© Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, that Chris Stratton. The same Chris Stratton who started Monday night’s game with a 5.37 ERA after spending most of August in the minors threw eight shutout innings against the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks and led the Giants to a 2-0 win.
The start was both the longest and best start of Stratton’s career. He’s had six other shutout starts of six or more innings, and one of seven innings. But Bruce Bochy put his full trust in Stratton on Saturday, letting him throw 117 pitches for his first-ever eight-inning start.
While the outcome was stellar, it seemed extremely unlikely at the start of the game. Stratton allowed a pair of singles to Jon Jay and Eduardo Escobar before retired the 3-4-5 hitters in the Arizona lineup in order. From there, Stratton only relinquished another three hits in the game. He wasn’t dominant or overpowering, striking out six batters, but he was in perfect command of his pitches and worked efficiently.
The Giants were faced with another strong pitcher on the opposing mound in Patrick Corbin, but a burst of power from Steven Duggar ripped a hole through an otherwise fantastic seven-inning, two-run and four-hit performance from Corbin.
In the bottom of the second, with two outs and Brandon Crawford on first, Duggar worked a 3-1 count before teeing off on Corbin. He shot a line-drive into the arcade in right field for his first home run in AT&T Park, giving the team the only runs it needed to secure the win.
Crawford’s run came in addition to a classically outstanding defensive performance from him. He recorded four 6-4 putouts and was constantly involved in scooping up defensive plays all night, highlighted by an absurd play to throw out Paul Goldschmidt.
In the ninth, Tony Watson entered for a save opportunity after Mark Melancon picked up back-to-back saves in the two games prior. Watson faced the heart of the Arizona order, starting with the No. 3 hitter in David Peralta.
Watson retired Peralta before walking Paul Goldschmidt, but rebounded and struck out Daniel Descalso. Watson was pulled at that point, as Steven Souza Jr. stepped up to face Hunter Strickland. Souza had argued with home plate umpire and crew chief Brian Gorman after striking out looking in the seventh, but avoided ejection.
Strickland came in and walked Souza to give Nick Ahmed a chance to bat with a runner in scoring position and two outs. But Strickland recovered, forcing a fly ball out from Ahmed to secure the win, moving the Giants to 66-67.