Willy, J-Bell Cut Giants Down to Size 4-0

Barry Bonds got a vid salute, his number retired, speechified, and rode around the field in a convertible throwing out autographed baseballs to the fans before running out to left field (Alen Hanson shooed him away *whew*), so the game started 1/2 hour late. The extravaganza didn't bother Ty Blach at all; he fanned two of the first three Bucs. The Giants got a knock in their half off Trevor Williams. Cervy walked with an out in the second, and J-Bell followed with a 6-4-3 DP. An infield single was erased on a caught stealing, making for a 1-2-3 inning spun by Willy. J-Hay walked to open the third, then Jordy singled. A bunt and sac fly manufactured a Pirates run. Cutch walked with two down and Buster Posey singled but a fly to Gregory shut it down. He opened the fourth with a bunt single and Freeser followed with another bleeder knock. Cervy K'ed fishing for changes, but J-Bell had his back; he swung through a first-pitch fat fastball but didn't miss one the second time around, drilling it into the left field stands. The Bay boys got a knock but didn't threaten the plate.

Willy and the ball were on the same page tonight (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

All the news wasn't good that inning; Cervy took a foul off the face mask and was taken out of the game. Casey Kelly took the bump and spun a clean fifth frame; Willy kept dealing, too. Eli singled with two away in the sixth for all the Bucco noise. A fly, single and 4-6-3 DP took care of the G-Men. Kelly kept the Pirates quiet in the seventh, and Willy did the same. Kelly tossed another zero in the eighth. Keone Kela took the ball after Willy gave up five hits with a walk & two K in seven frames/104 pitches and tucked the Giants away without a peep. Eli beat out an infield roller in the ninth but no more points; San Francisco should have started Kelly. Felipe Vazquez toed the slab and a bouncer, single and 4-6-3 DP sealed the deal. RTJR.

As Earl Weaver noted, good pitching and three-run homers will carry you a long way, and he was on the money tonight. Willy mostly fired fastballs, and even with a bit of a squeezed zone, he worked the edges and levels beautifully again. Now to see if J-Grove can bring home the series tomorrow...

Notes:

• Eli had two hits tonight; the team only had six. The Pirates scored four runs on four hits against Blach thanks to J-Bell's bomb. Eli had the only two hits that Kelly surrendered.
• Willy has allowed two runs in 29 innings on 27 hits over his last five starts for a 4-1/0.62 line; four of those outings were goose eggs from Williams with his only loss being by a 2-1 count.
• Pittsburgh leads the majors with 13 shutouts.
• The Pirates announced that Fran Cervelli was removed as a precaution and is being examined by the medicos.

BB kicked the show off tonight (1988 Fleer)

• Barry Bonds was gracious speaking during his Giants ceremony, noting his appreciation of Jim Leyland & Bill Virdon, then saying "Thank you, Pittsburgh. Thank you to the black and gold for all the wonderful years." He also had a good, chatty interview with the Bucco broadcasters.