Sunday, August 23, 2015

Bucs Burn Giants

Boxscore
In the top of the 7th the Giants were trailing 4-2 with two outs and one on when Brandon Crawford hit a ball over the head of centerfielder Andrew McCutcheon, a feat in itself. It looked like a homer off the bat and when it bounced on the track it was at least a run and likely a triple. Alas, the ball went over the fence and into the stands and Andrew Susac, on first via a walk, had to turn around and go back to third base, taking a run off the board. Brandon Belt made the last out, stranding both runners. It seemed, at the time, emblematic of the game and the road trip. It finished 5-2 Pirates. I don't think the game was as close as the score--both Giants runs were gifted by poor fielding. Ryan Vogelsong got pulled in the 4th having allowed 11 baserunners. The three runs he gave up in the 1st were enough as the lineup could not get the big hit once again, and even when BCraw did it wasn't enough. Give Pittsburgh credit for being a good team and taking it to the defending champs.

Fortunately the Dodgers helped things out by losing again in Houston and the deficit is at 1-1/2 games. The Giants, mercifully, have an off-day tomorrow and open a home series, thankfully, against the Cubs and Cardinals on Tuesday. Matt Cain gets the call.

GO GIANTS!

--M.C.

3 comments:

Zo said...

Bumbling smog-suckers: Here, take first place. Please.
Giants: Oh, no, really we wouldn't want to impose. We simply can't accept.

nomisnala said...

Part of the problem is that Posey is 3 for his last 30, or is it 31. He had
numerous chances with men in scoring position to drive in runs, and despite
being our best hitter, and one of the top hitters in the game, with all the
injuries this was a horrid time for him to go into a slump.

Zo said...

Posey: 5 for his last 39 (10 games). 1 double, no other extra base hits. 1 BB.
Crawford: 10 for 37 (.270, very close to his season). 5 doubles.
Belt: 10 for 33, 3 doubles.
Byrd: No hits since his auspicious debut.