On today's Locked On Giants Podcast, host Ben Kaspick discusses the San Francisco Giants' series win against the Texas Rangers over the weekend. The Giants pounded the Rangers on Friday with their right-handed lineup. Donovan Solano continued to stay hot, and Wilmer Flores hit a big three-run home run with two outs. Logan Webb had a bit of a shaky start, but the bullpen was almost perfect the rest of the way and the Giants won 9-2. On Saturday, the Giants got a great start out of Drew Smyly, and the offense carried the load once again. The Giants drew 11 walks in this game, and came through with some big hits in key situations. Smyly had to leave the game in the 5th inning even though he was pitching well. He had struck out seven Rangers in four innings, but exited the game because of an index finger sprain on his pitching hand.
On Sunday, Jeff Samardzija got the start and got hit hard. His fastball velocity was down again, and he continued a troubling trend of not striking anybody out. On the season he has as many strikeouts (2) as home runs allowed. Samardzija became the first Giants starter to pitch at least five innings, but that accomplishment didn't mean great results. The Giants fell behind 5-1, but managed to come back in the 6th and 7th. Even Longoria hit a long home run to lead off the 7th, then Chadwick Tromp hit his first career homer, a two-run shot that tied the game. In the bottom of the 7th Andrew Triggs, called up after Smyly was placed on the 10-day injured list, couldn't find the strike zone. He threw just two strikes as he walked the bases loaded. Tyler Anderson came in to face a couple of lefties and ended up serving up a three-run homer to Joey Gallo after a run had already scored. The Rangers took a 9-5 lead that would be the final score.
Also discussed today was the Giants' trade of Billy Hamilton to the New York Mets for right-handed pitching prospect Jordan Humphreys. Humphreys was designated for assignment by the Mets a few days prior to the trade. On the surface, it looks like another solid trade for Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, who turned a one-year minor league signing who wasn't even on the team into a decent prospect.
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