Entering the series opener on Tuesday, theSan Francisco Giantsowned a 4-10 record, had lost nine out of 10 games, and were firmly entrenched in the cellar in the NL West. Their archrivals from across the state, the Los Angeles Dodgers, sat in first in the division, proudly wearing a 9-3 record, and riding a seven-game win streak. The stage seemed to be set for the Dodgers to stomp their rivals in the first matchup of the season, and claim that they were the big dog in the yard.
That was not the case, because as we hear all the time, the game isn’t played on paper. The series proved to be a complete reversal of fortunes, as the lowly last-place Giants brought out the brooms to sweep the mighty first-place Dodgers.
The first game of the series proved to be the easiest, as the Giants rode hot bats to a 6-2 win, earningTim Lincecumhis first win as a starter since August 18th, 2014.
More fromGolden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
Wednesday was as advertised, asClayton KershawandMadison Bumgarnerdueled, and heading into the ninth inning, the game was knotted at two.Joe Panikwas the hero of the day, as he lifted a sacrifice fly to scoreGregor Blancofrom third, sending the AT&T Park crowd home happy. There wassome controversy, but it wouldn’t be a Giants/Dodgers series without some kind of controversy.
Thursday turned into another fantastic game.Mike BolsingerandRyan Vogelsongdueled as well, but heading into the ninth, the Giants found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-1 score.Casey McGeheeled off, and in an effort to begin redeeming himself after a miserable start, lined a single into right field, putting the tying run on base.
Matt Duffyentered the game as a pinch-runner, and the next batter,Brandon Crawford, lined a three-bagger into triples alley, tying the game and putting the game-winning run on third. In the same fashion we’ve seen far too often this season, Crawford was stranded at third, harmlessly standing there will three Giants failed to drive him in.
Santiago Casillaentered the game in the top of the 10th, and loaded the bases on a single, a hit batsman, and a walk. With two outs and the bases juiced,Adrian Gonzalez, quite possibly the hottest hitter in baseball at the moment, and the owner of a home run in the third inning, took his place in the batter’s box. He worked the count to 2-2 before Casilla blew a fastball by him, and the Giants’ righty pumped his fist and released a primal scream.
More from San Francisco Giants
- Thank you SF Giants for a fun, wild, surprising 2020 season
- SF Giants lose in heartbreaking fashion and miss 2020 MLB playoffs
- SF Giants: Mike Yastrzemski named 2020 Willie Mac Award recipient
- SF Giants: Chadwick Tromp placed on IL with shoulder strain
- SF Giants: Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners postponed
The Giants headed to the bottom of the 10th, whereAngel Paganled off with a base hit.Buster Poseyfollowed with a harmless flyball out, andBrandon Beltworked a walk, setting upJustin Maxwell, who was looking for a little redemption as well.
In the eighth inning, Maxwell was up with the bases loaded and two men out. He worked a 2-0 count against Dodgers’ relieverJoel Peralta, and got a fastball in the middle of the plate. Maxwell took a hearty rip, and smoked the pitch right back up the middle. He couldn’t have hit the ball any harder. The only problem was Dodgers’ second basemanHowie Kendrickwas shading him up the middle, and on a fully-extended dive, he robbed Maxwell of the game-tying, and potentially go-ahead RBI.
In the 10th inning, Maxwell made up for it. He lined a hit down the right field line, past former GiantJuan Uribe, scoring Angel Pagan to give the Giants a 3-2 win, earning the sweep. The team met on the field, celebrating the biggest win of the still-infantile season.
Even before Thursday’s walk-off, Maxwell had already enjoyed acoming out partyagainst the Dodgers. On Tuesday, Maxwell went 2-3, scored three times, and played tremendous defense, including a beautiful sliding catch in foul territory. His eighth inning at-bat was his biggest, as he crushed a 97 mile an hourPedro Baezfastball over the left field wall, hitting his first home run with the Giants, and his first in the big leagues since September 22nd, 2013 with the Royals. His infectious smile could not be removed.
There was no question that the Giants had their backs on the ropes entering this series, as they couldn’t seem to buy any good luck. They were hit with body blow after body blow, but they survived. After heading to the corner for the first bell, the off day, they came out swinging, and landed three hard punches to the arch-nemesis. The Giants are on the right track again.
Next: Giants Mailbag: Belt, Maxwell, Rotation
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations