SAN FRANCISCO - It took a few more tries than Bruce Bochy would have liked to earn his 1,500th managerial win. He might remember this one for a while considering it came in the nightcap of a doubleheader wearing road grey uniforms while batting first as the home team. Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run dou

SAN FRANCISCO - It took a few more tries than Bruce Bochy would have liked to earn his 1,500th managerial win. He might remember this one for a while considering it came in the nightcap of a doubleheader wearing road grey uniforms while batting first as the home team. Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run double to help Bochy reach the milestone victory, and the San Francisco Giants split a straight doubleheader with the Cincinnati Reds with a 5-3 victory in the nightcap Tuesday. "I dont know what that number means, except Im fortunate Ive been doing this as long as I have," Bochy said. "Im thankful. I know how lucky I am." Hunter Pence hit an RBI single, Gregor Blanco had a sacrifice fly, and Brandon Belt added an RBI groundout in San Franciscos first win in six tries against the Reds this season after being outscored 34-6 in the first five meetings — including 11-0 on Monday night and 9-3 in the opener Tuesday. The Reds had 10 hits after combining for 32 in the first two games. The teams were forced to make up a July 4 rainout at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati batted last and wore home uniforms as the visiting team. Bochy became the 21st manager with 1,500 wins and third active along with Reds skipper Dusty Baker and Detroits Jim Leyland. Bochy said "its very humbling" to be mentioned among such managers. "Hes a fine manager. Hes a guy that I enjoy managing against," Baker said. "I didnt even know it was 1,500, so congratulations to Bruce." Bochy tipped his cap to the crowd when the milestone was announced as players shook hands afterward. And Barry Zito, the pitcher Bochy removed one out from qualifying for a win, praised the skippers feat. "I think hes a very underrated manager, maybe because hes a quiet guy and doesnt toot his own horn," Zito said. "Thats a very special accomplishment and were all very happy for him." The Giants were outscored 34-6 over their first five games with Cincinnati before doing just enough in Tuesdays second game. Devin Mesoraco had a three-run homer among his three hits in the opener to put him at 6 for 9 with two homers through the first two games. He didnt start the second game but struck out as a pinch-hitter to end the seventh, with a runner on second, and stayed in the game. The Reds called up former Stanford right-hander Greg Reynolds (0-1), a native of nearby Pacifica, from Triple-A Louisville to start the second game. He allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings of his first big league outing since a start Sept. 25, 2011, for Colorado. Santiago Casilla (4-2) struck out two in 1 1-3 innings for the win, then Sergio Romo recorded the final four outs for his 24th save in 27 opportunities. He struck out Brandon Phillips to end the eighth with two runners aboard, then struck out the side in the ninth after Jay Bruces leadoff single — including Mesoraco to end it. Casilla was the third pitcher in relief of struggling lefty Zito, replaced after allowing a pair of two-out hits in the fifth including Todd Fraziers RBI double. Zito, who won Game 1 of the World Series last fall, saw his winless streak reach nine starts since the lefty beat Oakland on May 30. Frazier finished with two doubles and three of Cincinnatis hits on a night the Reds missed multiple chances. They stranded 14 baserunners, seven in scoring position. Bruce also had three hits. "We were never really out of it," Bruce said. "We just couldnt get the timely hit, and Barry was making enough pitches to skirt around it." Earlier, Joey Votto and Zack Cozart also homered for the swinging Reds, who had pizza and sushi delivered to the clubhouse for a quick dinner between games. "Weve got some hot bats," Mesoraco said after the opener. "Ride it out as long as you can. You want to go out there and put up as many runs as you can, especially early, and take a little pressure off the starting pitcher. Thats what we were able to do the last two nights." Cozart finished 4 for 4 with two RBIs and three runs to back Tony Cingrani (4-1). The left-hander was added to the roster as the Reds permitted 26th player for the doubleheader. He was headed back to the Arizona Rookie League after the game to fulfil the final five days required after being optioned previously to the minors. He is set to return and start Sunday for Cincinnati. The Reds had dominated the Giants this year after allowing San Francisco to rally from an 0-2 deficit to win the NL division series matchup last October. In the opener, the Reds knocked Eric Surkamp (0-1) out after 2 2-3 innings in his first start since late September 2011 after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery. "I still have a lot of work to do coming back," Surkamp said. "I feel like Im close. I feel a little herky-jerky throwing pitches." Notes: Attendance for the two-for-one at AT&T Park was 42,310. Both games count as home stats for the Giants. ... Between games, the Reds optioned INF Neftali Soto to Triple-A Louisville and transferred LHP Sean Marshall to the 60-day disabled list. ... Shin-Soo Choo had his career-best hitting streak for the Reds snapped at 16 games in the opener. He was 0 for 6 on the day. ... Cincinnati played its first single-admission doubleheader since Aug. 24, 2011, at the Marlins. ... The Giants designated for assignment RHP Hunter Strickland to clear room on the 40-man roster for Yusmeiro Petit, who struck out seven in 5 1-3 innings of relief in Game 1 after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Fresno. San Francisco optioned RHP George Kontos to Fresno a day after he threw a career-high 63 pitches in 3 1-3 innings. ... 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It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Carter Rowney Jersey . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Chicago is the centre of the sporting universe this week, only the All Blacks and Ireland have nothing to do with it. The Windy City is basking in the drought-breaking glory of the Chicago Cubs who, after a 108-year wait, are finally World Series champions. The party is unlikely to subside for some time, but Chicagoans who do turn their minds to other things will be wise to embrace rugby as they have a chance to see one of the truly great sporting teams in action on Saturday.After setting a world record for consecutive Tier One wins, the All Blacks have set their sights on finishing the year unbeaten. Having romped through the Rugby Championship, disposing of Australia, Argentina and South Africa with ease, and Wales 3-0 before that, a four-Test tour in the northern hemisphere will seemingly hold few fears. Still, Australia troubled New Zealand just enough in Bledisloe III to show the All Blacks may be the slightest bit vulnerable -- providing you can play for the entire 80 minutes.And that will be the challenge for Ireland. Playing their first Test since a 2-1 series loss in South Africa, Joe Schmidts side will likely be a tad rusty. That is forgivable to a point, but New Zealand, given their expertise on turnover ball, wont be anywhere near as gracious.Team newsNew ZealandHaving experienced a wretched injury toll at lock, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will blood an all-Blues second-row pairing in Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipolutu. Kainos shift from No. 6 means there is a just a second Test start for Liam Squire while a fit-again Sam Cane has replaced Matt Todd at No. 7. Aaron Smith returns at half-back after missing back-to-back Tests due to indiscriminate use of a disabled toilet, while George Moala and Waisake Naholo have also been awarded starts at outside centre and right wing respectively.Ben Smith, Waiseke Naholo, George Moala, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (captain).Replacements: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.IrelandJoe Schmidt has named an impressive line-up with veteran Rob Kearney getting the nod at full-back. That selection means Jared Payne will start from outside centre in a backline that features familiar faces Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Andrew Trimble. The pack also boasts plenty of experience with captain Rory Best and No. 8 Jamie Heaslip leading the charge.Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip.Replacements:Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Garry Ringrose.Key matchup: Beauden Barrett vs Jonny SextonWhat in the world happened to Barrett in Auckland a fortnight ago? While his inaccurate goal-kicking came as little surprise, Barretts lack of timing and poor execution oof fly-half play was unlike anything weve seen from him this season.dddddddddddd Rather than condemn Barrett -- a fancy for World Rugby Player of the Year despite his Auckland shocker -- to the pine, Hansen has decided that performance was an aberration and backed Barrett to regain control of the All Blacks juggernaut. If Barrett can rediscover the form he has shown in just about every other match hes played this year, Ireland could well be in for a long night.Sexton doesnt possess the same attacking brilliance or the turn of speed as Barrett, but he is arguably more adept at steering a Test side around the paddock given his 64 Test caps. He knows what it takes to win the big games, too, as evidenced by his efforts in the British & Irish Lions 2-1 series win in Australia and Irelands back-to-back Six Nations triumphs of 2014 and 2015. Sexton will likely go to the air with regularity early, but he must take the line on himself as the match progresses - an area where the Wallabies Bernard Foley enjoyed success a fortnight ago.Key stats- Ireland have never beaten New Zealand, with their most recent encounter in 2013 ending in heartbreak after Aaron Cruden was allowed to retake a match-winning conversion after an 82nd-minute try.- Julian Savea will bring up his 50th Test cap; he has scored 45 tries to date.- This is just the second time Ireland and New Zealand have met on neutral ground, the first coming at Rugby World Cup 1995 when the All Blacks triumphed 43-19.WeatherChicago is set for a clear, sunny day throughout Saturday, with the temperature set to hover around a cool 12 degrees (Celsius) come kick-off.What they said:I listened to Joe (Maddon), the Chicago coach saying that curses and such things arent what make sport, its actually the process of getting across the line that makes it. So, I know that this Irish side is a good team, last time we played them they should have won and theyve only gotten better since then. - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.Its really exciting, there was quite a buzz on the flight over. We were out getting coffee and met come Cubs fans, and Bears Fans, they were asking are we the Irish team, and they know about the game. Were expecting a huge crowd, a lot of Irish here and a huge sports town. All the guys are excited to play in such a cool city, and hopefully they come out in numbers and make a lot of noise to aid us. - Ireland half-back Conor Murray.VerdictIreland are capable of ruining New Zealands season of perfection, but that challenge will come when the two sides meet in Dublin in a few weeks time. Put simply, the Irish wont have had enough time together to trouble an All Blacks side that has been humming all year. No-one has got within 14 points of the world champions this season, and Ireland wont improve on that margin in Chicago this weekend. The Cubbies may have ended a 108-year wait for World Series glory this week, but this Test wont follow that same drought-breaking script.New Zealand by 17. ' ' '