The San Diego Padres came into town with the NL West division lead and beat the guys at Oracle on Monday, Padres 4 – Giants, 2 in the first game of the season series. Alex Wood struck out six over 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits in his first start – which was encouraging. The Giants equaled the Padres with ten hits – the bats starting to shake off their sluggishness – but the G-men were 0 – 11 with RISP ugh. Dead bats when it mattered.

Tonight in game two, newest starter Alex Cobb had the split-finger and sinker working with excellent command of pitches that ranged from 88 to 95mph. He walked Manny Machado in the first, but struck him out swinging in the third and in the fifth with runners in scoring position. It was the ninth time the 34-year-old Cobb had 10 K’s in a game.

Meanwhile, the Giants pounced on Yu Darvish early – Mike Yastrzemski batted lead off and singled, which was great to see – a clean stroke to right center on a four seamer that Darvish hung right over the plate. Brandon Belt then homered to make it 2 – 0. Darin Ruf and Brandon Crawford walked, while Pederson struck out looking. But then Wilmer Flores singled, Thairo Estrada singled, Steven Duggar hit a sac fly scoring Flores, Joey Bart singled, scoring Estrada. Walks, Sacs, Singles. It was sweet. They batted through the order and the inning ended with a Yaz strike out. Giants 6, Padres 0.

With a six run lead in the top of the second, Cobb gave up a lead off single to Luke Voit, who then stole second. Cobb struck out Eric Hosmer, but gave up an RBI-double to Wil Myers. Giants 6, Padres 1. He then advanced Myers to third on a wild pitch. For a second, he looked shaky. But he bounced back and struck out Matt Beaty and C.J. Abrams to end the inning.

Darvish’s location was way off – everything was over the plate and thirsty Giants batters were all over him. The Giants tagged Darvish for ten earned runs, and chased him in the second. It was a relief to see the guys hittting again. Giants 10, Padres 1.

Cobb threw 83 pitches over five innings only because he had a hiccup in the fifth when the command slipped again. Cobb gave up an infield single to Beaty and then issued his second walk, to Abrams. Trent Grisham advanced both runners to scoring position with a sac grounder. Cobb was openly upset at himself when he gave up a grounder to Nola, scoring Beaty. Giants 10, Padres 2. He then came back and struck out Manny Machado. He shows resilience.

It was an impressive outing from the newest starter in the rotation. I could see Cobb earning his way into the third starters role. As it is, he sets us up nicely for the rubber match in the first series with the Padres – at home with Logan Webb on the mound.

In the fifth, Joey Bart singled again and Yaz ripped a double to deep left center to bring him home. It was relieving to see Mike Yastrzemski making clean, sure contact. I hope he is back in that zone. I also like him leading off while La Stella and Wade, Jr. are out. Giants 11, Padres 2.

The Giants had ten hits in game one against the Pads and fifteen hits in this one, so the bats are undeniably awake. The difference is plain, they scored with runners in scoring position tonight and failed to do so in game one.

Position Player Pitching Alert

Down nine and not wanting to waste any relievers for tomorrow’s decider, the Pads had Wil Meyers pitch the bottom of the eighth. He looked crazy, but wasn’t half bad. Until he was: Joc Pederson jacked Meyers for a homer, ha! This guy Pederson hasn’t done much for us at the plate yet this year, so I was glad he at least picked on Myers to show us some power. Giants 12, Padres 2. I’ll take it, but c’mon Joc, we need some serious hitting from you.

Myers was out their clowning around throwing that cheese and Wilmer Flores wasn’t having it. Flores went back-to-back yard to deep left. Giants 13, Padres 2, before Myers got out of the inning with a pop-up. Myers threw 23 pitches, and gave up two earned runs. lol.

Bullpen Report

The Giants relievers held the Padres scoreless tonight. Jarlin Garcia came in for the 6th and struck out two. Tyler Beede saw his first action and though he gave up three walks, he had two K’s as well and held the 7th and 8th. Newest reliever Yunior Marte came in to close.

Wil Myers, who had just been pitching, led off the ninth. Marte got ahead 1-2 but ended up giving up a slow roller for an infield hit on the 3-2 count. He fell behind Beaty 3-1, but then induced the double play grounder up the middle to end the threat. Marte got C. J. Abrams to pop up on three pitches to end the game. Good outing. The kid didn’t look the least bit overwhelmed – granted he had an eleven run lead.

Another three homer night for the Giants (Belt, Pederson, Flores) but the RBI’s were what this one was about: Flores 2 (3), Belt 2 (3), Pederson (1), Yastrzemski (1), Duggar 2 (3), Estrada 3 (4), Bart (2) and in a reversal of last night, Team RISP was 6 – 10. Also, Mauricio Dubon played significant innings tonight and looked better.

Giants win! Rubber match tomorrow, let’s get series number two!

Let’s Go Giants! Smash the Pads!