Friday, August 22, 2014

Game Wrap 8/21/2014: Cubs 2 Giants 1; Giants 5 Cubs 3

The Giants were unable to capitalize on their opportunity to finish Game 1 of the series that was originally called after 4.5 innings in favor of the Cubs 2-0, then changed to delayed status and completed on Thursday before the regularly scheduled game.  It was probably not a good omen when the resumption of the delayed game was itself delayed by rain.  Joe Panik drove in one run in the top of the 6'th inning, and the Giants got 2 runners on base in the 9'th but the rally fizzled.

In the regularly scheduled game, Madison Bumgarner gave up back-to-back dingers in the first inning to fall behind 3-0, but settled down to pitch spectacularly through the 7'th, and Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval led the offense to a come-from-behind win.  Key Lines:

Buster Posey- 4 for 4, 2 2B, HR(14), BB.  BA= .284.  Buster was dialed in after getting game 2 off with one of his best offensive games in memory.

Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .284.  Pablo is cruising toward his 4'th consecutive month hitting over .300 as he is .320 so far in August after hitting .318, .301, .311 in May, June and July, a remarkably consistent run.

Madison Bumgarner- 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 12 K's.  ERA= 3.17.  The home plate ump had a very narrow strike zone, so after a rough first inning, Bummy made the adjustment and just went upstairs the rest of the night blowing away batter after batter with high fastballs.  Javier Baez, in particular, could not hit it and couldn't lay off it and ended the night 0 for 4 with 4 K's.  Not sure if other teams had advance scouts watching, but if they did, I'm sure they were furiously taking notes and sending memos in big bold letters re. Baez.

The split outcome left the Giants 3.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 1 game ahead of the Braves for the second Wild Card playoff spot.

The Giants now travel to Washington to take on the hottest team in MLB who have won 10 in a row with 5 walk-offs in their last 6 games.  The Nats are due for a correction on that, right?

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