SF 9 SD 4
Nick Hundley (4 H, 4 R, HR, 2B, 3 RBI) was the hitting star but had lots of help from The Brandons (Belt 2 H, 2 R, 2 W, RBI; Craw 2 H, 3 RBI) and Austin Jackson (2 H, 2 W, 2 RBI). In fact, it was a fine performance by the lineup overall as they put runs on the board in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th innings. Note I said "runs." Derek Holland put together five innings with 87 pitches and held on to the lead, allowing three runs on four hits. The bullpen delivered shutout frames from Pierce Johnson, Will Smith, and Cory Gearrin. DJ Snelten got two outs in the 9th but yielded a run and Sam Dyson had to finish up but it was a good team effort. I am excited by Will Smith's return, I think he is an important piece of the puzzle.
A great win today against a pesky foe. That makes four series-wins in a row (Angels, Nats, Dodgers, Padres). This is good. I like this. Despite the injuries the club is responding impressively and grinding out tough victories. The upcoming road trip is ten games long (Atlanta, Philly, Pittsburgh) and will be a real test. The team is 6-8 on the road so far in 2018 and have only seven home games (versus 18 away games) remaining in the month of May.
Chris Statton faces the Braves Mike Foltynewicz on Friday, 4:35 Pacific. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
3 comments:
Let's keep the momentum going! Giants had a poor swing through Arizona, when they were hotter than they are now, and San Diego. They need to make their presence felt in Atlanta, Philly and Pittsburgh. Using Blach to pinch hit, and then not pitching him, was weird, but I guess at the time, it made sense to keep some hitters in reserve. McCutcheon reportedly has a contusion. That doesn't sound too serious.
Holland is getting pitching results way worse than his peripherals. When he starts to give up a few hits, or walks, he does it in bunches. His ERA is significantly worse than his hits per inning, or his WHIP. Will this trend continue? Can he keep his WHIP down and not give up so many runs, (not this particular game but on the season)? At least so far, he looks better than Matt Moore, but then again so did Pablo Sandoval.
Not the best news from the Giants re Cueto. We'll see. Injuries are the one thing you can't predict or do much about. Maybe Suarez will hold down the spot. Holland could use a nice groove where he pitched a little deeper into games. The lineup seems to be capable of producing, if they can be more consistent about scoring the cracks in the rotation are patchable, at least until Bumgarner returns.
Suarez was the 61st pick of the 2015 draft, the Giants first in the 2nd round. Phil Bickford was the organizational #1 pick (18th overall) and Chris Shaw was 31st (also a 1st rounder). Bickford (with Andrew Susac) was traded for Will Smith. Shaw is at AAA.
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