Giants blow it but still win

SF 5  STL 4 (11)

It was inevitable that the Giants would blow their 3-0 lead. It was inevitable that they would fail to score in the 9th. It was inevitable that they would lose in extras.

Then they didn't. Oh, they tried real hard to do all those things but they only managed the first two. In the end, the Giants scored in both the 10th and in the 11th. More important than that, they stopped the Cardinals from scoring when it mattered most.

Somehow, that Giants won the game. That's 60 wins. Anyway, I'll admit that I gave up and did not believe the team could come back and win. So, good on them!

By the way, Sunday's loss was Game 144. That's eight seasonal innings. Here's the butcher's bill:

1st inning: 6-12

2nd inning: 8-10

3rd inning: 8-10

4th inning: 7-11 

5th inning: 9-9 

6th inning: 8-10 

7th inning: 6-12 

8th inning: 7-11

That's 59-85 if you're counting and with today's win it's 60-85 (.414). With 17 games remaining a .414 win percentage says seven more wins. That'd be nice. I'm looking for at least three!

Tomorrow is a night game (6:45 PT) and Wednesday is a lunch special (12:45 PT).

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Homer-happy Giants bash Mets

SF 9  NYM 5

Rafael Devers is the hottest hitter in baseball:

 

He has nine homers in his last thirteen games and his 70 extra-base hits are second in MLB to Pete Crow-Armstrong's 74.

Despite Devers' recent heroics I think today we have to give our "tip o' the cap" to FNG 24-year old Anthony Molina. He struck out six over a five-inning start. He gave up a two-run homer, his only hit allowed. And the runs were unearned as it was a Devers error that put the baserunner on. It was a good audition. I figure every youngster is auditioning for 2027. Speaking of youngsters, Christian Koss served notice with two homers today. And the Giants kept scoring which meant the Mets getting two in the 9th was irrelevant.

Both Grant McCray and Osleivis Basabe homered so all nine runs were the result of big flies. Bryce Eldridge hit his 20th double.

Tomorrow's game is early (10:40 PT). Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Winning formula

SF 5  PIT 4 (10)

It was sort of impossible to write about that ridiculous 13-12 loss the other night. The Giants gave up nine runs in an inning and yet tied the game later. Maybe next year they will learn that you have to go ahead and not just tie a ballgame. And WTF Logan Webb? That was the worst outing (202 starts!) of his career.

But tonight they found a winning formula: late runs and some decent bullpen work. Rafael Devers hit another homer (his 32nd) to open the scoring. Bryce Eldridge and Turner Hill accounted for the rest of the RBIs. The Pirates plated the Manfred Man to open the bottom half of the 10th but Dylan Smith got the next three outs for the save. It's the kind of game we've seen the team lose over and over again this season. Maybe next year they can use this winning formula more frequently.

That's two "maybe next year"(s) in the same post!

It's an early game tomorrow (9:35 a.m. PT) and it looks like Blade Tidwell's turn.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants whip Braves

SF 7  ATL 3

The win the other night was helped along by FNG Yunior Marte who as I pointed out was acquired from the Braves in the Yaz trade. I also note that Yaz struck out (on a challenge!) to end tonight's contest. Tonight's starter, Anthony Molina, came to SF (via Atlanta) for Tyler Mahle. So, Buster's hot stove happenings have delivered some early returns. Molina is only 24 and made his debut with Colorado when he was a mere 22 years. Marte is a mere 22. Bring on the Youth Brigade!

Rafael Devers hit his 30th homer. Jonah Cox and Osleivis Basabe homered. Turner Hill had a two-run double in the four-run 6th. Nice relief work from Jason Foley, Reiver Sanmartin, and Dylan Smith got the job done.

The Giants finish the season with a 5-1 record against the 82-56 NL East-leading Braves. Go figure.

Pittsburgh tomorrow, 3:40 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Late win earns split

SF 7  ARI 2

The Giants had a guy a few years ago named Yunior Marté. He's on the Reds now. Last year the Mike Yastrzemski trade netted a new Giants pitcher named Yunior Marte. This Yunior got called up from AA and started the late game and managed 4-2/3 IP of major-league cromulence. It led to a win, a rare thing for this club. Way to go, Yunior!

Oh, Bryce Eldridge had four hits. That guy is really putting it together. I think he's going to be the real deal next year.

The Giants start their road trip tomorrow with a make-up game in Atlanta (3:05 PT). Then it's on to Pittsburgh and New York.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Giants beat Diamondbacks

SF 6  AZ 1

That's only two wins in ten games vs. Arizona.

Only eight more wins until 63!

Blade Tidwell tonight at 7:15 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Near-shutout makes it two in a row

SF 3  CIN 1

For the second straight night a Giants starter had to leave the game due to injury. Adrian Houser was pulled in the 2nd and the 'pen had to scramble to cover innings. Like last night, it worked. Carson Whisenhunt will probably need TJS. Adrian Houser's injury doesn't seem as severe, thankfully.

FNG Anthony Molina stepped up with 4-1/3 scoreless frames. He faced 14 batters and retired 13. It was a clutch effort. The Giants played well in the field behind him and that really helped.

In the 9th Reds slugger Sal Stewart greeted Carson Seymour with a homer to close the gap and we all thought "here we go again." But he got the final three outs easily and the Giants moved a step closer to avoiding ignominy. Rafael Devers hit his 28th homer in the 5th.

Day game today (12:45), Landen Roupp Logan Webb is scheduled. Go Giants!

--M.C.