© Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
SAN DIEGO — Coming out of spring training, Chris Stratton was penciled in as the No. 4 starter for the San Francisco Giants; behind Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija.
However, with those three on the disabled list, Stratton has improbably become the ace of San Francisco’s pitching staff. On Thursday night he showed that he’s capable of more than merely being the Giants’ ace-by-default, with a one-hit, seven-inning outing against the San Diego Padres.
Bochy on Stratton’s potential. #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/fz2dyTp5Qj
— Keaton A. Moore (@KeatonAMoore) April 13, 2018
“When you look at this staff, you have some young kids making back-to-back debuts,” Bochy said. “Now he’s one of our guys. When you have your three down, he was coming in as the No. 4 starter. Now, that makes him the No. 1 guy.
“He can do that. He can handle it. He could’ve gone back out. If the game had been a little closer, I probably would’ve let him go, but I had the chance to give him a little break there. I think he’s ready to take that on, as far as going deeper into a game.”
Since joining the rotation last August, Stratton is 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA over 12 starts. This season, he’s off to a 1-1 start with a 2.60 ERA over three appearances.
Thursday night marked the first time in his career that Stratton has pitched through the seventh inning. It was also the first time since their 14-inning victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers five games ago that the Giants have gotten more than six innings of work out of their starters.
A high ceiling for Stratton. #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/kZKlw1gNM8
— Keaton A. Moore (@KeatonAMoore) April 13, 2018
“By the way he’s throwing the ball, I agree with you,” Bochy said. “I do think he’s more than [a fourth starter]. He’s just been so consistent with all four pitches too with his command. His stuff, too, it even shows. He’s got good carry on his fastball. He uses all four quadrants.
“No question,” Bochy added. “Stratton is more than even a No. 4.”
Stratton’s strong start did more than get the Giants’ four-game series in San Diego off on the right foot, it also gave their relievers a much-needed breather.
Stratton helped #SFGiants to 7-0 win over Padres, but also helped the bullpen to a much-needed break. pic.twitter.com/bcPAQdikBk
— Keaton A. Moore (@KeatonAMoore) April 13, 2018
“This bullpen needed a break in the worst way,” Bochy said. “We made some moves and it was good to freshen up some guys down there.”
