Glove Not So Golden Anymore Scotty? Giants Win 2-1 In Extra Innings To Get First ALDS Win.
With the Cincinnati winning both games at San Francisco to take a commanding 2-0 series lead, the Reds were at home looking to close the series last night with a clean sweep and first post-season series victory in over 17 years; but the Giants didn’t feel discouraged losing both at home as they were seeking their first victory of the post season. Reds pitcher Homer Bailey would have an impressive outing but his run support ultimately would be the downfall of their loss tonight.
Starting things off in the first inning after a quick 1-2-3 inning from Bailey, the Reds would get their first score of the game as Jay Bruce would single to right driving in Zack Cozart (walked) to give the team a 1-0 lead. With another 1-2-3 inning for Bailey, Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong would answer back with one of his own before the third inning.
By the top of the third, the Giants would embark on their first scoring inning of the game as Gregor Blanco was hit with Brandon Crawford putting Bailey in a tough spot to escape the inning without giving up any runs. After a sac-fly from Ryan Vogelsong to advance the baserunners, Angel Pagan would sac-fly one of his own to center brining in Blanco to even the series.
Homer Bailey would virtually take over the game after the third inning until the 8th in which he would throw 10 strikeouts and give up no hits with a 1.29 ERA to finish the game. The Giants bullpen with Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo would save the day not allowing any runs either giving the Giants batters’ confidence to win the game.
The pitching was so great that we would go to extra innings where in the top of the 10th, Buster Posey and Hunter Pence would both hit singles to get in scoring position. Eight-time Gold Glove winner Scott Rolen would have one of the worst errors of his career as he would botch a routine chopper to third from PH Joaquin Arias as Buster Posey would score to give the Giants a 2-1 lead and the victory.
Reds ace, Mat Latos hasn’t been penciled in to play game 4 as Dusty Baker could potentially take a gamble with Mike Leake and rely on run support. Baker’s game strategy is only valid since the Reds still play both games 4 and 5 at home under the new postseason format. Barry Zito has been tapped for starting pitching duties for game 4; while if there’s a game 5, the Giants will rely on Ace Matt Cain to finish them. This should be an extremely exciting game 4 as I’ll be watching tomorrow at 4:07pm ET on MLB Network.