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The Giants are feeling the impact of Kris Bryant’s significant presence -- on Thursday, he knocked in a go-ahead double in the 10th inning in a thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks. The feat is even more impressive, when you consider that the Giants were not only blanked for eight innings prior, but also down four runs to boot.
Bryant went 3-for-5 on the evening, and was certainly the hero of the game. He set the table in the ninth inning, hitting a leadoff double off Taylor Clarke; Alex Dickerson followed up with a single, moving Bryant to third. Brandon Crawford kept the momentum going with a double, plating Bryant, and scoring the first run of the game for the Giants.
The Giants weren’t about to make things easier for the next Diamondbacks reliever, Tyler Clippard, as they made him pay for hitting Donovan Solano with a pitch. Brandon Belt knocked an RBI single immediately after, and finally LaMonte Wade later tied things up with a single that plated Crawford.
Clippard was replaced by Tyler Gilbert as the game went into extras, with Tommy La Stella as the “ghost” runner on second. And Bryant returned to the plate, leading off the 10th, and on a 3-2 count, smacked his eventual game-winning double, driving in La Stella.
Bryant has played in five games since being traded to the Giants from the Cubs at the trade deadline, and so far, is 6-for-18 (.333) including two doubles, a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored. The versatile 29-year-old has had a strong 2021, with a .868 OPS over 393 plate appearances for the Cubs, and now Giants. Bryant is expected to carry this strong momentum for the rest of the season with his new ballclub.
Pitchers with an EDGE
Ross Stripling vs. Cleveland
6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 33% CSW
Stripling made a strong case to get the fifth starter spot on Thursday as the Blue Jays whittle their rotation down to five starters. The righty struggled early in the season but got the ship right in this start, with six shutout innings. The changeup was especially effective, garnering eight whiffs contributing to his 16 swings-and-misses overall, and a 45% CSW (called strikes plus whiffs) on that pitch.
Dylan Bundy vs. Rangers
6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB. 6 K, 31% CSW
The Rangers lineup made plenty of hard contact against Bundy -- but no runs crossed the plate, as Bundy surrendered only three hits. Before tonight, the right-hander had not gone six innings in a start since May 6. The fastball worked well tonight, despite his velocity being slightly down - he threw it for eight called strikes and four swings-and-misses.
Daniel Lynch vs. White Sox
5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 29% CSW
Lynch made few mistakes versus a normally-tough White Sox lineup. The southpaw’s slider looked especially sharp - not only was it his most thrown pitch, but he induced 12 whiffs and three called strikes, good for an astounding 45% CSW on that pitch, contributing to a 29% CSW overall.
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Hitters with an EDGE
Joey Gallo vs. Mariners
3-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI
One of the new guys absolutely clobbered a three run shot off Paul Sewald in the seventh inning, to push the Yankees ahead of the Mariners, 5-3. Interestingly enough, at a launch angle of 48 degrees, the 331-foot blast was the highest home run of the season for the Yankees.
Joey Votto, Eugenio Suarez vs. Pirates
1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Votto and Suarez both smashed three run shots off Wil Crowe in the second inning to put up a six-spot to give the Reds an early lead. Strangely enough, Votto and Suarez ended the game with identical lines, though Suarez struck out in all of his following at-bats.
Closing Time
Aroldis Chapman vs. Mariners
1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (23rd Save)
Chapman threw 30 pitches in the ninth inning for his 23rd save - he issued a walk to Jarred Kelenic and surrendered a single to J.P. Crawford, pushing Kelenic to third. Despite the high pitch count drama, Chapman was able to secure the win for the Yankees.
Adam Cimber vs. Cleveland
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1st save)
Cimber nabbed his first save with his new team on Thursday night, throwing 14 pitches for a 1-2-3 ninth inning to lock in a 3-0 win for the Blue Jays.
Jake Brentz vs. White Sox
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1st save)
The 26-year-old southpaw picked up his first save of the year -- a ten pitch, 1-2-3 ninth inning. He’s now converted one out of three possible save opportunities.
Alex Colome vs. Astros
1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (4th save)
Before Colome appeared, the Astros attempted a ninth inning rally with a two-out, two run homer by Yordan Alvarez, pulling within two runs of the Twins. This was a very abbreviated seven pitch, one out save for Colome, who was brought in with Kyle Tucker on second base.
Mychal Givens vs. Pirates
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (1st save)
The 31-year-old right hander earned his first save of the year in a Reds uniform, pitching an easy 11 pitch, 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Archie Bradley vs. Nationals
1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K (2nd save)
Bradley surrendered a double to Juan Soto and a single to Josh Bell, but pulled it together to get out of the late-inning jam and seal the win for the Phillies.
Jake McGee vs. Diamondbacks
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (24th save)
The Giants’ closer threw 14 pitches in the ninth, 11 of them for strikes for a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He’s now converted 24 out of 26 possible save opportunities.
Daniel Bard vs. Cubs
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (17th save)
The 36-year-old converted his 17th out of 23 possible save opportunities on Thursday night, throwing 11 pitches, nine of them for strikes.
Anthony Bender vs. Mets
1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K (2nd save)
Bender was brought in to seal the win for the Marlins, after an eighth inning rally helped them pull ahead of the Mets. He relinquished an RBI single to Brandon Drury in the top of the ninth inning, scoring Pete Alonso, but retired Albert Almora immediately after. He’s now converted two out of four possible save opportunities.
Friday’s Matchup of the Day
Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.07 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 122 K) vs. Kyle Hendricks (13-4, 3.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 94 K)
The White Sox and Cubs kick off a three game series on Friday, the first crosstown showdown of the season with two strong starters taking the mound. 2021 All Star Lance Lynn has been dominant for the South Siders, sporting a Major Leagues-leading 2.07 ERA and 207 ERA+. Kyle Hendricks has worked hard to whittle down his ERA to where it currently stands at 3.71. He also leads the Major Leagues in wins at 13, and had a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings pitched over 6 starts in July.
Priority Pickup
Abraham Toro, INF, Seattle Mariners (Available in 73% of Yahoo Leagues)
The Kendall Graveman trade, albeit controversial, continues to pay dividends as Abraham Toro has impressed since moving to his new team. The switch hitting infielder has hit three home runs and three doubles; he’s also knocked five RBI drawn three walks. The 24-year-old has an .818 OPS in 158 plate appearances in 2021, and a 1.357 OPS in 32 plate appearances over eight games since being traded to the Mariners.
American League Quick Hits
Rangers placed OF Eli White on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow strain. ... Robbie Grossman was removed from Thursday's game against the Red Sox due to a left elbow contusion. ... Andrew Benintendi (shoulder) was out of the lineup again on Thursday against the White Sox. ... Josh Donaldson is back in the lineup on Thursday against the Astros. ... Luis Severino will make a rehab start Sunday for Hudson Valley. ... Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters that Justin Dunn (shoulder) is "falling behind" in his rehab from his shoulder injury. ... Justus Sheffield (shoulder, oblique} will begin a rehab assignment for High-A Everett on Friday. ... Luis Robert (hip) will not return for the weekend series against the Cubs. ... Yuli Gurriel (neck) remains out of the lineup Thursday against the Twins.
National League Quick Hits
Chris Owings (thumb) is officially done for the remainder of the season. ... Ben Gamel was scratched from the lineup on Thursday due to tightness in his hamstring...Clarke Schmidt has moved his minor-league rehab assignment to Double-A Somerset. ... Tejay Antone (forearm) could begin a rehab assignment soon. ... Juan Soto is dealing with knee pain and will be reevaluated on Friday. ... Travis d'Arnaud will catch on Thursday and Friday and then be the designated hitter on Sunday for Triple-A Gwinnett. ... Tyler Stephenson left Thursday's win over the Pirates with a hamstring cramp. ... Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Thursday that Clayton Kershaw (forearm) is expected to return "sometime in September."