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San Francisco Giants end New York Mets' eight-game winning streak

By Jerry Beach, The Sports Xchange
New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

NEW YORK -- For one afternoon, the San Francisco Giants turned into the go-go Giants.

A season-high four stolen bases by the Giants led directly to three runs Sunday, when San Francisco avoided being swept by the New York Mets with a 6-1 win in the finale of a three-game series at Citi Field.

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The loss ended an eight-game winning streak for the Mets, who lost for just the third time in 16 games

The Giants entered Sunday with seven stolen bases all season and no multi-theft games. But San Francisco wasted little time acting aggressively on the basepaths against 6-foot-6 Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who is known for being slow to the plate while holding runners. The Cincinnati Reds stole five bases in as many attempts against Syndergaard on Monday night.

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"I think it's going to be critical for us, especially when you're going against a tough pitcher, (to) find ways to move runners and steal bases," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We were planning on running if we could get on."

Brandon Crawford singled for the Giants' first hit in the third inning and stole second, though he was stranded there. In the fourth, Matt Duffy singled with one out, stole second and went to third on a single by Buster Posey.

With a 3-2 count on Brandon Belt, Posey took off for second, which made turning a double play impossible and allowed Duffy to score when Belt grounded to second.

"I think we knew coming into the game there was an opportunity," Posey said.

Hunter Pence hit an opposite-field homer two pitches later.

"It was definitely a big at-bat for Belt to get that ball in play -- 3-2 and get a run in, get a lead," Pence said. "You got a two-out at-bat with a runner in scoring position, (you're) a little more relaxed once you get a run in."

The Giants used their legs to manufacture a run in the sixth and seventh. Duffy singled again with one out in the sixth and stole second with two outs. After Belt drew a walk, Pence singled to right to score Duffy.

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Kelby Tomlinson led off the seventh with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out single by Angel Pagan.

The four-steal game was the first for the Giants since last Sept. 22 and the first time they stole four bases without being caught since May 24, 2012.

"You prepare for a game like everybody," Bochy said. "We felt with our guys, this (could) be a game that we could take some risks and steal some bases."

Opposing teams are now 13-for-14 on steal attempts against Syndergaard this season.

"We've got to do a better job holding runners at first base," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "You can't be that slow to the plate. You have to change your pace, give the runner something to look at."

Posey added a solo homer in the eighth for the Giants (13-13).

Left-hander Madison Bumgarner continued his mastery of the Mets by throwing six shutout innings, during which he allowed seven hits and three walks while striking out seven. He ended the sixth by striking out pinch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera with the bases loaded.

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Bumgarner is 4-0 with a 1.03 ERA in five career starts against the Mets and has thrown 18 straight scoreless innings at Citi Field, the longest streak by an opposing pitcher since the park opened in 2009.

"I hadn't really thought about it," Bumgarner said of his success at Citi Field. "I mean, it's a fun place to pitch. You're in New York, pitching against a good team. I don't really know. I try to be the same guy every time I go out there."

David Wright had an RBI single in the seventh for the Mets (15-8), and Juan Lagares and Neil Walker had two hits apiece.

"We'll take the series win," Wright said. "You get a little greedy when you win the first two, certainly."

Syndergaard absorbed his first loss of the season after giving up four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six.

NOTES: The game started on time and was played without interruption despite a day-long steady rain. ... Giants LF Angel Pagan hurt his left hamstring while trying to extend his single into a double in the seventh inning. Pagan appeared to injure himself coming to a stop halfway to second and subsequently allowed himself to be tagged out. Manager Bruce Bochy said Pagan would be evaluated Monday. ... Giants 2B Joe Panik (groin) sat out his second straight game. Bochy said he wouldn't play Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds, either. ... Mets LF Michael Conforto went 0-for-5 as his eight-game hitting streak ended. His streak of reaching base safely also came to an end at 17 games. ... Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera didn't start after playing in the season's first 22 games, and he struck out as a pinch hitter Sunday.

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