Rookies spark comeback win

SF 6  PIT 4

The Giants started their longest road trip of the season with an impressive comeback win against the Pirates. Starter Ross Stripling looked better but couldn’t finish the 5th and left with the game tied 2-2. Sean Manaea finished the frame and the Giants took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 6th. Manaea unfortunately gave up two in the 6th and had to be bailed out by recent call-up Mauricio Llovera. In the top of the 7th a leadoff double by Wilmer Flores and a walk to J.D. Davis set up Patrick Bailey and he drove in two (an OF error helped) with a single. That made it 5-4 and after Bailey stole second Luis Matos drove him in with a single. That was enough. An outstanding two-inning performance by righty submariner Tyler Rogers kept it 6-4 into the 9th where Camilo Doval turned in an effortless 8-pitch save.

It’s a fine win to start the second half of the baseball season. As I pointed out it is really the remaining 4/9 (44%) of the season but as we know these games get increasingly more important as the calendar turns. Tonight’s win was the club’s 50th. With the Dodgers winning and the Diamondbacks losing LA (52-38) takes the top spot by a game over AZ (52-40). The 50-41 Giants are 2-1/2 games back in third place.

All-Star Alex Cobb takes the hill tomorrow (4:05 PT) in Pittsburgh.

Go Giants!

–M.C.

p.s. I’ll be away from my desk for about the length of this Giants road trip. I’ll keep an eye on things but I won’t be posting. So keep the comments flowing!