What a difference a day makes. Coming off an extra innings game which saw their downstate rivals score seven runs in the 11th, the San Francisco Giants rebounded today behind pitcher Spencer Bivens and a hot hitting lineup.
Making his first major league start, Bivens went five strong innings for the Giants, giving up one run while striking out three batters. The big strikeout came against the big bat of Shohei Ohtani. With a man on and two outs, Ohtani whiffed on three unhittable Bivens pitches to end the 5th inning. A "Fired Up Bivens" walked off the mound with the Giants leading the high-priced, high-powered Dodgers 9-1.
Talk about a day of redemption. Every batter in the Giants lineup had a hit. Seven batters had doubles with three of them doing it twice for a total of 10 doubles on the day. 16 Hits, 10 RBI, 8-19 RISP*.
* hits with runners in scoring position, HUGE!
The Giants are getting the most out of players like Spencer Bivens, Luis Matos, David Villar, and Tyler Fitzgerald. Ramos (3 hits, 1 rbi) is playing like an all-star veteran, so there's no need to include him here. All, on this bright and beautiful Sunday baseball afternoon, stepped in and stepped up their games to keep the boat afloat during an injury plagued season.
As a footnote, many MLB teams are struggling with injuries to key players this season. The Dodgers have Mookie Betts out indefinitely with a hand fracture, and Max Muncy about to return after being out well over a month with a strained oblique. Maybe some injury blame falls on the new pitch clock speeding up the game. Injuries are one part of the game the Giants and Dodgers share concern for after being struck repeatedly by the injury bug this season.
Giants Patrick Bailey and Matt Chapman both had three RBI on the day, with Chapman getting two of his on the only Giants homerun. Today's leadoff hitter Jorge Soler, with 2 rbi, has become more consistent in doing what the Giants brought him in to do, get the big hit.
Who would've thought after the Dodgers barrage of hits and runs to end yesterday's game, the Giants would come in today and return the favor. What a way for the Giants to take the rubber match and win the series. As manager Bob Melvin put it during his postgame interview, the teams' "Resilience" is what continues to impress him throughout this up and down season. I agree with that Bob. Totally!!!
"Get'em on, Get'em over, Get'em in!"
SF Giants capture first series win vs. Dodgers since 2022 (mercurynews.com)
Giants pound Dodgers as Spencer Bevins surprises with 5 strong innings (sfchronicle.com)
Bivens not focused on another Giants start after he deals vs. Dodgers - Yahoo Sports
San Francisco Giants Pitcher Offers Huge Take After Debut (si.com)
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