Three and Out

Aug 10, 2022 | 2022 Offseason, Latest Post

by
Greek Giant

That three-game winning streak just flew by. Last night the Giants lost 7-4 to the Padres in a kind of torturous way. After playing from behind for most of the game the Giants rallied to score three runs in the top of the ninth inning off Josh Hader. That made the score 4-4 and suddenly, after being throttled by Joe Musgrove and Co, the boys from San Francisco had some life.

Until the bottom of the ninth inning when Manny Machado hit a three-run home run off Tyler Rogers. That’s Manny “Ff**f77f65” Machado to you and you will like it. I know Machado is the guy we all love to hate but I have to say I love that story and his reply. There is a fine line between arrogance and pride, confidence and swagger versus “asshole” behavior. Machado crosses it like an Ambassador traveling between two countries on a daily basis. It’s just who he is. The matchup: Tyler vs Manny, was no matchup at all on this night.

The Machado blast came on a fluffball about knee high and on the inside corner of the plate. I wonder if Tyler Rogers needs to throw rising fastballs to sluggers to change their eye level for more effectiveness. Machado was all over the pitch like it was a batting practice “hit-me-ball.”

Alex Cobb gave up three runs and six hits in five innings of work but he also recorded seven strikeouts.

GiantC summed up the game this way: “Must be nice to have some All- Stars in the lineup. Giants needed 3 walks and a HBP to score.” I could not have said it better myself. Once again the Giants were zero for runners in scoring position in five at bats. Credit to Joe Musgrove, a 2022 Cy Young candidate.

The key play in the game, after the Machado dagger to the Giant heart, was the catcher’s interference called on Austin Wynns with Juan Soto batting in the ninth with one out and one on. If Rogers retires Soto there… woulda, coulda, shoulda, the three saddest words in the baseball language.

LaMont Wade Jr. hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning to give the Giants a 1-0 lead they would hold until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Padres tied the game on a Juan Soto home run, his first as a Padre. The San Diegans added two in the sixth inning and one in the 8th before the Giants ninth inning rally.

Let’s talk about the top of the ninth. The Giants scored their runs on two walks with the bases loaded and a sac fly by Longoria. Earlier in the inning J. D. Davis was rung up on a pitch about three innings outside the plate. It cannot happen. The Giants have been getting regularly screwed by the home plate umps this week.

The Longoria Sacrifice fly looked like it would be a bases-clearing double off the bat but Jurickson Profar made a leaping, full body extension catch to thwart the Giants. It was sensational and it turned the game.

Yaz Flashes the Leather, Steals a Homer

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning Mike Yastrzemski robbed a Padre of a home run with a leaping catch in left center field. It was a spectacular grab and a display of his remarkable skill and athleticism after he ranged about 40 feet and leaped at the perfect moment to snare a ball that Padre fans were sure had “celebration” written all over it. It was probably the highlight of the night for the Giants.

Pederson’s Grab

Joc Pederson also made a nice running catch to end the third inning:

The Wade Bomb

Kapler’s Bullpen Options

Ok, so let’s get this out of the way: Gabe Kapler’s bullpen options were limited in the ninth inning. Camilo Doval had pitched two days in a row and was not available. Same goes for John Brebbia. Oh, and Joey Bart was unavailable with a minor injury. Here’s Gabe Kapler, the Giants Skipper, to explain it:

Today’s Game

The Giants and Padres wrap up the three game series with the rubber game scheduled for 1:10 PM in San Diego. Jakob Junis is scheduled to pitch for the Giants against Sean Manaea, yes, that’s how his name is spelled.