San Francisco Giants push winning streak to double digits

Jun 22, 2023, 7:30 AM

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Camilo Doval #75 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by Patrick Bailey #14 after they beat the San Diego Padres on June 21, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY DIGIT AL

Sactown Sports

An overturned call in the fifth inning helped the San Francisco Giants Wednesday extend their winning streak to 10 games.

The bats didn’t come alive until the fifth inning when Luis Matos and Blake Sabol recorded back-to-back singles. Second baseman David Villar was walked next, setting up loaded bases for Brandon Crawford.

Crawford hit a sacrifice fly, getting the Giants on the board first. Then the controversy took place. After Padres pitcher Yu Darvish struck out Casey Schmitt, Joc Pederson hit a single to right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who appeared to throw Sabol out at the plate, ending the inning.

However, the play was challenged with the Giants arguing that Padres catcher Gary Sánchez blocked the path to the plate. The call was reversed, leading to two more runs that inning, enough to win the game 4-2. San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin was eventually tossed from the game after arguing against the challenge.

Bob Melvin was HEATED after an out at the plate was overturned 😳 pic.twitter.com/Gq1OiIGDcw

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 22, 2023

After the game, Giants manager Gabe Kapler explained what he saw and why they challenged the play.

“There wasn’t a clear lane to the plate. Essentially, the rule as we understand it is if the catcher’s left foot is on the outside of the line without the baseball, he’s not providing a clear lane to the plate for the baserunner. That’s what we saw on video. That’s what it looked like in real time.”

The Giants will look to extend their streak to 11 games and sweep the Padres Thursday night. Their 10-game winning streak is currently the second longest in the MLB, only behind the Cincinnati Reds’ 11-game winning streak.

May we have your a🔟tion, please? pic.twitter.com/207ZvgC5SX

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 22, 2023

Despite the win, there appeared to be some sour news. Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski left the game in the fifth inning after appearing to hurt his leg advancing bases. According to the Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports, Yastrzemski had tightness in his left hamstring. He’s expected to get an MRI today.