39th win is a doozy

SF 1  WSH 0 

Anthony “Disco” DeSclafani was groovin’ in D.C. tonight, dominating a tough Nationals lineup for a complete game shutout, his second of the season. But believe it or not, that’s not the whole story! After all, Washington’s ultra-ace Max Scherzer was the starter and it figured to be a pitching duel from the get-go. Max, unfortunately, got gone after only ten pitches, tweaking something on a delivery that led to him leaving the game. If the Giants thought they’d get a break they were soon proved wrong by some inspired bullpen work from the Nats relief corps. Buster Posey broke through with a solo shot in the 4th, but that was it. The lineup mustered up a mere four hits and struck out ten times.

DeSclafani cruised into the 7th clinging to the 1-0 lead and up came super-stud Juan Soto with one out. It was the third time through the order and Soto whacked a 3-2 pitch to left-center that for all the world looked like a homer. In the way was–who else?–Mike Tauchman, who made a perfectly-timed over-the-fence leaping grab to pull the ball back and make the out. It was a sensational moment, one of those belief-defying baseball occurrences that keep us tuning in every night. Tauchman also made another superb catch on a foul pop to get the first out of the 9th. He’s hitting under .200 but finding ways to help the team win.

And win they did. The Man They Call Disco said “we don’t need no steenk-een bullpen” and he nailed down the outs in the 8th and 9th to complete the shutout. That’s a hell of a story all by itself. But magic moments from Posey and Tauchman added to the excitement and made it an even better story. Imagine if Scherzer had pitched: the Giants would have raked him for heap o’runs, I’ve no doubt!

Doubleheader tomorrow, the first game is at 11:05 Pacific. Kevin Gausman gets the start, and the bullpen gets the nightcap.

Go Giants!

–M.C.