Rueter Shows Way to a Giant Victory

SAN FRANCISCO â€”  Kirk Rueter’s strategy is to keep things as simple as possible. Most of the time, it works.

“He’s a winner,� said Pittsburgh Manager Lloyd McClendon after watching Rueter give up one hit in seven innings as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Pirates, 3-0, Thursday.

Rueter (11-7) pitched the Giants to their season-high eighth consecutive victory. He has won seven of his last eight decisions since a three-game losing streak.

In his last outing, Rueter became the first Giant left-hander to record at least 10 victories in five consecutive seasons since Johnny Antonelli did it in six from 1954-59.

Marvin Benard homered and Jeff Kent drove in two runs as the Giants completed their first three-game sweep of the Pirates in five years to move within one game of the Dodgers in the National League West.

Robb Nen pitched the ninth for his 32nd save in 38 opportunities, and his 150th as a Giant.

Tony McKnight (1-1), making his first start with the Pirates since being traded from Houston on Tuesday, gave up nine hits in six-plus innings, four in the fifth.