The San Francisco Giants dropped two of three to the Diamondbacks to end a homestand, so here’s three ups and three downs for the series.
3 UP
1 – Posey Stays Hot
The Giants’ catcher has been one of the brightest spots through the first two weeks of the season. The five-time All-Star had two hits in each of the three games against Arizona.
The big hit off his bat came on Wednesday, when he crushed his second home run of the season against D-Backs’ starterRobbie Ray. The two-run shot tied the game at two in the fifth inning, but the bullpen let the game get away from them later.
Since going 0-6 over the first two games of the season, Posey has put together a nine-game hitting streak. He’s hitting .467 in that stretch with two doubles and two home runs. He’s even stolen two bases this season so far.
2 – Hernandez Off the Bench
While Posey’s steady excellence is to be expected by this point, one of the nice stories in the early part of the season has beenGorkys Hernandezoff the bench. He played a large part in the Giants’ comeback win on Tuesday.
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As a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning, Hernandez got the rally started with a well-hit single up the middle, only the team’s third hit againstPatrick Corbin. He stole second base, then came around to score onAndrew McCutchen’s bases-loaded walk. During the final rally in the ninth inning, he laid a great bunt down afterKelby Tomlinson’s leadoff walk, and Tomlinson would score the winning run on McCutchen’s walk-off hit. Hernandez also added a fantastic sliding play in right field that brought the top of the ninth inning to a close.
After such a miserable start to his 2017 season, Hernandez has come out of the gates well in 2018. He owns five hits in 11 at-bats, including his first home run since late in the 2016 season.
3 – Part of the Bullpen
Certain parts of the Giants’ bullpen have been fantastic early on in 2018.Tony Watsonthrew another perfect inning on Tuesday, bringing him up to five scoreless appearances to begin his Giants’ career.
Cory Gearrinescaped a big jam in game two, coming in with a runner on second and no outs in a tie game, and keeping it tied with a couple strikeouts and a groundout.Reyes Morontathrew two hitless innings in that game as well, striking out three batters. He has nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings this year.
Hunter Stricklandsuffered his first blown save as Giants’ closer, but has still been spectacular overall early in the year.Pierce Johnson, a waiver wire pickup last September and surprise addition to the Opening Day roster, has allowed just one run and six baserunners in seven innings.
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