It was an ugly start for the San Francisco Giants this week. However, they made it all the sweeter when they reclaimed first place by Sunday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Giants arrived back in San Francisco after they lost two of three against Atlanta. The change of scenery didn't make much of a difference against the Milwaukee Brewers. A four-game series turned into three losses.
Corbin Burnes owned the San Francisco hitters in-game one with nine strikeouts, and just one earned run through six innings. Jose Alvarez got the start and allowed two runs in 1.2 innings, all earned. The Giants used seven pitchers, and their only RBI was a single by Brandon Crawford, which plated Brandon Belt.
Game two was worse as the Brewers scored six runs in just four innings. Johnny Cueto allowed ten hits, six earned runs, and walked two in 3.2 innings. In the sixth, Belt would get the Giants on the board with his 20th home run, and then Wilmer Flores would homer in the ninth. However, Brandon Woodruff went six solid innings and struck out while only giving up the one run to Belt's dinger.
Game three was devastating in multiple ways. First, the loss as the Brewers hammered the Giants for the third straight game (5-2). The Giants also matched their longest losing streak of the season while also losing control of first place. The team was on top of the NL West for a San Francisco-era best 108 days. They took control of first on May 30.
Gabe Kapler mentioned about the Giants losing control:
"We just have to try to go after it and get back into that position," San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said.
Kevin Gausman gave the Giants a strong outing. He struck out seven over five innings and allowing two earned runs in the second inning. When Lorenzo Cain hit a one-out single with the bases loaded, scoring Avisail Garcia and Omar Narvaez. San Francisco tied the game in the fifth when Kris Bryant doubled to score Alex Dickerson. After an intentional walk to Belt, Buster Posey singled to right field, scoring Bryant. Unfortunately, the Giants would go on to lose the contest and continue their losing streak. Posey commented on the losing four in a row.
"Any time you have a little losing streak, it's not fun," Posey said. "This group's shown an ability to bounce back throughout the year, and that's just what you have to believe you're going to do."
Game four gave the Giants a chance to bounce back and tie the Dodgers for first place as Los Angeles had the day off. It was precisely what San Francisco did, winning 5-1 with great pitching from their Ace Logan Webb.
Webb was magical, throwing seven complete innings and striking out ten while allowing just one earned run. Tyler Rodgers (5-1) got the victory as Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Eric Lauer was also dominant by allowing just one earned run in seven innings.
It was in the eighth inning that San Francisco took control against reliever Devin Williams. Second baseman Thairo Estrada hit a three-run homer after Darin Ruf doubled to left field, scoring Bryant. The four-run eight gave the Giants all the runs they needed, and Jake McGee came on to close out the ninth in a non-save appearance.
Devin Williams
Giants manager Gabe Kapler commented on the critical victory leading into the crucial three-game home series against the Dodgers.
"I think it was a much-needed victory for us," Kapler said. "It's a good boost of confidence going into the next series, but obviously, all of our attention and focus was on today's game."
Game one against the Los Angeles Dodgers was a wild one. In the third, the Giants took the lead when Austin Slater singled to left field and scored pitcher Anthony DeSclafani. The 1-0 lead remained until the top of the ninth when Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor singled to center field, scoring Josh Turner. The game remained tied after the ninth, and the contest went into extra innings.
Los Angeles scored first in the tenth as Trea Turner hit a sacrifice fly to center, which plated Walker Buehler. Crawford would tie the game in the bottom of the tenth when he hit a single to center field and scoring Posey. Crawford would come up big again in the top of the 11th. After a Corey Seager single putting runners on first and third. Will Smith hit a ground ball to Crawford, and he threw out Josh Turner at home. Jarlin Garcia would strike out the next two batters.
In the bottom of the 11th, after Ruf struck out and Belt intentionally walked, Bryant earned a seven-pitch walk and loading the bases. Dickerson then grounded out into a fielder's choice, and Mike Yastrzemski was thrown out at home. With two outs and the bases still loaded, Posey grounded the ball to second baseman Trea Turner. Still, Turner threw an errant ball to first base, pulling Smith off the bag and allowing Posey to reach safely, leading the Giants to victory.
DeSclafani was impressive as he allowed no runs through six innings pitched. McGee received the blown save (5), while Garcia got his sixth victory on the season.
The second game against Los Angeles was not nearly as close. The Giants turned to the bullpen to start the game, and from the start, Jay Jackson gave up three runs. San Francisco would use seven more pitchers in the 6-1 defeat.
Posey did drive in a run for his 43rd RBI. Still, Julio Urias was dominating for 5.2 innings allowing eight hits and striking out eight. The victory allowed a two-way tie for first place in the NL division with a rubber match on the line in game three.
The last game of the series would begin with another bullpen session for the Giants. Dominic Leone would start and face Cy Young contender Walker Buehler. Leone would only pitch the first inning, and the Giants would take advantage of an off-day from Buehler, and he admitted it after the game.
"The worst I've thrown in a long time," Buehler said.
In the first, Belt would homer for his 21st of the season. In the second, San Francisco would retake the lead after the Dodgers scored in the second. This time Steven Duggar would triple to right field and score Crawford and Yastrzemski. Ruf would hit a pinch-hit single and driving in Duggar, giving the Giants a 4-1 lead.
In the third, San Francisco would extend their three-run lead. Crawford doubled to right field, scoring LaMonte Wade. Then Curt Casali singled to left field, scoring Crawford giving San Francisco a 6-1 lead. It would remain until the ninth inning.
Steven Duggar reacts after hitting a triple Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers
McGee would take the mound, and Kris Bryant's untimely error allowed Austin Barnes to reach first safely. Albert Pujols would bat for Andrew Vasquez. Pujols would hit a home run to center field and pulling the Dodgers within two runs. It would be the last run allowed by the Giants.
McGee would get Trea Turner to pop out. Still, after Max Muncy got a lazy single that made it through the infield, Mookie Betts would strike out looking, and Justin Turner popped out to left-field for the final out.
Kapler talked about the back-to-back days of only bullpen pitching:
"Back-to-back bullpen days are tough," Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. "That's no secret. Sort of a hallmark of this team is being able to handle challenging situations and being good at handling challenging situations."
The Giants also avoided a three straight series defeat this season. Belt mentioned the pressure during the game.
"It really felt like a playoff atmosphere out there," Belt said, "... It's crunch time."
Transactions:
Per ESPN
September 5, 2021
Optioned LHP Sammy Long to Sacramento (Triple-A West). Placed CF Austin Slater on the 7-day IL. Recalled RHP Camilo Doval and CF Steven Duggar from Sacramento.
September 4, 2021
Recalled IF/OF Mauricio Dubón from Sacramento (Triple-A West). Placed OF Alex Dickerson on the 10-day IL.
September 3, 2021
Reinstated INF Evan Longoria from the 10-day IL. Optioned INF/OF Mauricio Dubon to Sacramento (Triple-A West).
September 2, 2021
Placed 2B Wilmer Flores on the 10-day IL Recalled SS Maurico Dubon from Sacramento (Triple-A West).
August 31, 2021
Announced 3B coach Ron Wotus stepping away from full-time coaching at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Added LHP Jose Quintana to the active roster. Reinstated RHP Johnny Cueto from the 10-day IL. Optioned RHP John Brebbia and INF Jason Vosler to Sacramento (Triple-A West).
August 30, 2021
Placed RHP Johnny Cueto on the 10-day IL. Recalled LHP Caleb Baragar, RHP John Brebbia and INF/OF Thairo Estrada from Sacramento (Triple-A West).
Mike is an avid San Francisco Giants fan since the late 1970s. In his first game, he saw live Jack Clark hit a home run. He has seen the Giants lose 100 games and also win three World Series rings. Great/Unfortunate memories have been watching Joe Morgan hit a homer to knock the Dodgers out of the playoffs. Seeing the Giants win 104 games and still not make the playoffs. Most painfully watch the Giants lose a 5-0 lead to the Angels in the seventh inning in Game 6. However, he saw Barry Bonds hit his 73rd and become the greatest hitter of all time.
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