A Pinch of Javier Is Just Right for Giants

SAN FRANCISCO —  Stan Javier had a two-run, pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning Tuesday night and the San Francisco Giants defeated Seattle, 4-3, the Mariners’ first loss in five interleague games.

Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds played to a virtual draw in their ballyhooed matchup, each singling and scoring a run in the first regular-season game between the Giants and Mariners.

The crowd of 40,024 was the Giants’ largest of the season since opening day.

Kirk Rueter (3-2) went six innings and gave up three runs on eight hits for his first victory since May 10.

Rod Beck worked the ninth for his National League-leading 22nd save.

Rueter defeated his former Montreal teammate, Jeff Fassero (6-3), who went eight innings and gave up 10 hits. Fassero struck out eight and walked four in his first complete game of the season.

Fassero was trying to protect a 3-2 lead when Damon Berryhill singled to start the bottom of the sixth. Javier, batting for Rueter, broke an 0-for-10 streak as a pinch-hitter when he drove a 1-and-0 pitch from Fassero into the left field bleachers.

Trailing, 2-0, the Mariners pulled within a run on Edgar Martinez’s fourth-inning home run and went in front with two runs in the sixth.

Griffey started the sixth with a single and Jay Buhner singled to move him to third. Dan Wilson drove a fly ball to right field that Glenallen Hill dropped for a two-base error with Griffey scoring from third. Alvaro Espinoza added a run-scoring single.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Next Series for Dodgers

WHO: San Francisco Giants

WHERE: San Francisco

WHEN: Thursday: 7 p.m., Friday: 7 p.m., Saturday: 1 p.m., Sunday: 5 p.m.