San Francisco Giants: Chris Stratton Dazzles, Bullpen Falls Apart, in Sweep

Chris Stratton continues pitching well in the month of August, boasting a double digit strikeout performance, but it was not enough as the San Francisco Giants lose again to the D-Backs 11-0.

Stratton has fared well for the San Francisco Giants since earning a spot in the rotation this past month. On Sunday afternoon he continued that trend, only allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings pitched. Unfortunately, Patrick Corbin also shined, holding the Giants offense scoreless in 7 innings.

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Tuesday’s game had all the makings of an old fashioned pitcher’s duel early on. The D-Backs got on the board first in the third inning before recording their first hit.

Stratton walked Chris Herrmann to lead off the inning. Then, Herrmann advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Corbin. A ground out to second by David Peralta moved Hermann over to third and Hermann eventually scored on a strikeout by Rey Fuentes that got away from Nick Hundley.

Pitch location was Stratton’s only blemish on an otherwise superb outing. Although he only gave up 4 hits, he walked 5 batters on the day.

In the 6th inning, Stratton walked Paul Goldschmidt to lead off the inning. He was then gunned out at second by Hundley after attempting to steal. That proved to be costly, as the next batter, JD Martinez hit a home run on a location mistake by Stratton.

The Giants had a chance to do damage in the 8th inning. Jarrett Parker led the inning off with a single and Joe Panik walked to put runners on first and third with nobody out. Brandon Crawford followed by hitting into a double play. The rally officially ended when Gorkys Hernandez flied out to center, ending the inning.

To make matters worse, the Diamondbacks responded in a big way in the bottom of the 8th. Matt Cain, who lost his rotation spot earlier in the year, got hit hard out of the bullpen. He gave up 8 runs on 5 hits in only 2/3 of an inning, including back-to-back home runs to Goldschmidt and Martinez, before being pulled for Cory Gearrin.

Gearrin wasted no time piling the damage on. He gave up a home run to Descalso, the third home run in a row for the D-Backs. Finally the inning ended on a fly out to right by Adam Rosales.

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The Giants did not put up much of a fight in the 9th inning with the final score remaining 11-0.

Notes:

Chris Stratton has been stellar in the month of August. In 23.2 innings, he has only given up 4 earned runs, lowering his ERA from 7.71to 3.68. This was also his second 10 strikeout performance in four starts and his third quality start. He is making a strong case for a rotation spot next year.

Matt Cain just does not have it anymore. I don’t think this is much of a surprise to anyone, instead it is just unfortunate to watch. He has struggled mightily this season, losing his spot in the starting rotation and again in the bullpen. He did pitch well against the Brewers in his last appearance, but those are too far in between.

Kyle Crick

has pitched really well in relief this year. The young starter turned reliever has shined in his role so far with an ERA of 2.66.

Next: Did the WBC Slow Crawford Down?

The Giants will be back in action tomorrow in San Diego as they take on the Padres at 7:10 PM.

Chris Stratton continues pitching well in the month of August, boasting a double digit strikeout performance, but it was not enough as the San Francisco Giants lose again to the D-Backs 11-0.

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