NEW YORK -- His nickname is Kung Fu Panda. The New York Mets probably have other, not so cute, monikers for Pablo Sandoval.
Sandoval drove in three runs with three hits, including a go-ahead double with two outs in the ninth inning Monday that propelled the San Francisco Giants to a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets.
"You know Pablo, he gets a little anxious sometimes," manager Bruce Bochy said. "But you can tell he's comfortable up there and seeing the ball well and he fought off some tough pitches, too. Not once, but two, three times today."
San Francisco took three of four at Citi Field while the Mets dropped a home series for the first time since June 10-12 against Milwaukee.
Sandoval, who hit a two-run double in the third off Dillon Gee that tied the game at 2, delivered again in the ninth.
Gregor Blanco singled with two outs off Mets closer Jenrry Mejia (5-4). Blanco stole second and, after Buster Posey drew his fourth walk of the game, Sandoval sliced a ground-rule double into the seats down the left-field line.
Mejia, the Mets' sixth pitcher of the afternoon, had allowed just one earned run since June 18.
"I don't try to do too much in those situations," Sandoval said. "I just try to get a good pitch to hit. I try to focus on the moment."
Sandoval is hitting .344 (32 for 93 over his past 23 games. The 2012 World Series MVP has 13 hits in his last 25 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Sergio Romo (5-3) got the win with one scoreless inning and Santiago Casilla pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save.
The Mets, who got a two-run, first-inning homer from Daniel Murphy and an RBI infield single by David Wright in the fifth off Tim Hudson, took a 3-2 lead into the seventh. But the Giants tied it off Jeurys Familia, ending his streak of 13 relief appearances since June 30 without permitting an earned run.
Hunter Pence, who had two doubles, two triples and two homers in the series, led off with a long drive that glanced off the glove of leaping left fielder Chris Young as center fielder Juan Lagares also jumped for the ball at the wall.
After Blanco walked, Familia threw a wild pitch that made it 3-all. Sandoval singled, but Lagares threw out Blanco at the plate.
That only set up another chance for Sandoval.
"He hits anything," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He hits the ball off the plate, he hits it all over the field. That's why they're a good team, because that guy drives in a lot of runs."
Hudson left after five innings. In his previous start at Citi Field, he was carried off the field with a season-ending broken ankle after a collision at first base on July 24, 2013, while with Atlanta.
American League
Sunday's late game
YANKEES 8, RED SOX 7 Brett Gardner hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth inning for one of his three hits, helping visiting New York beat Boston. Former Red Sox infielder Stephen Drew had a pair of hits and drove in four runs in his third game with the Yankees since he was sent there at the trading deadline. Esmil Rogers (1-0) earned the victory in his Yankees debut by throwing three hitless innings, striking out three and allowing one walk. David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 29th save. Craig Breslow (2-3) came in to relieve Clay Buchholz to start the sixth inning and gave up Gardner's leadoff homer before retiring the next three batters. Yankees starter David Phelps lasted just two innings, allowing five runs and six hits with two walks. He departed with right elbow inflammation and will be evaluated later this week in New York. Boston starter Clay Buchholz allowed seven runs in five innings. Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz homered for Boston. Pedroia lined a 3-2 pitch just foul with two out in the bottom of the ninth one pitch before grounding out to shortstop to end the game. The Red Sox led 3-0 after one inning, 5-3 after two and 7-4 after four. But the Yankees tied it in the fifth on Chase Headley's RBI double and Drew's two-run single. Gardner led off the sixth with his 15th homer of the year -- and his fifth in six games -- on a 2-0 pitch, sending it over the Red Sox bullpen beyond right field.
Sports on 08/05/2014