Month: August 2014

The Angels shut out the A’s

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Oaktown boys had another tough night Friday in Anaheim as they lost again to the Los Angeles Angels 4-0. The A’s sent their ace, John Lester, to pitch for them and while he pitched well, it was not enough to right the ship. The Angels had their ace, Jered Weaver, going for them and Weaver went seven innings allowing just three hits and no runs. The A’s now have their work cut out for them as they are now three games back of the Angels and with two games left in this series, the A’s will leave Anaheim 5 games back if they lose the next two, three games back if they split the two games or one game back if they win both. Jeff Samardzija will pitch Saturday against TBA and Scott Kazmir goes on Sunday against Matt Shoemaker.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning. The Angels got two runs in the bottom of the fifth when Erick Aybar led off with a single. The next batter Chris Ianneta, hit a fly ball to deep

left center field. The A’s center Fielder, Coco Crisp, made a valiant effort to make a leaping catch as the ball was going over the fence. Crisp jumped as high as he could and he actually caught the ball in his glove but his momentum carried him full force into the wall causing him to drop to the ground. He was not able to keep the ball in his glove and it fell to the ground for a two run home run. Coco was

visibly shaken up on the play and was in a lot of pain. Bob Melvin and the team trainer raced out to center field and Coco had to leave the game.

The Angels scored another run in the sixth as the A’s made two errors in the inning and the Halos were able to load the bases with two out. Lester walked Chris Ianneta to force in the run. Lester was done for the night going six innings allowing four hits and three runs one of which was unearned. Evan Scribner came in to pitch the seventh and with two out, future Hall of Fame player, Albert Pujols, blasted his 24th home run of the year to left field. For Pujols, it was his 516th home run of his fantastic career.

Joe Smith pitched the eighth and Huston Street pitched the ninth for the Angels to secure the win.

Final score 4-0 in favor of the Halos.

Notes: Jon Lester took the loss and his record for the year is now 13-9. The Angels’ Jered Weaver picked up the win and is now 15-7 for the season. The A’s will now have their first losing month since May 2012 ending a streak of fourteen consecutive winning months. They are 12-15 for August with two games left to play this month.

After the game, Coco Crisp, when asked about the play that he almost made on the ball that went over the fence, said “ just tried to time it…hit the wall and caught it but didn’t know if I had it until I dropped down.” He also said “ we’re going through a rough stretch right now but we’ve been playing hard.”

A’s manager Bob Melvin echoed that when he said”things aren’t going our way right now.” When asked about Lester’s performance he “ though he did real good.”

The A’s need to get the offense going. Now that Yoenis Cespedes is in Boston, it is imperative to other players to pick up the slack as managers around the league are not going to pitch to Josh Donaldson.

Donaldson has been hot in his last five games going 8 for 16 but Weaver would not give Josh anything to hit in the sixth inning when Donaldson had a man in scoring position. Weaver ended up walking him

to prevent him from doing any damage.

Game three of the four game series will be played Saturday night at 6:05pm

Giants’ Bats Explode in Huge Win Over Milwaukee

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Photo Credit: Mario Jose Sanchez, AP
Photo Credit: Mario Jose Sanchez, AP

By: Joe Lami

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–

Ryan Vogelsong entered Friday night’s contest praying for some run support, as he came into the game with five straight games without it. The Giants sure made up for it with their highest scoring total of the season, as they destroyed the Brewers 13-2 in front of a sold out crowd of 41,348 at AT&T Park.

The scoring started in the first inning, as the Giants put up a three-spot on the Brewers, after Vogelsong shut down the Milwaukee in the first inning. This was a good sign for San Francisco, as they entered the contest with the best record in the NL when scoring first (52-15). The bats got started with a base hit for Joe Panik. This would start a string of four base hits for San Francisco that brought in the three runs. The Giants had a chance to extend the first inning lead, with the bases loaded and only one out for Brandon Crawford after Michael Morse was hit by a pitch and Gregor Blanco drew his first of three walks. Unfortunately, Crawford ended the first with a double play.

Milwaukee bounced right back, getting a run of their own in the second, as Jonathan Lucroy hit a double to start off the inning. He was later knocked in when Lyle Overbay grounded into a fielder’s choice. However, the Giants extended their lead adding two more in the second inning. Posey earned his second of five base hits of the game. As he hit a RBI single to left, bringing in Vogelsong. It was the first time a Giant had a five hit game since Brandon Belt did it last year against the Dodgers on September 13th. Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy added “It was more important to rest than to try and go 6 for 6” as he decided to bring Posey out at the end of the sixth. Pence would bring in the second run of the inning as he was able to beat out a ground ball to the short stop. After two innings, the Giants were well on their way having the 5-2 lead.

The Giants would continue their slaughter, scoring in the first five innings of the game. As they added, one in the third, two more in the fourth before they put up four in the fifth inning making the lead 12-2.

“I think we’re playing a lot more loose, and finally having some fun out there,” commented Blanco, who ended the night 1 for 2, with a home run, three RBI, three walks and a steal.

San Francisco chased Brewers’ starting pitcher in the third inning, after he threw 80 pitches, while giving up six runs on nine hits, while striking out only one. This would cost the Brewers’ dearly, as they were forced to depend on their bullpen to get them through the rest of the game. Marco Estrada entered the game, throwing 74 pitches in only two innings, while giving up seven runs with five of them earned. In total Milwaukee threw 198 pitches on Friday.

Vogelsong turned thing around, after suffering a long drought at home. He earned his first win since May 24 at AT&T Park. His last seven home starts had been tough as he posted an 0-5 record with a 4.15 ERA. It was much different Friday, as Vogelsong finished with 7 innings pitched, while giving up four hits for two runs, while striking out seven, with three of them coming in the 7th inning as he struck out the side. “It was good to have Vogey finally get some run support,” added Bochy. Vogelsong added “It was tough mentally when your team scores a lot of runs, and you’re sitting on the bench for such a long time, but I’ll take it.”

San Francisco with the win now stands a top of the NL Wild Card standings, as they took the lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, who fell to the Chicago Cubs 7-2 by a half game. Tomorrow, the Giants look to continue the explosive offense, as they send Jake Peavy out to faceoff against Mike Fiers.

You can follow Joe Lami on Twitter @joe_lami

A’s and Giants commentary: Brew Crew can give Giants the business this series; A’s need to get some hitting in Angels series

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by Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants have had much success from the last series winning three out of the last four games on this homestand over the Colorado Rockies. The Giants opened up a three game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. The Brewers are in second in the National League Central and likewise the Giants another second place team in the N.L. West behind the league leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Brewers remind me of the 2010 Giants they could have that kind of come back potential and the Brewers have a lot of pitching that nobody seems to believe in and a lot of pitching that nobody thought they had. Commissioner Bud Selig and the Brewers former owner wanted to install a team when he owned the Brewers that gave hope to the fan in Milwaukee in July and August and low and behold the Brewers have a shot at this.

The Brewers have a good of a shot at winning this as anyone, the St.Louis Cardinals who are right behind the Brew Crew and don’t ever count them out they have a potent line up and experience in the post season. The Cardinals have some big boppers starting with Matt Adams hitting .303 leading the club in hitting, Jhonny Peralta leading the Cards with 18 homers and Matt Holliday 68 RBIs.

Giants starter Yusmiero Petit is a phenom he’s 4-3 with an ERA of 3.44, he set the Major League record retiring the first eight batters he faced against the Rockies and extended his streak to 46 consecutive batters an MLB record. I said this week in this space that Petit is a throwing machine with 96 strikeouts he’s walked only 17 batters and he’s on track to taking pitcher Tim Lincecum’s spot in the rotation at the rate he’s going.

Oakland A’s update: The A’s who lost the first game of the four game series in Anaheim 4-3 to the Angels and are two games back but one game does not make a four game series. You can’t put too much stock right now into this race as the A’s seem to be doing more with pitching than they are with hitting. The A’s aren’t manufacturing a lot of runs and the team offensively seemed to hit a funk since the Yoenis Cespedes trade to Boston.

I don’t know what to tell you, you have guys who pitched for the A’s who got sent down to the minor leagues who probably would be number three or number four pitchers in the Angels rotation and the Angels would love to have a pitcher like a Drew Pomeranz who had his emotions get the best of him back in June when he lost a ball game against the Texas Rangers and punched a chair breaking his hand. Pomeranz is a talent the Angels would like to have.

The Angels have had injuries, they have had poor performances and once they get the injury bug like the Angels you feel it up and down the line up. Angels pitcher Garrett Richards just rejoined the team on crutches as he’s out with a season ending knee injury. The loss of Richards has put the hurt on the Angels rotation, the Angels demoted pitcher Wade LaBlanc, he was designated for assignment and replaced with Trevor Cahill.

The Angels Mike Trout is a guy who’s tearing it up and the only way you can pitch a guy like that is you pitch him inside, he’s hitting .291 with 30 homers, and 94 RBIs. There is not much you could do with a guy like Trout because the Angels are going to make you adjust when he’s at the plate. Trout can do it all he’s now got two 30 home run seasons.

Michael Duca does Giants and A’s commentary weekly for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Petit just what the Giants need in third straight win over Colorado

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By Morris Phillips

A month from now when playoff spots are finalized, the Giants will know if the three, gutty wins over Colorado will outweigh the four, consecutive, inexplicable losses to the same, last place bunch.

They will also know if they waited too long to install Yusmeiro Petit into the starting rotation.

On Thursday, the Giants put the final touches on the three wins as Yusmeiro Petit joined the starting rotation with a historic performance and a win in the Giants’ 4-1 victory.  With the win, the Giants moved within a half game of lead wild card St. Louis, and 4 ½ games of the NL West-leading Dodgers who were idle on Thursday.

Petit came in having retired the 38 consecutive batters over five relief appearances and a spot start at Washington.  Not surprisingly, all six Petit appearances prior to Thursday came in a Giants’ loss as the team has struggled, while Petit has elevated his game.  But against the Rockies, the team and pitcher were on the same page as Petit pitched the first six innings, allowing a run on four hits.

But by retiring the first eight batters he faced, Petit established a new major league record by retiring the previous 46 batters he faced in a row.  The 29-year old Venezuelan has fought hard to revive his career with the Giants after his release by Arizona in 2009 and now he has a record—albeit a bit obscure record—to highlight his renaissance.

“This game’s been played a long time and that’s quite a record to be proud of,” manager Bruce Bochy said.  “It’s amazing to me.”

Mark Buerhle previously held the record for consecutive batters retired at 45.  He set that mark in 2009, breaking Bobby Jenks streak of 41 batters.  Prior to that, the record set by Jim Barr of the Giants in 1972—also with 41 batters—remained unmatched for an incredible 35 years.

While Petit was on the mound, the Giants backed him with Gregor Blanco’s two-run homer in the first inning and Hunter Pence’s sacrifice fly in the sixth that gave the team a 3-1 lead.  A trio of relievers backed Petit as well, handcuffing the Rockies in the final three frames with Santiago Casilla picking up the save.

Petit was elevated into the starting rotation after Tim Lincecum registered a month of poor starts that forced Bochy to demote the two-time Cy Young Award winner.  Now, Bochy will have to decide if the Giants will continue to turn to Petit as their much-needed hot arm in the rotation.  Based on his comments afterwards, Bochy hopes Petit’s effort inspires both pitchers.

“These are things we’ll talk about, but it’s hard to change with the job he did today,” Bochy replied when asked if Petit had earned a spot in the rotation.  “Of, course, Timmy—this will allow him to work on some things.”

The Giants captured the final three games of the four-game set ahead of the NL Central-leading Brewers making their only appearance at AT&T Park over the weekend.  While the wins put the Giants at big advantage over the rest of the wild-card hopefuls, the four losses to Colorado that preceded the wins may have cost them a shot at the NL West title. 

The Rockies have won just 19 road games all season, but five of those have come in San Francisco.

The Giants don’t get much of a break Friday as they attempt to establish a rare run of good play at home.  Ryan Vogelsong will face 15-game winner Wily Peralta of Milwaukee at 7:15pm.

Halos edge A’s in 10, lead AL West by one game

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By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, August 28, 2014

A sacrifice fly by Howie Kendrick snapped a tie in the bottom of the 10th inning Thursday, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 4-3 win over the Oakland Athletics in the first game of a key weekend series at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

With the win, the Angels moved back into first place in the American League West by one game over Oakland.

Kendrick’s sac fly to right field drove in Albert Pujols, who led off the Angels 10th with a walk. Pujols advanced to third on Josh Hamilton’s single to right.

A’s reliever Ryan Cook (1-2) surrendered the game-winning run without retiring a batter. Fernando Salas (5-0) pitched a scoreless 10th to earn the win.

Los Angeles took a 3-0 lead in the first inning against A’s starter Sonny Gray, but the Athletics fought back with a pair of runs in the fifth. Brandon Moss scored on an error, and Coco Crisp drove in Geovany Soto with a base hit.

In the top of the sixth, Josh Donaldson homered to left, tying the game at 3-3.

In Friday night’s game, Jon Lester (13-8) is on the mound for Oakland, facing Jered Weaver (14-7) for the Angels. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

A’s ACORNS: Prior to the game, the Athletics recalled RHP Evan Scribner from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned LHP Drew Pomeranz to Single-A Beloit. As the River Cats’ closer, Scribner was 4-1 with a 3.06 ERA and 16 saves. The Pomeranz demotion is more of a paperwork move that would allow him to return to the A’s when the rosters expand on Sept. 1. Pomeranz is between starts.

Niners Finish Preseason Strong

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By: Phillip Torres

HOUSTON-The San Francisco 49ers finished off their preseason schedule strong with a 40-13 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday night. The 49ers won the game with ease with great contribution from all the back ups.

Only three starters started on both sides of the ball for San Francisco. They game was played by the second and third stringers and the rookies that were looking to prove that they belong in the NFL.

Quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Josh Johnson both contributed with touchdown passes on the night.

Rookie linebacker Chris Borland and free agent aquisition Chris Cook both recorded interceptions.

The great performance by all of the reserves makes the roster decisions for Harbaugh and the management harder as they will need to trim the roater to a 53-man roster by weekends end.

The 49ers will open up their season in Dallas against the Cowboys next Sunday and 1:05 pm.

High scoring affair ends the preseason

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By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND-It maybe just preseason, but the Oakland Raiders ended it on a high note against the Seattle Seahawks.

Derek Carr threw three touchdowns on three of the Raiders first four possessions, while second-year player Latavius Murray added a five-yard touchdown and the Raiders defeated the Seahawks 41-31 at the Coliseum.

Carr went 11-for-13 for 143 yards and those three touchdowns before being replaced by Matt McGloin in the second quarter.

On the other side of the ball, the Raiders played good, after allowing a Seahawks touchdown on the opening drive of the game.

Russell Wilson drove the Seahawks down the field, and it culminated with a touchdown pass to Luke Wilson from 25 yards out just one minute 44 seconds into the game.

The Raiders defense continue to show progress, as they played mostly second stringers against the Seahawks first team offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders scratched Taiwan Jones, Tarell Brown, Chimdi Chekwa, Nick Roach, Sio Moore, Justin Tuck, Antonio Smith and Kaelin Burnett.

Both Charles Woodson and Carlos Rogers were part of the scratches; however both were announced as starters.

Matt McGloin threw an interception in the second quarter that DeShawn Shead returned 54 yards for a touchdown to narrow the Raiders down to 28-14 half way thru the second quarter.

On the offensive side of the ball, Matt Schaub, Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew, Marcel Reese, Rod Streater, David Ausberry and James Jones were scratched.

McGloin found Brice Butler wide open in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown pass with just two minutes remaining in the first half.

Denarius Moore caught two of Carr’s touchdown passes in the first quarter, as the Raiders jumped out to a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Former CAL Bear Giorgio Tavecchio kicked a 47-yard field goal in the third quarter to put the Raiders up by 17.

Steven Hauschka kicked a 27-yard field goal on the drive following the Tavecchio field goal.

After a Marquette King punt, B.J. Daniels drove the Seahawks down the field and culminated with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Bryan Walters.

Tavecchio closed out the scoring, as he hit his second 47-yard field goal of the game with just under two minutes remaining in the game.

In his return to the Coliseum, former Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor went 11-for-17 for 134 yards and a touchdown.

A’s and Giants commentary: Giants Fans anticipating Mad Bum’s next outing; A’s counting on O’Flaherty out of the pen

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by Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–Giants starter Madison Baumgarner who nearly tossed himself a perfect game on Tuesday night had all his stuff working for him and if you look at the first inning of that game you would never in a million years have predicted that he was going to be working on a no hitter in the seventh or eighth innings. They teed off on him in the first inning Gregor Blanco had to pull a ball back in that was going to go over the fence and there was another ball that was absolutely scalded in that inning.

That first inning the Colorado Rockies were roping the ball and it didn’t even look like he was going to last three innings then all of a sudden the Rockies remembered who they were and Baumgarner remembered who he was and he 15 0-2 counts and three three ball counts. Everybody says the best pitch in baseball is strike one but I beg to differ with them I say it’s strike two.

Strike two always makes the hitter defensive and he had them in a defensive posture most of the night. That’s not a comfortable way to hit against a guy who drops down, who comes side arm, who hides the ball well, doesn’t show you his release point, those were rough at bats. Baumgarner’s performance was not too surprising for example my son who is a full grown adult and a Seattle Mariners fan texted me after Tim Lincecum’s last no hitter and he said “Mad Bum’s turn next” he was almost pretty passioned there.

For manager Bruce Bochy and thoughts of getting in a good position in the National League West things are different now than a few years ago but my recollection is right, about this point in August of 2010 the Giants were five games back of the San Diego Padres and then there was the miracle comeback when the team put together a over ten game win streak to catch the Padres in September. Not by way of predicting that’s going to happen again there’s still a lot of baseball left ask the 2010 Red Sox or the 2010 Braves how rapidly you can collapse in the month of September.

Giant starter Yumeiro Petit: He’s a strike thrower that’s what I like about his game as a pitcher he’ll go out and challenge guys in a strike zone he’ll say “here it comes hit it” it’s tough to have a better performance than he did for the resmumption for the suspended game in Chicago. Petit struck out six batters, he struck out the first five and another ball was hit right back to him. Someone said it was like watching Eddie Feigner in his King and the Court days.

Oakland A’s update: The race in the American Leauge West is turning into a war of attrition, don’t discount the Seattle Mariners because they are playing the best baseball in the American Leauge right now along with the Kansas City Royals and the M’s are not that much further out right now than the Giants so to consider the Giants to be in the race you have to consider the Mariners to reach for the division title.

On the other hand the A’s have suffered some injuries that have given them some grief and the Angels have lost Garrett Richards who’s their best pitcher. The first guy the Angels brought up to fill that spot was Wade LaBlance but that assignment didn’t work out too well. That puts a real hitch in your giddy up when you lose your lead horse.

The four games with the Angels in Anaheim which started on Thursday night are most likely going to be split. A’s manager Bob Melvin is going to rely on one of his pitchers for the missing Sean Doolittle out with an injury for the next two weeks and that’s Eric O’Flaherty. O’Flaherty is probably going to get the bulk if not all the save opportunities.

O’Flaherty regularly throws 96-97 MPH and is just one of those kind of insurance policies of the future that General Manager Billy Beane likes to go out and purchase. He picked up O’Flaherty and signed him to a contract when he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and got him at a bargain rate because he was going to be able to play at half a season.

Michael Duca does A’s and Giants commentary each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Fuld’s Go-Ahead Homer Lifts A’s in the Ninth

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By Matthew Harrington

Once again the Oakland Athletics kept pace with the American League West Leaders, the Los Angeles Angels, coming from behind Wednesday night to top the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The A’s clung to a one-game divisional deficit and notched their league-leading 12th win when trailing after seven innings.

The A’s rallied from down 3-2 in the ninth inning, scoring three runs off Astros closer Chad Qualls to make Dan Otero (8-1, 2.21 ERA) the winning pitcher. Eric Sogard tied the game on a run-scoring single before Sam Fuld ripped a two-run home run to break a 3-3 tie and provide the A’s (78-54) their game-winning hit. 

In his return to the major league roster, Drew Pomeranz pitched adequately for Oakland. The lefty allowed one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings on three hits. He struck out seven Astros but departed with the no decision after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento for first basemen Nate Freiman earlier in the afternoon. Freiman was sent to Class A Beloit to stay close to the parent club as he waits out the handful of days until his expected return to the major league roster when rosters expand September 1st.

Houston starter Brad Peacock matched Pomeranz, throwing 5 1/3 innings of one-man baseball with six punchouts but neither starter factored into the final decision. Chad Qualls (1-4, 3.55) was hitched with the loss and blown save after surrendering the run-scoring hits to Sogard and Fuld in the ninth. Interim A’s closer Eric O’Flaherty picked up his first save since taking the mantle for an injured Sean Doolittle. The lefty allowed a solo shot to Chris Carter in his inning of work but finished up the ninth inning to seal the game up 5-4.

The A’s scored first on a Jonny Gomes sacrifice fly, but Houston (56-78) leveled the advantages after Jose Altace scored on a wild pitch in the home half of the inning. Coco Crisp hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to put Oakland on top 2-1 but the Astros scored twice in the bottom of the seventh on Robbie Grossman and Altuve RBI singles off Fernando Abad and Otero respectively.

With the win Wednesday ,  the A’s enter a pivotal four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels one game behind their Southern California foes. Sonny Gray takes the ball Thursday night at Angel Stadium looking to down C. J. Wilson and the Halos for the AL West lead.

Buster keeps rolling, so do Giants

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By Jeremy Harness

SAN FRANCISCO – Monday night saw Buster Posey ejected after an egregious strikeout call, which set off all kinds of bad vibes from the Giants, particularly manager Bruce Bochy, following a loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Fast forward two days, and rather than sulking about it, he has let his bat do the talking in a huge way. After slugging a pair of home runs to spark Tuesday night’s win, Posey sent the sellout crowd at AT&T Park home happy again with a walk-off two-run homer that just made it over the left-field wall to give the Giants a dramatic 4-2 win over the Rockies Wednesday night.

Before that, however, closer Santiago Casilla made things quite interesting after inheriting a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning. Starter Tim Hudson fired eight solid innings at the Rockies and was in great shape to go the distance after throwing only 87 pitches, but Casilla rendered all of that meaningless.

He hit Drew Stubbs with the first pitch he threw and then gave up a double to Justin Morneau that scored Stubbs and tie the game at 2-2, which compelled Sergio Romo to get up to the bullpen and start warming up. He intentionally walked Corey Dickerson with one out, but quickly got himself out of the inning by getting Michael McHenry to ground into an inning-ending double play to set the stage for Posey’s heroics.

Hudson (10-9) was forced to endure a tough no-decision after surrendering only one run – a solo home run to Dickerson in the fifth inning – on four hits, walking only one and striking out eight.

“He was locked in tonight,” Bochy said of Hudson, who lowered his ERA to 2.90. “He’s a pleasure to manage.”

The Dodgers also won Wednesday night, but the Giants did get one form of a one-up on their eternal rivals. Their win gave manager Bruce Bochy his 1,600th-career managerial victory, passing up longtime Dodgers skipper Tommy Lasorda for sole possession of 19th place all-time.

“I’m very fortunate,” Bochy said. “I’m lucky to be doing what I’m doing. Sure, it goes on your record, (but) it’s all about the support that I’ve had over the years. I appreciate being able to do what I love to do for this long.”

After having a pair of opportunities go by the wayside early on, the Giants finally hit paydirt in the fourth inning. After they were able to put runners on first and third with one out, Gregor Blanco laid down a perfect bunt down the first-base line, which Morneau could not handle at first base and allowed Matt Duffy to score and give the Giants a 1-0 lead.

The Rockies, however, took advantage of a rare mistake by Hudson to tie the game in the top of the fifth. He left a fastball up in the zone, and Dickerson made him pay for it by sending it directly into McCovey Cove.

In the process, Dickerson became the only player in Rockies history not named Carlos Gonzalez to hit a ball into McCovey Cove on the fly for a home run, otherwise known as a “splash hit.”

The Giants broke through again in the seventh, after Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence each coaxed walks out of reliever Brooks Brown to lead off the inning. With one out, Posey ripped a single into left field to bring in Pagan.

Posey didn’t do all of his damage at the plate, however. In the top of the eighth, he followed up his go-ahead single by cutting down D.J LeMahieu, who had singled and was attempting to steal second with one out, with an outstanding throw that he placed right on the bag.