As soon as Thairo Estrada’s line drive cleared the left field wall Friday evening, the San Francisco Giants could breathe a sigh of relief. That wall-scraping three-run blast in the fifth inning not only put the Giants ahead for good but also led them to a 10-5 victory over the red-hot Colorado Rockies, marking the first of their three-game series.
The Giants had been dealing with some rotation issues, and Mason Black might be their last temporary solution. In the top of the fourth inning, as Black walked off the mound down 4-1, it seemed like the Rockies were on their way to a ninth consecutive win. However, 90 minutes east of Oracle Park, Blake Snell was nearing the end of his final rehab start, returning from an adductor strain. Snell, pitching for the Triple-A River Cats, struck out 10 over five hitless innings, showing the dominance the Giants hoped for when they signed him to a two-year, $62 million contract.
- Exciting Elements:
- Thairo Estrada's clutch three-run homer that turned the game around.
- Blake Snell's impressive rehab performance, striking out 19 batters in nine hitless innings.
Black, making his third career start, struggled as the Rockies led off the game with four hits, including three extra bases, and a solo home run by Jordan Beck in the second inning. Black's ERA ballooned to 7.71 after allowing four runs on six hits. Giants manager Bob Melvin pulled him after he hit Jacob Stallings with his first pitch in the fourth inning.
- Pitching Woes:
- Giants pitchers had a 9.13 ERA in the previous eight turns through Snell’s rotation spot.
- Sean Hjelle's solid relief work was crucial in keeping the score close, as he delivered two scoreless innings and has been strong since April 24, with a 1.59 ERA and 15 strikeouts without a walk.
Despite their pitching struggles, the Giants' offense shined, especially with contributions from their rookies. Luis Matos, stepping up after the team lost exciting young center fielder Jung Hoo Lee for the season, drove in five runs in a multi-hit performance. Until Estrada's homer, nine of the Giants' past 12 runs had been driven in by Matos or Heliot Ramos, filling in for the injured Michael Conforto.
- Young Talent Stepping Up:
- Luis Matos driving in five runs.
- Heliot Ramos contributing significantly in Conforto's absence.
Jorge Soler, back in the lineup after missing 10 games with a strained right shoulder, led off the fifth inning with a single, setting the stage for Estrada's game-changing homer. Soler reached base twice, helping ignite the Giants' offense. LaMonte Wade Jr. followed with another well-struck single before Estrada's three-run blast.
In the seventh inning, Marco Luciano recorded his first career RBI, driving in Mike Yastrzemski with a two-strike slider into right field. With Casey Schmitt sent back to Triple-A Sacramento, Luciano is now being given the opportunity to secure the shortstop position while Nick Ahmed is sidelined with a wrist injury.
- Noteworthy Performances:
- Jorge Soler's successful return, reaching base twice.
- Marco Luciano’s first career RBI in the seventh inning.
With the reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell expected to return, the Giants are hopeful that their rotation issues will soon be resolved. Meanwhile, the team's rookies and key veterans like Estrada and Soler continue to keep them competitive.
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