Posey, Slater ding Pads

SF 5  SD 4

The Giants parlayed four hits into five runs and edged the Padres tonight in San Francisco to take the first game of the three-game weekend set. Buster Posey got it started with a two-run bomb to right field in the 3rd off Blake Snell, and Evan Longoria drove in two with a bases-loaded single in the 5th. Snell walked six in 4-2/3 IP. Anthony DeSclafani ran into trouble in the 6th, yielding a two-run blast to Trent Grisham, and reliever Sam Selman was burned by a second two-run homer from Eric Hosmer in the same frame. But Austin Slater bopped a solo shot in the 7th (also to RF) to give the Giants the lead and they held on for a huge win. Tyler Rogers was dominant once again, shutting down the Padres on 14 pitches in the 8th. Jake McGee walked the first batter in the 9th, but struck out the final three hitters to record the save. It took 25 pitches, but he got the job done!

Willie Mays turned 90 today and the team conjured up a victory to celebrate the occasion. The Giants hang on to first place with their 19th win. I should note that Camilo Doval was impressive in a scoreless 7th, shutting down the heart of the order, and he was awarded the win. Mike Yastrzemski helped him out with a nice running catch.

Tomorrow and Sunday are both day games, start times 1:05 Pacific. Kevin Gausman and Johnny Cueto are slated to start.

Go Giants!

–M.C.

p.s. I’ll be AFK  (“away from keyboard”) for the next several days and won’t be blogging. I’ll be back some time next week.