Early power surge + revitalized Peavy = Victory

For once, the Giants bullpen saved the fireworks for after the game and let the offense provide the boom during it. San Francisco was outhit 6-5 by visiting Colorado but got two of those hits to leave AT&T Park as the Giants shaved the Rockies 3-1 in some Independence Day afternoon baseball. 

Enjoy some non-bullpen related fireworks,  on us.

As the nation celebrated its independence, the Giants celebrated their 53rd win of the season against just 32 losses; equaling their season best of 21 games over .500. Despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth that accompanies any losses to Oakland, the Giants have won 17 of 23 and have the best record in baseball since mid June. All of this despite having, statistically, one of the worst bullpens in the known universe with 17 blown saves opportunities.

Combined with Los Angeles' 7-5 win over visiting Baltimore (in which the Orioles blew a pair of three-run leads), the victory maintained the Giants' edge in the NL West at five full games. The Giants have split their last 10 games but have bounced back from that gruesome three-game skid against the cross-bay vowels by winning four of five.

Before ... (Getty Images)

Starting pitcher Jake Peavy grabbed his fifth win of the year, rebounding from his nightmare outing versus Oakland five days ago to turn in a solid effort; and regular readers know it's killing us to admit that. There was the traditional 'what the..." inning, but this time it didn't snowball into something sinister,

The game mirrored Peavy's campaign. There's been Good Jake and Bad Jake; with the Bad Jake of Peavy's first seven starts slowly being pushed into the shadows just as the rest of rotation finds itself in need of a pick-me-up.  He's 4-2 with a 2.27 ERA over his last eight starts. Yeah, we were just as surprised as you are.

But it was Bad Jake who showed up in the Colorado second. A single, double and walk loaded the bases with one out, and with opposing pitcher Tyler Anderson at the plate the strikeout had to be on everyone's mind. Peavy got it, and that would have been glorious if he hadn't balked home a run in the process.

The Giants came right back via the long ball. Buster Posey led off the home second with a blast halfway up the bleachers in left center, tying the game at 1-1. The good guys added to that in the third when Ruben Tejada singled and got to cruise home when Angel Pagan reached out and hooked an Anderson offering into the left field seats for a 3-1 lead.  

And that was it. At Coors Field 3-1 is a normal first inning. At AT&T, more often than not that's a day's work. The Giants' offense certainly thought it was done. After Pagan's shot SF managed just two hits, Grant Green's single in the sixth and a Pagan double in the eighth, and Green was erased on a double play. Pagan's double was a product of the sun when Charlie Blackmon lost a high fly ball. The cloudless sky and bright sun were destined to bite someone, and fortunately the Giants avoided it's jaws despite a handful of close calls.

Peavy went a solid 6 2/3, discounting his brain fart second frame. He allowed a run on five hits, striking out six and waking two (and the Superman catch by Mac Williamson in the seventh didn't hurt). Javy Lopez got foul popup, spectacularly snagged by Ruben Tejada, to close the seventh.

....and after. (AP Photo)

Temping fate, Bruce Bochy used three relievers to get through the eighth. The frame marked the return of Sergio Romo from injury as the Giants' reeling bullpen searched for a savior. Pitching for the first time since April 10, he got highlight defense from the Brandons for his first out then gave up a double to Nolan Arrenado on a 3-1 challenge. Romo's day was done in favor of Josh Osich.

Osich saw one batter, getting Carlos Gonzalez on a grounder, as Bochy played the match-up game. Derek Law drew the assignment of getting Trevor Story, who was retired 4-3 on a bang-bang play.

The ninth was once again the domain of Santiago Casilla, who for once left the drama he game. He retired the Rockies in order, fanning the last two hitters for his 20th save.

Pagan enjoyed the only multi-hit game with a double and single to go with Posey's homer and singles from Green and Tejada.

The Giants get a chance to glide into next week's All-Star Break, facing Colorado through Wednesday before getting a day off, then hosting Arizona for a weekend three-spot to finish off the pre-break session.

Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 2.20 ERA) will go to the mound Tuesday against Colorado, opposing Tyler Chatwood (8-4, 3.15). Bumgarner is likely to get one more start before the break, with the team suggesting he'd pitch Sunday on regular rest. That adjustment also should keep in in uniform but out of action for next Tuesay's All-Star Game in San Diego, saving those bullets for games that matter. 

In a corresponding move, San Francisco made room for Romo on the roster by sending Albert Suarez baack to AAA Sacramento. Although he's been starting in place of the injured Matt Cain, the off day will allow what would have been his next start to be skipped. With Cain and Joe Panik bother expected back after the intermission, more roster shuffling lies ahead.

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