After losing the series two games to one in each of their last few three-game sets, the San Francisco Giants have managed to beat the Colorado Rockies. It will still take some work to undo the damage that’s been done to the Giants NL West position. As things currently stand, they are 2.5 games behind first place. Now, they must use the All-Star break to get rested and back in shape.
Giants Rally Late to Win Series
The Overall Importance of the Giants vs. Rockies Series
The past couple of weeks have not yielded the results that Giants fans expected. Their respective losses to the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners were particularly devastating. One would think that playing teams with losing records would be the ultimate opportunity for the Giants, who had just come off a hot streak.
This series against Colorado was a must-win, period. The Rockies came into it with a 33-55 record. Everybody knows they’re hopelessly out of contention. The Giants could not afford to lose to this struggling team.
The Bullpen Failure of Game 1
Ross Stripling started on Friday and allowed a two-run shot to Ryan McMahon. In the bottom of the sixth, Brandon Crawford tied the game with a two-run homer of his own.
The late-inning relief corps had been transformed from a weakness into a strength, but they couldn’t do the job in this game. Gabe Kapler brought in Taylor Rogers to start the seventh. After he walked two, his twin brother Tyler Rogers replaced him on the mound. But it didn’t work. Tyler Rogers allowed a three-run homer to Ezequiel Tovar, and the Giants lost the game.
The Game 2 Win: A Strong Performance From Alex Wood
Alex Wood hasn’t been a consistent starter for the Giants this year, but he was effective on Saturday. Recently, the Giants have used him as a bulk-innings pitcher behind an opener. Ryan Walker has become their primary opener, and he pitched the first two innings of Saturday’s game.
Michael Conforto homered to put the Giants up 2-1 in the bottom of the first, but former Giant Austin Wynns hit a shot of his own to tie the game in the second. The Giants took the lead again on an RBI single from Blake Sabol in the fourth, and Austin Slater followed it up with a two-run shot an inning later. The game ended in a 5-3 win.
Wood carried the Giants for five scoreless innings through the contest. It was a significant rebound from his previous outing, and put the Giants in position to take the series.
Game 3: Logan Webb’s Shutout
With the series up for grabs in the final game, Logan Webb started for the Giants. He pitched a complete game shutout to win the game 1-0; the Giants only run coming on a J.D. Davis homer in the fourth. It must be pointed out how well things have lined up for the Giants. Had Webb not been on the mound, they might not have been able to win by scoring only one run. But Webb was there when the Giants needed him. Not only that, but he will almost certainly start Friday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, since he will have had four rest days by that time.
Logan Webb lowers his ERA to 3.14 in a dominant outing against the Rockies
9 IP
0 ER
7 H
0 BB
10 SO
10 GO— Jeff Young (@BaseballJeff1) July 9, 2023
Where Things Stand
So in the whole scheme of things, the Giants lost NL West ground isn’t irreparable. As mentioned previously, they are 2.5 games behind first place. While we were legitimately hoping for better by now, we can be thankful that the situation is not worse than it is. Ideally, they will return from the All-Star break at their full intensity level. And they need to press forward and win series after series.
Photo Credit- Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned- Ross Stripling, Ryan McMahon, Brandon Crawford, Taylor Rogers, Tyler Rogers, Ezequiel Tovar, Alex Wood, Ryan Walker, Michael Conforto, Austin Wynns, Blake Sabol, Austin Slater, Logan Webb, J.D. Davis
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