Humble Posey reaches historic milestone in Giants' 6-0 win

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SAN FRANCISCOBruce Bochy set a career-high in RBIs with22 on Sept. 8, 1986. Six months later, Buster Posey was born. Twenty-five yearslater, Posey became just the third Giants catcher since 1900 to drive in 100runs in a single season.I didnt know that; thats pretty cool, Posey said whentold he joined Walker Cooper, who drove in 122 in 1947, and Dick Dietz, whoracked up 107 RBIs in 1970. Posey also became the first Giant since Barry Bondsin 2004 to reach triple digits.Bochy, a man who often put on the tools of ignorance, knowshow hard it is to accomplish that feat as a catcher.Its quite a milestone, especially for a catcher, Bochysaid. Those guys have to take a lot of time off. They get banged up prettygood back there.Posey took "banged up" to another level when his season was cut short on May25, 2011. But that collision at home plate, replayed so many times on everysports television program across the country, is now a distant memory.Despite the long odds for Posey to be as productive as he has been for the 2012Giants, Bochy is not surprised that his catcher joined the century club. Heexpected it, in fact.I did, to be honest. Thats how good I think he is. Itsbeen really pretty incredible how hes bounced back from that injury. We reallydidnt know how much we could play him and hes a special talent. Im notsurprised at what hes done.As expected, the hyper-humble Posey deflected most of thecredit for his milestone. I think an accomplishment like that cant be done withoutyour teammates, without guys getting on base, Posey said. The speed of guyson our team getting into scoring position, moving runners, its something thatI think is only accomplished when you have help from your teammates.The three hitters in front of Posey, Angel Pagan, MarcoScutaro and Pablo Sandoval, combined to go 4-for-12 Wednesday in the Giants6-0 win over the Diamondbacks. Even Matt Cain, who technically bats in front of Posey at No.9, collected two hits and scored the Giants first run.
RECAP: Giants 6, D'backs 0
You get lucky every once in a while, Cain explained.Luck was hardly a factor in Cains seven shutout innings, however. Despitethree inning-opening errors behind him, the longest tenured Giant needed just91 pitches to set a new career-high in strikeouts (he racked up six for 191 onthe season) and add to his career-best win total (he now owns 16).Posey, always so reserved when talking about himself, gushed (by comparison)about Cain.It seemed like he was really effortless tonight, Poseysaid. The ball was coming out good. He moved the ball around to both sides ofthe plate. He did a nice job.Cain said the errors, two by Brandon Crawford and one byBrandon Belt, motivated him more on the mound.Thats what you want to do as a pitcher when funky playshappen behind you if guys make errors, which is going to happen, Cain said. Itsthe same thing as when we make bad pitches -- were looking for guys to pick usup. I think we just have to put our head down and worry about getting guys out,not worry about letting an error affect anything.Bochy elaborated on how his unflappable starter stays sofocused on the mound.He doesnt get distracted.; if anything, he tries to pickthem up, Bochy said. He knows theyre trying out there. He never makesexcuses and thats what you hope a pitcher does when you make a few errors likewe did tonight.While Cain deserves plenty of praise for his outing and season-longperformance, the night was all about Posey. He received a standing ovation fromthe fans after his milestone RBI and got the ball back, even if he doesnt knowwhere to put it yet. While Posey may have a hard time patting himself on theback, Cain had no issue talking about how important his battery-mate is.I think his numbers show that. But I think what fans dontget to see is what he does in the clubhouse, and the way he prepares for games,the way he talks to guys. Hes really been an unspoken leader and hes beenthat way since day one. I think that shows a lot of his character.

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