SF 5 SD 4 (12)
Madison Bumgarner's pinch-hit in the 12th wins it for the Giants, driving in Gorkys Hernandez who had tripled. It was a long and painful game but it was a win, and all wins are to be celebrated especially after four losses in a row. Chris Stratton had an inning from hell in the 3rd and was done by the 5th, and Will Smith blew a save in the 9th, but it all worked out. Gregor Blanco had a clutch pinch-hit to give the Giants a late lead, and Hunter Pence hit a homer. The Giants have 11 wins in 18 games against the Padres, but it doesn't seem like it.
Casey Kelley gets the start tomorrow night. Go Giants!
--M.C.
4 comments:
Does seem as if Mark Melancon recently is good for getting the first two men he faces out. After that it is a crap shoot. Giants have a much better record against the West this year than last year. Too bad they forgot about the rest of the league. Being that the division champ will most likely have a record of somewhere between 550 and 570, it seems as if a healthy year by this giants team as put together this year, would have easily had them in the thick of things. Injuries matter, and many injuries matter a lot. Other teams had their injuries, but the giants seemed to need their own private hospital. The pitching is respectable, the hitting needs improvement, and really needs one or two serious power threats, who can hit for average. Note in today's win, the Pads had 12 hits, and took 6 walks. On the other hand the giants had 9 hits, took no walks, and struck out in double digits again. Gorky's came through after making a bonehead steal attempt at third base. I did not see the ball hit the bat, in the recalled strike out, turned into a key hit for the Pads.
At this point, I watch baseball entirely for the pleasure of experiencing the game. The season is shot and next year is not here yet. I love the sight and sound of baseball, including all the silly stuff that happens. So seeing Bum, who has not had a particularly entertaining season, hit a walk off was real fun. But the best part was watching how he batted away the Gatorade. Too macho to be dunked. Cracked me up.
It was a classic stiff-arm. I'm glad it was his right, not his left!
The Giants certainly are bringing a mediocre season to a thoroughly sub-mediocre close. They have won 5 in their last 12, which means 5 wins for September. Against 18 losses. I know it's their B team out there, or maybe their C or D team, but I'm having a hard time seeing how they can get up for LA enough to make a difference.
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