With Metallica-like hairdos photoshopped
onto their photos during at bats, the San Francisco Giants started off on a
good note for the longest homestand of the season as Buster Posey hit a walk
off homerun, on a 3-2 challenge fastball to lead off the 9th, giving the Giants
a 2-1 victory.
The
Giants could only muster 4 hits against Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles
Dodgers crafty, lefty ace. In the end it didn't matter as the Giants were able
to convert their chances against the Dodger's ace and bullpen, while their Dodgers
could not do the same against the Giants. The Dodgers left a total of 12 men on
base.
It
did not start off well for the Giants with Barry Zito struggling to keep the
ball down, but he made pitches when he needed to the most, by forcing 13 ground
balls. His defense picked him up, making
only 1 error and converting numerous run-saving double plays. He lasted 5 innings, allowed 6 hits and
walked 4.
The Dodgers
smacked single after single against the Giants pitching and looked ready to win,
but could not find that one hit to drive in multiple runs, until Nick Punto
drove in Kershaw in the 5th inning. The
Giants came back in the 6th, when Buster Posey doubled to deep right center,
driving in Marco Scutaro.
Eventually, Zito
departed and the Giants bullpen shut down the Dodgers by using Chad Gaudin,
Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla, George Kontos, and closer, Sergio Romo. The San Francisco Giants bullpen has been dominant
and have really owned opposing hitters. The bullpen ranks 3rd in the Majors,
with a .222 batting average and 2.55 ERA.
Saturday's, 6:05
pm start will feature Matt McGill, who is replacing the injured Ted Lilly, and struggling
Giants starter, Ryan Vogelsong. McGill
is making his second career start, and the Giants will look to take advantage
of his inexperience tomorrow night.
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