Game Wrap 6/14/2019: Giants 5 Brewers 3

The Giants broke out the longball to beat the BrewCrew at it's own game.  Key Lines:

Pablo Sandoval 1B/3B- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(9).  BA= .289.  Of all the Giants trade candidates, Pablo might be the most emotionally difficult to deal.  He was just seems so happy just to be a Giant and help in any way he can and is so obviously trying his darndest to impress the organization enough to hire him after his playing days are done.  If he does go out in a trade, he hopefully realizes he's helping the organization in that way and doesn't burn his bridges again.

Kevin Pillar RF- 3 for 3, HR(8), 2 SB(8).  BA= .224.  Despite a horrific slash line, Pillar is well on his way to a 15/15 season with an outside shot at 20/20.  The Giants control Pillar's contract for 1 more season but he is arbitration eligible and will likely get a significant raise from his current $5 M(approx).  If the Giants could get the equivalent of Alen Hanson, Derek Law and Juan De Paula back for him, should they do it?  Remember all 3 of those players were pretty much out of time with the Giants.

Mike Yastrzemski LF- 1 for 1, HR(2).  BA= .228.  Just when we were ready to say thank you, next, Yaz the Younger puts that sweet swing on a ball and sends it over the CF wall to drive in what proved to be the winning runs.

Brandon Crawford SS- 0 for 4, Error.  BA= .202.  Man, something is really not right with Brandon Crawford.  4 really weak AB's and 2 muffs in the field.  One bobble went for a error that led to an unearned run.  The other converted a potential GIDP into a force play at 2B.  Deconditioning?  Nagging injury?  Is he just done?  Hitting just .130 over his last 7 game, .196 last 15, .192 last 30.  Looking up his defensive stats, his error rate is right at his career average and his defensive fWAR is about the same as last year though well below his career best.  The offense has cratered, though.  He has 2 more years left on that contract.

Drew Pomeranz LHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 6.43.  Speaking of being on the trade bubble, after nearly pitching himself off the team in Baltimore, Pomeranz has put together two consecutive 5-inning starts with 0 ER.  He sailed a couple of curveballs in the first inning but quickly brought them down in in the zone with terrific 2-plane movement.  His limited repertoire makes it difficult to get through the batting order more than twice.

Mark Melancon RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 3.49.  Speaking of guys who just don't look right....Melancon had four consecutive 0-2 counts.  The first 3 reached base and he was 1 pitch away from losing Lorenzo Cain when he got a flyout to RF to end the threat.  Is there anyone on this team you less want to see come in a game?  Yeah, I don't think there is a single fan who goes to the park and says "hey, I hope I get to see Mark Melancon pitch tonight!"

Will Smith LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(17).  ERA= 1.95.  The Giants acquired Will Smith in a deadline trade with the BrewCrew in 2016.  Let's see, the Brewers are contenders for the postseason.  The Brewers biggest need is to bolster their bullpen.  Smith converted the Save against the heart of the Brewers' order.  Seems like a harmonic convergence to me!

*********************************************************************************

This was the Giants 3'rd win in a row and 6'th in their last 10 games.  Madison Bumgarner tries to extend the win streak today against RHP Jimmy Nelson.