Our good friend TURN RAE asked me a couple month ago if I would do a Giants Update, similar to the ever popular Mariners Updates. I practically promised that I would by saying “I would think about it.” However I only wanted to do one, as I do not really know the Giants, or any of their players. As such I decided to update their last game of the year. It could have been an update after winning the World Series, but sadly for Giant’s fans all over, this Update covers the game that knocked the Giants out of the playoffs.
First, let’s set the stage. The Giants made the post season as one of the Wild Card teams in the National League. The Bum took down the mighty Thor lead Mets, 3-0. They then went to Chicago and dropped 2 games against the Cubs. Then they headed home and the Bum lead the mighty Giants to a win, 6-5. I think I heard on tv that was the 10th straight elimination game that they won in the playoffs, which seems crazy. Then October 11th happened.
The day started off with Matt Moore pitching for the Giants. He struck out the first 2 batters, walked the 3rd and grounded out the 4th. John Lackey took the mound for the Cubs, and the Giants struck first. After a double from Span, Belt flied out and Span made it to 3rd. A sacrifice fly to right, brought Span in. A strike out ended the inning, but the Giants are now up 0-1. 3 up and 3 down for Moore, followed by 5 up, 3 down for Lackey. The Cubs tied it up in the top of the 3rd, with a home run from Ross, now 1-1.
Fast forward to the bottom of the 4th, with one out we have the bases loaded after singles from Gillaspie and Panik and a walk for Blanco. A single by Moore brought in Gillaspie, and advanced runners. A fielder’s choice to 2nd brought it Panik. A line out by Belt ended the inning, but the Giants did some damage, now 1-3. The Cubs tried to rally back in the top of the 5th, after Baez made it to 3rd on a throwing error. A sacrifice hit by Ross brought Baez in, but that was all they were able to do. Giants up 2-3.
In the bottom of the 5th, Justin Grimm relieved Lackey. He was able to get Posey out, but then followed with a single by Pence and a double by Crawford. Travis Wood then relieved Grimm, and some Giants magic happened. Gillaspie singled, bringing in Pence. A sacrifice hit by Panik brought in Crawford, and the Giants extended their lead, 2-5. Matt Moore will pitch until the top of the 9th, giving up only one more hit, no runs. Edwards relieved Woods, and Rondon relieved Edwards to give up only one 1 and no runs through the bottom of the 8th.
We now move to the top of the 9th, and the Giants appear to go through their entire bullpen. Moore is relieved by Derek Law. Law gives up a hit to Bryant. Lopez relieved Law to walk Rizzo. Romo relieved Lopez to give up a double to Zobrist, which brings Bryant in. What happened next confused me. I think Coghlan was going to pitch hit for Coghlan, but the Giants relieved Romo with Smith, so the Cubs had Contreras pitch hit for Coghlan? What ever happened, Smith came in and gave up a hit to Contreras, Rizzo and Zobrist scored. A double bunt by Heyward 9because of a throwing error) lead to Strickland relieving Smith. Who gave up a hit to Baez and Heyward scored. A double play later ended the top of the 9th, but the Cubs did a lot of damage. The Giants now trail the Cubs, 6-5. Aroldis Chapman relieved Rondon, and 3 strike out later, the game is over.
The mighty Giants were not able to pull off another even year miracle, but they did make it exciting to the end. Better luck in 2018, Giants fans. And be safe.
Top Dawg™
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