The latest Shohei Day was a hopeful series win, the first in quite awhile. The Giants had another opener pitching in Ryan Walker, who pitched a shutout first inning before giving way to Sean Manaea.
Scoring began with longtime Giant Brandon Crawford giving a ticket home to Michael Conforto by way of a sac fly. 1-0 Giants.
Ohtani didn’t seem to have his best stuff and looked to be struggling with his command at times, but he toughed his way through 6 innings, allowing 3 hits and only 1 unearned run. He only struck out 5, but it was good enough, especially after what transpired in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Luis Rengifo continued his solid work in the leadoff spot when he began the inning with a ground-rule double to centerfield. Tristan Beck replaced Manaea and immediately gave Ohtani an intentional walk to face Brandon Drury, who made SF pay with an RBI single to drive Rengifo home. We’re all tied, 1-1.
Then Mike Moustakas continued his productive leadership role with an awesomely clutch 3-run homer, and we’re leading 4-1!
Jose Soriano was Shohei’s replacement on the mound in the 7th and got himself into a jam, but managed to get out of it. Whew!!!
After the Angels did nothing in the 7th inning, Matt Moore pitched a scoreless 8th inning, followed by a scoreless bottom of the 8th for the Angels.
Carlos Estevez was back in as the closer in the 9th and successfully got the small monkey off his back and saved the game! 2-game winning streak! Series win! What???!!!!