The first game of the home stand and eleventh game of the seventeen consecutive game stretch was a solid team win, that had that Spring game feel – uneven but with moments of real brilliance, by both sides.
The game started with Robbie Ray issuing a walk, and then picking off Jackson Chourio in the top of the first.
Followed by Mike Yasztremski drawing a walk and getting caught stealing on a strike ’em out, throw ’em out double play with Willy Adames at the plate … in the bottom of the first.
The Brewers lead the majors in stolen bases (34). Bob Melvin prepared the Giants to go toe to toe. Brewers catcher William Contreras was on point to challenge Patrick Bailey.
The excitement on the base paths gave this game a different energy. It was electric baseball, throughout.
The question is about the 2nd inning, when Melvin sent Matt Chapman to attempt a steal of third against Contreras with two down and Wilmer Flores at the plate. Contreras, a highly-rated defensive catcher, gunned him down.
Wilmer would go on to walk and be driven in by a Patrick Bailey RBI single, that …
maybe possibly if everything else went right could have been a TWO-run RBI single,
if Chapman hadn’t got caught trying to take third.
In both of these cases, in the first two innings of this game, BoMel sent a message that everybody will be expected to run, not just the ‘speedy’ guys.
Mike Yasztremski is 34 years old. Matt Chapman will be 32 this year.
I applaud what Melvin is doing if it is getting everybody used to doing everything small ball requires : drawing walks and stealing bases on offense; picking off guys and turning crisp double-plays on defense.
We have to get used to taking calculated risks on the base paths. It’s about pessuring the opposing pitcher and defense into mistakes. That’s how the Arizona Diamondbacks won the pennant in 2023 – alert, sharp defense and aggressive base running.
BOTH defenses were expected to be more alert in this contest. That’s the throwdown the Milwaukee Brewers are bringing to your town.
The uncharacteristic defensive lapses amidst all the calculated aggressive base running meant the Giants had to hold it together and operate by Bob Melvin’s plan to get the win. They did. Great game.
Camilo Doval got his third Save of the year tonight. I’ll just put this here:
Giants Baseball Corner 