San Francisco Giants win, move their magic number to 14

The San Francisco Giants are pretty well solidified into one of the two worst records in baseball. Last night, they defeated the only team with a worse record, and moved their magic number to 14.

The San Francisco Giants 49th win of the season seemed like it would’ve been much bigger. But Jeff Samardzija‘s 3-run sixth inning messed with that. The Giants had jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and quickly it became 5-4. But the Giant’s seventh, eight, and ninth inning combo of Mark Melancon, Hunter Strickland, and Sam Dyson got the job done and the Giants held on for their win. The win moves their magic number to 14.

It’s a different magic number than in years past. While most of the time we’d be discussing a playoff Magic Number in the coming weeks, this year, their magic number is how many wins they need to avoid losing 100 games. They only need to win 14 of their remaining games to avoid losing 100.

Next: Envisioning the 2018 Rotation

Game Notes

• A late inning trio of Hunter Strickland, Sam Dyson, and Mark Melancon could be the future of the Giants bullpen. All three put in good work last night, combining for three scoreless, and hitless innings. Dyson was the only one to surrender a base-runner.
• Jarrett Parker continues to be on a roll since his return. His two doubles last night help boost his slugging percentage up to .437. If he can cut the strikeout numbers, or at least boost the walk numbers, then he’ll be in solid shape.
• Normally we don’t highlight opposing players, or opposing team’s feats in this section, but Cameron Rupp‘s massive home-run in the fifth inning was impressive. Not many right handers can go “oppo-taco” to right field at AT&T, and Rup is now one of the few. An impressive shot, well worthy of applause.