Giants clinch NL West title

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Giants clinch NL West title

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Scutaro was acquired in a trade from Colorado in July by the Giants.

23 September,2012 10:34 am

The San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres 8-4 Saturday to win their sixth straight, locking up the National League West Division title for the second time in three years.Angel Pagan caught pinch-hitter Mark Kotsays line drive to the outfield for the final out of the contest and the players then rushed the pitchers mound for a celebratory jump.The Giants took a lap around AT&T Park, shaking the hands of their fans.Its unbelievable, Pagan said. Were going to go to war.The last time the Giants were division champions, they went on to capture the World Series title. Two years ago, San Francisco won the World Series over Texas.Marco Scutaro knocked in three runs, while Brandon Belt homered and pitcher Madison Bumgarner pitched 5 2/3 solid innings.Bumgarner struck out a half dozen batters to win his second-consecutive start.Yonder Alonso belted a two-run homer and Chase Headley knocked in two runs for San Diego. Pitcher Andrew Werner took the loss, surrendering six hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings.San Diegos Chris Denorfia scored on Headleys groundout in the top half of the first inning. The Giants went ahead in the bottom half courtesy of sacrifice flies from Buster Posey and Hunter Pence.Bumgarner helped out at the plate as well, hitting a single to centre field in the second inning to score Belt. San Francisco stretched their lead to 5-1 in the fourth as Scutaro lined a base hit to centre field to score Belt and Brandon Crawford.Scutaro was acquired in a trade from Colorado in July by the Giants, who have now won a season-best six straight.