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SAN FRANCISCO -- Mike Leake has gotten stronger every year, and his fastball velocity has increased as a result. Even so, he still doesnt know where all those strikeouts came from. Leake allowed four hits in eight innings and had a career-high 12 strikeouts in the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night. "It didnt feel like that many," said Leake, who allowed one run and walked one, which was intentional. "But I guess its a big accomplishment. Im not high on strikeouts." Cincinnati manager Bryan Price thinks Leake (6-6) could be a strikeout pitcher if that was his goal. "Hes pretty consistent hitting 93, 94 mph with his fastball," said the former pitching coach. "Thats not a fastball you have to apologize for. He could throw more pitches and be less effective but strike out more guys." Brandon Phillips had three hits, including a home run and double, and scored twice in his return to the lineup for the Reds, who won their fifth in six games. Leake, still looking for his first major league shutout, didnt try to talk his way onto the mound for the ninth. He hasnt pitched a complete game in nearly two years. Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances. "We have a good closer, why not use him?" Leake said. Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier each added two hits for the Reds. Bruce doubled in the seventh and has an extra-base hit in each of his last seven games, the longest streak by a Reds player since Dave Parker did it in eight straight in 1986. "We seem to play well here," Bruce said. "With this pitching staff, if you put runs on the board, you have a chance." Adam Duvall, making his major league debut, hit a home run for the Giants, who lost for the 12th time in 16 games. Ryan Vogelsong (5-4) allowed a run on five hits over six innings one day after Tim Lincecum threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. He struck out seven and walked one. "I rubbed up against him before the game, but it didnt work," Vogelsong said. "I just wasnt good enough." Jean Machi, who allowed Phillips home run leading off the seventh, had his scoreless streak end at 25 1-3 innings. Zack Cozart and Ryan Ludwick also drove in runs for the Reds, who have won eight of their last 10 games, including playoffs, in San Francisco. The Reds ended a scoreless duel with a run in the fifth. Phillips, who missed the last three games with a bruised heel, led off with a single. Two outs later, Cozart doubled him home. Bruce followed Phillips homer with a double and scored on Ludwicks single. Duvall hit a 0-2 pitch from Leake into the left field bleachers to put the Giants on the scoreboard. "Thats a feeling Ill never forget running the bases," Duvall said. "I tried to tell myself it was the same game, just a bigger crowd." Leake allowed a two-out double to Buster Posey in the first and then retired 15 of the next 16 hitters before Hunter Pences triple in the sixth. Leake improved to 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA in four starts at AT&T Park. The Giants also threw out two runners at home. Billy Hamilton tried to score on Devin Mesoracos shallow fly to second baseman Joe Panik in the sixth, and Brandon Crawford nailed Mesoracso trying to score on Phillips double to centre field in the eighth. NOTES: Frazier has a 13-game hitting streak against the Giants. ... Chapman has at least one strikeout in each of his last 33 appearances, the longest active streak by a reliever and the fourth longest since 1900. . Reds LHP Tony Cingrani, optioned to Triple A Louisville on Friday, was placed on the minor league disabled list with a strained shoulder. That came as a surprise to the Reds, who sent him down to work. ... RHP Johnny Cueto (7-5, 1.86), the major league leader in ERA, pitches for the Reds on Friday night. Hes won his last two decisions. . LHP Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 2.63) goes for the Giants. Hes 2-2 in five starts against the Reds. ... Giants 1B Michael Morse was scratched because of illness. . Duvall became the 11th Giant since 1958 to homer in his first game. ... The Junior Giants Stretch Drive Fund, created in honour of Hall of Famer Willie McCovey, began Thursday to help provide baseball programs in 90 underserved communities. Information can be obtained at the website jrgiant.org. Willian Jersey . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. Marcos Alonso Jersey . -- Downcast before the final game of what had been a difficult road trip, the Ottawa Senators found a way to dig out a little momentum in the desert before heading home. http://www.chelseafcproshop.com/Kids-Willy-Caballero-Jersey/ .5 million contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. Hatcher agreed to terms Thursday, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been signed. Blank Jersey . The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when - after nearly two years - federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges. Davide Zappacosta Jersey .C. -- LeBron James called comments on an audio recording of a man identified as Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling "appalling" and said hes not sure if he would suit up for the remainder of the NBA playoffs if he played for the Clippers.Jolyon Palmer has promised Renault a more complete driver if the French outfit choose to retain him for a second season. The Enstone team have struggled in their first year back in Formula 1 but have aspirations of adding to their two constructors titles in the near future. As such, both Palmer and team-mate Kevin Magnussen are vulnerable with the manufacturer looking for an experienced, leading driver in 2017.But with a driver line-up announcement not forthcoming as of yet, Palmer still hopes he will be given a chance to build on his rookie season in the sport. The Formula 1 Gossip ColumnThe main thing for me is to be judged compared to Kevin because hes in the same car, the Brit, sitting down with Sky F1s Johnny Herbert prior to the Malaysia GP, said. Early on Id say he had the upper hand, its fair to say, but after the first third of the season weve been very, very close.I want to be with Renault [in 2017] and I know that if I am well have a more competitive car. Ive learned a lot this year, its been tough. But I think Im driving not too bad overall, maybe with a few too many mistakes, but Im a rookie and I think thats to be expected over the course of a 21-race year. Next year, if I come back, no doubt I will be more complete because I will have learned from the mistakes that Ive made.The 2014 GP2 champion seems to be timing an upturn in form at the right time at Renault, securing his first points in F1 inn Malaysia with an impressive 10th-place finish.ddddddddddddJo is improving, step by step. he is doing a good job, said Renault chief Frederic Vasseur.Why the delay at Renault?When Vasseur confirmed that Renault were chasing a driver capable of leading a team, he was confident that the options available to him in the driver market meant an early September announcement was probable.Sergio Perez seemed the most likely candidate, but the Mexican has now been officially confirmed as a Force India driver for next season. Still, Renault are desperately seeking top drivers for 2017, according to Auto Motor und Sport, and intend to drop Magnussen and Palmer. The German publication claims that Valtteri Bottas, Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz remain top of the teams wish-list despite Hulkenberg and Sainz being under contract at Force India and Toro Rosso respectively, while Bottas is expected to stay on at Williams alongside Lance Stroll.However, Auto Motor und Sport speculate that with a bumper three-year deal on offer, its not yet certain that Renault will be rejected.Whats unclear is just what Renault will do if Sainz, Hulkenberg and Bottas all join Perez in saying no… Also See: Palmer and KMag to fight for seat? 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