By Jeremy Kahn
AP photo: The Pittsburgh Pirates Jung Ho Kang took San Francisco Giants reliever Derek Law deep in the eighth inning and comes home greeted by teammate Francisco Cavelli (29) at AT&T Park on Tuesday night
SAN FRANCISCO-Jung Ho Kang knocked the San Francisco Giants out of first place with one swing of the bat.
Kang hit a solo home run off of Derek Law in the top of the eighth inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Giants 4-3 before a crowd of 41,185, the 466th consecutive regular season season sellout at AT&T Park.
Actually, if it was not for Buster Posey throwing out Andrew McCutchen trying to steal second base, Kang’s home run would have given the Pirates a two-run victory instead of a one-run victory over the slumping Giants, who have lost three in a row and four out of five to open the home stand.
The Giants fell out of first place for the first time since May 10, as the Los Angeles Dodgers moved into the lead in the National League West after they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 15-5 at Citizens Bank Park.
With a chance to possibly win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Giants failed to score with runners on second and third.
Gregor Blanco reached when the ball he hit rolled through the legs of Jordy Mercer at shortstop, then Joe Panik doubled down the right field line.
Ehire Adrianza popped out for the second out of the inning after it looked like that closer Tony Watson was going to walk Adrianza intentionally. Denard Span then ended the game, as he grounded out to Josh Harrison at second base.
Hunter Pence tied up the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when he drove in Posey after Posey advanced to third on a Brandon Crawford, Posey singled with one out.
Gregory Polanco gave the Pirates an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as he hit into a Fielders’ Choice that scored Starling Marte from third base. Marte after Josh Harrison grounded out to open the game versus Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samaradzija. Marte advanced to second base when he stole his 40th base of the season.
The Giants came back in the bottom of the first inning, as they scored two runs, as Posey hit a two-run double to score Denard Span and Angel Pagan. Span and Pagan each singled to leadoff the inning.
John Jaso tied up the game for the Pirates in the top of the second inning, as he doubled in Francisco Cervelli, who doubled just in front of Jaso.
Polanco gave the Pirates once again in the top of the sixth inning, as he drove in McCutchen from third base, as Polanco grounded out to Joe Panik at second base. McCutchen led off the inning with a triple to right-center field.
Samardzija went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking just one and striking out five.
Jameson Taillon also went six innings, allowing the same three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out five. Taillon also picked up his first career base hit in the top of the fifth inning that stopped a streak of eight in a row retired by Samardzjia.
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