Buster!

SF 5  CLE 4
It was good work by Matt Cain today in his new spot-starter-out-of-the-bullpen role: six innings, five hits, three runs (all in one inning), two walks (both scored), five strikeouts, no homers. He even got a base hit! Alas, the lineup could not score the tying run despite having some good chances and he left with the team losing 3-2. The Indians added another run in the 8th and it looked for all the world like another Caining. But the home squad, undaunted, rallied in the bottom half, scratching out a run to make it 4-3. Then Buster Posey, pinch-hitting with two on and two outs, roped a two-run double to make it 5-4 Giants. It was one of the more exciting moments of the season, I must say. Sam Dyson scared the crap out of everyone but managed to close the door and seal the hard-earned victory. That's a series win against a talented squad. Let's see some more of that!

Denard Span continues to shine, scoring two runs and driving in another (himself!) with a double and a splash-hit homer. If he can stay healthy he solves a big outfield problem for next season, that of having a competent major-leaguer out there regularly.

I don't know if you saw this tweet from Baggs in the sidebar:

Tyler Beede threw 7 strong innings today. At 109 IP. Would make sense to promote him, maybe use in relief for a bit, then join SF rotation.

I'm very curious about Beede (rhymes with 'beady') and would love to see him sooner rather than later. He turned 24 in May and has about 400 IP in the minors after three years at Vanderbilt. He's a two-time first-round draft pick, first by the Blue Jays in 2011 (21st) and then by the Giants in 2014 (14th).

Padres come to town for four starting tomorrow night. GO GIANTS!

--M.C.

Five in a Row

SF 2  PIT 1  (11)
Undefeated in July! This afternoon in Pittsburgh the orange-and-black eked out a very Giants-y win, scratching and clawing and finally prevailing after 11 innings. It's a win that depended on a shut-down 'pen and a patient lineup. Sometimes the other guy has to crack first, and that's just what happened when Daniel Hudson threw a wild pitch to Buster Posey and Denard 'I'm on Fire' Span scored the go-ahead run. Kudos to FNG Austin Slater for breaking up Pirates starter Chad Kuhl's no-hit bid with a solo shot in the 6th to tie the game at one apiece. He's raking a cool .333/.385/500 in 91 PA. Matt Moore walked six in 5-2/3 yet somehow pitched around it and only allowed the one run (McCutcheon scoring on a Bell single) in the 3rd inning. That means the club delivered (Kontos, Okert, Strickland, Osich, Dyson 5-1/3 IP) eight scoreless frames after that. Play like contenders!

--M.C.


p.s. George Kontos has looked particularly good lately and Jae-gyun Hwang got a pinch-hit double after a gritty effort. Accentuate the positive, right?

Giants Batter Brewers

11-5 win at home
Denard Span opened the scoring with a booming homer that hit the water and he laid down a perfect bunt single in his next at bat that went perhaps fifty feet. It was a nice display of versatility by the veteran lefty leadoff man. The Giants went on to score a bunch and that was good as Matt Cain struggled in his return from the DL. The big righty had trouble throwing strikes (he walked in two runs) but otherwise looked healthy and moved around well. The hammy is fine it seems, now it's time to conquer the mechanical issues and find that old pitching rhythm. All the Giants starters had at least one hit and either an RBI or run scored except Jarrett Parker who walked twice. The youngster had some scary moments in left field but hung in there and made some plays as well. He's really slumping (.189/.283/.396) lately, but a platoon role is tough, perhaps with time he'll find his stroke.

Angel Pagan should be back this week. Maybe that will dispel the rumors of the Giants going after Ryan Braun. He has supposedly been linked to all the teams the Brewers have played lately! I don't see the Giants making a big move for a marquee player unless they really slump and the race tightens. With LA losing last night it's now a six-game lead. Infielder Ruben Tejada, Chase Utley's slide victim in last year's post-season, just signed a minor-league deal with the team.

MadBum gets the ball tonight as Giants go for their 40th win.

GO GIANTS!

--M.C.