The first place Los Angeles Dodgers went into San Francisco with a seven game winning streak. They left with a three game losing streak. The Giants swept the series, comfortably outhitting the Dodgers in the first game, then getting the timely hits in the last at-bats of the following two. A key was excellent starting pitching from Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong, and some key relief work.
The final game in the series went 10 innings and the Giants won it in Giants fashion--Pagan singled, stole second, and after an intentional walk to Belt, the Giants latest new hope Justin Maxwell roped one down the third base line to score Pagan with the winning run.
It was a great end to a dismal home stand, as the Giants particularly used the home field last at-bat to good advantage. They have to feel good especially about the pitching they got. Newer players are finding their space and veterans are starting to come around. Pagan is showing he can again be a catalyst---his problem has always been staying healthy. When Buster Posey gets going and Hunter Pence returns, the pop in the lineup will improve.
But out of this triumph the Giants go into the sinkhole of Colorado, where they don't often do well at that altitude. They do have their rookie hope Chris Hatcher on the mound tonight, their best starter so far this season, and good starting pitching is weirdly infectious.
4 days ago
