SAN FRANCISCO, April 8 (UPI) -- Aaron Rowand's two-out single in the 12th inning scored Nate Schierholtz from third Friday and gave the San Francisco Giants a 5-4 win over St. Louis.
The Giants hoisted their World Series banner prior to the game and then survived a marathon in which the teams combined to use 13 pitchers.
San Francisco put the potential winning run on third in the 11th inning with no one out, but could not push him across.
Miguel Tejada reached on a one-out single in the 12th off Brian Tallet (0-1) and was erased on a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Schierholtz.
Andres Torres then hit a bouncer back to the mound but Tallet threw wildly to first. After Freddy Sanchez was walked intentionally to load the bases, Rowand hit a 1-0 pitch to left.
The Giants owned a one-run lead heading into the ninth but a two-run single by Ryan Theriot put the Cardinals in front. Pablo Sandoval's RBI single in the bottom half of the frame sent the game into extra innings.
The win went to Dan Runzler (1-1), who worked a perfect top of the 11th.
