by
Greek Giant
Where to start with this game… Carlos Rodon was very good… and depending on your point of view, lucky or simply pitching to the park. The Dodgers hit a few very long and loud fly outs caught at the wall to save Rodon from Doom. The Giants hit many balls in the outfield harder, but unfortunately they found Dodger gloves. That Dodger outfield talent, speed and overall exceptional defense was on full display in last night’s 3-1 loss in Los Angeles.
John Brebbia said he didn’t watch Cody Bellinger’s drive land because “I thought it was going to kill someone trying to catch it in the 10th row.”
It was caught on the warning track. Welcome to Major League Baseball in 2022. https://t.co/kxjLJs2JlV
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) May 4, 2022
One could make a strong case that outfield defense was the difference in this game.
Another thing on display was the Giants depleted roster. In key situations in the top of the 8th inning and the 9th inning Gabe Kapler was unable to get the matchups he wanted for the San Franciscan batters.
Austin Slater and Thairos Estrada both had two hits for the good guys. Darrin Ruf hit two rockets with contact coming in at over 100 MPH for both but was unfortunate in that neither was a hit. His swing appears to be coming around.
Carlos Was Very Good
Carlos Rodon was electric again going six innings and allowing only three hits but two of the three walks he afforded came around to score in the bottom of the second inning. It was a weird inning in which the only hit he allowed, a two-out single to Chris Taylor drove in two runs and was the difference in the game.
“After the two walks, he settled in nicely. That’s one of the best lineups in baseball, if not the best. Carlos has been outstanding for us.”
Giant Bats Silenced, Mostly
The Giants scored their lone run when Wilmer Flores reached based on a throwing error from Justin Turner. He advanced on a grounder and scored on a short sacrifice fly off the bat of Luis Gonazlez.
That was it for the Giants who were completely shut down by Julio Urias through his six innings of work. In six innings Urias threw 63 pitches and allowed four hits on no walks but Dave Roberts, in his infinite Dodger wisdom pulled out his Major League Baseball Analytics slide rule and decided to go to the bullpen to start the seventh. That’s when the Giants got their lone run.
SMH.
Joc’s Homecoming
Old friends, new foes 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Trugtjbav0
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 3, 2022
Joc Pederson made an appearance as a pinch-hitter in the game and was booed mercilessly by the classy Dodger faithful.
Stay Classy Bum fans.
So, after one game it is easy to see these teams are fairly evenly matched and play intensely against each other. This is sure to be a hot season series. You do not want to miss a single game.
Tonight’s Game
Tonight the final game of the two-game series will be played at 7:10 PM Maury Wills time. It will be Alex Wood against an as yet undetermined starter for the Dodgers.