A Winn and Two Losses

Jun 14, 2023 | 2022 Season, Latest Post

by
Greek Giant

“I still can’t feel my legs.”

-Keaton Winn

Last night the Giants won an impressive game, 11-3 with rookie Keaton Winn picking up a rare four inning save in his Major League debut and his family in the park. In fact, Mr. Winn, who hails from nearby Iowa, had never seen a Major League ballpark in person until his call up the night before. He looked fantastic and had electric stuff, with a 97 MPH heater on the outside corner, for example.

The Giants had 17 hits in the game and there were a ton of offensive heroes, too many to write about, in fact. But there was a darker story to the game: The Giants suffered two injuries on consecutive pitches. First, J. D. Davis sprained ankle on a play at third in the top of the third inning. One pitch later Mitch Haniger, that cursed and injury-prone veteran was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken forearm. He may be out for the year.

Michael Conforto had a huge day going 4-6. Here is his two-run double that started the celebrations for the Giants. It came with two outs in the top of the first inning with runners on first and third. Joc scored from first because he read the play well. If the Cardinal outfielder doesn’t go through the bullpen gate and fields the ball cleanly it may only be a one-run double.

All game long the Giants took the extra base. Thairo Estrada went from first to third on a routine single in the first inning. There were other instances. The notable exception was when J. D. Davis challenged the Cardinal left fielder, Dylan Carlson on a hit, trying to get to third from first. He was thrown out and then jammed his ankle in the process. One pitch later Mitch Haniger suffered his injury and he may be out for the season. J. D. is listed as day-to-day but if you have ever sprained an ankle badly, like I have, you know that day-to-day could turn into week-to-week in a hurry.

There was a big RBI pinch hit by Casey Schmitt, who went the other way and beat the shift, to continue the trend the Giants started the previous night:

Yaz hit a bomb to the opposite field that kept going, and going, and going… of a left-hander! “Take your matchups and stick them where the stats don’t shine,” says Mike!

Patrick Bailey hit a home run that sizzled off the bat, one pitch after Yaz’s bomb:

This was a game that showcased the Giants in all their finest. The veterans hit. The youngsters hit and pitched. Alex Cobb, despite a shaky first inning again in which he allowed two runs, rebounded to pitch three more shutout innings allowing only five hits in total. In fact, I don’t know why he did not pitch the fifth inning with a big lead. He only threw 79 pitches. I hope it’s not another injury but as of press time I am officially worried. Cobb is one of two pitchers (with Logan Webb) who is absolutely irreplaceable to this Giants squad.

Luke Jackson pitched the fifth, threw a shutout, and got the win for his efforts. That’s the way it goes with baseball’s rule that a starter must go five to get the win. I can’t say I agree with it but we’re not going to cry about it.

There was an incident with tempers flaring between LaMonte Wade Jr. and Jack Flaherty after the top of the fourth inning. It appears Wade took exception to something the Cardinals pitcher said. Benches emptied, no punches were thrown, the fans got some extra entertainment. My guess is Flaherty was accusing Wade of stealing signs. But that’s only my guess.

With the win the Giants are 35-32, six games behind the diamondbacks and in third place. They are in the Wild Card now. The Dodgers are only three games ahead of the Giants! Who’d a thunk it!?

This is from ESPN: “The Giants have won five straight road games and six of their last eight games overall. San Francisco won the first two games of the three-game set and claimed just their third series in St. Louis in 10 tries since 2013.”

Nice!

Now if the boys could start winning at Willie Mays Field…

Will the Luis Matos Era Begin Today?

With the news of Mitch Haniger’s injury coinciding with Luis Matos (and David Villar) being pulled form his AAA game in Texas, there is talk of his impending promotion and Major League debut, though it has not been officially announced by the Giants, at the time of this writing.

David Villar will likely be called up to replace J. D. Davis’s spot on the roster should the veteran need some time off to heal that ankle.

Today’s Game

Today’s series finale will be played at 12:15 PM, St. Louis time. It will be Desclafani for the Giants against Montgomery for the Cardinals.