OOTP 4/27: Giants 3, Phillies 2 (12 innings)

Pitcher’s duels are fun. In this era of high octane offense, one where even a guy who weighs about 165 pounds can consistently hit 15-20 home runs a year, seeing two moundsmen go at it and put up solid inning after solid inning, it’s refreshing to see. Tonight was one of them, even if it ended on a sour note.

It started with the Phillies taking an early 1-0 lead when Jean Segura singled, Didi Gregorius doubled him to third, then, three batters later, Jay Bruce grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored that lonely run. With the team having loaded the bases with only one out, that missed opportunity would loom large.

In the bottom of the fourth, Brandon Belt would walk to start things. Evan Longoria struck out, bringing Mike Yastrzemski to the plate. Now to this point, the Phillies’ starter, Zach Eflin, was cruising right along. He’d only allowed one hit and struck out five prior to this inning. Here though, Yastrzemski got a hold of one and sent it into the stands, giving the Giants the lead. The Phillies tied it up almost immediately when Segura hit a one out triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Gregorius.

There, the score stood, knotted at 2, for the next few innings. Eflin lasted 7 ²⁄₃ innings, while Giants starter Jeff Samardzija went 7 of his own solid innings. The bullpens would hold this score until the bottom of the twelfth. Victor Arano allowed Yastrzemski on with a walk before being removed for....

...Deolis Guerra.

<shudder>

Guerra allowed a double, then struck out Brandon Crawford to bring Buster Posey to the plate.

Guerra vs. Posey. Who do you think is winning that battle?

The teams face off again tomorrow.