Crazy all-nighter ends

[yuiyoshida]

Pittsburgh --

- Had this been a garden-variety game, we might be chewing on a game-winning homer by reigning National League Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen, or Buster Posey coming up clutch.

But no, when a game goes 13 innings, ends at 12:36 a.m. local time and features two starting pitchers pinch-hitting, an umpire getting hit with a throw, two replay challenges, a 14-pitch strikeout, a blown 8-2 lead and a team that went 0-for-Atlanta with runners in scoring position getting eight hits in that situation, a screwy ending is preordained.

It had to be Jean Machi, asked to bunt for the first time as a professional, dropping down a beauty, busting his 255-pound body up the line and drawing an errant throw that allowed Hunter Pence to come around from second and deliver the Giants an 11-10 victory against the Pirates.

"In this kind of game, anything can happen, crazy things," said catcher Hector Sanchez, who had a month's worth of crazy over 5 hours, 29 minutes.

http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Crazy-all-nighter-ends-as-Giants-beat-Pirates-in-5455571.php

[Auggie]

1. THAT was an awesome game

[yuiyoshida]

2. omg..it was...

I don't know for how long I held my breath, waiting for that one run to come in. Its amazing the Giants scored that many runs (20) with out there being any Home Runs. The Pirates seemed to have the momentum but ran out of steam, as the Giants gallantly fought on. Some crazy plays as well. Amazing ball game. I wish I could have seen it on TV.

[Auggie]

3. Game exposed the Giants' one weakness: bench strength

After Hector Sanchez there's very hitting left in Perez, Blanco, Adrianza, and Arias. Defense & speed, yes. Hitting, not so much. It took Machi at the plate to win the game.

Once the situation with Scutaro is resolved, as I expect it will be soon be (on DL indefinitely or cut), Brian Sabean may shop for another infielder. Expect it in July.