The pitchers duel I predicted came to pass and Kwang Hyun Kim was stellar. DeSclafani left one up in the second that got tagged for a solo shot and then slipped in the seventh and Goldy drove in two more. The Giants managed to eke Wilmer Flores across the plate against relief to avoid the shutout, but they were outplayed by a Cardinals team that plays excellent defense.

Kwang Hyun Kim has handled the Giants masterfully twice now: in San Francisco he got the win, 5-3, and tonight in St. Louis he gets the win, 3-1. He has pitched 18 scoreless innings in his last three games to improve to (5-5). This kid is for real – even though he throws a ridiculous eephus occasionally.

This was a “good loss” if such a thing can exist. We competed hard against a good team on the road. Our starter had just a couple of slips, and then we couldn’t come back against a Cardinal team that is now 33-1 when they lead after six. To their credit, our bullpen held after DeSclafani left, but we need a team of guys studying Kwang Hyun Kim tape.

Brandon Crawford made a pinch-hit appearance and drew a walk. He was then promptly pinch-run for, but it looks like the hamstring strain wasn’t so bad he couldn’t go to the plate.

It’s not just the rubber match in the weekend series at stake, it’s whether or not the Giants lose the season series against the Cards. The Cardinals lead the season series 3-2 with the last game to be played when Johnny Cueto takes the mound against Wade LeBlanc tomorrow.

Gotta get that win for Cueto.

Let’s go Giants!

Avoid the season and series loss to the Cards!