Santiago Casilla was popping 95 mph but couldn't throw a strike when he needed to. Sergio Romo was snapping sliders but couldn't get anyone to bite. The Mets were patient and made good swings on pitches in the zone and got the job done in the 9th inning, ruining a perfectly nice ballgame. They almost pulled off a similar comeback in Tuesday night's game, but the 'pen managed to hold the line. Not last night, though, the dam burst and the Giants walked off losers. Matt Cain had another great start--it looks like what was broken earlier might just be fixed. That's the takeaway for me, after all, what's another loss in a lost season? If this game had been part of a pennant chase, I'd be in sackcloth and ashes pouring forth lamentations of the most lamentable variety. The only really regrettable thing about the loss is that the Padres are now 1-1/2 games ahead of the Giants in the battle for third place.
The Giants have ten games left in the season. I hope last night was Matty's penultimate start. I love the word "penultimate." In theory he could pitch twice on the final homestand: the first game (9/24) vs. LA and the last (9/29) vs. SD. I think they should give the final game to Mike Kickham. And it would be nice to see Heath Hembree or Jake Dunning get a shot at closing a game or two. The Giants know what the major-leaguers can do. It's time to see what the youngsters can do.
Madison Bumgarner goes this afternoon (10:10 a.m. Pacific) in the rubber match.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
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