Webb, Giants edge Cards

SF 4  STL 3

The Giants took an early 2-0 lead but a solo shot by Paul DeJong in the 5th and a two-run homer by Paul Goldschmidt in the 6th made it 3-2 Cardinals. Mitch Haniger's two-out hit in the top of the 7th tied it up and Logan Webb recovered with a scoreless bottom half. The Giants rallied in the 8th when Patrick Bailey doubled and Brandon Crawford singled him home. Taylor TYLER Rogers got two outs in the bottom of the 8th but put two on and they summoned closer Camilo Doval. He loaded the bases but got the final out. In the 9th he put a man on, got a double play, then put two on to face Goldschmidt but he retired the slugger with one pitch. Whew!

The Giants are now 16-15 on the road (and 18-17 at home). Alex Cobb goes tomorrow at 4:45 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Back to winning ways

SF 13  CHC 3

After back-to-back low-scoring losses (3-2 Friday and 4-0 Saturday) the Giants broke out with a home run barrage and salvaged the series with a big win. Joc Pederson smacked two homers in a perfect day (four hits and a walk in five PA). Thairo Estrada also walloped two big flies scoring three and driving in four. It was another bullpen game. After yesterday's sterling opening, a two-inning, 19-pitch clean sheet, John Brebbia was the man once again. He got in trouble right away but wriggled out of it. He's allowed only two runs in his last 15 appearances (16-1/3 IP). Rookies Tristan Beck (2 IP, 2 R) and Ryan Walker (3 IP, 1 R) took the next five innings. Only one of those runs was earned as the Giants made a ghastly FOUR errors in that span. Fortunately the lineup kept the heat on all game, scoring two in the 1st, two in the 3rd, one in the 4th, three in the 5th, two in the 6th and three in the 7th.

Luke Jackson and Taylor Rogers got the next six outs and in an unexpected development BRANDON CRAWFORD was given the ball in the 9th inning! It was 13-3 at that point. BCraw had never before pitched in the big leagues. He put two guys on but got the next three outs to seal the win. They are back over .500 at 33-32.

The team travels to St. Louis for a three-game set with the 27-39 Cardinals. Logan Webb gets the start at 4:45 Pacific.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Comeback completes sweep

SF 6  COL 4

Thairo Estrada led off the game with a homer but Alex Cobb was rocked for four runs in the bottom of the 1st. The veteran righty settled in though and delivered four scoreless frames after that. The bullpen was stellar once again: "The Rogers Brothers" are becoming quite the act! Scott Alexander and Camilo Doval finished up. A homer by Michael Conforto in the 6th cut the deficit to 4-3 and a three-run rally in the top of the 9th set the stage for the win. Reliever Pierce Johnson walked the first two hitters and a pinch-hit double from Brandon Crawford tied the game. A sac fly from LaMonte Wade, Jr. and a single from Joc Pederson completed the scoring.

That's eleven straight wins against the Rockies. A three-game set against the Cubs at home starts tonight (7:15 PT) with Anthony DeSclafani taking the hill.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Webb wobbles but Giants prevail

SF 5  COL 4

Trailing 4-0 in the 7th pinch-hitter Austin Slater singled in a run and later Casey Schmitt singled in two more to make it 4-3. Slater keyed another rally in the 8th with the game-tying single. Patrick Bailey's bunt brought in the eventual winner. Slater subbed for Mike Yastrzemski in CF and that's a solid platoon. With Michael Conforto healthy and Mitch Haniger showing life (hit, walk, two runs scored) that's a strong outfield.

Comebacks don't happen without good bullpen work. After Logan Webb uncharacteristically departed in the 6th rookie Tristan Beck held the line. A tremendous inning from Taylor Rogers (he's looking better) followed and brother Tyler did his thing in the 8th. Camilo Doval got his 15th save.

Alex Cobb starts the getaway game (12:10 PT) and they come home tomorrow to face the Cubs.

Go Giants!

--M.C.