The Giants raised the Championship flag at AT&T Park today for the second time in 3 years and for the second time since the franchise moved to San Francisco. Then they went out and topped the Cardinals by pushing across a run on a bases-loaded walk as Barry Zito and the bullpen strangled the Cardinals' potent offense. Key Lines:
Gregor Blanco- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .333. Once again, Blanco served as the sparkplug for the bottom of the Giants order which put together the winning rally.
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 4. BA= .214. Crawford was again a tough out in the 8-hole.
Barry Zito- 1 for 1. BA= 1.000. Zito rapped a single down the 3B line and later laid down a perfect bunt that Molina misplayed to keep the winning rally going.
Barry Zito- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. ERA= 0.00. Giants starters have not allowed an Earned Run in their first 26 IP of the season.
Jeremy Affeldt- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00. Shut down 8'th inning for Affeldt.
Sergio Romo- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(3). ERA= 0.00. Fantasy managers who own Romo must be awfully happy. He looks very comfortable in the closer role. Today he took out the heart of the Cardinals order without breaking a sweat.
With the Win, the Giants improved their early season record to 3-1 tied with Arizona and Colorado for first place in the NL West. The Dodgers blanked the Pirates 3-0 behind Zack Greinke to remain 1 game behind the leaders at 2-2. San Diego Padres lost to the Rockies 5-2 to fall 2 games off the pace in last place at 1-3.
Ryan Vogelsong makes his 2013 debut tomorrow after Buster Posey receives his MVP Award. The Cardinals will start rookie RHP Shelby Miller.
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I like the length I'm seeing from the Giants lineup. Belt, Blanco, and Crawford are emerging as a backend lineup force that pitchers can't relax against. The days of the weak links of 6,7,8 being an offensive sinkhole are being replaced by a youthful, scrappy, pitch count eating, speedy, move-the-line lineup. I think the length of the lineup will be a real strength for the club in 2013.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. The bottom third of the Giants lineup can be counted on to produce a run a game and if not, at least make the pitcher work hard for his outs and run up that pitch count.
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