Alex Wood bounced back from a disaster appearance with 5 shutout innings in a "bulk-innings" role while a pair of 2-run HR's and an RBI single by Blake Sabol gave the Giants enough runs for the win. Key Lines:
Michael Conforto RF- 3 for 4, HR(13). BA= .235. If the Giants are going to contend, they need a a big season from Michael Conforto, more so since the essentially season-ending injuries to Mitch Haniger and Thairo Estrada. Conforto's 2-run HR came in the first inning and answered the Rockies 2-spot from the top of the inning. It was actually driven down the LF line, an impressive display of oppo-field power.
Austin Slater PH/CF/LF- 1 for 2, HR(3). BA= .338. Mike Yastrzemski CF did not look thrilled to be removed for the PH in the 5'th inning but Slater made Kap look like a genius when he hit a 2-run blast against Brad Hand LHP.
Blake Sabol LF- 2 for 2. BA= .259. Sabol drove in the go-ahead run in the 4'th after Patrick Bailey C's double with Kruk and Fleming commenting that he does not have to worry about getting sent down and sent back. He's going to be a Giant for a long time. Oh, and he's hitting .364 over his last 7 games.
Ryan Walker RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.13. Walker pitched much better than this line looks. After recording two quick K's in the first inning, the ump noticeably put the squeeze on him multiple times forcing him to come too far into the zone resulting in two singles and a walk for 1 run in the first and a solo HR to former Giant Austin Wynns C in the second. Kruk made a comment that if an ump is going to do that, he has to do it for both pitchers and that did not appear to be the case in this game, although he did give Camilo Doval an extra strike in the 9'th inning.
Alex Wood LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.68. Wood was a different pitcher from his last appearance and held the Rockies to to the 2 runs they scored off Walker through the 7'th inning, long enough to get a comfortable lead.
All-Star Camilo Doval RHP breezed through the 9'th inning for his 26'th Save. He's tied with Alexis Diaz of the Reds for the MLB lead in Saves.
The Giants remain 3.5 games behind the D'Backs in the NL West. The Phillies lost so the Giants gain a game on them and trail by 0.5 games for the final Wild Card playoff spot.
Logan Webb RHP tries to end the official first half with a series win tomorrow afternoon facing Kyle Freeland LHP.
Read a great article on KNBR.con titled Behind the brotherly connection of Blake Sabol and Michael Conforto in Giants outfield by Danny Emerson dated 4/9/2023. Conforto came up in the Mets org with Blake's older brother and they were really tight. Conforto has now taken the younger Blake Sabol under his wing maybe that's played a part in Sabol's successful rookie season. My understanding of Thairo Estrada's injury is he's out 4-6 weeks unless he'll require surgery which increases the timeframe. Crossing my fingers that he won't need surgery.
ReplyDeleteSlater and Yastrzemski are a near perfect platoon.
ReplyDeleteCobb added to All Stars