Giants, Javier Slow M’S Pinch-Hit Home Run Gives S.F. 4-3 Victory In Front Of 40,024

Stan Javier had a two-run, pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning Tuesday night and the San Francisco Giants beat 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’ second-largest of the season behind opening day.

Kirk Rueter (3-2), winless over six previous starts made up of two losses and four no-decisions, went six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits for his first victory since May 10.

Rod Beck worked the ninth for his N.L.-leading 22nd save.

Rueter defeated his former Montreal teammate Jeff Fassero (6-3), who went eight innings and allowed 10 hits. He 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 1-0 offering from Fassero into the left field bleachers for his second home run.

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 an RBI single.

San Francisco took a 2-0 lead in the first, loading the bases on a walk to Jose Vizcaino and singles by Bonds and Hill before Mark Lewis drove in two runs with a single.

Notes

Seattle, which plays San Francisco again today, will be trying to remain the only major league team not to be swept in a two-game series this season.

… Fassero, traded from Montreal to Seattle last season, dropped to 4-4 lifetime against the Giants… . The Mariners have hit 10 homers in their last four games and have 102 on the year, tops in the majors… . Of Rueter’s 29 career victories, 21 have come under the lights… . Twenty of the Giants’ 39 wins have been come-from-behind… . Javier’s was the Giants’ first pinch-hit homer since Rick Wilkins’ grand slam last Aug. 13 at Pittsburgh.