Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: Giants use ground attack to avoid home sweep
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - 6:00pm
Follow @csnbaggs

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants expect to be a different team when they return to AT&T Park in a little less than two weeks.

They’ll get Brandon Belt back in a matter of days. They’re hoping to have Angel Pagan atop their lineup again, too. And maybe they’ll have a new double-play partner for shortstop Brandon Crawford, whether he goes by Emilio or Asdrubal or Harcourt Fenton Mudd.

(He probably won’t go by Dan.)

[RELATED: Instant Replay: Giants snap six-game losing streak]

Maybe then, with something nearer to a complete lineup, the Giants will be able to establish some kind of comfort zone again at AT&T Park. It certainly has eluded them for the better part of two months, although the Pirates were sloppier than they were in the Giants’ 7-5 victory Wednesday afternoon that separated a disappointing homestand from becoming a historically bad one.

They did not become the first team in the San Francisco franchise era to get skunked on a homestand of six games or more. They went 1-5.

“We put the ball in play today with two strikes, and that was the difference,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “It was a good ground attack and then we went to the blooper, and it worked out today.

Tim Lincecum had his shortest start in two years and the Giants didn’t have an extra-base hit. But they dinked and dunked 12 singles, and their bullpen was outstanding again while throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings.

Andrew Susac had one of the hits, the first of his career -- an RBI single with the bases loaded in the third. It came one trip after Susac struck out with the bases loaded. His thought process the second time?

“Get a good pitch to hit and don’t miss it like I did before,” Susac said.

Good advice. That’s what Bochy wanted to see one day after his hitters flailed away against Francisco Liriano, sending a clear message to the manager that his hitters were pressing.

Gregor Blanco reached base four times and Joe Panik drew a bases-loaded walk as part of a three-run first inning. Susac got a souvenir after he snapped a tie with his hit in the fourth.

“I was just standing on first base making sure I didn’t do anything wrong,” said Susac, who let the cheers of a standing ovation wash over him as he smiled. “It was awesome. Talk about an adrenaline rush.”

Who gets the ball from his first hit?

“My dad earned it,” the kid from Jesuit High in Sacramento said. “He stuck around through a couple 0-fers.”

The Giants still needed another rally, with the tiebreaking run scoring in the seventh on a gift-wrapped passed ball. They also received charity in the sixth, although there was nothing virtuous about a team that somehow turns a walk into a double play

It happened when Jean Machi walked Chris Stewart with runners at second and third. Travis Snider got caught jogging off second base, apparently confused into believing the bases were loaded.

“I threw it back and put my head down, and all of the sudden I’m getting ready for a pickle at home,” Susac said.

Machi said he was aware of the runners, but he acknowledged that shortstop Brandon Crawford was yelling for the ball, too.

Give Crawford credit. He isn’t hitting, he had a long chat with Bochy prior to the game about making mechanical adjustments, and he dropped a throw earlier in the sixth for his 16th error – the most among major league shortstops, if you can believe it.

But when Crawford could have been at his lowest point, he kept his head in the game. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
Jim Kozimor's 1-on-1 with Patrick Willis
Allen discusses wide-open competition in the return game
Allen dives into new layers added to Raiders defense

Giants

Diamondbacks trade Prado to Yankees
Brewers acquire Parra from Diamondbacks
Padres trade OF Denorfia to Mariners
Giants, Cain consider surgery, but not Tommy John
Read More

Athletics

In Lester, Beane lands the ace he feels A's needed
With trades, A's make loud statement, set high expectations
Former A's catcher Suzuki gets extension with Twins
A's Cespedes T-shirt giveaway Saturday still on
Read More

Sharks

Sharks, defenseman Braun talking contract extension
Mueller motivated by Sharks’ ‘tomorrow team’ talk
Sharks Mailbag: What to do with Niemi?
Couture hopes ‘devastating loss’ can motivate Sharks
Read More

49ers

Roman: He’s better than the old Crabtree
York, Harbaugh agree to end contract talks until after season
Practice 7: McDonald catches blur from Kaepernick
Getting to Levi's Stadium: What you need to know
Read More

Raiders

Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
Practice 6: Woodson shines as Raiders defense wins the day
Former Chiefs CB Flowers enjoying fresh start with Chargers
Broncos TE Thomas stays hungry after Pro Bowl year
Read More

Warriors

AP: Spurs' Ginobili out of World Cup due to injury
NBA ref Violet Palmer to marry longtime partner
NBA will put Twitter handle on game balls next season
Stern lauds Silver for handling of Sterling situation
Read More

NCAA

NCAA agrees to change rules after settling lawsuit
Ex-Cal AD Barbour takes over at Penn State
NFL reduces number of players entering the draft
NCAA recommends limited contact during football practices
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly
  • Amy G
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Diamondbacks trade Prado to Yankees
(4)
Associated Press

More Stories

Brewers acquire Parra from Diamondbacks
Padres trade OF Denorfia to Mariners
See more >

More Stories

Giants, Cain consider surgery, but not Tommy John
(25)
Uggla not on Giants' flight, weighing return to Triple-A
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Baggarly: Inactivity speaks to what Sabean thinks of Giants' chances
Baggarly: Inactivity speaks to what Sabean thinks of Giants' chances
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

In Lester, Beane lands the ace he feels A's needed
(2)
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

With trades, A's make loud statement, set high expectations
(2)
Former A's catcher Suzuki gets extension with Twins
See more >

More Stories

A's Cespedes T-shirt giveaway Saturday still on
(2)
Tigers respond to A's, score Price in three-team trade
(3)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Beane explains thought process behind trading Cespedes
Beane explains thought process behind trading Cespedes
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • In Lester, Beane lands the ace he feels A's needed
  • With trades, A's make loud statement, set high expectations
  • A's land Lester, send Cespedes to Red Sox
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks, defenseman Braun talking contract extension
(2)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Mueller motivated by Sharks’ ‘tomorrow team’ talk
Sharks Mailbag: What to do with Niemi?
(4)
See more >

More Stories

Couture hopes ‘devastating loss’ can motivate Sharks
(13)
Sharks making several appearances on NBC this season
(10)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Sharks select scoring winger Nikolay Goldobin
Sharks select scoring winger Nikolay Goldobin
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks, defenseman Braun talking contract extension
  • Sharks Mailbag: What to do with Niemi?
  • Sharks making several appearances on NBC this season
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

AP: Spurs' Ginobili out of World Cup due to injury
Associated Press

More Stories

NBA ref Violet Palmer to marry longtime partner
(1)
NBA will put Twitter handle on game balls next season
See more >

more stories

Stern lauds Silver for handling of Sterling situation
Riley 'firmly believed' LeBron would return to Heat
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Multiple players, coaches representing Warriors at Team USA camp
Multiple players, coaches representing Warriors at Team USA camp
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (7.28.14)
  • Friday Five: Kings reign supreme; best, worst deals
  • At this juncture, W's would err if deal Thompson for Love
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Michigan man sues Shaq over selfie mockery
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Kings sign undrafted rookie Eric Moreland
(1)
Is Cousins the big man Team USA can lean on?
See more >

More Stories

Friday Five: Kings reign supreme; best, worst deals
(1)
Suns guard Thomas: 'I felt very disrespected' by Kings
(1)
See more >

Kings Video

Vivek Ranadive and Pete D'Alessandro introduce Nik Stauskas
Vivek Ranadive and Pete D'Alessandro introduce Nik Stauskas
See more >

Fantasy Hoops

  • Fantasy news, analysis, draft guide, cheatsheets, projections & more
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Roman: He’s better than the old Crabtree
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

York, Harbaugh agree to end contract talks until after season
(6)
Practice 7: McDonald catches blur from Kaepernick
(9)
See more >

More stories

Getting to Levi's Stadium: What you need to know
Ravens' Rice: 'I own my actions'
(1)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Jim Kozimor's 1-on-1 with Patrick Willis
Jim Kozimor's 1-on-1 with Patrick Willis
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • York, Harbaugh agree to end contract talks until after season
  • Practice 7: McDonald catches blur from Kaepernick
  • Crabtree sits out 49ers' seventh training camp practice
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
Scott Bair

More Stories

Practice 6: Woodson shines as Raiders defense wins the day
(1)
Former Chiefs CB Flowers enjoying fresh start with Chargers
See more >

More Stories

Broncos TE Thomas stays hungry after Pro Bowl year
Schaub's confidence 'never went anywhere'
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Quakes sign midfielder Matias Perez Garcia
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Quakes' Djalo named MLS Player of the Week
(1)
Earthquakes fall to Atletico Madrid in Candlestick finale
See more >

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Giants, Cain consider surgery, but not Tommy John
(25)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (7.28.14)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

York, Harbaugh agree to end contract talks until after season
(6)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks, defenseman Braun talking contract extension
(2)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

In Lester, Beane lands the ace he feels A's needed
(2)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Beane can’t use 'playoffs are a crap shoot' line now

TOP STORIES

  • Diamondbacks trade Prado to Yankees
  • Brewers acquire Parra from Diamondbacks
  • Padres trade OF Denorfia to Mariners

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

CALL KUIP'S SHOT

Call Kuip's Shot
Submit your entry now for a chance to meet Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper. 

Post your Instagram video using #CallKuipsShot!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

NCAA recommends limited contact during football practices
Barbour steps down, Cal names former wrestler interim AD

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
Raiders Quick Hits: Woodson gets best of Schaub in practice
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California