The San Francisco Giants are battling to stay the course towards another championship. The injury bug has continued from last season, biting key players the likes of closer Brian Wilson and third baseman Pablo 'Panda" Sandoval. But manager Bruce Bochy has made some gambles that are paying off, none more than #13 short stop Joaquin Arias.
Arias, plugged in at third tonight, had two big-league throws across the diamond to get the hitter out at first today. The first was a bare hander that was incredible and the second was a backhand snag, turn and throw that was "Spectacular."
The 27 year old Dominican is doing a great fill-in job on defense and if he could be just a bit more ......clutch swinging the bat (255 avg.) you might start hearing more about him. His clubhouse nickname: "Inspector Gadget."
It's been an up and down season so far for the team. Injuries and the Aubrey Huff anxiety fiasco slowed the early season hitting barrage, while the the pitchers have looked more vulnerable and inconsistent than we've seen in years. We won't even discuss the league leading (35) errors. But the good news is players are stepping up when they have to and finding ways to bounce back and win games after disappointing losses.
The workhorse, pitcher Matt Cain, had two hits with two runners batted in tonight. Pagan, Cabrera, Crawford, Belt, Burriss, Blanco and Posey are all doing the things that good teammates do; picking up one anther and being "the man" when some of the boys are struggling.
I honestly can't say where the Giants will find themselves come October, but they've definitely built a ball club that's made for enduring the rigors of a 162 game season. And with Joaquin Arias playing like a golden glover, don't expect to hear the fat lady singing any time soon.
Giants 5
D'Backs 2
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