San Francisco Giants: Losing Streak Ends, Takeaways from 3-2 Win

The San Francisco Giants ended an 8-game losing streak on Monday with a 3-2 spring training win over the Cincinnati Reds.

I know its just spring training, but losing eight games in a row is just not cool, no matter the circumstances.

With Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford now gone to play in the World Baseball Classic, wins may be even harder to come by for the San Francisco Giants.

Monday’s game was very strange as we had more walks than hits, but the pitching was very good. We had round three of Matt Cain versus Ty Blach, and we also had some regulars coming out of the bullpen to help hold and preserve the lead.

Here are a few takeaways from Monday’s win.

• Cain v. Blach – Matt Cain continues to get the starts, while Ty Blach continues to out-pitch him. However, this was a much better outing for Cain as he allowed 2 earned runs on 2 hits and a walk over 3.1 innings with 2 strikeouts. Blach came on in relief of Cain in the fourth and allowed an inherited runner to score. All-in-all he pitched 2.2 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits, no walks and 2 strikeouts.
• Kyle Blanks was the offense – On a day when the San Francisco Giants had just four hits as a team, Kyle Blanks had three of them, including a triple. He also scored a run and drove in a run, while playing playing first base. He’s now 4-13 in spring training, but he’s still a long shot to make this team.
• Bullpen Dominates – Including Blach, the bullpen pitched 5.2 scoreless innings giving up 4 hits (three from Blach), 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. Dan Slania pitched a scoreless seventh inning, while bullpen regulars Derek Law and Hunter Strickland finished the game off with a couple of scoreless innings. Law was most impressive striking out two in a perfect inning of work.

Next: San Francisco Giants: Stock Up and Stock Down After First Full Week of Spring Training

The San Francisco Giants will be back in action today (Tuesday) facing the rival Los Angeles Dodgers at 12:05 p.m. PCT.

Be sure to check back with Around the Foghorn throughout spring training as we keep you up to date with all the latest news and predictions for the 2017 season.