The Giants defeated the Bluejays by a score of 2-1 at Bob Moore Stadium today. It was another game where pitchers ruled. Joe Rispole started and went the distance for the Giants, pitching a superb game. Joe only gave up 3 hits, struck out 6 and only allowed 1 walk. Rick Lofferdo, fresh off a complete game win against the Mets last Thursday, went the distance for the Jays today. Rick only gave up 4 hits and he got out of a couple of tough jams along the way. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when the Jays scored 1 on an RBI single by Mike Eplite. The Giants evened the score in the top of the sixth with a bases loaded walk to Rispole. In the top of the 7th, Mike Aiello led off with a walk; Carlos Illera singled and then Aiello scored what held up as the game winning run on a throw by Loffredo that was off the mark to third base after he fielded a bunt by Dick Stark. The Jays threatened in the bottom of the 7th with a 1-out double to left-center by Mike Eplite. Eplite moved to third on a fielders choice ground ball by John Malone to second base. With 2 outs, Mark Mitchell hit a ground ball in the hole between short and third. The Giants SS, Mike Hicks made a great play going to his right and fired the ball to first just beating Mitchell for the final out. Arduini, Stark, Keegan and Illera had singles for the Gaints. Mike Eplite had a double and a single for the Jays. Steve Vangelder got the other hit for the Jays - a hard hit single in the 1st.
The Giants are back in their true form. They will be tough to beat down the stretch. Nice game to all.
That was one heckuv a game that could have gone on forever.
Giants stranded 13 runners as Loffredo constantly gutted it out to make great pitches when he needed to. That was as gutsy a performance as I've ever seen in this league. And the Jays defense was superb. Unfortunately, as Mike K. aluded to, the only error came in the 7th on the bunt, and Rick didn't deserve to lose on that play. Even as an opposing player, I felt horrible for him.
But Joe matched Ricky's intensity and was a bit more economical in pitch count. Joe also managed to get out of a tight spot or two. And the last play of the game was what separated us last night. Hicks made a great throw from the hole with two outs and the tying run on third.
Don't want to see them in the playoffs, but then again, who do we really want to see with the parity we have this year?
