Giants’ Offense Explodes for 13 Runs, 19 Hits in Win

The San Francisco Giants’ offense exploded tonight for 13 runs (tying their season-high total on runs scored in a game) on 19 hits.

Ryan Vogelsong came into the game tonight with a home ERA of 3.22, compared to on the road where he owns a 4.43 ERA, so Vogelsong is always happy when he gets to pitch at home, and tonight Vogey must have been ecstatic.

The Giants offense got off to a great start in the bottom of the first inning as Joe Panik hit a one-out single to right field and Buster Posey followed doing the same exact thing advancing Panik to third base setting up runners on the corners with one out.

On the very first pitch to Pablo Sandoval Wily Peraltra threw a wild pitch that bounced about two feet in front of home plate allowing Panik to score as the ball went to the backstop. On the play Posey went to second base. Sandoval singled to center field scoring Posey, and on the throw home, Sandoval went to second base. Hunter Pence then hit the Giants’ third straight single for another RBI to score Sandoval making it a 3-0 game.

Peraltra continued with his lack of control when his pitch to Michael Morse hit him on the left upper thigh. Gregor Blanco then walked on seven pitches loading the bases with one out. Brandon Crawford continued with his offensive woes though as he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Crawford was the only starter in the game to not collect a hit (0-4), lowering his batting average to .225.

Jonathan Lucroy led off the top of the second inning with a double off the bricks in right field. The Brewers were able to get Lucroy home after Gerardo Parra grounded out to first, which advanced Lucroy to third base, and then Lyle Overbay grounded out to Crawford for out number two allowing Lucroy to score making it a 3-1 game.

Ryan Vogelsong led off the Giants’ half of the third inning off with a nine-pitch single to right field followed by an Angel Pagan double putting runners at second and third with no outs. Panik had another great at bat, but ended it by lining out sharply to second base for out one. Posey singled to left field to score Vogelsong. Pence followed by hitting an infield single to score Posey and extend the Giants lead to 5-1.

The Giants were able to extend their lead to 6-1 in the third inning after a two-out RBI single from Pagan.

Posey got his third hit of the night off Marco Estrada to start the Giants’ bottom half of the fourth inning. Pence reached on an error after Sandoval struck out and then Morse walked to set up another bases loaded situation for the Giants with one out.

This time Blanco, who walked for the third time in the game,  pushed across another run for the Giants making it 7-1. Crawford hit into a fielder’s choice for the second out, but scored Pence to again extend the Giants lead to 8-1.

The Brewers were able to score in the top of the fifth inning after two singles and two sacrifices, making it a 8-2 game.

The Giants offense just wouldn’t let up as Pagan led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a triple. Panik blooped a single into left field preventing Pagan from scoring. Posey extended his hot-streak with his fourth hit and third RBI of the night (71 on the season) hitting a two-run triple. Pence collected his third hit of the game after getting an RBI single to center field extending the Giants lead yet again. Blanco joined the hit-parade with a two run homer for his second home run in as many days giving the Giants a 13-2 lead.

Buster Posey collected his fifth hit of the game (5-5) in the sixth inning. Posey became the first catcher in Giants history to have two career five-hit games. Posey is now batting .297 on the season. In today’s game alone, Posey raised his average eight points.

In the eighth inning Panik got his fourth hit of the game (4-6) and raised his average up to .312. Safe to say the kid is fully comfortable in the big leagues.

A bit of a footnote tonight was Vogelsong’s great outing. He pitched fantastic going seven strong innings allowing two runs on four hits, one walk, and seven strike outs. Vogelsong started where the Giants starters in the Colorado series left off. The Giants’ starters have been superb the whole home stand thus far.

The San Francisco Giants totaled 19 hits tonight en route to their 13-2 win over the Brewers in the opening game of the series. They now lead the Wild Card by half a game.