Game Wrap 8/31/2023: Giants 7 Padres 2

The Giants started their Labor Day Weekend series against the Padres a day early making it a crucial 4 gamer and took advantage of the opportunity for a resounding first game win.  A 6-spot in the third inning and terrific pitching from Jakob Junis and Sean Manaea made it look easy.  Key Lines:

Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 5.  BA= .275.  Thairo has scuffled over the past week but rapped out 2 hits in this one including a key hit in the pivotal third inning.  

Mitch Haniger LF/RF- 1 for 4, 3B, BB.  BA= .224.  A healthy Mitch Haniger producing at career average would be a huge boost to the Giants playoff chances and beyond.  

Joc Pederson DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .246.  Joc had a key hit in the third inning.  He's looked better at the plate lately batting .294 over his last 7 games and .333 over his last 15.

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 2 for 4, HR(12), BB.  BA= .236.  Giants need YtY to stay healthy down the stretch and have games like this.

Blake Sabol C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .246.  Sabol hasn't been playing much and will likely play less with Haniger and YtY back.  He'll continue to back up Patrick Bailey at catcher the ROS.  Once he makes it through this season on the active roster the Giants can keep him through 3 option years so he could be making a lot of trips between Sacramento and SF over the next 3 seasons.

Jakob Junis RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.87.  Junis is on a roll with a 1.65 ERA in 16.1 IP over his last 7 appearances.  The Padres are obviously in a huge funk right now but still a very potent lineup.  Junis held them hitless over the first 4 innings.  He'll be a free agent this offseason.  

Sean Manaea LHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.96.  Manaea's ERA over his last 7 appearances and 19.1 IP is 3.26.  

The Win leaves the Giants in sole possession of the the 3'rd Wild Card playoff spot.  

Tristan Beck RHP tries to build off his last strong start tonight facing Michael Wacha RHP.  We plan to attend this game with friends who live down in SD.