1-0? Hit batsman + stolen base on a strikeout + fielder's (bad) choice + double play = only run of the game? This is the kind of game the Padres win, and last night, the Giants out-Padre'd them.
I'm giving credit for this one to a guy who doesn't get a lot of credit, Bruce Bochy. We Giants fans enjoy bemoaning his lineup choices, and sometimes his choices deserve to be moaned. But managing the bullpen is one of his strengths, and he managed it perfectly last night.
It started at the end of the fifth: Not often that a pitcher gets pulled during a one-hit shutout after five, but this was the right call. The reason was Jonathan Sanchez' seven walks. Sanchez has two types of starts: Lots of walks and lots of strikeouts. Although he had a decent four K's, he was brewing a walk-heavy start and it was threatening to stink up the whole kitchen. Perfect time to pull him.
Casilla was a great choice to come in. San Diego was not hitting the ball hard at all, and couldn't have pitched a better 1.1 innings; the Padres couldn't catch up to his heat. After his appearance, Bochy wisely put in Ramirez, another hard-thrower, to finish the seventh.
You know the script to the rest of the game. Romo to start the eighth, Lopez to face the lefty Gonzalez, and one of those nifty five out saves from Brian Wilson.
Kudos, Bruce, for the Padresy win. That had to take some wind out of their sails. Now sink the ship.
Other thoughts on last night's game:
- Where are all these Giants fans in Petco Park coming from? Their presence is leading to some of the most satisfying sounding boo/cheer combos when the Giants do something good.
-Was that the notorious Phil Cuzzi who called Cabrera out at second on a phantom tag from Renteria? Thanks, Phil, while that doesn't make up for you calling Ishikawa out at home in that Mets game, it's a good start.
-Dear Rockies,
Please stop.
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