What a month...on August 31, the Padres were in the midst of what would be a ten-game losing streak, and the Giants remained four games back. They had just finished a disastrous month -- relatively speaking -- in which they were 13-15 and averaged 4.93 runs allowed per game.
September was quite a turn-around, to say the least. The Giants went 18-8, and averaged 1.92 runs allowed per game. They are now three games ahead of the Padres in the National League West, and will clinch the division title if they win tomorrow.
Just how much better was the Giants' pitching in September?
The above graph shows the runs allowed per game in August and September. August is represented by the red line, and September is represented by the blue line. Quite an improvement, I'd say. (Note: Giants played two fewer games in September than in August)
The Giants didn't disappoint on the last day of the month.
Madison Bumgarner lowered his ERA to 3.00, and earned the first home win of his career, putting up a line of: 5 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K. He was not perfect -- far from it, actually. But he was quite successful in pitching himself out of jams. He had a runner in scoring position in each of the five innings he pitched, yet managed to only allow one run...quite an impressive feat.
The Giants' offense was powered by the longball on Thursday. Pablo Sandoval got the scoring started with a splash hit in the second inning; Andres Torres added a fifth inning solo shot; and Buster Posey crushed a two-homer to left-center field in the sixth. Bumgarner's ability to pitch out of jams, along with the Giants' productive offense on Thursday, allowed Bruce Bochy to give Brian Wilson's arm some rest.
It's great to see a home run from Sandoval. I had been meaning to write about how he's quietly been improving, but hadn't gotten the chance. He's been elevating the ball more, and even when he was receiving little playing time, he wasn't terrible. He was getting hits here and there. He's been good all season long at home, though -- an average around .330, nine home runs, 20 doubles. He's finding a perfect time to start being a little productive again.
Torres is incredible. He stole his 25th base of the season, and hit his 17th home run of the season in Thursday's game. What he's doing is actually quite historical...Since 1901, only four players have met the following criteria in a single season:
- Age of 30 or older
- Centerfielder
- 15+ home runs
- 25+ stolen bases
- 40+ doubles
Lenny Dykstra did it in 1993, as did Devon White. Carlos Beltran did it in 2008. Andres Torres has done it in 2010 with 25 stolen bases, 17 home runs, and 43 doubles. What he's doing as a centerfielder at his ripe age, is actually quite remarkable. Not to mention his gold-glove caliber defense (he honestly deserves to win the Gold Glove award for his performance in 2010).
And Buster Posey hit the biggest home run of the game, turning a tight one-run ballgame into a three-run lead. With each game, he increases his chances of winning the Rookie of the Year award. But when it comes down to it, it's just an award. And it often means nothing -- just look at some of the past winners. Where is Bobby Crosby today? How about Jason Jennings? As great as his rookie campaign has been, the future looks even brighter.
And Buster Posey hit the biggest home run of the game, turning a tight one-run ballgame into a three-run lead. With each game, he increases his chances of winning the Rookie of the Year award. But when it comes down to it, it's just an award. And it often means nothing -- just look at some of the past winners. Where is Bobby Crosby today? How about Jason Jennings? As great as his rookie campaign has been, the future looks even brighter.
Well, tomorrow the Giants can clinch their first National League West division title since 2003. Their magic number is down to one, meaning even if they lose their final three games of the season (all against San Diego), they will finish tied for first place, and play a tiebreaker. That's the absolute worst case scenario.
Best case scenario: The Giants win tomorrow. It's quite fitting for several reasons:
- Matt Cain has been the Giants' best starter this year. If anyone deserves the win in a playoff-clinching game, it's him. And, it's his birthday.
- Orange Friday. The Giants are 9-3 on Orange Friday...but they were once 7-0. It used to be a magical day, in which they would always win. It's part of the personality of the 2010 Giants, so it's fitting that they clinch on an Orange Friday.
- FOX is televising Saturday's game. It would almost ruin the moment if the Giants' clinching game is televised on FOX, and Giants fans are forced to listen to Chris Rose during this great moment as opposed to the beloved Kruk and Kuip. Let's win Friday, so we don't have to play for the clinch on Saturday.
One more series. Three more games.
