San Francisco Giants come through: overtake, clobber the Braves

Aug 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) celebrates a home run with catcher Buster Posey (28) against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

I can’t get the Jaws theme out of my head. I know it wasn’t playing at Turner Field, but with the kind of night our white shark, Gregor Blanco, was having‒it worked its way into my mind, subconsciously, and I couldn’t shake it loose.

Probably because Gregor kept scoring. In fact, he scored all three of the first three runs. But he didn’t stop there. He scored the last run of the game. And he couldn’t have done it without Matt Duffy.

While Gregor had a four run night, Duffy had a four hit night. Hunter Pence had a four RBI night. And Nori Aoki hit a solo home run. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget about Buster Posey.

Blanco hit a single in the first, advanced to third on Duffy’s single and Buster’s sac fly brought him home. The Giants were on the board. The Braves scored a run in the third, tying the game and the Giants didn’t score again until the sixth, taking a one run lead. Gregor drew a walk, advanced to second on Duffy’s base hit, moved to third on Buster’s walk and scored when Hunter hit a ground ball to first base. The Braves scored again in the seventh, taking the lead back.

The Giants scored early, they scored late, they hit home runs. They played Giant-like at times and not so Giant-like at others. Just when nothing seemed familiar, they turned the eighth inning into the old magic wandoo inning‒Blanco and Duffy hit back-to-back doubles, scoring Blanco, and Buster drew the intentional walk. Hunter responded to the insult with a two-strike big fly, scoring three. That’ll teach ’em to walk Buster to get to Hunter.

In the ninth, Nori led off with his solo home run, Blanco drew a walk, Duffy came through with a single, again, and Buster scored Blanco with a base hit. They ended the inning without scoring another run.

In fact, the first five hitters in the Giants lineup were the architects of the Giants triumph over the Braves. Ehire Adrianza was able to get on board with a double in the fifth and a base hit in the eighth, but he was left on base each time when the inning ended. The good news is, he’s putting wood on the ball.

Jake Peavy had a great outing. He pitched six solid innings, allowing only one run on five hits and one walk, and he punched out eight. The shame is, when he left the game the Giants were ahead, but the Braves overtook them, resulting in a no-decision for Peavy.

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In a rare turn of events it was the reliever, Jeremy Affeldt, who got credit for the win. He pitched part of the seventh and faced one hitter in the eighth. Funny thing is, the pitcher’s spot came up in the top of the eighth, which means Affeldt had to make a plate appearance. He took a swing, fouled the ball and sent the bat flying into the stands. He took the next two strikes, looking, to end the inning. It’s tough to get hurt when you’re just looking.

Yusmeiro Petit came into the game to pitch the ninth, struck out the first batter he faced, gave up one hit and got the next two out to end the game. The final score was: Giants 8, Atlanta 3

Seems like the Giants sorted out the closer problem themselves. Score enough runs, and you don’t need saving. Amen.