by
Greek Giant
Ty Blach pitched heroically, allowing no runs in 6 2/3 innings of relief to lead the Giants in a 6-3 triumph over the hated Marlins in Miami, otherwise known as the fifth ring of hell. The Giants had lost ten of their previous thirteen games in Little Havana and were about to get swept in a four game series after blowing another lead in the ninth thanks to a misplay buy Joe Panik on a popup. The miscue was caused in part by miscommunication between the second baseman and Andrew McCutchen who was rushing in on the play and collided with Joey Baseball ever so slightly to distract him.
Mac Williamson went deep.
Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run blast in the first. The Giants had a 3-0 lead before the Miamians started their comeback.
Pablo Sandoval got the big hit in the top of the sixteenth, driving in two to break a 3-3 tie.
Dereck Rodriguez pitched very well, allowing only two runs in 6 2/3 innings.
Panik and Posey had rough games at the plate.
Alen Hanson hit a ball of the top of the wall that failed to score Andrew McCutchen from second base with nobody out in the 16th. Thankfully Pablo came through. Gorkys Hernandez then hit a sacrifice fly to knock in Hanson with an insurance run on a very close play at the plate.
This was a desperation game for the Giants. A four game sweep in Miami may have sent the team into a death spiral back to 2017. Now they salvage a modicum of self-respect and head to Los Angeles for three games against the Dodgers.
Evan Longoria was removed from the game after getting hit in the hand with a pitch. He has a broken hand. No word yet on how long he will be out.
The Game ball goes to Tyson Blach for his Yusmerio Petit-like clutch performance.