Game Wrap 9/9/2026: Giants 7 Cardinals 6

This was a typical snoozer of a day game 3 of a series until the Giants erupted for a 2-out, 6-run rally in the 8'th inning to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.  Key Lines:

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 2 for 4, R, 3 RBI.  BA= .268.  Eldridge drove in the Giants first run of the game in the first inning with an oppo-field single.  He then drove in 2 big runs in 8'th inning rally.  Jeff Kent must have pulled Bryce aside and told him about how the money lies in the RBI's because he is on an RBI tear:  7 in his lat 7 games, 18 in his last 15 and 24 in his last 30.  Many of those came on non-HR hits.  Maybe it's sequencing luck and will eventually normalize but he seems to have a knack for hitting with RISP and he doesn't try to do too much.  

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 4, 2B, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .281.  Jung Hoo has been in a prolonged slump but his clutch double in the 8'th drove in the runs that tied the game.  He came around to score the winning run on Shay Whitcomb's double off the CF wall.  

Christian Koss SS- 2 for 3, SB(3).  BA= .227.  Koss did not figure into the scoring but continued to impress in his new starting SS role, as temporary as it may be.

Blade Tidwell RHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.82.  It was a struggle as Tidwell continued a pattern of alternating bad with good starts.  Early on he looked great blowing 98 MPH gas past hitters but it went south with a 3-run HR by Leo Bernal C in the 3'rd inning.

Shawn Abner LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.51.  This was Abner's first appearance as a Giant after being picked off the waiver wire from the D'Backs.  His ERA over his last 7 appearances is 2.53.

Matt Wilkinson LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 5.40.  After Wilkinson's last disaster start it was mentioned that he struggles against RH batters and his arm angle and stuff may be better utilized as a situational lefty reliever.  He came up big in this relief appearance and only faced 3 LH batters out of 7.  He may need to prove he can consistently get RH batters out before he gets another chance to start.

Trent Harris RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Save(1).  ERA= 2.81.  This may prove to not be Harris' last Save.

If both these teams were in postseason contention as they were often in the past, this would be considered a classic barnburner of a series.  As it is, you can feel a sense of excitement building over the way the kids are responding to opportunities to play.

The Giants get a day off at home before starting a weekend series against the Padres with Anthony Molina RHP facing old friend Robbie Ray LHP who comes in with an ERA of 3.39.  Checking in on his record after the trade, Ray is 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA in a Padres uniform.