Game Wrap 9/23/2022: Giants 6 D'Backs 5

 Carlos Rodon didn't make it out of the 5'th inning but the lineup picked him up and the bullpen, led by newcomer Shelby Miller, slammed the door over the final 4 innings. 

The Giants first 4 runs came on solo HR's by Brandon Crawford SS(9), Austin Wynns C(2) and David Villar DH(7).  

6 of Villar's 7 HR's have come since he was recalled on Sept 2.  He's slashing .254/.306/.582 over that span.

If it seems like Austin Wynns has been hot lately, he's hitting .444 over his last 7 games, 8 for 18.  

J.D. Davis 1B drove in the winning run with a hard double to LF.  He's hitting just .222 in Sept but .300 over his last 7 games.  His OPS with the Giants is .811 vs .683 with the Mets.  His OPS was .820 in 2021, .760 in 2020 and .896 in 2019.

Evan Longoria 3B went 3 for 4, drove in a run but was thrown out at home trying to score from first on Davis' double.  Despite the 3 hits, Longo is hitting just .167 over his last 7 games and .176 over his last 15.

Carlos Rodon LHP- 4.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.98.  Rodon was frequently visibly frustrated with the ump who seemed to have an elastic strike zone.  Rodon was throwing a lot of pitches right on the edge of the zone.  He got a few calls but lost quite a few more by my unofficial count.  He was up to 93 pitches by the time Kapler took him out with 1 out in the 5'th inning.  Yunior Marte RHP came in and put gasoline on the fire allowing 2 inherited runners to score as well as one of his own.  Love the name and the raw talent(100 MPH with all kinds of movement) but Marte just has not been able to get traction at the MLB level due to command issues.

Shelby Miller RHP- 2.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Wow!  He gave up some hits but just blew away hitter after hitter with a high fastball and sharp slider.  He looked like a former first round draft pick.  A reminder that Miller was drafted #19 overall by the Cardinals in 2009.  The Giants took Zack Wheeler at #6 overall and infamously traded him to the Mets for Carlos Beltran.  Miller got off to a stronger career start but Wheels has been much better over the last 6 years and has had a better overall career.  Injuries have played a prominent role in both careers.

Let's see how next year's bullpen is shaping up:  Camilo Doval RHP is a lock as is John Brebbia RHP. Scott Alexander LHP has been a reliable lefty arm with the ability to be a back up Closer.  The Giants reportedly love Tyler Rogers RHP and he's been better in the second half.  Jarlin Garcia LHP has had some frustrating games but has mostly been good.  Ditto Alex Young LHP.  That's 6 bullpen arms right there.  If Miller keeps throwing like that over the last 9 games, you'd think he would be back and could even compete for a SP role.  We may need a few more looks at Jharel Cotton RHP.  Cole Waites RHP has the stuff but looks like he needs more salt and has options.  Marte also has options and will likely ride the Sacramento Shuttle again.  Is all that enough or do the Giants need to go out and sign an established reliever or two?

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Alex Cobb RHP tries to clinch a series win this evening facing Merrill Kelly RHP who has shut down the Giants all year.