In a game that had the feel of a postseason matchup, Madison Bumgarner outdueled Jake Arrieta, the Giants offense scratched out 3 runs and the bullpen made it stand up. Key Lines:
Angel Pagan- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .287. Pagan got the Giants on the board in the first inning with a 1-out double. Buster Posey struck out, but Pagan scored from 2B when Hunter Pence was safe on a fielding error by Cubs 3B, Tommy LaStella.
Joe Panik- 1 for 4. BA= ..253. Panik scored the Giants second run in the 4'th inning. A 2-out single and a wild pitch put him at 2B. He took 3'rd on a passed Ball 4 to Brandon Belt and scored on Nunez' single.
Brandon Crawford- 1 for 4, 2 SB(6). BA= .273. OK, this is the stuff legends are made of: Crawford hits a 1 out single in the 6'th inning. He steals 2B on strike 3 to Joe Panik. He then steals 3B when the Cubs left it uncovered in a Belt Shift. He then scores on a Wild Pitch. You can't make this stuff up!
Madison Bumgarner- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 10 K's. ERA= 2.51. Bummy went H2H against Arrieta and came out ahead. Time for Bummy to be turning it up a notch and it looks like he's right on time!
Sergio Romo- 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.86. With the shadows creeping out in front of home plate, Wilson Contreras and Javier Baez, who were both taking their first AB's against him, were no match for Romo's slider. Baez managed to squib one to Belt way off the bag. Romo was a tad slow in getting over and he and Baez both slid into the bag, Romo feet first and Baez head first. Our favorite ump, Phil Cuzzi, initially called Baez safe, but the replay clearly showed Romo's foot hitting the bag first. Take THAT, Cuzzi!
Will Smith- 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.13. Joe Maddon announced PH Chris Coghlan, a lefty swinger to hit for Matt Szcur. Bochy countered with Will Smith who walked Coghlan on 4 pitches with only 1 being close to the strike zone. Smith then struck out Jason Heyward to end the inning. He stayed on for the 9'th to face Anthony Rizzo who walked on a pitch that Smith and Posey both thought was a strike. Smith looked like he was about to have apoplexy on the mound and gave the ump an earful as Bochy came out to replace him.
Santiago Casilla- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's, Save(30). ERA= 3.16. Casilla came in to face Dexter Fowler who laid a sac bunt down the 3B line. With Nunez rushing in to field the bunt, it looked like nobody was covering 3B so Rizzo started for 3B. By the time he saw Buster Posey running in to cover, it was too late and Brandon Belt's throw to 2B left him hung out to dry for the DP. With 2 outs, Kris Bryant fittingly hit a soft blooper right to Crawford who caught it for the final out.
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The Dodgers topped the Pathetic Padres 5-1 so the Giants remain 2 games behind the Hated Ones in the NL West. They gained a game on the Cardinals and now lead the Redbirds by 2.5 games for the first Wild Card playoff spot. They remain 3.5 games ahead of the Mets for the second WC spot and 5 games up on the Pirates.
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Johnny Cueto tries for a series split tomorrow facing John Lackey.
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As we speculated for several days, the Giants added RHP Joe Nathan to the 40 man roster and called him up to the expanded active roster. Ray Black was placed on the 60 day DL to make room for Nathan.
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Great game, expected a low scoring one. Errors, situational awareness ( Crawford and Posey.) and MadBum's pitching were the reason the Giants won. It did have the feel of a playoff game and I wonder if it got to Arrieta. Aside from his wildcard win against the Pirates, he seems to suffer from "Kershawism" in the playoffs. I hope Smith can pull it together, because he doesn't look good at all ( Wasn't thrilled to lose Bickford for a none closer as it is.). Crawford's base running was outstanding, good thing to because Belt wasn't going to drive him in. He may need a couple of days off to reset and fix his swing. He should come around, but Posey's lack of power and Belt's second half are a little worrisome. If the Giant's split the series then I think they have a good shot at overtaking the Dodgers. That said, Lets Go Cueto, Lets Go Giants.
ReplyDeleteYou could make it up. Nobody would believe you. It's right out of some pulp-fiction magazine like 'Amazing Tales' or 'Astounding Stories.'
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