The Giants blew a late lead on Saturday night and seem determined to do it again this afternoon but they eked out a win instead and there was rejoicing across the land. It's been an ugly stretch. The team opened the month of August with three straight wins against the Diamondbacks and then lost back-to-back games to the A's. That was an evil portent. They then lost two of three to the Angels, the Rangers, and now the Braves. That's 7-10 for the month and 16-18 since the Break. There's no rest for the weary, either: the team travels to Philadelphia next to face the number-one Wild Card contender.
But that's for tomorrow. Today we can enjoy a homer by rookie Luis Matos to open the scoring and a two-run homer from Mr. VSC Wilmer Flores to give the team the lead. Wilmer is on a roll (.301/.359/.541) these days and absolutely embodies Veteran Savvy Clutchness. A tremendous relief effort across the middle innings from rookie Tristan Beck was also crucial. Speaking of rookies, at one point there were five on the field: P Beck, C Patrick Bailey, LF/CF Matos, RF/LF Heliot Ramos, and 3B Casey Schmitt. Wade Meckler subbed for Ramos later so that's six rookies total. Whatever else happens this season it has been great to see all the young players get a shot.
The Giants scratched out the winning run in the 9th on a bases-loaded walk to Joc Pederson. Braves reliever Kirby Yates hit two batters before him. Sometimes the baseball gods give you a break when you really need it.
Don't look now but Arizona is only 1-1/2 games behind. Time to get back to winning ways.
It's Aaron Nola for the Phillies tomorrow at 3:40 Pacific.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
8 comments:
Kyle Harrison is supposed to get called up for this series.
Errors this last week really hurt the giants this time, and almost cost them another game. A very tough blown save for the second time in a week for Doval, and both times the team came back to give him the win. Bailey was called out for strike 3 on a questionable swing with the bases loaded an no outs, but he did go a bit further than Flores did in the last AB of the playoffs in 2021. How blind is Angel Hernandez. He probably could not pass the vision test for drivers. Ended up with one of three from the so called best team in the game, and came very close to making it 2 of 3.
I now revel in every blown call by Angel and his ilk, knowing it brings some form of ABS closer and closer.
G's went toe to toe on the road with the best team in MLB.
Yeah they really had a chance on Saturday and it was tough to see them lose it. Taking 2 of 3 would have been amazing.
Taking 2 of 3 from this upcoming team--the Phils--would also be amazing.
Whatever happens, this team's outcome is in their hands. They have all the opportunities right in front of them to secure a Wild Card spot. The schedule ahead is very difficult but they've proven they can sustain winning months.
And they are doing it with two starters! They have three guys (Manaea, Wood, Stripling) who can't seem to get it together. At least Manaea is doing some positive work. The other two are so volatile and unpredictable. It's a tribute to Kapler and his staff that they've conjured up wins with so many bullpen games. And to win with so many rookies!
To be fair, Doval's blown save had absolutely nothing to do with him. Bailey threw the ball into left field! They really shouldn't give a blown save for that.
Estrada may be injured again. Should find out this afternoon. BCraw is on the IL already.
Estrada is OK, apparently.
Kyle Harrison makes his debut tonight!
Like I said, whatever else happens with this season, I love seeing all the rookies.
Hopefully Harrison will have a decent start. I am much more worried about him, than I was when Marichal was called up. The giants station to station running in the first inning, and then the dp, changed the entire flow of the game. Joc hitting the ball off the wall and Schwarber making the perfect throw to second also was a momentum changer. For the second time in a few games the opposition got an inside the parker off of the giants. To me, I like Meckler, and think he has a tremendous upside, but I do not think he is ready. Would much rather see Matos play vs. Lefties and righties, as he seems further along in his development despite being younger. Earlier today Eldridge hit is 5th homer in 50 ab's, was batting 300, with an OPS of 1060. Looks like the real deal, and he is not pitching this season. It amazes me that other teams can score from second on a grounder to short, but the giants cannot score with a hit to the outfield. The Dp's have been a problem lately as have been the errors, and also some of the non-error, bad plays. Without Flores, and Bailey we would probably be under 500 already. What happened to Slater. For a while no one could get him out, But after he hit the homerun a few weeks ago, he cannot do anything. If the opponent needs him to strikeout he strikes out, if they need him to hit into a dp, he hits into a dp. How long could giants players have leg injuries where they don't want them to run full out?
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