Giants vs. Tigers: Wilson Blows Second Straight Save, but Giants Hold on

Usually, when Fear the Beard blows two saves in a row, the Giants are in deep trouble. Instead, they're in much better position then last year and they have fought through Brian Wilson's struggles.

A three-run ninth helped the Giants hold off a Tigers rally and defeat Detroit, 4-3. Pablo Sandoval hit two RBI doubles to help the Giants stop a two-game losing streak and improve to three games ahead of the Diamondbacks in the NL West.

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning, when Pablo Sandoval doubled on an outside breaking ball to score Aaron Rowand and give San Francisco the lead, 1-0.

On the flip side, Madison Bumgarner pitched well for San Francisco until he allowed Brandon Inge to get on base. Inge scored on Magglio Ordonez's single, which Wilson allowed.

However, in the ninth, Panda hit an RBI double on an outside pitch, and after Aubrey Huff was intentionally walked, Nate Schierholtz was unintentionally walked. The Giants led 3-1.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde, who gave up every run in the ninth inning, was pulled, and Brayan Villarreal was thrust into the action.

And what happened? Another walk, this time to Brandon Crawford. Although Detroit eventually got out of the jam, Brian Wilson had a 4-1 lead in his favor. But Wilson couldn't keep it 4-1, as he gave up an RBI single.

That was it for Fear the Beard.

However, Jeremy Affeldt would come through for San Francisco. After an error by Emmanuel Burriss plated Andy Dirks, the bases were loaded with one out and Brennan Boesch hit the ball hard.

However, it wasn't enough, as Crawford, who was playing shortstop towards second base, caught the liner before it reached center field then tagged second to double off Inge to end the game.

Even though Wilson blew the save for the fourth time this year, he still got the win, as he picked up two key outs for the Giants, although he definitely wasn't on top of his game.

Since Bumgarner gave up eight runs and only got one out against the Twins, he has given his ballclub two good outings, even though he didn't get credit for the win in this one. Since he started the year 0-6, Bumgarner has gone 4-3.

The win puts the Giants at 47-36, three games ahead of the D-Backs, who lost 5-4 to the Oakland Athletics last night. Arizona has lost six of seven, and what was a half-game lead just a week ago disappeared into a three-game deficit.

The Giants play tonight at 4 PM PT. Barry Zito, who is expected to return to his Cy Young-winning form, pitches tonight for the Giants, while Max Scherzer, who is 9-3 this year, takes the hill for the Tigers.