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.

# Five - September 8th @ Colorado - The Giants entered the getaway game looking for a RARE four game sweep of the Rockies IN Colorado. The Rockies struggled in 2021 but were a spectacular ball club at home and sweeping them in their yard is a rarity! The Giants dug an early hole and trailed 3-0 before Crawford hit a homer that is only a homer in CO - oppo shot that barely cleared the fence and to be honest - looked like a pop out. They immediately gave the lead back on a solo shot in the bottom of 6th and the score remained 4-3 entering the top of the ninth. Buster walked - Estrada singled - Belt followed with an infield single and up came LaMonte Wade Jr. Well - we know what Late Night - or in this case, Mid-Afternoon LaMonte does and he pulled a 1-2 pitch into right center for a two RBI single! Evan Longoria followed with a two run insurance bomb and the G-men left Colorado with a huge four game sweep and a ton of momentum!

# 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!