The Giants overwhelmed the Reds today to sweep the four-game set and head home with a five-game win streak. That's a 6-2 trip and it bumps their road record to 14-12. Johnny Cueto, in his first start off the IL, lasted only three innings, yielding eight hits and five runs. In his next start he lasted 4-1/3 IP, again allowing eight hits but only two runs. Today he managed five innings, allowing five hits and only one run. I like that sort of improvement. Let's hope he's back to full strength in his next go-round.
The lineup produced their biggest run total so far, it's also the most runs by any team this season. They looked great in the first inning, wearing down Reds starter Tyler Mahle with patient, disciplined at-bats, grinding out a run with two outs and forcing him to throw 28 pitches. When the top of the lineup got a second look in the 3rd inning they went on a rampage and pounded out nine runs. The highlights were a grand slam from Steven Duggar and two-run homer from Darin Ruf (he had a four-hit day). Brandon Crawford had six RBI in a three-hit day (including his 11th homer), and Evan Longoria added three hits including a homer. It got so bad the Reds used two position players to pitch the final two innings.
Sam Selman looked good in the 6th. Camilo Doval was wild in the 7th and gave up a run but also had three strikeouts. Jose Alvarez, just off the IL, gave up a two-run homer in the 8th but finished the frame. Matt Wisler gave up a two-out hit in the 9th but also struck out three.
The YouTube telecast was amateurish, unfortunately. They had FOUR GUYS talking about the game! Really? You need four guys? Jeremy Affeldt was one of them, and he's a motor mouth and doesn't know when to shut up. Even if he has something interesting to say his incessant chatter quickly becomes annoying and ultimately intolerable. Not to mention those nauseating interviews during the live action and the split screen that shows the interviewee more than the action. But that's why they invented the mute button!
The Giants crushed it this week and they set up a terrific showdown with the Dodgers who have been on their own hot streak. It's a three-game set starting tomorrow night at 6:45 PDT with Alex Wood facing Trevor Bauer. Saturday's game is a Fox Game of the Week (4:15 Pacific). Logan Webb went to the IL so no starter has been named. I suspect Sunday it will be Anthony DeSclafani.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
4 comments:
I remember quite a few years ago, when Nen was a Marlin and the giants came back from a great series against the fish, in high spirits against the dodgers, and then managed to lose the series to the bums. Lets hope that history does not repeat itself. Giants are doing this with many key players on the IL. Ruf's only out was a hard hit liner down the third base line, but cincy had him played perfectly. If Alvarez goes to third on the wild pitch, Crawford goes home with 7 RBI instead of 6.
I thought it was interesting that the Giants scored all those runs without Buster Posey or Brandon Belt in the lineup!
"Team depth" was the idea behind this roster and it seems they've had to rely on that so far. I am concerned about Casali, he even struck out against a position player yesterday. If Bart keeps raking at AAA, will he get a call-up?
Still no word on who starts on Saturday. Doval and Selman have lots of options between them, does one of them get bumped if they activate an emergency starter? Menez, maybe.
We really do not have the pen for a bullpen game. It seemed as if we had more than enough starters, and then the injuries started coming. The giants are going down like flies who didn't see the insecticides coming.
Sanchez should be back soon. But yeah, I agree, the Giants don't seem to have the arms for such a thing. That's why I think they will call someone up.
I mistakenly listed the game time as 7:10. It is 6:45 (I fixed the entry).
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