Sunday, April 17, 2011

The agony in extras

I'm usually content to match the Giants bullpen against anyone in the league, but today the D-backs had the arms for the long haul and outlasted the good guys in 12 innings. Arizona's relievers retired the side in order in each of the final five frames and only allowed one base runner after Pablo Sandoval's home run in the 6th that put the Giants ahead 5-4. San Francisco batters struck out 14 times on the day with nine of those coming after starter Barry Enright left in the 6th. It looked bad for Madison Bumgarner early, but he settled down and pitched into the 7th, giving up eight hits and four runs. Jeremy Affeldt gave up two ground ball singles with two outs in the 8th which tied the game for Arizona, and Dan Runzler put the go-ahead run on second base in the 12th with back-to-back walks with one out. Javier Lopez gave up the single to right field that ended it, Justin Upton scoring just ahead of Nate Schierholtz's strong throw. Josh Collmenter got the last six outs and the win in his ML debut.

I was greedy this morning. I felt the Snakes were ripe for a sweep, and it looked like it might happen. After a 5-2 win Friday and a 5-3 win Saturday, the 5-4 lead in the 8th looked pretty good. Alas, they never got the ball to Brian Wilson. And seeing 16 guys in a row get mowed down was damned discouraging. Nonetheless, you have to be encouraged by MadBum's grit and fortitude, and by two wins in three road games. Colorado will be a sterner test. They've scored 85 runs in their 15 games (62 for SF), but more importantly have only allowed 59 (SF 56). They won again today and stand atop the West at 12-3. Tim Lincecum gets the start tomorrow night against Esmil Rogers.

--M.C.

2 comments:

Brother Bob said...

There's been so many close games!
I know it's all about the pitching with the Giants, but I got a big charge out of seeing back-to-back homers from Posey and Sandoval. Ten years from now these guys are going to be legendary.

Anonymous said...

PABLO MAKES ME HAPPY THERE I SAID IT.

I was a little frustrated to see Affeldt come into the game in the 8th instead of Romo. I don't understand why he went with Affeldt over Romo if he was just going to use him next inning anyway. That decision cost us the game.