Giants put up four runs in the first to beat Brewers

Giants 6, Brewers 2

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Kevin Correia and Brian Wilson pitched in the roles they've always envisioned. Pitching well could keep them there.

Correia and Wilson shut down the slumping Brewers, and Barry Bonds drove in two runs as the San Francisco Giants beat Milwaukee 6-2 on Saturday night.

The Giants scored four runs on a walk and five consecutive singles in the first inning, as the Brewers lost for the 20th time in 29 games. Milwaukee trails the Chicago Cubs by 1 1/2 games in the NL Central

Correia (2-6) went 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and five hits. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter to earn his first win as a starter in two years, and help the Giants win for the eighth time in 10 games.

"Your mindset as a reliever makes it hard to go out and relax," said Correia, who has worked mostly out of the bullpen. "You feel you need to give it 100 percent on every pitch. You can't do that as a starter, but you can relax and make better pitches.

"I don't feel like a relief pitcher. Hopefully I'll get a chance to prepare if I do get another start."

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that's likely to happen.

"He's trying to make a statement," Bochy said. "It's great to see guys when they get their opportunity take advantage of it. He looks very comfortable in a starting role."

Brian Wilson, who got out of an eighth-inning jam, got the final five outs for his second save in as many chances.

"Sure I'd love to be the closer," said Wilson, who pitched more than one inning for the first time this year. "But nothing is set in stone. I'll just go out and pitch whenever they want."

Wilson has not given up a run in 8 2/3 innings since being called up.

"In Triple-A, I'd warm up for the ninth and then come and sit in the dugout for an out or two in the eighth," he said. "I haven't had to come in and finish an inning and then go back out for another, but it doesn't seem like any big deal."

Dave Roberts walked to start the first. One out later, Randy Winn singled and Bonds, Ryan Klesko, Bengie Molina and Pedro Feliz each followed with RBI singles.

Kevin Frandsen's sacrifice fly in the third made it 5-0, and Bonds' RBI single off Manny Parra in the fourth made it 6-0.

Bonds, who hit his 761st home run into McCovey Cove on Friday night, walked in the third and flew out in the seventh before leaving the game. He is hitting .353 (12-for-34) with five home runs, 13 RBIs and 11 walks in the 13 games since he broke Hank Aaron's home run mark.

Yovani Gallardo, coming off one of his best starts, lasted only three innings. He gave up five runs and seven hits, walking three and striking out three.

"He just couldn't get comfortable and never got in a groove," Ned Yost said. "We're struggling, but we need to stay focused on what's ahead."

Gallardo (5-4) had not allowed more than four runs in each of his first eight starts. He's allowed five or more runs in three of his last four starts. He had a 2.55 ERA after winning on Aug. 3, but has given up 23 runs in 17 1/3 innings since then.

"I was leaving the ball up," Gallardo said. "There was only one ball that was hit hard and that's Barry."

Parra doubled to lead off the sixth, Joe Dillon followed with an RBI groundout and Corey Hart drove in another run for Milwaukee.

Game notes
Brewers 1B Prince Fielder sat out the second day of his two-day suspension. ... The Brewers' 25 road wins are the second-fewest in the NL to 24 for Houston. ... Parra threw a perfect game on June 25 with Triple-A Nashville. ... Correia has given up three runs or less in 17 of his 21 career starts. His last victory as a starter came on Aug. 15, 2005 in Cincinnati.