I almost titled this one "Gabe Kapler's a Genius" but that would be a bit much. The skipper does deserve a nod for getting Hunter Pence into the game against rookie lefty Blake Taylor in the 7th. The three-run pinch-homer turned an apparent 6-2 rout into a 6-5 nail-biter. Pence raised his average to .118 with another big hit in the 9th that set up Darin Ruf's game-tying hit. Ruf came in as a pinch-hitter in the 7th like Pence. The Giants got a "magic runner" in the 10th and got him home to make it 7-6 but were feeling like they should have scored more. In another Kap-move, Tyler Rogers was tasked with the save. He struck out Carlos Correa and Kyle Tucker to end it. Can you imagine the heat Kapler would have taken if Rogers had blown it again? And he has stuck with Pence despite the horrid start--they need the vets (BCraw, Belt, Longo, Panda) to step up.
Tyler Anderson started and gave up four runs in five innings, but the real hurt was Rico Garcia giving up two more in the next frame. After that the 'pen was tough, allowing no hits but yielding four walks, and of course no runs. Shaun Anderson got a little help when Tyler Heineman threw out a runner at third to end the 8th. The Giants have hurt themselves in the field this season so it is good when they can execute and get a big out.
It's been a very tough road trip but the Giants can at least say they won a game in each park. Tomorrow they face Zack Greinke at 4:10 p.m. PDT.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
3 comments:
Trevor Cahill starts this afternoon. Dereck Rodriguez got recalled as well and I expect he'll be long relief ("bulk innings" in Kap-speak) today.
Conner Menez and Rico Garcia sent down.
This weekend the A's are in SF. Rotation will be Cueto (Fri), Gausman (Sat), and Webb (Sun).
To be fair about criticizing the umps, the final strike that Rogers threw to end the game with a called strike, was not in the strike zone. But for once we got the break. Belt probably has more bad pitches called strikes this year, than any hitter in the league. Good to see a comeback, and it would have been an easier comeback had, the diving catch that Yaz made stayed in his glove. We still need to tighten up our fielding, Crawford looked more like he was in his old form in the field the last two games.
I think Yaz will have to move to a corner eventually. Perhaps this fleet-footed youngster we just picked up (Luis Basabe) will emerge as a CF prospect. Plus Dubon has looked good out there. It's hard to say if Mauricio will hit well enough to stay in the majors (much like Duggar).
Andrew Triggs was DFAd to make room for Cahill.
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