Giants’ President & CEO Larry Baer joined Alex Pavlovic on Postgame Live to praise the entire organization for its grit and determination in making the 2021 playoffs and believes the team will keep its focus in October.
SAN FRANCISCO -- With Jake Arrieta and his 7.04 ERA on the mound Tuesday night, the odds were good that the Giants once again would put up a half dozen runs or so. Arrieta didn't get blasted, but an old friend helped the Giants keep a historic streak going.
The Giants scored two runs off former closer Mark Melancon in the eighth inning and pulled away for a 6-1 win, their ninth straight. They have scored at least six runs in all nine games, the second-longest streak in franchise history. Only the 1929 Giants -- who scored six or more in 15 straight -- had a better run.
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SIGN UP HERE With the nine straight wins, the Giants have gotten to 95 for the first time since 2003, when they won 100 games. This is their first nine-game winning streak since 2004.
Basically this team is doing things that haven't been seen around here in a couple of decades, and in some cases much longer. Here are three more fun facts from the night the Giants extended their lead over the Padres to 20.5 games.
Buster Bash
Buster Posey watched Monday's clincher from the bench, and he certainly looked well-rested when he returned to the lineup Tuesday night. Jake Arrieta badly missed his spot with a sinker and the pitch looked like it was headed for the backstop, but Posey pulled his hands in and yanked a solo shot to left.
The 18 homers are Posey's most since he hit 19 in 2015. With 17 games left, he has a shot at getting his third 20-homer season in the big leagues.
Posey later reached on an infield single and scored when Arrieta yanked a pickoff throw down the line (the Giants are in the playoffs, so it's RTI season). Posey bumped his average up to .301.
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Helping Hand
Anthony DeSclafani's second half got off to a rough start and his ankle flared up in August, but in September he has looked a lot like the player who got All-Star consideration the first three months of the season. DeSclafani went 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk. In three September starts, DeSclafani has allowed four total runs.
This gem was well-timed, as the Giants had a bullpen game on Monday night and could potentially have another one Wednesday. They needed some length out of DeSclafani and he nearly made it through seven, departing with a runner on first. Tony Watson came on to face Jurickson Profar -- who hit a double earlier -- and struck him out.
RELATED: History is on Giants' side when clinching playoffs vs. Padres
Joining Jean
Kris Bryant hit a milestone in the second when he crushed a pitch from Arrieta -- his former Cubs teammate -- off the center-field wall. Bryant cruised into second for his 200th career double.
It's been a big year for doubles enthusiasts. Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt have both passed 250 career doubles this season and Evan Longoria got his 400th. Jean Segura, by the way, is up to 220. This writer cannot wait for the celebration when he gets to 250.
Darin Ruf has just 53 career doubles, but his two-bagger in the eighth left the bat at 109 mph and helped pad the lead.
