San Francisco Giants Lose to Brewers 4-3 In Series Opener
The San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers entered today’s game with identical records at 61-51. Unfortunately for the Giants, the Brewers now own the better record, as the beat the Giants in the series opener today 4-3.
Tim Lincecum got the start today and was able to keep his pitches down in the lower half of the strike zone from the start, which he has struggled with at times. However, in the third inning, he gave up a single to the Brewers’ starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson, and then Carlos Gomez hit a two-run home run to give the Brewers an early 2-0 lead.
The Brewers tacked on another run in the fifth inning to go up 3-0. The Giants would have to come back, yet again. And they did.
In the top of the sixth inning, Joe Panik singled, Brandon Belt doubled, and Pablo Sandoval hit a three-run home run to tie the game at three. Sandoval was the hero in Monday’s game against the New York Mets when he collected two clutch hits that sealed the win for the Giants.
Five hits in past 7 ABs for Panik. #SFGiants
— Henry Schulman BLUE CHECK MARK (@hankschulman) August 6, 2014
Sandoval has 14 hits in his last 26 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Tie game.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) August 6, 2014
Six RBIs in last seven ABs for Panda, and one guy thrown out at the plate. #SFGiants
— Henry Schulman BLUE CHECK MARK (@hankschulman) August 6, 2014
The Giants’ bullpen has been dominant recently, but they ended their scoreless streak tonight. Jean Machi gave up a home run to Gerardo Parra in the bottom of the seventh, which gave the Brewers the 4-3 lead.
First run allowed by the #sfgiants bullpen in 23 1/3 innings.
— Henry Schulman BLUE CHECK MARK (@hankschulman) August 6, 2014
The ‘pen’s scoreless streak was the #sfgiants’ longest since 2010.
— Henry Schulman BLUE CHECK MARK (@hankschulman) August 6, 2014
The Giants weren’t able to stage another comeback, despite having Michael Morse and Buster Posey come off the bench to pinch hit in the top of the eighth inning. Morse hit for Gregor Blanco, and Posey hit for Juan Perez.
Given this pinch hitting situation, the Giants had a slightly odd outfield in the bottom of the eighth inning. With Buster Posey at first base, Morse played in left field, Hunter Pence moved to center field, and Belt played in right field. That’s one tall, strange outfield.
Pence in center field for the first time since rookie year (’07). Belt has 10 2/3 innings in right in the bigs. #SFGiants
— Henry Schulman BLUE CHECK MARK (@hankschulman) August 6, 2014
The Giants hope to bounce back from today’s loss in game two of this three-game series tomorrow at 5:10 PM PT. Ryan Vogelsong (6-8, 3.88 ERA) will face off against Yovani Gallardo (6-5, 3.38 ERA) tomorrow.