Barry Bonds finished 0-for-3 in the contest. San Francisco first baseman J.T. Snow left the game in the first inning with a left groin strain. Snow is questionable for tonight's contest. San Francisco has still dominated this series in 2003, winning five of seven contests. The Giants are 16-10 against the Dodgers since the start of last season, including a 9-5 record at Dodger Stadium. San Francisco will send 32-year-old lefty Kirk Rueter to the hill this evening. Rueter has won five consecutive decisions, but he didn't figure into the outcome last week against the Chicago White Sox. The southpaw gave up eight hits and four runs over six innings, while walking two and fanning one. Rueter picked up a victory in his only start of the year against the Dodgers, allowing just four hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings. For his career, Rueter is 9-8 with a 4.17 ERA versus Los Angeles. The Giants still lead the National League with the fewest errors (31) and have the highest fielding percentage (.988). |
