SF 2, Cin 1

Friday, May 15- The Cincinnati Reds shoddy defense allowed two unearned runs in the seventh inning, and that was the difference as the San Francisco Giants won, 2-1, at Seals Stadium tonight.

It was the Reds' 12th loss in their past 16 games. They fell 7-1/2 games behind the first-place Giants (19-11).

Leading 1-0 (another unearned run), the Reds' Don Newcombe retired the first two batters in the seventh. Then disaster struck. Normally sure-handed center fielder Vada Pinson dropped a line drive, putting Jim Davenport at second base. Hobie Landrith walked. Pinch-hitter Orlando Cepeda delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game. Andre Rodgers then hit a ground ball to third base, and it was bobbled by Frank Thomas, allowing Landrith to score with the go-ahead run.

Reliever Gordon Jones got out of an eighth inning jam then pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

Newcombe (3-2) took the hard luck loss for Cincinnati (11-18).

Jack Sanford (3-3) got the win for the first-place Giants.