The Giants got another outstanding bulk-inning performance from a rookie pitcher and made the 4-spot they put up against Yu Darvish in the 5'th inning stand up. Key Lines:
Luis Matos CF- 2 for 4, SB(2). BA= .304. They were infield hits but they count just the same. Matos started the 4-run rally with an IF hit, stole 2B and scored on Brandon Crawford SS's Sac Fly.
Blake Sabol C- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .257. Sabol had a weird night. His double did not figure in the scoring. His single glanced off Xander Bogaerts SS's Glove into LF. Later in the inning, he was out by a mile trying to score from 2B with 2 outs on Joc Pederson DH's groundball single to RF but Gary Sanchez C clearly blocked the plate forcing Sabol to go way out of his normal path to the plate. He was initially called out and the replay umps took forever and a month of Mondays to make the call but they got it right and called interference and the run scored and the inning stayed alive for 2 more hits and runs.
Mike Yastrzemski RF- 1 for 3. BA= .259. YtY singled in the 3'rd run of the 5'th inning but later pulled up at 3B with what appeared to be a significant hammy strain on J. D. Davis 3B RBI single to R-CF. After the game it was reported that He had hamstring "tightness" but he missed 15 games in May with a hammy strain so you've got to think this is going to result in an IL stint. He's been a key cog in the Giants current win streak so this is not good.
Casey Schmitt 2B- 0 for 1, 2 BB. BA= .262. Schmitt has been noticeably more selective at the plate lately and he drew 2 walks in this game. He still has a weakness for sliders in the dirt but the improved plate discipline is encouraging.
Sean Hjelle RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 7.79. Hjelle showed good command of a 96 MPH fastball and a wipeout breaking ball and he stifled the Padres long enough for the Giants to get their lead. the rest of the bullpen made it stand up. I am a big Hjelle fan and am thrilled to see this. He's a unique talent with his dominant height and gives opposing teams a decidedly different look.
The Win was the Giants 10'th in a row. They move into the top Wild Card playoff spot by 0.5 games over the Marlins and 1 game over the Dodgers. They continue to trail the D'Backs in the NL West by 2.5 games.
Alex Wood LHP tries for the 4-game swweeeppp tomorrow afternoon against Blake Snell LHP.
Was at the game tonight, got great seats for $15 each near 3rd base. Fantastic energy in the ballpark as well, much better than early season.
ReplyDeleteThankful we never traded any of our outfield depth with this Yaz injury. Worried Yaz might need an extended stay since this injury is reportedly the same hamstring he injured earlier this season.