Gabe Kapler won another game with his pinch-hitting decisions as the Giants rallied for 3 runs in the 9'th inning for a come-from-behind win. Key Lines:
Thairo Estrada 2B- 1 for 4, HR(7), BB, SB(14). BA= .300. Estrada got the Giants on the board first with a solo HR in the first inning.
Michael Conforto RF- 2 for 3, HR(12), BB. BA= .251. Conforto continues to lead this team. His 2-run blast in the 6'th inning narrowed the gap to 4-3 and set up the winning rally in the 9'th.
Blake Sabol C- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .254. Sabol started the winning rally with a walk. This was his second start in a row at C. Patrick Bailey C reportedly has a stiff neck from a bad pillow or something like that.
Mike Yastrzemski PH/CF- 0 for 0, BB. BA= .253. Gabe brought YtY in to PH for Austin Slater CF against Pierce Johnson RHP in the 9'th after Sabol's leadoff walk. YtY also drew a walk to put runners at first and second with no outs.
Brandon Crawford PH/SS- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .195. Crawford PH for Casey Schmitt SS after YtY's walk and ripped a double through the R-CF gap to drive in the tying run and later scored the final run on Joc Pederson DH's single after LMWJ's Sac Fly drove in the winning run.
Alex Cobb RHP- 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.01. Cobb gave up a 4-spot in the bottom of the first inning but then got through the next 4 innings without allowing another run. He felt a twinge in his side and hip after throwing a pitch but the discomfort subsided and he felt OK through 5 IP. Kap played it conservatively and took him out after 83 pitches but apparently it was more precautionary than due to ongoing pain. Something to watch going forward. Giants can ill afford to lose Cobb for a significant period of time with an injury.
Bullpen- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. Another shutdown effort by the bullpen. The Rogers Bros and Scott Alexander LHP took innings 6-8 and Camilo Doval RHP earned his 16'th Save.
The Win gives the Giants the sweep of the 3-game series. It was a strong series, well played and well managed, for the Giants. I am especially impressed by the pitching, particularly the bullpen, given that it was played in Coors Field.
Giants come back home for a 1-series homestand against the Cubs with Anthony DeSclafani RHP facing Marcus Stroman RHP tomorrow evening.
Fun come back to watch. Farhan in an interview said if the team makes a trade, he expects it to be a big one given the depth we have. Can’t really see an opening for a hitter with Matos banging on the door so probably a starter.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Matos, Farhan also said Matos may create a situation where he forces a spot on the ML roster. Wouldn’t mind seeing Matos start in center and Yaz enter a platoon role with Haniger perhaps. Would improve the outfield defense for sure having Matos in center and Yaz patrolling a corner. Loving the youth movement happening at every level of the org.
Matos and maybe a platoon of YtY and Slater not Haniger – he has shown little to hold a regular spot with Slater healthy.
DeleteThey are not going to give up on Haniger who has a 3-year contract. Isn't Slater a FA after the season? I think they would trade him first.
DeleteFor Matos (or Bart) to be promoted, something has to give:
ReplyDeleteLH: Wade-Conforto-Pederson-YtY-Bailey³-Sabol¹-Craw-Wisely²
RH: Estrada-Davis-Haniger/Slater-Schmitt-Flores-Bart²-Villar²
¹must remain on MLB roster
²Sacramento, has been on ML roster, Johnson³ callup unlikely
³Bats both
Fitzgerald has an even greater challenge: he's not on the 40-man roster while excelling @ Richmond & Sacramento this year with an increase in K's.
The dilemma Matos is creating is if they trade or drop someone who is contributing to a contending team to make room for him, what is the backup plan if the transition is not smooth? Then you've taken a potentially contending team out of contention.
DeleteAgreed, they are winning enough to stay in the hunt – there is plenty of season, someone will get hurt.
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