The next two weeks will be huge for the Giants and should demonstrate whether they are contenders or not.
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The first inning transformed this possibility into reality as the Giants scratched three runs on the board early. It was the first Pirates hit of the game. A little while later Saturday, San Francisco trudged off after Starling Marte’s solo home run against George Kontos with two outs in the ninth gave the Pirates a 3-2 win.
When they outhit their opponents, the Giants are 57-9.
“Left-handers don’t see the ball very well out of his hand”.
Simon (11-7) walked two and struck out five.
“He acquired a heck of a knock for us tonight”, stated Bumgarner of his new proper fielder.
Neil Walker was more impressed by his team’s starting pitcher than his home run. It showed on the board, too, as he was tagged for two runs on four hits, a walk and a hit batsman.
Rays 1, Astros 0 • Chris Archer pitched a one-hitter, allowing only a fifth-inning single by Colby Rasmus, and struck out 11 to lead host Tampa Bay over Houston.
The rest of the infield gets interesting. Leadoff hitter Gregor Blanco complimented Morton on his “outstanding” stuff, including an effective “front-door” sinker.
After escaping a jam in the sixth inning Hurdle elected to bring Cole out one more time. Bouncing back from a couple of rough innings was crucial for Bumgarner as he completed a three up, three down inning in the third. The total is sitting at 8 runs. The final two of that string were of Matt Duffy and Brandon Belt on swerving curveballs. It comes down to getting the timely hit, and that’s the difference. The San Francisco Giants have lost six of their last eight road games.
Outpitching Washington’s Max Scherzer, Flande (3-1) allowed two runs and three hits to help the Rockies avoid a series sweep. Cole would settle down and retire the next three hitters to end his outing. Soria was able to get Buster Posey to ground into a double play, however was undone by a wild pitch during Marlon Byrd’s at-bat which tied the game. He doubled in the seventh inning but was caught stealing third base.
Jeff Locke was replaced by Joe Blanton to begin the sixth on the mound. “I probably could have gone another inning without the circumstance”. Trouble arose in the seventh for the Giant’s ace. The Baltimore Orioles released him last week after he hit.
Jake Peavy (3-6) tried to keep the Giants in it as long as he could. This marked the end of MadBum’s night as Sergio Romo entered the game. But the drive was right at Gregory Polanco, who ended the Giants’ only substantial scoring threat. He also said Ramirez “isn’t going to be an everyday guy just because he isn’t an everyday guy anymore”, and he suggested the 17-year veteran will need some rest. The third pitch was a ball.
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This will be Peavy’s first start against the Pirates since April 2009 – two months before Andrew McCutchen made his major league debut. “I simply occurred to get a superb one there”. Coincidentally, one of White’s home runs came against the Giants.
