That’s different: Eighth-inning rally gets Giants a rare, series win over the Indians

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San Francisco Giants’ Conor Gillaspie, right, is congratulated by Gorkys Hernandez after scoring against the Cleveland Indians during the eighth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Tuesday night, the Giants walked off with a win, and walked into a hearty celebration. Wednesday afternoon, the Giants engineered a successful, late inning comeback, and resigned the Panda.

That’s changing the narrative.

In a season so disappointing any true momentum shift would likely involve Mays, McCovey and both Bonds in a Field of Dreams: SF television pilot scenario, the sad-sack Giants will likely have to do with far less.

They appeared to get that in their last two wins over the AL Central-leading Indians. Buster Posey’s two-run, pinch-hit double in the eight inning propelled the Giants to a 5-4 win and a rare, series victory.

“It’s big,” Brandon Crawford said. “We obviously want to have a good, second half. The first half didn’t go the way we wanted, obviously. It’d be nice to turn that around and winning two, close games where we had to come from behind against a good team that’s a good start, definitely.”

The trends the Giants bucked in winning Wednesday were numerous, enough to prompt most to drive to Vegas in a triple-digit heat looking to cash in on all the abnormalities. The Giants had been a major league worst in day games (11-24), a bust when trailing late (6-51 when trailing after seven innings), and a zero when Matt Cain starts (seven, consecutive losses).

Posey hadn’t been productive in his infrequent turns as a pinch-hit either, but that didn’t keep the All-Star catcher from sending reliever Bryan Shaw’s 3-2 offering off the left field wall scoring Conor Gillaspie and Crawford with the deciding runs. Shaw had to live with getting beat on a slider, something other than his best pitch, and Posey got to exault in helping the club on his scheduled day of rest.

“My pinch-hitting numbers are not very good, but it’s nice to come through,” Posey said.

The Giants won a series against an American League opponent for the first time in more than a year. Cain did his part by pitching six innings, allowing three runs. Denard Span contributed a homer and a double, and Crawford had two hits and a run scored while hitting cleanup.

The Indians post-All Star break week in the Bay Area ended poorly as the team won once in six tries and escaped with their division lead almost all but wiped out. The reoccurring theme of bullpen games, and narrow losses wasn’t lost on manager Terry Francona.

“When you’re playing games like this where every run is so magnified, we have to play clean baseball. I don’t think our bullpen can’t handle it. I just think we have to play the game in all areas,” Francona said.

In a surprise announcement, the Giants confirmed the signing of Pablo Sandoval to a minor league contract, giving the Panda an opportunity to resurrect his career starting at Triple-A Sacramento after he was let go by the Red Sox despite the $49.5 million left on his contract.

On Thursday, the Giants open a four-game set against the Padres with Madison Bumgarner facing San Diego’s Jhoulys Chacin.

 

The A’s beat the Rays behind a solid effort by Sonny Gray 7-2

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray works against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND– The A’s, behind the pitching of Sonny Gray, won the finale of the three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 7-2. Gray went six and 1/3rd innings and allowed seven hits and two runs. He walked two and stuck out six as he earned his sixth victory of the 2017 campaign. Gray won his third straight start and fourth in his last five. The A’s bullpen of Daniel Coulombe, Liam Hendriks, and Santiago Casilla shut down the Rays the rest of the way. The Rays rookie sensation Jake Faria, who started his big league career with seven straight quality starts, absorbed his first setback as a member of the Rays. His record is now 4-1.

The Tampa Bay Rays scored the first two runs of the game in the fourth inning.  Third baseman Evan Longoria led off the frame with a single. Logan Morrison followed with a single to put men on at first and third with no out. Rays’ catcher Willson Ramos hit one of the longest singles on record when he rifled a shot into the gap in right-center-field to drive in Longoria with the Rays’ first run. Morrison was held at third on the play. Morrison scored when Brad Miller hit into a fielder’s choice. Gray got out of the inning when he got Tim Beckham to hit into a 5-4-3 double play. The Rays lead 2-0

The A’s put a crooked number in the bottom of the fifth as they scored four times. The Rays’ starter Jake Faria gave up three walks, two wild pitches, and three hits as the A’s gave Sonny Gray a two-run lead after five complete. Faria walked Bruce Maxwell to start the inning. He struck out Matt Chapman but walked Jaycob Brugman to put men on at first and second with just one out. Rajai Davis hit a fly ball down the right field line that was just fair and bounced into the stands for a ground rule double. Maxwell scored on the play. Matt Joyce drove in Brugman with a sacrifice fly to center. The A’s scored the third run of the inning when Faria uncorked a wild pitch. It was the third game in a row that the A’s have scored a run on a wild pitch. Marcus Semien then singled, and he advanced to second on Faria second wild pitch of the inning. Yonder Alonso singled to drive in Semien with the A’ fourth run of the game. The A’s sent eight men to the plate thanks to Faria’s wildness.

The A’s plated another run in the bottom of the sixth. Andrew Kittredge was now on the mound for the Rays. Jed Lowrie greeted him with a solid double to right field. With one out, Matt Chapman singled sharply to center field. Lowrie had to hold up in case the ball was caught and he was not able to score. A’s manager Bob Melvin decided it was time to play small ball and he had Jaycob Brugman execute a suicide squeeze bunt. Lowrie scored, and Chapman advanced to third. There was no more scoring in the inning, and the A’s now own a 5-2 lead heading into the seventh inning.

The A’s dodged a bullet in the top of the seventh. Former A’s third baseman, Trevor Plouffe, reached on Marcus Semien’s second fielding error of the game. Gray struck out Shane Peterson for the first out. Gray’s pitch count reached 104, and Bob Melvin brought in lefty Daniel Coulombe to pitch. Corey Dickerson singled to put men on at first and second, but Coulombe was able to get the ever-dangerous Evan Longoria to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. The A’s put another run on the board in the seventh inning.Marcus Semien walked leading off. He went to second when Yonder Alonso was hit by a pitch. Jed Lowrie singled to load the bases. Semien scored on a Bruce Maxwell ground out. The A’s lead by four 6-2 after seven complete.

Matt Joyce hit a solo home run with two out in the eighth to give the A’s the lead 7-2. For Joyce, it was his 12th dinger of the season, and he hit it about 12 rows deep into the BBQ terrace in right field. The A’s brought in Santiago Casilla to close out the game, and he retired the side to end the game.

Game Notes- With the win, the A’s improved to 4-2 on the homestand. The A’s are off on Thursday to the Big Apple to play the New York Mets for three games over the weekend. Paul Blackburn, Sean Manaea, and Daniel Gossett will pitch for the A’s, and the Mets will counter with Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler, and Rafael Montero.

The Rays Steven Souza, Jr suffered a right hip strain when he attempted to steal second in the first inning.

The A’s committed two errors on Wednesday and now have 82 for the year. They have allowed 55 unearned runs which are the most in the Majors. Opponents have stolen 77 bases on the A’s and that, too, leads the Majors. They also have the third fewest outfield assists in the American League.

The A’s are now 43-52 for the year and the Rays fall to 51-45. They trail the Red Sox by two in the AL East but the deficit could be three if the Red Sox beat the Blue Jays later in the day.

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Duca and Jerry Feitelberg: Nunez being showcased won’t be moved from third base

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San Francisco Giants’ Eduardo Nunez, right, celebrates with teammates after singling to score Kelby Tomlinson (37) for the winning run during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 18, 2017. The Giants won 2-1 in ten innings. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

On the Giants podcast with Miguel and Jerry:

1 San Francisco Giants third baseman Eduardo Nunez got the gamer for San Francisco on Tuesday night for a 2-1 win over Cleveland in the tenth inning and is well sought after as the Boston Red Sox was named as one of those teams who interested

2 The win Tuesday helped San Francisco avoid getting into the loss column for the 60th time and the Giants avoided their fourth straight loss

3 Giants pitcher Ty Blach had a great outing against the defending Champs going seven innings, seven hits, and one earned run

4 Manager Bruce Bochy said no to the possibility of switching first baseman Jae Gyun Hwang to third after Hwang’s throwing error on Monday and using Ed Nunez at first base.

5 Matt Cain goes to the mound today against Cleveland he’s struggled in his last few outings and he’s looking to try and get back on the winning track Cain is 3-8

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each Wednesday and Jerry Feitelberg does A’s podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Kings reveal their new Nike uniforms

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Adidas is out … Nike is in as the uniform supplier for the NBA

  • There are no longer traditional home and away uniforms
  • Home teams will decide what uniform they want to wear and the visiting team will then choose a contrasting uniform from their wardrobe to wear
  • The traditional home white uniform is now known as the “Association Edition” while the traditional road uni is now designated as the “Icon Edition”
  • Two more uniform editions per team will be revealed in the fall
  • Eight teams will have a fifth uniform known as a “Classic Edition” that they can wear occasionally (sounds like “throwbacks” to me)

Check out the upper left portion of the uniform opposite the “swoosh” and you will see the Blue Diamond Almond patch. All NBA teams are allowed to have a discreet sponsor logo on their uniforms starting this season. Blue Diamond was one of the first companies to sign up.

  • Each uniform is made of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester
  • Every uniform represents approximately 20 recycled PET (plastic) bottles
  • The new uniforms will wick sweat faster and dry quicker than the current ones

Start saving up your money. It is time to update your NBA wardrobe. Hmm, I’m thinking I would look good in a number 50 “Z-Bo” jersey with the “SAC” logo. (Just a reminder to my family, friends and colleagues, my birthday is next month).

Nunez with his first walk-off of career in SF’s 2-1 win

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July 18, 2017: San Francisco Giants third baseman Eduardo Nunez (10) hit a single to send center fielder Denard Span (2) home to win the game, 2-1 in ten innings, in a MLB baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. Valerie Shoaps/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Runs were at a standstill for both the Cleveland Indians and the San Francisco Giants, but in the end, it was a big hit by Eduardo Nunez that saved the day.

Nunez hit a single off of Cody Allen in the bottom of the 10th inning, propelling the Giants to a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Indians before a crowd of 39,151 at AT&T Park.

Conor Gillaspie, on his 30th birthday doubled down the right field line off of Allen and then Denard Span came up with a huge drag bunt that put runners on the corners. Span then advanced to second on defensive indifference with Nunez at the plate.

Just one pitch after the indifference, Nunez knocked an Allen pitch into right field to score pinch runner Kelby Tomlinson easily from third base and the celebration began for the Giants.

Tomlinson came on to pinch run for Gillaspie after he doubled off of Allen to lead off the inning for the Giants, and spark the eventual game-winning rally.

With the one-run victory, the Giants have played 48 games decided by two runs or fewer, tying the Philadelphia Phillies for the most in the major leagues. The Giants were tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the second-most such games prior to the huge extra inning victory.

This was the first walk-off hit of Nunez’s career, but it almost never happened, as the Giants wasted a huge opportunity in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Brandon Belt, who struck out in his first three at-bats walked against Andrew Miller, then Buster Posey followed up with a walk of his own. After Brandon Crawford flew out to left field for the first out of the inning, Hunter Pence beat out a dribbler up the third base line to load the bases.

Unfortunately for the Giants, they were unable to score, as Allen struck out Joe Panik and then Gorkys Hernandez to fly out to Guyer to strand the bases loaded.

Mike Clevinger pitched a great game for the Indians, as he went six innings, allowing one unearned run on just three hits, while walking two and striking out seven; however, he did not fare in the decision.

Like Clevinger, Ty Blach pitched a great game, as he went seven innings, allowing just one run on seven hits, walking one and striking out there and like Clevinger, he did not fare in the decision.

The Indians broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning, as Brandon Guyer hit his first triple of the season that scored Bradley Zimmer from second base after Clevinger successfully sacrificed the centerfielder up an additional 90 feet after Zimmer led off the frame with a single off of Blach.

Buster Posey got the Giants on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning, as he singled in Eduardo Nunez from second base. Nunez reached to lead off the inning after Guyer was unable to hold to the Nunez fly ball for an error.

NOTES: Matt Cain takes the ball in the series finale for the Giants, while the Indians will send Carlos Carrasco to the mound.

This will be Cain’s first start against the Indians since the 2011 season, and he is 1-1 with a 3.00 earned run average in 12 innings of work in his two career starts.

Carrasco will be facing the Giants for the third time in his career, and his first since April 25, 2014. In his career versus the Giants, Carrasco is 0-2 with a 3.21 earned run average.

Oakland A’s Podcast with Charlie O: A’s to rebuild as Billy brings back veterans and rookies; Gray, Alonso, and Lowrie could be gone by the deadline

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AP File Photo: The Houston Astros Josh Reddick takes a dive back into first base with the New York Yankees first baseman Chris Carter covering during their July 2 at Minute Maid Field in Houston. Carter is rumored to be an interest of the A’s during the trade deadline.

On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

1) Billy Beane just used the “R-word” to talk about what is happening with the A’s right now. Why is the moneyball man suddenly talking about REBUILDING after avoiding the concept for almost 20 years?

2) The A’s beat the Indians in dramatic fashion on Saturday night and we when woke up on Sunday morning we found out Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson were on their way to Washington. Were you surprised by this move and talk to us about who Oakland received in the trade?

3) There has been so much focus on Sonny Gray – is still going away and if yes, where?

4) What about the All-star Yonder Alonso – is still a goner as well?

5) Who else could be leaving Oakland soon?

6) They have been rumors that Chris Carter – who was released by the Yankees could be wearing green and gold soon – why?

7) What’s coming up for the A’s

Charlie O does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsraadioservice.com

Tampa Bay Rays snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as they rally with two out in the ninth to win 4-3

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Tampa Bay Rays’ Shane Peterson watches his RBI single off Oakland Athletics’ Santiago Casilla during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 18, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND– The Tampa Bay Rays, currently in second place in the AL East, pulled out a win as they rallied to score two runs in the top of the ninth to beat the A’s 4-3. The A’s starter, Chris Smith, pitched well enough to win. He went seven innings and allowed 2 runs, one of which was unearned, on just three hits. Smith was trying to win his first game in the Majors since June 24th, 2008 when he was a member of the Boston Red Sox. Blake Treinen retired the Rays in order in the eighth. Santiago Casilla retired the first two Rays’ hitters in the ninth but could not record the final out. Not only did Casilla blow the save, but he also had to absorb the loss.  The game summary follows below.

It was the Rajai and Khris Davis show in the bottom of the first inning. Rajai led off the inning with a single. Rays’ starter Blake Snell struck out the next two hitters, but Rajai stole second when Marcus Semien went down swinging, and he swiped third when Ryon Healy was at bat. Khris Davis made Rajai’s efforts all for naught as he blasted his 27th round tripper of the year to deep left center field to give the A’s an early 2-0. Snell, however, did strike out the side.

The Rays scored an unearned run in the top of the second inning. A’s starter Chris Smith walked Logan Morrison to start the frame. Morrison advanced to third when Matt Chapman misplayed Willson Ramos’ rocket shot for an error. Morrison was able to go from first to third on the play. Brad Miller hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Morrison with the Rays first run of the game.

The Rays tied the game in the third when Steven Souza, Jr. hit a line shot into the seats in left field for his 20th of the year. It was the second night in a row that Souza led off an inning with a solo homer to left.

The A’s regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Snell walked Khris Davis and Jed Lowrie to put men on at first and second with no out. Matt Chapman hit a fly ball to deep center field that allowed Davis to tag up and motor to third. For the second night in a row, the A’s scored a run on a wild pitch. Snell’s pitch got by Willson Ramos and Davis made it home safely. The A’s now lead 3-2 after four innings of play.

The Rays rallied, with two out, to score two runs on the strength of a single, walk, and two more singles off Santiago Casilla. Casilla recorded another blown save and is line to take the loss. Rays Alex Colome retired the A’s in the bottom half of the inning to record his 28th save of the season. The Rays win 4-3.

Game Notes-  The A’s are now 42-52 for the year while the Rays improve to 51-44 and are just a game and a half behind the Boston Red Sox at the moment. Rays manager Kevin Cash was ejected in the fifth inning as he objected to home plate umpire Bill Welke’s third strike call on Steven Souza. It was Cash’s third ejection of the year and seventh of his career.

The A’s play the Rays again on Wednesday at 12:35 pm. Sonny Gray will pitch for Oakland and Jake Faria will go for Tampa Bay.

Time of game was two hours and fifty minutes and 15,231 fans saw the Rays rally to defeat the A’s.

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Trout and Harper highlight series for Halos-Nats; OJ most likely to get out jail pass; plus more headlines

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FILE – In this May 14, 2013 pool file photo, O.J. Simpson sits during a break on the second day of an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas. Simpson, the former football star, TV pitchman and now Nevada prison inmate, will have a lot going for him when he appears before state parole board members Thursday, July 20, 2017 seeking his release after more than eight years for an ill-fated bid to retrieve sports memorabilia. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool, File)

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast:

1 Mike Trout of the LA Angels and Bryce Harper of the Washington Nats match up in this series in Anaheim starting tonight. Tickets reportedly moving briskly for the series as the Nats take a five game win streak into the series

2 Former San Francisco 49ers running back OJ Simpson will be appearing at a parole hearing this coming Thursday to see whether or not a parole board will set him free after spending nine years in a Las Vegas jail for his participation in a hotel burglary in trying to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson says was his property.

3 Oakland A’s executive vice president Billy Beane said that after any A’s team that had successful players it’s difficult to keep those players because often they get offered more salary elsewhere and Oakland has basically been a jump off point or stepping stone for players when another team comes calling

4 Former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kapernick who has not signed on with an NFL club yet may not get the chance soon according to former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Vick said Kaepernick should have his afro cut and get a respectable haircut before the NFL let’s him back. More reliable sources say Kaepernick is being kept out for taking a knee during the national anthem. Kaepernick responded today by saying he would consider getting the haircut.

Amaury has much more on the podcast take a listen below

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week, also he is the Angels Spanish TV voice, the Oakland A’s Spanish radio voice.

 

 

Moore pitches better, but defense lapses, offense rests, sellout streak snapped in loss to the Indians

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Cleveland Indians’ Michael Brantley, right, reaches first base for a single as San Francisco Giants first baseman Jae-Gyun Hwang, left, reaches for the ball in the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, July 17, 2017, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Starting pitching that was good… for awhile, and defense that was absent at two, key junctures had the Giants attempting to squeeze a win through a pinhole, once again, among the slimmest of possibilities to realize on a major league diamond.

How slim?

When the Giants couple mediocre pitching, shoddy defense with three runs scored or less, well, the numbers aren’t kind. With Monday’s 5-3 loss to the AL Central-leading Indians, the Giants fell to 7-44 when they score three runs or less.

Add in the 3-1 lead in the fifth that evaporated, and the sellout streak that was snapped, and one must conclude things aren’t nearly as enchanting at AT&T Park as they have been.

“This season couldn’t have gone worse,” manager Bruce Bochy admitted.  “I don’t think any of us could have seen it unraveling the way it has. It’s been a tough go and the one constant has been the support. We can’t thank (the fans) enough. We appreciate it. We’re disappointed we’re not in a better place for our fans.”

The Giants have dropped four in a row, and 14 of 18 at home. Interleague play hasn’t been kind either; the Giants are 3-8 versus the American League this season.

Did we mention that things could have looked up Monday had not starter Matt Moore inexplicably flipped the baseball over the head of first baseman Jae-Gyun Hwang when gifted the opportunity to record the third out in the fifth?

But Moore did overthrow Hwang, allowing the Indians to get even, 3-3. They would push across the winning run in the sixth, given a big assist by Hwang’s throwing error, then an insurance run in the ninth.

Offensively, the Giants simply didn’t do enough, and very little outside of a successful challenge of an out call at the plate that allowed Joe Panik to score their initial run upon review, and Moore’s RBI single that followed, in the third.

Brandon Crawford would add a ringing, RBI double high off the bricks in right center in the fourth, but the Giant’s final hit would come in the fifth. Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin, with assists from relievers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, would combine to retire the final 13 Giants’ hitters.

The Giants’ power game was again non-existent with team home run leader Brandon Belt out of the lineup with a wrist injury. The Giants have hit an MLB-low 24 home runs at home, and have hit at least one home run in only 48 of their 94 games. The team’s ability to hit for power has been so tepid, one ESPN piece written over the weekend suggested the Giants blow up their entire starting lineup in search of hitters with a power-hitting profile. Given that, rumors of the team’s interest in Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton and his massive, 10-year contract make some sense.

Moore pitched far better than he has in most of his 2017 starts, relying on an effective fastball-changeup combo early in Monday’s game. Despite pitching into the seventh inning, Moore lost for the fifth, consecutive time at home, and the tenth time overall. Once again, Moore’s margin for error was slim, far slimmer than his overwrought toss to first in the fifth.

“I grabbed it and picked it up and threw it underhanded,” Moore said. “As soon as I let it go, I knew it was too high.”

Giant’s CEO Larry Baer personally announced the end of the Giant’s 530-game sellout streak, a foregone conclusion with the team struggling and empty seats popping up throughout the park. Baer said he expects another sellout on Wednesday, a sure sign the park hasn’t lost all of its allure in a season of losing.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t hang in there and keep this thing going,” Bochy said. “The fans, they did their part. This has been tough on them, too.”

 

Giants’ sellout streak ends at 530 games

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By Ben Leonard

SAN FRANCISCO—The stage seemed set for a comeback.

After an abysmal first half, Matt Moore had the benefit of a fresh start imposed by the carefully scripted spectacle in Miami. With a 3-1 lead and two outs in the fifth, it all seemed to be falling into place.

But just as quickly as it had come back, it slipped away. Moore smothered a bullet into the ground, took one casual step towards first, and lobbed the ball into the Indians’ bullpen. Amidst the quiet, a few piercing boos reverberate over the cheer of red-and-blue draped Cleveland fans—but just barely.

And so has gone the Giants season.

Perhaps it marked the ceremonial close of the sellout era—which began when a different but similarly perplexing left-hander, Jonathan Sanchez, made good on his promise to take the Giants back to the postseason in front of thousands of twirling orange rags. Monday was the first time in 530 games that the Giants failed to sell out AT&T Park—the second longest streak in baseball history.

“None of us saw it quite unraveling as much as it has, and it’s been a tough go,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “But the one constant has been our support, and we can’t thank them enough. They certainly did their part….We’re disappoitned we’re not in a better position for our fans because there is not a place in baseball like what we have here. There isn’t—it’s unmatched. Starting from 2010, the sellouts, so we thank them for hanging in there during these tough times.”

After winning three championships since 2010, San Francisco in a position that makes its fans queasy—too talented to rebuild, but not nearly good enough to buy. Sitting 29.5 games back in the NL West, the Giants will now face many tough questions about the direction of the franchise heading into the August 1 trade deadline. Can they afford to wait for Moore to figure it out? Can they continue to win with this core? Or is it time to set sail?

In a season where everything has gone wrong for the Giants, it all seemed to come together Monday—they failed to make throws to first base twice. The Giants will have to think long and hard about whether to exercise Moore’s $9 million club option for next season, but the left-hander certainly made strides in San Francisco’s 5-3 loss.

“He had great command of all his pitches—he was throwing with a lot of confidence out there tonight,” Bochy said. “It’s a shame what happened there 15 feet from first base—he just held on to it too long. But it’s encouraging to see how he threw. He should have fared better.”

Moore was coming off an outing July 7 in which he gave up 12 hits and got just ten outs against Miami, and he certainly rebounded. Moore was charged with just two runs in seven innings, striking out five, lowering his MLB-worst ERA to 5.81.

It clearly has not just been Moore—eveyrthing that could go wrong for the Giants has so far. Madison Bumgarner was lost for months after a dirt bike accident. For much of the season, the offense was on pace for its worst output since 1902.

The fan support has dwindled as the season has drudged on, with orange seeping out and the dull glow of green plastic chairs increasingly shining through.

Now, only time will tell whether they can start a new streak.

Cover Image: July 17, 2017: Umpire Tony Randazzo (11) breaks up a San Francisco meeting on the mound in the sixth inning, during a MLB baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. Valerie Shoaps/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)