One Pitch, One Run, the Difference in Cincinnati

Jul 20, 2023 | 2023 Season, Latest Post

Last night’s 3-2 loss to the Reds may or may not cool off the Giants who had a six game winning streak heading into play. Ross Stripling allowed a three-run home run to Will Benson and Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft pitched into the seventh inning and mostly shut down the Giants. This was a game that came down to a battle of the starters and Ashcraft was better, by one pitch. We can say Stripling’s start was encouraging, which it was. We can also say that gopher ball was a bad sign who was giving up home runs like they were going out of style, which it was.

“We probably could’ve given him more pitches, but we wanted him to end on a good note. He did his job and kept us in the game. It was good to get him out on a strong note. We covered the game with two pitchers, which has us ready for tomorrow.”

-Gabe Kapler

His six innings of three-run ball was, I am sure, something Kapler and Co would be happy to get every time and on most days the Giants hitting attack scores more than three runs.

On most days.

Not last night.

The Giants were quiet except for Blake Sabol’s home run and a threat in the top of the fifth inning when they loaded the bases with nobody out. They could only get one run as Joc hit into a DP and Yaz popped out. Inning and Rally over.

The boys only had six hits in the game. Villar would strike out three times.

The one bright side is that the Giants only used two pitchers in the game. Ryan Walker pitched two innings in relief. That gave the bullpen a bit of a breather.

Here is the Sabol opposite field home run:

Roster Moves

 

Today’s Game

The Giants complete their four-game series today with an afternoon contest at 12:35 Eastern. Alex Cobb faces Andrew Abbot. The Giants will be going for their third win of the series.

Here is today’s line up: