Buster Posey launched the first pitch he saw in the 10th inning far over the center-field wall for a grand slam that punctuated a dramatic win for the Giants in Milwaukee. Buster's blast was the fifth round-tripper of the evening for the good guys against zero for the home squad. Tyler Austin hit a homer off the normally invincible Josh Hader in the 8th and for good measure Brandon Crawford tagged another one off him in the 9th. That gave the Giants a 6-5 lead but Christian Yelich led off the bottom of the 9th with a triple off Will Smith and eventually scored to spoil his perfect save record. But a tremendous rally in the top of the 10th to load the bases for Posey made that moot.
Starter Shaun Anderson lasted only five innings against the tough Brewers lineup but he "served notice" by striking out the aforementioned Yelich three times! The young righty has shown some real fortitude so far in his eleven starts. Giants scored two in the 5th and two in the 6th on homers by Austin Slater and by Evan Longoria turning a 2-0 deficit to a 4-2 lead. The Brewers chased Anderson in the 6th but the orange-and-black ultimately came back and got the win. Mark Melancon gave up a run in the 10th but struck out Lorenzo Cain to finish it off. Giants pitchers notched 14 strikeouts tonight.
That has to be the best win of the season. Giants complete Game 90, the fifth seasonal inning, with a sparkling 11-7 record including seven wins in the last eight games, not to mention 6-1 in July.
1st inning: 8-10
2nd inning: 8-10
3rd inning: 5-13
4th inning: 10-8
5th inning: 11-7
That brings the team to 42-48, still in last place, but certainly in a better place than before.
Madison Bumgarner is healthy and ready to go tomorrow, 4:15 p.m. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
4 comments:
If the Giants go 10-8 in each of the next four innings, that would be 40-32 (.556) for the final 72 games and they'd finish 82-80 (.506).
What do you think are the chances of that?
For a guy that has supposedly lost his power, Buster's grand slam was an awfully impressive shot. As to your question, the Giants have some tough opponents coming up. Atlanta, Philly, that team in southern California, Colorado. Add to that the possibility of trading away one or more of their assets and I'd say the odds are against it. As per last year, they can deflate rather quickly. One series at a time.
I almost asked a two-part question: what are the odds of a current, intact Giants club getting to .500; compared to the odds of a trade-depleted club getting to a .500 record?
I know the bullpen has been strong and that Bum is the best pitcher on the team, but there's a chance that the "trade-depleted" team could still hold its own with improved hitting from key guys like Buster as well as some live arms in new roles. Just because the team will likely be sellers does not necessarily mean they'll be worse.
unfortunately late in the game today, Buster was back to his first half hitting. Earlier in the game though he did take a walk on a full count and was rung up on a pitch significantly off the plate. Panik had a similar AB. Again whenever Crawford makes an error, the team does not seem to be able to keep it together. Bad pitch by Moronta ended the game. Can't win them all. Slater continued to stay unbelievably hot. Too bad that Dickerson is hurt. I hope Pablo plays again tomorrow as he needs to re-establish his timing.
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