Giants’ Webb Completes Game Shutout over Rockies
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in San Francisco, Sunday, July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
2023.07.09 – Logan Webb with a 10-strikeout complete-game shutout, and the San Francisco Giants’ J.D. Davis’ solo homer, made it stand in a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
Giants pitcher Webb got a standing ovation and had the crowd chanting his name as he emerged from the home dugout and headed to the mound for the ninth inning against Colorado.
The scene reminded Webb of the feelings he had when pitching against the Dodgers two years ago in the NLDS.
“It was that loud after every strikeout or every out,” Webb said. “It’s a good feeling so hopefully I can get some more of those feelings and that same feeling in the playoffs.”
Webb (8-7) labored through a 19-pitch first inning against the Rockies before settling in. The 26-year-old right-hander, who was win less in his previous two starts after allowing seven runs over 11 2/3 innings, allowed seven hits in his first career shutout and reached double-figure Ks for the fourth time this season.
“I don’t really know how to explain it,” said Webb, who leads the majors with 126 innings pitched. “Super excited I was able to do that, especially a 1-0 to win the game. Finish it off on a good note was good going into the break.”
2023.07.09 (SF Giants vs. CO Rockies) See Full Highlights
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb throws in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in San Francisco, Sunday, July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
2023.07.09 (SF Giants vs. CO Rockies) See Full Highlights
2023.07.09 (SF Giants vs. CO Rockies) See Full Highlights
Rockies starter Kyle Freeland left the game with an apparent right shoulder injury. He left the game in the seventh inning with a subluxation injury to his non-throwing shoulder. The 30-year-old left-hander was trying to field a bunt by Brett Wisely and dove to get the ball. He then rolled over and screamed in pain as teammates rushed to him. Colorado manager Bud Black and a team trainer also came out to examine the pitcher, who slowly walked off the field cradling his right arm. There was no immediate word on Freeland’s condition or his injury.
Davis’s 11th homer of the season – which had an exit velocity of 109.1 mph – sent the Giants into the All-Star break with a record of 49-41, good enough for third place in the NL West behind Arizona and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Webb worked out of jam in the first inning when Jurickson Profar’s hit skipped past center fielder Luis Matos for a double. The Giants’ ace was even better at the end, striking out the side in the ninth on 13 pitches.
“He’s fully capable of that any time. It shouldn’t surprise any of us,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “It just kind of speaks to his durability. That’s why he’s one of the league leaders in innings pitched and it’s why his teammates and his staff have so much faith in him and respect for him.”
Webb credited an improved change-up as the key factor.
“I think my change-up was getting back to the depth that we were kind of trying to shoot for,” Webb said. “For a couple games I lost that a little bit, but that was the big one. It felt good. Just kept going back to it and everything was going my way.”
In addition to another gem by Webb, San Francisco’s defense also came up big.
Profar singled down the first base line to open the game, but was thrown out by right fielder Mike Yastrzemski while trying to go to second base.
The Giants turned a nifty double play in the sixth when first baseman Wilmer Flores made a running stop of Ryan McMahon’s grounder and threw to second. Shortstop Casey Schmitt took the throw for the out made the relay throw to Webb, who was covering first.
2023.07.09 – SF Giants vs. CO Rockies (Larry Krueger – post-game)
San Francisco Giants’ J.D. Davis is greeted by teammate Michael Conforto after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland in the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
2023.07.09 – SF Giants vs. CO Rockies (Larry Krueger – post-game)
2023.07.09 – SF Giants vs. CO Rockies (Larry Krueger – post-game)
Webb played his part, covering first to complete a 3-6-1 double play that ended the sixth. Schmitt and Wisely turned a slick double play in the seventh, with Schmitt showcasing his strong arm on that play as well as a rocket to first to get Ezequiel Tovar by an inch to end the second inning.
“Our defense was superb,” Kapler said. “Can’t tell you how satisfying it is to win a game with great starting pitching and defense. It’s a dream.”
“Electric,” catcher Patrick Bailey said. “The change-up was probably the best I’ve ever seen it. The slider was dialed. The sinker execution was about as good as it gets.”
Webb was at 90 pitches after eight innings and the Giants have an All-Star closer in Camilo Doval. Leaving Webb in wasn’t as automatic a call as you might think, but with the fans going nuts, Kapler made the popular choice.
Going into the break, Webb had thrown the most innings in the majors, 126, and he’s well on his way to his stated goal of 200 innings. “I came up with a lot of guys that were really good at doing that,” said Webb, who played with Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija as a rookie. “I think that kind of old-school part of them really rubbed off on me.”
The Giants enter the All-Star break with a 49-41 record and in third place, 2½ games behind the division-leading Dodgers and Diamondbacks. San Francisco was 47-43 after 90 games last year.
2023.07.09 – SF Giants vs. CO Rockies (Locked On post game)
Colorado Rockies’ Jurickson Profar is tagged out at second base by San Francisco Giants shortstop Casey Schmitt in the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, July 9, 2023. Profar singled to right field and was stretching to second on the play. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)Eric Risberg/Associated Press
2023.07.09 – SF Giants vs. CO Rockies (Locked On post game)
2023.07.09 – SF Giants vs. CO Rockies (Locked On post game)
Harold Castro had two hits for the Rockies, who have lost 13 of 14 games to the Giants dating to August. Colorado (34-57) has lost six of seven.
Before getting hurt, Freeland (4-10) had to pitch around traffic in almost every inning and lost his seventh consecutive road start. Freeland allowed seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking three with no strikeouts.
“I hope he’s alright,” Webb said. “He was throwing a really good game.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: SS Brandon Crawford was held out of the starting lineup after leaving Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury.
UP NEXT
Rockies: Following the All-Star break, Colorado begins a three-game series against the Yankees at Coors Field on Friday.
Giants: San Francisco returns from the break on Friday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
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