San Francisco Giants powered to win behind Posey and Pence Blasts

The San Francisco Giants had a terrible April. May is finally here, and things won’t get a whole lot easier. They open up the month with their second series with the Dodgers of 2017.

The San Francisco Giants offense had struggled heading into tonight’s game. But, Hunter Pence got the party started, and the Giants jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on Clayton Kershaw.

Johnny Cueto didn’t have his best stuff, and the Giants lost their lead as Kershaw hit a two out RBI single to left field in the bottom of the second inning to get the game level at two.

Kershaw, who looked human the last two times the Giants faced him, gave up a home-run to Buster Posey in the following half inning. It was Posey’s first XBH since he got the concussion during the home opener.

Christian Arroyo went 2-3, including an RBI base hit in the fifth inning. That would be it for the Giants’ run scoring in this contest. The Dodgers got a run back in the bottom of the seventh inning. They were threatening for even more, but Johnny Cueto slammed the door shut.

Steven Okert and Derek Law were lights out in the final two innings, and the Giants held on for a 4-3 win over their arch-rivals.

Here are a few things to take-away from tonight’s game:

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• Buster Posey and Hunter Pence will get back to being the power hitters they are. It’s not going to be 35 homer a year power, but the amount of doubles and homers we’ve had from them to start the year hasn’t been good. They know that, we know that. But tonight, they broke out a bit. Hopefully this will turn the tide for them.

• Christian Arroyo is mature beyond his years. I’m sure you knew this already anyway, but it just has to be said. The at-bats he strung together tonight were amazing. The plate discipline, the approach, it’s all stuff we don’t expect to see out of a rookie. Arroyo is a true student of the game, and surely we’ll continue to see the fruits of the time he puts in as his career goes on.
• Steven Okert should’ve never been in Sacramento to start. Okert has been nails pretty much every time he’s pitched this season. One bad outing, and a whole bunch of good ones. The Giants needed more lefty relievers, and left their best performing lefty from Spring training off the opening day roster. That’s bad. Tonight was more evidence of what he’s able to do. Maybe he becomes the next Jeremy Affeldt? Who knows. He’s been so good to start this year, and hopefully that continues

Next: A review of April, and look forward to May

The Giants next take on the Dodgers tomorrow night. First pitch is at 7:10 and you can watch on NBCS BA, or listen in on KNBR 680.