http://0rz.tw/qZSHo Huff, Schierholtz help Giants edge Reds By Chris Haft / MLB.com | 6/13/2011 2:26 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants are proving that heart, quite obviously, is more essential than statistics. After all, using numbers to explain their National League West-leading record, their success at home or Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds is an utter waste of time. Sure, the Giants possess excellent pitching -- remarkable enough for them to build a 37-29 record despite being outscored, 233-230. The Giants also boast the West's best home record (19-12) despite averaging 2.8 runs per game at AT&T Park. The 6-4 homestand they completed Sunday, during which they scored all of 24 runs, was typical. "As bad as we've done offensively, it's a testament to our pitching," Aubrey Huff said. "My God, if we could hit a lick, we'd probably be 10 games over the D-backs right now." Besides, these facts and figures say nothing about determination, such as the kind displayed by Nate Schierholtz, and perseverance, as defined by Huff's efforts. Unfazed by batting third for only the second time this season and by his previous struggles against left-handed pitching, Schierholtz scored the Giants' first two runs and drove in the third. Fatigued by the Giants' stretch of 20 consecutive games, during which he received scant rest, Huff stroked three hits while driving in San Francisco's first and last runs. The outcome not only gave the Giants a split of the four-game series with the Reds but also left them with a 10-10 record between their previous off-day, May 23, and Monday, when they'll fly to Phoenix for a three-game series against second-place Arizona beginning Tuesday. A lot happened to the Giants during those 20 games. Buster Posey's season was ruined. Freddy Sanchez's year might have ended, too. Tim Lincecum encountered another rough stretch. Yet the Giants never slipped farther than a half-game behind Arizona and cling to a one-game lead entering this week's showdown. Manager Bruce Bochy reminded that being in first place "means nothing now." But weathering adversity is a different matter. "I'm proud of how they haven't dwelled on what's happened, injuries or losses," Bochy said. Referring to Saturday's 10-2 loss, which matched the Giants' largest margin of defeat this season, he added, "We got boat-raced yesterday but they came back ready to go. We put together a really nice game. It's all about being resilient. These guys are. They keep battling." The Giants were forced to be stubborn after falling behind, 2-0, in the fourth inning. They halved the difference in the bottom of the inning against Reds starter Edinson Volquez. With one out, Schierholtz singled and scored on Huff's double. They collaborated again in the sixth as Schierholtz drew a leadoff walk, sped to third on Huff's hit-and-run single and scored the tying run on Cody Ross' fielder's-choice grounder. Schierholtz and Huff received some help in the seventh to break the deadlock. Chris Stewart drew a leadoff walk from Jose Arredondo (0-2) and moved to third as Andres Torres bounced a one-out double over first base. Reds manager Dusty Baker elected to walk Miguel Tejada intentionally to load the bases, which set up a force at any base or an inning-ending double play. Baker also played the percentages by summoning left-hander Bill Bray to face Schierholtz, a left-handed batter who was hitting .150 (3-for-20) off southpaws. But Schierholtz defied the odds by lining Bray's first pitch to center field field for a sacrifice fly. Bochy had right-handed-batting Aaron Rowand, hitting .380 (19-for-50) against lefties, on the bench. But Bochy never considered removing Schierholtz. "What I liked about his at-bat is that he was aggressive," Bochy said. "He didn't back off, and that was a tough pitcher he was facing there." Schierholtz sensed that he held an advantage over Bray. "I knew he had to come in there and throw strikes. I was ready," he said. Huff, who entered the game hitting .176 (6-for-34) since his three-homer outburst June 2 at St. Louis, then singled home Torres. "It feels good to contribute," said Huff, who's batting .234 overall. "It's been such a grind this year for me. More than anything, I get a little more pep in my step knowing there's an off-day." Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. --

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