Friday, August 31, 2018

Young Giants Shine

SF 7  NYM 0
It was a nice combination of youth and experience that led the way for the Giants tonight. Rookie Andrew Suarez allowed only two hits and no walks in his seven shutout innings. He was especially impressive in the top of the 7th, wriggling out of a jam with the game still scoreless. The Giants would break through against Zack Wheeler in the bottom of the 7th with a double by Brandon Belt. The big fella scooted over to third base on a grounder to shortstop, probably surprising Jose Reyes who hesitated just enough so that he had to get the out at first base instead of taking a chance with a throw to third base. Belt then came in on a sacrifice fly by rookie Chris Shaw who was making his debut. The Giants led 1-0 and Wheeler was done after that inning, having allowed only four hits while whiffing nine. He got the loss, his first since June 22nd.

Rookie catcher Aramis Garcia, also making his debut, homered in the 8th to start a barrage by the Giants. He batted again later in the same frame and drove in another run. It took four Mets relievers to stop the six-run outburst. Brandon Belt had a two-run triple to really get things going. I'm happy to see him hitting the ball again! Veteran Tony Watson took care of the 8th and youngster Ty Blach covered the 9th. A lovely game, to be sure, and one we thought we might see more of this season.

Congratulations to Aramis Garcia who not only was filling in for Buster Posey--no pressure there--but playing in his first major league game. He called a shutout, the team's thirteenth. And he hit a homer, joining quite a list of guys who hit a homer in their debut while also in the starting lineup: Orlando Cepeda, Bobby Bonds, Will Clark, Randy Kutcher, Eliezer Alfonzo, John Bowker, Brandon Crawford, Brett Pill, Adam Duvall, and Jae-gyun Hwang.

Derek Holland tomorrow. Go Giants!

--M.C.

6 comments:

nomisnala said...

Very interesting battery mates in the game. Suarez from the University of Miami, and Garcia from just down the road at FIU. Miami's version of the private school USC vs. the state school, FIU, Garcia replacing the usual catcher who went to FSU, the northern state school sports power house. Of course two thirds of the way up to FSU, is UF. Both Bochy and Sabean have Florida roots and it looks as if the giants have been doing a lot of scouting in Florida. The team actually has a few more connections to Florida, but one of them has left in a trade to the Yankees. If the giants do not get into the world series, I would like to see Cutch get himself a ring. I enjoyed his effort and love for the game. Also he and Longoria brought with them visually acceptable spouses, just to make an understatement.

nomisnala said...

I forgot to mention the Los Angeles version of the state school being UCLA. as the USC rival to complete the Miami vs. Los Angeles analogy.

M.C. O'Connor said...

In the British sporting press they call the athletes' spouses and significant others WAGs as in Wives-and-Girlfriends.

That's interesting about Florida. You'd think with the climate it would be a baseball powerhouse, like Southern California and Texas, and recruiting in those place would be most fruitful.

M.C. O'Connor said...

Geez, Belt 0-for-4 with 4 whiffs. He is not the same player since his two DL stints.

Ron said...

Johnnie LeMaster hit an (inside-the-park) HR in his debut & gets omitted from your list ... what's up w/ that?

M.C. O'Connor said...

I lifted the list entirely from a tweet (in the sidebar) by Andrew Baggarly. I did no fact-checking! He's usually really solid. I forgot about Johnnie Lee, I guess he was at the yard this weekend. Dave Winfield and Robin Yount were drafted just ahead of Johnnie who was #6 in 1973.