Gausman, Tauchman get it done

SF 7  SD 1

The Giants have relied on their starters so far this year and ace Kevin Gausman did not disappoint. He allowed a short-porch oppo-shot to Fernando Tatis, Jr. (who else?) in the 1st but that was it. He also got a hit and scored two runs! The Giants needed a stopper today and he delivered. His final line was 6 IP, 6H, 1 R, 1 W, and 6 K, throwing 97 pitches to 25 batters. The big blow was a three-run homer in the 3rd from FNG Mike Tauchman. He also drove in a run later on a bases-loaded walk. I should note he was robbed of extra bases in the 1st with a big play from RF Jurickson Profar. Tommy La Stella had two hits including a triple, two runs scored, and two RBI before leaving the with an apparent injury. The Giants kept the pressure on, scoring two more in the 5th and another in the 9th to take the heat off the pitchers.

The bullpen has been a source of frustration for Giants fans so far this year but today they stepped up with three scoreless in relief of Gausman. Caleb Baragar was a strike-throwing beast last season but has struggled with command in the early going. He went 3-0 on the first batter he saw in the 7th but fought back to get a foul-out. He gave up a two-out infield single to Trent Grisham but then struck out Tatis. Tyler Rogers got two quick ground ball outs, gave up a single to Jake Cronenworth, but got Tommy Pham to ground out. In the 9th Camilo Doval struck out Profar (who’d homered off him last night) and Victor Caratini in succession, then induced a pop-up from Ha-Seong Kim to end it. Good show, lad!

The Giants played a good game when they needed to and avoided a sweep. They’ve split six games in San Diego so far and get their first chance at home against the Padres this coming weekend. Their 17-10 record keeps them in first place by a half game over the Dodgers.

Aaron Sanchez starts tomorrow night (5:40 Pacific) in Colorado.

Go Giants!

–M.C.