Webb leads Giants

SF 6  CIN 3

Logan Webb pitched six scoreless innings to open the series in Cincinnati and the Giants held on to win. Webb did not have his strikeout stuff and gave up six hits but also did not walk a batter and induced ten ground balls, two of which led to double plays. It was an outstanding performance against a strong lineup. He kept the ball in the yard, a tough task in that park.

The bullpen gave up the three Reds runs, the first in the 7th when Jarlin Garcia had a two-out brain fart (walk, WP, single), and again in the 8th when Matt Wisler gave up back-to-back homers. He almost gave up a third before getting the final out. The Giants need both Wisler and Garcia to be reliable bullpen options and they unfortunately have not performed with any consistency so far this season. Tyler Rogers–again–came on to get the save in the 9th. Brandon Crawford made a two-out error to dial up the TortureMeter™ but Nick Castellanos flied out to end it.

The offense cranked out three homers, a two-run shot from Wilmer Flores, and solo shots from Mauricio Dubon and Mike Yastrzemski. The Reds played some poor infield defense, gifting the Giants a run in the 1st and again in the 8th. In fact the Flores homer in the 4th was after an error that put BCraw on base ahead of him. The play in the 8th was a blown rundown. With two outs Austin Slater was picked off first base, but he stayed in jeopardy long enough for Darin Ruf to scoot home from third. Duane Kuiper called it “junior varsity” on the post-game show!

But the story was young Logan Webb who out-pitched veteran Sonny Gray and got his first road win of the year. He’s lined up up to pitch Saturday at home against the Dodgers.

Anthony DeSclafani tomorrow afternoon at 3:40 Pacific.

Go Giants!

–M.C.