12 Days of SF Giants - Games 1 - 6

Last week we started the 12 Days of SF Giants - a chance to look back on an incredible season and select 12 memorable games. We peaked at number seven through 12 last week - today we look at the Top Six!

# Six- SF Giants AT Texas Rangers - June 9th. The Giants lost this game 4-3 - so many may wonder why in the world this is on any list, let alone a list describing some of the most memorable of an 107 win season. The G-men did not hit well - managed only five in the 11 inning loss. They left runners in scoring position in critical moments and failed to get the big out when they needed it. Overall, not a great baseball game - BUT - I was visiting the Dallas area with my 16 year old son who aspires to play baseball in college. We received some AMAZING seats from a longtime friend and found ourselves sitting with Sammy Long's family and extended family. Long made his MLB debut that afternoon. He came in to start the second and pitched 4 incredible innings - He struck out seven including five in a row at one point. He allowed one hit and one run and was in complete control of all of his pitches. My son Cooper and I were immediately members of the Sammy Long fan club. We high fived his family - we laughed with his fiance - we gave him standing ovations with his brother in law - we were able to be part of something so awesome - so exciting - and so meaningful to the Long family that even a loss can not take away from the moment. BRAVO Sammy and thank you to the Long family for letting Coop and I be part of your amazing day.

# Four- August 21st @ Oakland - The legend of LaMonte GROWS! Rivalry Battle of the Bay game. G-men fall behind early on a few balls hit to the right spot on the field and a double steal. Trailing 3-0 after the first - not an ideal start. Kris Bryant inches us closer with a two run shot in the 2nd. A 3rd inning double, a 4th inning wild pitch lead to two more A's runs and the Giants trail 5-2 as the head into the 7th. The Captain demolishes one to cut the lead to 5-3 and Ruff follows with a BOMB to cut it to 5-4. The 9th starts with a Posey strike out before Belt takes a 3-2 fastball for ball four. Yaz comes in to run for Belt and up steps LaMonte. Ball 1 - Fouls a cutter off -- and then BAM - Mid-Day LaMonte turns on one and crushes the ball high and deep down the line. It's a funny radio call as the announcers can't locate the ball and the cameraman struggles to find it in the Oakland sun as well. For all of us listening - there's an odd pause while we wait to hear -- FAIR BALL - HOME RUN! ADIOS PELOTA! Pinch hit two run bomb to beat your rival and maintain your division lead. YES!

# Three - July 22nd @ LA - THE CHECK SWING - Part 1. We all know how our season came to an end - but let's look back at the first CHECK SWING controversy of the season. The Giants come in to this one feeling great having knocked around Jensen in the 9th the night before in a 4-2 win. Tough night for the bats and the Giants limp into the 9th down 3-1. Yaz strikes out, Flores singles and Dickerson strikes out. One on, two out and "Donny Barrels" Solano doubles to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Jason Vosler falls behind 1-2 in the count before walking to load the bases. Up steps Estrada and credit Vosler for having a heck of a secondary lead - because on what should be a routine 6-4 put out to end the game - Chris Taylor's throw is a microsecond late and the umps overturn the call and continue to game. Now trailing 3-2 with the bases loaded, Darren Ruf comes to the plate. Ruf goes 2-0 before Jensen evens the count. A close 2-2 pitch is called a ball and Ruf fouls off the next payoff pitch. This sets the stage for THE CHECK SWING. Ruf clearly goes around - it's obvious in the replay but the call is blown and the Giants tie the game at 3-3. Late Night then steps up and immediately delivers a 2 run single to right to put the Giants in the lead. An amazing 9th inning rally fueled by heart and hustle!

# Two- Game 3 - NLDS at LA - The series is tied at one game a piece and the Dodgers are tossing Mr Evil himself Max Scherzer. Max is coming off a Wild Card win where he gave a post game interview fueled by cold beer - it's a must watch if you have not seen it yet. Regardless - the SF Giants are facing the most dominant arm in the majors and he was all that and a bag of chips in Game 3. The weather SCREAMS "CANDLESTICK PARK" with a swirling wind in the air. Alex Wood was amazing for 5 innings keeping the Dodger bats silent and utilizing great defense behind him. In the 5th, Evan Longoria hits one to left center that just landed - 407 foot no doubter off Mad Max and the Giants hold a 1-0 lead heading to the 6th. Enter Tyler Rodgers - relatively easy 6th giving up a single to Justin Turner but retiring the side. In the 7th, Rodgers gets an out and gives up back to back singles before striking out Barnes - and up steps Mookie Betts. Mookie takes a ball high and away before absolutely barreling the 1-0 pitch. My heart sank - this would clearly tie the game if not put LA in the lead - but then Brandon Crawford climbs the invisible ladder and ROBS Betts of an extra base hit and ends the inning! An amazing defensive moment. Camilo Doval enters in the 8th needing six outs for a save and a huge game three win. The young righty casually strides to the mound in the 8th and retires T. Turner, Seager and J. Turner - just three of the nastiest hitters in the NL - nice and smooth. 9th inning - down goes Taylor, Three strikes for Pollack and up walks Gavin Lux - the Dodgers premier prospect and a man who does not lack confidence. He takes ball one and then turns on a Doval fastball and assumes he's hit the ball to Mars and back. Hand goes up as he's certain he's tied the game - but not today young fella - ball is caught on the warning track and the Giants win Game 3 by the score of 1-0. I'm not sure if I've watched a more intense baseball game. Every pitch from the 5th inning on seemed to have the weight of the world attached to it. Doval was electric - the defense was exceptional and the end could not have been better! What a game - what a win!

# One - Game 1- NLDS - We have an ACE! No surprises - Logan Webb - Game 1. I could end this article with just the above line, but let me celebrate this evening with some details. Logan gave up a leadoff single to start the game and then retired Saeger, Turner and Turner - stranding a runner on 3rd. LaStella lead off the game with a walk and 3 batters later Posey hit a SHOT to right field and the Giants were up 2-0 - a lead they would not give up and all the runs young Logan needed. He scattered 4 more hits after the 1st keeping the Dodgers off balance all evening long. He exited with two outs in the 8th after giving up a single to Betts - Rodgers retired Saeger and Doval came in and closed the 9th down looking like the dominant closer he will soon become. Kris Bryant and B-Craw also hit homers to bolster the Giants lead to 4-0 - but this night was all about our young Ace Logan Webb. 92 total pitches - 64 for strikes. 10 K's, 16 of the 28 batters he faced were in a 0-1 hole. 11 ground outs -2 fly balls and 10 K's. NO WALKS! It's hard to be more dominant. It's hard to do more for your club in Game 1. He was electric - he was emotional and he put the club and the City on his back in one of the more memorable post season outings in the history of the franchise. Crawford said it best - "Webby's nasty" He sure is.

Sadly there are no NLCS or World Series games to consider. The season came to a heartbreaking end on of all things - a blown check swing call. Tough to get past - but I promise I'm trying! There's so much to be thankful for when looking back at the 2021 season. I hope you've enjoyed my twelve favorite games - please consider adding your favorite in the comments section. Happy Holidays!