San Francisco Giants Morning Minute: The Good, Bad, Inspirational, and Future
On this edition of the San Francisco Giants Morning Minute, we discuss the good, the bad, and the inspiration from Saturday’s game, and the future as well.
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- 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
Good morning, San Francisco Giants’ fans, and welcome to another edition of the Giants Morning Minute. On Saturday, the Giants beat the San Diego Padres, 9-6, in 10 innings to clinch at least a split in this four-game set. Will Smith (1-1) earned his first win as a Giant, while Kevin Quackenbush (7-7) was on the losing side. Sergio Romo finished the game for his third save of September.
The Los Angeles Dodgers walked through the Colorado Rockies, 14-1, dropping their magic number to clinch the NL West crown to one. The New York Mets lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 10-8, despite a ridiculous comeback attempt. They are now tied with the Giants for the first wildcard spot. The St. Louis Cardinals’ 10-4 win over the Chicago Cubs leaves them a half-game back of the Giants and Mets.
1 – The Good
There was plenty of good news from Saturday’s win. The offense plated nine runs after scoring only 12 times in their previous seven games. The bullpen was, for the most part, very good. The Giants were able to pull out a very big win, keeping pace in the very tight Wildcard race.
The lineup wasted no time giving their ace, Madison Bumgarner, an early lead. Joe Panik brought home a pair with a bases-loaded single up the middle, and Angel Pagan followed with an RBI single on the next pitch in the first. They padded the lead in the fourth against the Padres’ bullpen, with Buster Posey and Hunter Pence driving home runs with fielder’s choices. Eduardo Nunez‘s single made it 6-0 Giants.
In extra innings, Pagan led off with a single before Ehire Adrianza bunted him over. Kelby Tomlinson‘s single brought him in, with help from an error in right field. Denard Span provided some insurance, hitting his 11th home run of the season to extend his career-high.
Hunter Strickland entered the game in the eighth inning, and was stellar. He blew hard heat right by hitters, striking out three in his 1.2 perfect innings. Smith finished the ninth for his only out, but extended his scoreless appearances streak to 16. Romo entered with a runner on in the 10th to preserve a lead. He struck out Manuel Margot before giving up a single, but got Wil Myers to ground into a game-ending double play.
So there was definitely a lot to like about this game. On the other hand…
2 – The Bad
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
It wouldn’t be a second-half Giants’ game without bad news, as well. Bumgarner wasn’t quite himself, despite saying after the game that it was the “best I’ve felt all year, by far“. He matched his career-high by surrendering three home runs, leading to five runs being shaved off the Giants’ six-run lead.
When he handed the ball to the bullpen after working through six innings, they promptly let that ultra-slim lead slip away. Derek Law came in with a runner on first after Javier Lopez gave up a hit. He threw a wild pitch to move the runner up, and gave up the game-tying single, just out of a diving Adrianza’s reach.
Since returning from the disabled list, Law has been shaky. His control, normally pinpoint, has not been the same, and his velocity is still a bit down. He’s been the Giants’ most reliable reliever for most of the season, and they’ll need him sharp if they reach the postseason. He might not get back to that level this year.
3 – The Inspirational
Just a week after his wife, Yuliett, passed after her battle with cancer at 31 years of age, Yangervis Solarte was back with the Padres and on the field Saturday. In his first at-bat back, he singled in the eighth inning, which led to the tying run being scored. He pointed skyward after reaching first base, and bumped his chest towards his baseball family in the Padres’ dugout. He was met with rounds of applause before his at-bat, after his hit, and after he was lifted for a pinch-runner. It doesn’t matter what team you root for, that was a beautiful moment, not just in the game, but in life.
4 – The Future
With Johnny Cueto nursing a groin strain, rookie left-hander Ty Blach is going to make his first career start for the Giants on Sunday. Blach enjoyed a very nice season at Triple-A with the Sacramento River Cats (14 wins, 3.43 ERA, 1.137 WHIP), and has carried that success to his initial taste of the big leagues. In two relief appearances, both three innings, he’s given up just a hit and a walk on 66 pitches.
This is just a spot start while Cueto is out, but it could have future implications. A spot in the rotation figures to be open next season, and Blach is certainly an option. He can help his own stock with a solid performance against the Padres.
Next: Giants Morning Minute: Shark and Smith Dialing In
And that will do it for this edition of the Giants Morning Minute. Up next, the Giants and Padres finish their season series with the last game of the four-game set. Blach will be matched up against veteran lefty Clayton Richard.