Three in a row

SF 7  PHI 4

Camilo Doval, pitching in his third straight game, struck out Trea Turner with the bases loaded to complete the sweep of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. That’s the defending NL champion Phillies in case you forgot. The Giants jumped on Taijuan Walker for four runs in the 1st and chased him from the game. Ross Stripling threw three scoreless but then loaded the bases with one out in the 4th. A double from JT Realmuto made it 4-2 and then Stripling left with a back injury. Sean Manaea gave up a run on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-3. In the 5th Bryson Stott homered to tie it but the bullpen put up zeroes the rest of the way. Jakob Junis struck out three in the 6th and Scott Alexander needed only seven pitches in the 7th, getting a huge double play from Stott to end the frame. John Brebbia got through the meat of the order in the 8th to give the Giants another chance.

Southpaw Gregory Soto took over in the bottom half and the Giants responded with two righty pinch-hitters, J.D. Davis and Mitch Haniger. Both got hits. Joey Bart attempted to sacrifice but managed a bunt single instead and the bases were loaded for LaMonte Wade, Jr. He forced out a run at home but the next batter Thairo Estrada singled in a run. Michael Conforto forced out another runner at home but Wilmer Flores drove in two with a single to make it 7-4 and we all breathed easier.

Doval had to add some drama in the 9th with a hit, a hit batter, and walk loading the bases and turning over the lineup. Leadoff hitter Turner struck out on four pitches and that sealed the deal. The Giants won three games in which their starters gave them a mere 11-2/3 innings pitched and allowed seven runs! The relief corps really stepped up when they were needed. Rookie Tristan Beck was the only reliever not used in the series. Doval threw 3-1/3 over the three games with Brebbia (2-2/3), Alexander (2-1/3), Tyler Rogers (2 IP), Junis (2 IP),  and Taylor Rogers (1-2/3) each appearing in two games. Manaea logged 1-2/3 this afternoon. It’s an off-day tomorrow, and a well-deserved one.

Anthony DeSclafani takes on Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins Friday night (7:15 PT) in San Francisco.

Go Giants!

–M.C.

p.s. rookie C/OF Blake Sabol is slashing .280/.330/.473 after two hits today