ATLANTA — Hunter Pence hit a tie-breaking three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Giants bounced back from a deflating loss with an 8-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.
Braves starter Shelby Miller saw his frustrating winless streak extend to 14 starts when the Braves bullpen failed to protect a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning. Miller has a 3.14 ERA during the streak, which started after he lost a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning on May 17.
Jeremy Affeldt (1-2) picked up the win in relief of Jake Peavy, who gave up one run and five hits in six innings as he continues to pitch at a high level since returning from the disabled list. Peavy struck out a season-high eight and walked one while throwing a season-high 106 pitches on a 94-degree night. Peavy has a 2.63 ERA in six starts since recovering from back and hip injuries.
The Giants blew leads of 6-0, 7-5 in the ninth and 8-7 in the 12th against the Braves on Monday, but the late innings belonged to San Francisco on Tuesday. Pence’s home run capped a four-run eighth after the Braves had built a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Gregor Blanco and Matt Duffy (four hits) led off with doubles, and after an intentional walk to Buster Posey, Pence homered off Dave Aardsma (0-1). Nori Aoki added a solo home run during a two-run ninth.
Braves pinch-hitter Pedro Ciriaco tied the game 2-2 in the seventh with an RBI single that scored Adonis Garcia. Markakis then knocked in Daniel Castro to give the Braves the lead and Miller a chance at an elusive win.