Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER
Kevin Gausman pitched six strong innings and the Giants jumped on Padres pitching for three home runs, including a three run blast by Brandon Crawford in the second inning that proved decisive, on the way to a 7-1 win over San Diego Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park.
Gausman (3-0,1.97), back on the roster after being sidelined three days with vaccine side-effects, pitched six innings, allowing only one run on three hits in his fourth consecutive quality start, striking out seven. San Francisco’s second straight win in the weekend series extended their first place lead over the Padres to 2 1/2 games.
Crawford gave the Giants all the offense they would need when he belted a Joe Musgrove (2-4,3.00) pitch 374-feet into the right-field bleachers to give them a 3-0 lead. The Pads would close the gap with a run in the fifth, but that would be as close as they got all day. Crawford improved to 11-31 (.355) with four home runs in his past 12 games. “I feel like I have a little more direct path to the ball right now,” Crawford said. “Whatever’s thrown, I feel like I have a chance to hit it. It’s a pretty good feeling.”
Brandon Belt added a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth, and Austin Slater came off the bench to add a sixth inning RBI single along with a two-run homer eighth homer for a three RBI day to establish the final margin.
Zack Littell, Tyler Rogers and Caleb Baragar each contributed a scoreless inning of relief in support of Gausman, combining to hold the Pads to just six hits on the day, two each by Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr., who also stole a pair of bases.
The two teams will return to the field Sunday afternoon at 1:05PM with Johnny Cueto (2-0,1.80) scheduled to take the mound for the Giants. San Diego has yet to announce their starter.
GAME NOTES:
The win improved the Giants record to 20-13 (.606), the best overall in the National League.
San Francisco is 12-3 at home this season. Their .800 winning percentage is the best in the majors.
Giants starting pitchers entered the game with a 2.85 ERA, the best in the majors.
