San Francisco Giants Comeback Again, Pitching is Becoming Better

The San Francisco Giants have played the first quarter of their 2013 season and they are looking forward to making the playoffs and trying to compete for another World Series. 

The past two World Series wins, in 2010 and 2012, have bee focused on the team's dominant pitching staff.  However this first quarter has been about comeback after comeback after comeback.  Out of the Giants 24 wins, 12 have been comeback wins.  The starting pitcher rotation has been mediocre at best, but their line up has been great at being patient at the plate and keeping the line up going.

In their 8 – 6 comeback win tonight, the Giants had only two extra base hits, but came back from a 6 run deficit as Matt Cain gave up three home runs in the first three innings, but then battled back by retiring 13 of the next 15 Colorado Rockies hitters.  Jeremy Affeldt returned to his true form and went two perfect innings and Sergio Romo earned the save with a 9th inning shut out. 

Giants hitters battled Colorado Rockies starter, Jhoulys Chacin and were 4 for 10 for runners in scoring position (RISP).  The Giants put up a 5 spot in 4th inning with two key two out at bats.   After loading the bases on two singles and a walk, Brandon Belt battled Chacin to coax a walk, Brandon Crawford cleared the bases with a double in the next at bat and Matt Cain followed that with a single to score Crawford.  With the score being 6 – 5, all Giants fans knew this one run game would an easy comeback. 

With a sacrifice fly in the 6th, Angel Pagan had a two out base hit as he knocked in two runs after a sacrifice bunt by Matt Cain.   The two run lead held up as Matt Cain and the relievers combined to retire 21 of the last 23 hitters. 

The Giants need the starting rotation to step up and I expect them to start battling, but don't be surprised if we see GM Brian Sabean shop around for a quality pitcher when the trade deadline comes around.