I keep wondering how this team wins games. Then I watch them this afternoon on Fox Saturday. What do the Giants do? They get clutch hits. Patrick Bailey supplied today's happiness by poking it just past the drawn-in first baseman for a walk-off winner. Today the formula was a little different as Robbie Ray pitched his best game yet (7 IP 5 H 2 R 1 W 8 K) and the bullpen only had to cover six outs. The 2025 Giants have a strong relief corps. They keep the games close and that allows the lineup more chances in the late innings.
The Rangers got a couple of early runs off Ray but didn't hit anything hard. Mostly they ran the bases well! After that he shut them down. Willy Adames tied the game with a two-out, two-run single in the 5th. It stayed 2-2 until the 9th. Heliot Ramos smacked a liner for a single, LaMonte Wade, Jr. walked, and Christian Koss (who is looking better) laid down a sacrifice bunt. After the pitching change, Bailey's hit ended it.
This team is thriving on high-leverage magic. It's a lot of fun. Overall they don't hit all that well compared to the league but they seem to have a great sense of timing! Speaking of timing, tomorrow's game is at 1:05 PT. Jordan Hicks faces Jack Leiter.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
* Brandon Crawford was feted at the ballpark before the game and threw out the first pitch.
Jack Leiter is the son of Al Leiter. Al's brother Mark pitched for the Giants from 95-96. Mark has a son (Mark, Jr.) who pitches for the Yankees.
ReplyDelete