Giants blank Rays on three hits

SF 7  TBR 0

The Giants also had a good night with the bats, scoring three runs in the 6th, two in the 7th, and two in the 8th to seal a much-needed win. All the wins from this point on are “much-needed” so perhaps there’s no point in reiterating that. But I don’t want to bury the lede: four Giants pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout! Against a team like Tampa Bay that averages over five runs per game that’s a particularly impressive pitching feat. And especially after Monday’s lopsided loss. Tonight Jakob Junis went the first four frames and was overpowering with seven strikeouts. Sean Manaea whiffed five in 3-1/3 IP, Tyler Rogers got two outs on five pitches, and Luke Jackson struck out the side to end it.

Rookie phenom Wade Meckler got his first two hits. Meckler was drafted in 2022 and his video game minors stats (.335/.441/.469) made it hard not to get a look at him. He’s a left-handed contact hitter with a feel for the strike zone but without a lot of power. He’s an outfielder and would be a great fit in center but it is hard to know if he’s got that kind of glove. He played college ball at Oregon State (he’s from Anaheim) and is listed at 5-10 and 178 lbs. I think Tim Lincecum had pretty similar marks on his chart.

Homers from Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores got things going. Michael Conforto had three hits and drove in a run. Patrick Bailey had an RBI hit.

The series gets decided Wednesday afternoon (12:45 PT).

Go Giants!

–M.C.