The Giants did not score today until the very last inning, and that was an extra inning, the 8th frame in a 7-inning contest. They've had trouble scoring in D.C., plating only three runs total in the three games, but three runs was enough to take two of the games! Craziness!
Kevin Gausman gave up two runs in the first game and that was enough for the Nationals as the Giants lineup could not get anything going. That offensive feebleness continued for seven frames in the nightcap. Fortunately the bullpen matched up and put up zeroes of their own. In the 8th, LaMonte Wade, Jr. roped a single to score the magic runner, and the Giants followed that by loading the bases with no outs. Wilmer Flores poked a single to score one run, and we all had thoughts of a big inning. Alas, the Giants hit three weak ground balls and failed to score any more runs. Caleb Baragar then gave up an RBI double to open the bottom half and followed that by hitting the next batter, Victor Robles. A deep fly to center saw the two runners tag up and try to advance. Robles, inexplicably, over-slid at second base and was tagged out. It was a weird play but good for the Giants as Baragar got the final out and the Giants got their 40th win.
You can win pretty and you can win ugly. Friday was pretty and today was ugly but they both go in the win column. Tomorrow it's Johnny Cueto (10:05 a.m. Pacific) with a chance to take the series.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
1 comment:
I don't know if it would have made a difference, but in the first games two giants were called out on high-ish pitches over the outside corner, very questionable, and with runners on in at least one case. Twice in the game Soto had the same pitch, one that even caught more of the strike zone, called a ball. One of those came on a 2-2 count and he later walked and scored. A slight call deference and make a difference. Of course the calls were borderline and probably not criticize worthy as individual pitches, but situationally in comparison to other calls in the game they had their impact. Nevertheless, the one run was all Washington seemed to need in game one. Hopefully Cueto can be the really good Cueto on Sunday.
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