If 6 Was 9

 SF 6  SEA 4

This game would have been more relaxing if the Giants would have stuck to the formula and scored nine runs instead of a mere six. It happens that six was just enough, although it took a comeback featuring a big two-run triple from Wilmer Flores with two outs in the 7th to pull off the win. Giants pitchers threw 181 pitches this afternoon but walked only four batters (and hit two) so that’s an improvement over yesterday. Starter Tyler Anderson got knocked about for four runs in the 2nd and then kicked out in the 3rd for arguing balls and strikes. Wandy Peralta, Rico Garcia, Tony Watson, Tyler Rogers, and Sam Selman covered the final seven frames without yielding a run. The Mariners threatened in the 7th, 8th, and 9th but the ‘pen held firm and sealed the victory. Peralta’s three hitless innings in relief of Anderson was the key performance, I think.

Newcomer Luis Basabe had a hit, walked twice, and scored two, Mauricio Dubon had two hits and scored a run, Evan Longoria had two hits and a run batted in, and Darin Ruf launched a solo shot in the 1st to fill up the highlight reel. The Giants are a sparkling 16-4 against Arizona (8-2), Seattle (4-0), Texas (2-1), and LA-Anaheim (2-1). Unfortunately their final three opponents are Oakland, Colorado, and San Diego and they are a less than stellar 3-12 against them. So it will be a big challenge for the Giants to stay in the hunt in their final stretch. This weekend’s series with the A’s is at the Coliseum but the final two sets are at home where they have won 16 of 25, so maybe home cookin’ will be the ticket.

Logan Webb goes Friday at 6:40 p.m., Kevin Gausman Saturday at 1:10 p.m., and Johnny Cueto Sunday, also at 1:10, all times Pacific.

GO GIANTS!

–M.C.

p.s. Mike Yastrzemski had to leave the game early with a calf injury, let’s hope it is minor.