Game Wrap 4/24/2021: Marlins 5 Giants 2

 I'm still trying to process whether this game vindicates Gabe Kapler's decision to use Tyler Rogers RHP and Jake McGee LHP in Friday's game with a 4-run lead or if it shows he should have saved his top pitchers for this one.  Still grinding the gears on that.  I do know he's going to have to be able to count on more than just those two in the bullpen or it's going to be a loooong season!  Game Notes:

Kevin Gausman RHP was once again sensational allowing just 3 baserunners while striking out 11 and averaging just under 13 pitches per inning.  I mean, it's really hard to strike out that many batters and keep your pitch count down enough to get that deep into a game.  Alas, one of the baserunners was a very long solo HR by Jon Berti 3B which tied it up and set the stage for another bullpen meltdown.

I have to say I was surprised to see Gregory Santos RHP come out to start the 9'th inning.  Normally you the home team would use their Closer in the top of the 9'th of a tie game, but as we all know, Jake McGee has been....ahem.....used a lot so probably was not available.  Ditto primary setup man Tyler Rogers.  Leadoff batter Magneuris Sierra CF bats L but the next two Marlins hitters, Jesus Aguilar 1B and Garrett Cooper RF are both more dangerous and bat R.  Matt Wisler RHP has also been used a lot so that left Santos and Camilo Doval RHP.  Doval was called up before Santos and Kap had him warming up for the 7'th inning Friday, so that's who I expected to see start the 9'th.  But Santos was impressive in his debut Thursday, so it admittedly requires a healthy dose of hindsight to criticize.  Also, with the way the Giants are(n't) hitting, there's no guarantee they would have won this game even if Rogers and McGee had pitched shutout innings in this one.  I think my head just exploded!

In addition to the apparent unavailability of Rogers and McGee and maybe Wisler, the bullpen was left further shorthanded by the placement of Jarlin Garcia LHP on the IL with a groin strain with Jason Vosler IF called up to replace him on the active roster.

"Tightness" of a muscle group seems to be the injury term du jour.  This time it was Brandon Crawford SS who was a late scratch due to "quad tightness" which may be why Vosler got the call over a pitcher?

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It's now up to Logan Webb RHP to try for the win of the 4-game series facing TBD.  Assuming Johnny Cueto is on schedule to return from the IL, this is likely Webb's last opportunity to state his case for an ongoing spot in the starting rotation for awhile.