Pirates finish off Giants in 5-0 win

Tom Gorzelanny tossed a
five-hit shutout as the Bucs swept the series.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tom Gorzelanny knew the Pirates had to conserve energy and their bullpen, what with a doubleheader against the Giants scheduled back in Pittsburgh just 26 hours after Sunday’s first pitch in San Francisco.

So Gorzelanny obliged with the best start of his career — and he gave the Giants’ hitters plenty of rest as well.

Gorzelanny allowed five hits in his first career shutout, and the Pirates finished off their first road sweep since early April with a 5-0 victory Sunday.

Josh Phelps hit a two-run homer off Barry Zito and a two-run triple for the Pirates, who won their sixth straight game at San Francisco’s waterfront ballpark.

First complete game

It was easy with another quality start from Gorzelanny (11-6), the second-year pro who finished his first complete game by retiring the Giants’ final 17 batters.

“I didn’t automatically think I was going to have a good day, but it does feel good, and it’s a long time coming,” said Gorzelanny, who allowed only one San Francisco runner to reach third base in his second straight strong start after a 13-day layoff with a sore shoulder.

The left-hander never faced much trouble from Barry Bonds and the Giants’ punchless lineup. Gorzelanny, who got his first career victory against the Giants last season, finished strong with a perfect ninth, getting Bonds to pop up with one out.

“What I saw today was probably the best he’s thrown,” Pittsburgh manager Jim Tracy said. “There was no point where he wavered at all. He pounded the strike zone with all his strikes.”

Bonds held homerless

Bonds went 1-for-3 with a walk against his former team to finish the week in which he became baseball’s career homer runs leader. Bonds then hit his 758th shot Friday night, but couldn’t manage much against Gorzelanny.

“I felt like going after him would be a good idea today,” Gorzelanny said.

The game began an hour earlier than the usual Sunday start in San Francisco so both clubs would have extra time to get back to Pittsburgh for a makeup of two rainouts in mid-April.

The early alarm didn’t help the Giants, who managed just one extra-base hit against Gorzelanny while losing their fourth straight and their eighth in 10 games — and the slumping club can look forward to 18 games over the next 17 days.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Bonds probably won’t start either game in Pittsburgh, though the Pirates have planned a tribute to their former leadoff hitter.

“I think we know what’s ahead of us, but we can’t dwell on that,” said Zito, who has won just two of his last 13 starts. “It’s going to be tough tomorrow for our bullpen, and with no days off in the next couple of weeks, it’ll be tough.”

Two of NL worst records

Pittsburgh and the Giants have the NL’s two worst records, but the Pirates seem more comfortable in San Francisco than their hosts. Pittsburgh is 11-2 in its last 13 games in San Francisco, with 20 homers and a team ERA under 2.70.

Phelps has been a .300 hitter since the Pirates claimed him off waivers from the Yankees in late June, but the first baseman hadn’t started since July 27 — and he hadn’t shown much power before his two impressive shots against the Giants.

His two-run homer in the sixth exited one of the deepest parts of center field, and his triple in the seventh barely missed the stands.