San Francisco Giants shut out Cardinals behind Ryan Vogelsong

Aug 18, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Madison Bumgarner (40) hit s a single off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (not pictured) during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Two out thunder. It’s the Giants battle cry. It’s how the Giants are getting on board nowadays. I’ll take it. After Monday’s game I proposed abbreviating it to TOT. I haven’t changed my mind. I like it.

The Giants played an interesting game Tuesday night. Besides the TOT, they trotted out a pinch-hitter that surprised everyone. I thought “hmmm…how about bumper stickers that say: My pinch-hitter can strike out your pinch hitter.” Manager Bruce Bochy brought in the Giants ace, Madison Bumgarner to pinch-hit in the seventh.

And pinch-hit he did. Bumgarner came to the plate with two outs—naturally—and hit a single on a line drive to left field that was the Giants fourth hit of the game. After that, the Cardinals starting pitcher walked Gregor Blanco and walked Matt Duffy, loading the bases. That ended the Cardinals starting pitcher’s night.

With the bases loaded, the Cardinals brought in a relief pitcher whose first offering to Brandon Belt was out of the strike zone. With the next pitch he drilled Belt and that brought Bumgarner home. That was the second run scored by the Giants in Tuesday’s game.

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The first run was scored in the sixth. Blanco singled and Matt Duffy moved him to second with a base hit. Blanco advanced to third on Belt’s sac fly and came home when Brandon Crawford ground out–and it was the second out, making it TOT.

But really, the big news of the night was Ryan Vogelsong. Vogelsong is the consummate Giant. He’s one of my favorite Giants because he has bounced from the bullpen to the starting rotation to the bullpen and back again. And no matter what Bochy asks, Vogey gives it his all. If there is an award for exemplifying what it is to be a Giant, Vogelsong should be a lock.

He pitched six solid innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out five. I hope he realizes how important he is to loyal Giants fans. Next time you see him, tell him: for all you do Vogelsong, we‒the loyal fans, the gamer babes and the lunatic fringe‒thank you.

The bullpen took over in the seventh and didn’t allow any runs to score, giving Vogelsong the win. Santiago Casilla earned the save. The final score was: Giants 2, Cardinals 0

When I said St. Louis would be facing the best team in baseball, I got a lot of argument. Apparently there are those out there who would argue that the best team in baseball is the one that is winning the most. Believe it or not, I’ve decided to concede the point.

I will no longer say the Giants are the best team in baseball. The reason is‒and I believe this with all my heart‒the Giants aren’t the best team in baseball. The Giants are the greatest team in baseball.

Put that in your book.

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