Giants Blow Two Leads, Win Anyway

Matt Cain was nearly unhittable through the first five, retiring 15 of 16 with eight strikeouts. With a 2-0  lead in the 7th he was suddenly vulnerable and the Padres crushed two home runs (Nick Hundley and Logan Forsythe) to tie the game. It seems like every time Matty misses a spot or gets a ball up it winds up over the fence! In the 7th, rookie Juan Perez saved a run by throwing out Mark Kotsay (who had doubled) at the plate after fielding a single from Chris Denorfia. That's two nights in a row he's made a great play--I wonder if San Diego will challenge his arm today. Cain's final line was 7  6  2  2  0  10 for a Game Score of 67. When Gregor Blanco got a two-out RBI hit in the bottom of the inning it looked like the Giants just might end the Padres surge. But Jeremy Affeldt threw gasoline on the fire in the top of the 8th and a two-run bomb by Jesus Guzman gave the lead right back. The 'pen has been a little shaky, but the Giants rallied to tie on a double by Brandon Belt, and take the lead on a two-out single by Juan Carlos Perez (B-R also lists Juan Pablo Perez, a pitcher). Yep, him again. The 26-year old from the Dominican Republic was born on my 27th birthday (November 13, 1986). He was a 13th-round draft pick (2008) from Western Oklahoma State College. After 568 games and 2330 PA in four-and-a-half seasons he finally got the call-up and the chance to show off his game. By the way, this guy is not just an outfielder--he spent time at third and short in Fresno! Let's hope he can keep making his mark.

Brandon Crawford joined the growing list of walking wounded when he sprained two fingers on his throwing hand on a head-first slide into second base. Next time lead with the feet, OK? You're too valuable to get hurt on the bases. That's why the team has multiple speed-burner outfield types. Joaquin Arias handled shortstop duties the rest of the night and will probably have to do so for the next few days. The good news is that Marco Scutaro was back in the lineup and had two hits. The good news, really, is that the Giants won the game. It took a little more drama than I expected, but that's how this team rolls.

Madison Bumgarner gets the ball today at 12:45.

GO GIANTS!

--M.C.


p.s. I love Game Graphs: