Tuesday, April 18, 2017

7 4 1 1 2 3 ND

SF 2  KC 1 (11)
The Giants won an agonizing extra-inning torture-fest in Kansas City. That's a big story, the wins have been a little sparse lately. But the real story was a brilliant effort by Giants starter Matt Cain. He gave up a couple of hard-hit balls early but quickly found his repertoire and other than a solo shot by rookie Whit Merrifield in the 5th he was in command and got stronger as he went on. He got pulled after seven and 86 pitches. What a superb job on the road against a tough lineup! The team's failure to support him with runs was a familiar old tale. Matt Cain pitched well--that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

It was a painful game as the Giants blew multiple chances to open things up. This lineup has a tough time getting big hits, and could use an occasional homer. They ultimately broke through with two outs on no one on in the 11th when Nick Hundley's double was followed by Joe Panik's single. There have not been many chances so far to give the ball to the closer, but he got the call in the bottom half. Mark Melancon gave up two hits but got the job done with three strikeouts and the Giants had a huge win. All the relievers made it difficult; the Royals had eight baserunners in the final four frames.

Bruce Bochy had a medical procedure and was not in the house, he'll join the team Friday. Ron Wotus had managing duties.

Madison Bumgarner tomorrow. GO GIANTS!

--M.C.


p.s. I neglected to mention that Buster Posey was in the lineup as the DH and got three hits. That's good news!

4 comments:

nomisnala said...

late in the game with a runner in scoring position Posey struck out vs. a left handed pitcher. Even with that, the Giants were able to stop the royals, and win the game in 11 innings.

M.C. O'Connor said...

Angel Pagan says he won't play in 2017.

So, what's it take to get some excitement around here? Giants get a classic "torture" win and we get one comment (thx, nom)? You guys would rather wait for a loss and bitch and moan? We'd rather slit our wrists over every setback in April? How about we celebrate the good shit? THEY WON THE DAMN GAME! How about a "yah-hoo" or two?



Zo said...

Mark, give me a chance. It's only 11:30 in the morning, fer chrissakes. I am excited. The real story wasn't Matt, although he did pitch very, very well and deserves the accolades, it was that the Giants won. And did so in a dramatic, tense baseball game. That game was, to me, inspirational. I have more confidence in the Giants than I did before yesterday and I hope they found it inspirational, too. The Giants managed to hang in there, in spite of some scary pitching situations, until they found a way to scratch out a run. And then they made it stand up. How many close ones have the lost? How many have they managed to blow? They didn't get much offense, but they managed a W. Hamels was no slouch on the mound, either.

M.C. O'Connor said...

It was a road game and it was over by 9:00 pm Pacific. No excuses!

Anyway, I'm stoked not just by the win and Matty's pitching but that we start the ro' over with Bum tonight. You know the team's going to win behind him sooner rather than later!