The Giants scored 4 runs in the 8'th inning to break open a tight game and this time the bullpen held on in the 9'th for the win. Key Lines:
Drew Gilbert RF- 1 for 3, HR(8), SF, R, 2 RBI. BA= .243. Gilbert barely missed a home run to the deepest part of Triples Alley on Wednesday. He hit one to the same spot leading off the Giants half of the first inning but this time it carried over the top of the wall for a home run. He added an RBI on a sac fly later in the game. Gilbert is on a tear batting .333 over his last 7 games and with 5 RBI's in his last 2 games. I think it's safe to say he is the odds on favorite to be at least a strong side platoon partner, probably in CF next season.
Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 3, BB, SB(5), R, RBI. BA= .278. Tony Vitello has made some inneresting choices for his cleanup hitters lately but hey! Maybe "small ball" works in the middle of the lineup? Although it did no figure in the scoring Cox did what Giants prospect watchers dreamed of by laying down a bunt single then stealing 2B. He was also part of the 9'th inning rally using his speed to score on a safety squeeze.
Bryce Eldridge RF- 1 for 4, 2B, R, RBI. BA= .252. Eldridge had a slow start to the game coming off the bereavement list but his RBI double was the key hit of the 9'th inning rally.
Landen Roupp RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.25. It wasn't overpowering but Roupp hung in there to hold the D'Backs down for 5 innings. this time bullpen took care of the rest.
Trent Harris RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.50. Kruk pointed out that Harris has a straight over-the-top delivery which allows him to work up in the zone with a 4-seam fastball and tunnel a downer curveball. That's a classic pitch combo we don't see too often these days but it has a long history of effectiveness. Note the game summary calls the fastballs sinkers and cutters but most of them were up in the zone which makes me think they are actually 4-seamers.
Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 6.60. There was some uneasiness when Walker allowed hits to the first two batters, the second of which whistled past his ear at 104.5 MPH but he settled down to get the last 3 batters and keep the final score 6-1.
Blade Tidwell RHP takes the mound tonight facing Kohl Drake LHP who comes in with an ERA of 5.40.
Also, good job by Roupp. Though the pitch count did get a little high. Consistently finding the strike zone is very beneficial for this one.
ReplyDeleteGilbert "is the odds on favorite to be at least a strong side platoon partner, probably in CF next season" – what will the Giants do with Bader? Eat the $10M if he wins against the Giants' position: Bader violated the CBA?
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