Beat LA

Logan Webb didn't fare very well against the Dodgers the last time out. Neither did Robbie Ray. The Giants two best pitchers got clobbered in the last series. That's got to change this time out. You figure to win at least one of the games that your top-of-the-rotation guys start, right? Right now Justin Verlander is the best pitcher on the staff! He's thrown 31 innings over his last five starts and has allowed just three runs. In fact he's only allowed three hits. He's walked twelve guys (vs. 28 strikeouts), but I think that's because he'd rather put them on in a 3-ball count than groove one. He doesn't have the big heat anymore so he can't just blow people away. He has to pitch. The win at home against the Dodgers was a Verlander start. Dave Roberts, who I normally think well of, seemed rather snide to me in his post-game comments about how much Verlander was throwing his curveball. As if it matters how you get people out!

Just get 'em out, baby!

It's Webb and Yamamoto tonight in LA at 7:10 PT.

--M.C. 

Giants Slam Dodgers

SF 5  LA 1 (10)

The Giants got a hit in the 1st inning, a double by Willy Adames, and that scored Rafael Devers who had walked. Devers scored on a bobble by Andy Pages in centerfield so there was no RBI. That was their only hit until Devers singled in the 9th. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was dealing, but Giants stater Justin Verlander matched zeros with him until the 7th when Michael Conforto's homer tied the game at 1-1.

In the 9th a Mookie Betts error and the Devers hit put a runner at third base with one out. Pinch-runner Grant McCray was unfortunately thrown out at the plate by CF Pages on a very short sac fly attempt from Wilmer Flores. McCray returned the favor, throwing out the Manfred Man (Ben Rortvedt) on a Betts sac fly attempt to RF in the 10th. The game featured some nice defense by both clubs even though LA was dinged for two errors.

With one out in the 10th Jung Hoo Lee worked a walk against Tanner Scott. An IBB to load the bases followed and that brought up Patrick Bailey. Batting righty against the southpaw he laser-beamed the first pitch, a high heater, over the LF wall for a walk-off grand slam.

The 75-72 Giants are now a half-game behind the 76-72 Mets for the final Wild Card spot. Logan Webb goes today against Clayton Kershaw (6:05 PT).

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants subdue Snakes

SF 5  ARI 3

Robbie Ray labored (95 pitches) through five innings but he kept the ball in the park and only walked two and that was enough. Willy Adames hit a three-run homer in the 1st and the bullpen held off the Diamondbacks for the final three frames and nailed down the win. Patrick Bailey hit a homer in the 5th. It was a workmanlike win and kept the Giants in the hunt for the Wild Card.

Today's game is at 12:45 and Carson Seymour gets the call. Tomorrow is an off-day and then the Dodgers will be in town over the weekend for a three-game set.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

8th inning: 12-6

Last night was game 144, the end of the 8th seasonal inning.  

1st inning: 13-5

2nd inning: 9-9

3rd inning: 9-9

4th inning: 10-8

5th inning: 7-11 

6th inning: 6-12 

7th inning: 7-11

8th inning: 12-6

73-71 (.507), 3rd place, 7 GB

 

Logan Webb struck out seven in six innings to bring his yearly total to 201, the first time he's topped that figure. He struck out 194 in 2023. He also logged his 14th win, one shy of his career high of 15 in 2022. The Giants rediscovered their big bashing ways last night. They hit five homers and shoved past the Diamondbacks (SF 11  AZ 5) for their 73rd win. It was a bit of an ugly game as three of Webb's runs were unearned as was one of Arizona reliever Brandyn Garcia's (who got the loss).

Jung Hoo Lee had three hits including a two-run homer. He's now slashing .271/.332/.420 with 30 doubles, 11 triples, and 8 home runs. He rates 2.2 bWAR and 2.8 fWAR.

18 games left. Robbie Ray at 6:40 tonight.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Back to Earth

After scoring 94 runs in 12 games and going 11-1, the Giants scored five runs in the final two games in St. Louis and went 0-2.

My goal for this year is 82 wins. 82 wins. I want to see 82 wins. There are 19 games left, 12 at home and 7 on the road. They have to go 10-9 to get to 82 wins.

The Arizona Diamondbacks come to San Francisco for three starting tomorrow night at 6:45 PT. Should be Logan Webb for the opener.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

The Beat Goes On

SF 8   STL 2

The barrage of hits continued tonight in Busch Stadium with a total of 18. That's five games in a row with double-digit hits. Rafael Devers and Willy Adames went back-to-back homers in the 1st and that's 18 games in a row with a home run. Lots of folks chipped in including Jung Hoo Lee who had four hits and his 11th triple.

But the big news is that Carson Seymour threw five solid innings (two hits, one run) for his first major league win. Seymour was originally a Mets prospect who came to San Francisco in 2022 with J.D. Davis in the Darin Ruf trade.

The Giants have now won five in a row and 11 of 12. They've surged into 3rd place (72-69) in the West and are a mere four back in the Wild Card. Lots of things would have to go right over the next 21 games for the Giants to make the post-season but at least they are playing good ball and look like a serious club. I just hope they hang on and finish with a .500+ record.

Tomorrow's game is on Fox at 4:15 Pacific. Justin Verlander takes the hill.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

On to St. Louis

SF 10   COL 8

The Rockies may stink but it still isn't easy to sweep a series in Coors Field. It's a big ballpark in the high, dry, thin air and crazy shit always happens. And Colorado has some good players like that catcher I mentioned before Hunter Goodman. He hit another late homer to make things close. But the Giants held on to win and take all three contests. Scoring ten runs is usually a good way to win, but even then the Giants had to use their closer (Ryan Walker) to get it done.

Matt Chapman had a big game with two homers (three hits total) and four driven in. With Rafael Devers and Willy Adames flashing big power it seems Chappie had to keep up. Man, if these three guys could stay together for a whole season they could really kick ass! 

Tomorrow is an off-day and then it is three against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Friday night at 5:15 PT I think it will be Carson Seymour. Saturday is a Fox game at 4:15 PT and it is Justin Verlander's turn. Sunday morning's getaway game is listed at 11:15 PT and RosterResource says it will be Kai-Wei Teng.

Go Giants!

--M.C.