SAN FRANCISCO—Ace right-hander Logan Webb threw 7 2/3 shutout innings, rookie center fielder Grant McCray had his first career hit and home run, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 6–0 on Thursday to avoid being swept in a four-game series matching National League wild-card contenders.
The Giants snapped a four-game losing streak behind Webb’s stellar performance. The All-Star recorded his fourth straight win and held an opponent to a run or fewer for his fourth consecutive start. He finished at least seven innings for the 14th time this season, the most of any pitcher in the major leagues.
“It really was kind of a must-win for us,” said San Francisco Manager Bob Melvin, whose club had fallen 4 1/2 games behind Atlanta, which holds the third and final wild-card position. “Those are the guys you want on the mound in those types of games, and he came as advertised.”
Webb (11–8) threw 104 pitches, striking out seven, and holding the Braves to four hits. He departed with runners at the corners and two outs in the eighth. Webb said that his arm strength has been improving the past couple of starts.
“Whenever as a starter you get a lead, it’s your job to maintain it,” Webb said. “The guys came out swinging today and playing great defense. It was a recipe for success, for sure.”
After going hitless in his major-league debut Wednesday night, McCray, went 2 for 3 with a solo homer in the sixth inning that extended San Francisco’s lead to 5–0.
With his father, former big-leaguer Rodney McCray, watching from the stands, the Giants’ 11th-ranked prospect earlier recorded his first big-league hit with an RBI bunt single in the second inning that knocked in the game’s’s first run.
“I just blacked out, honestly,” the younger McCray said. “I rounded second and was like, ‘This is for real, got it out of the way, finally.’ Just overwhelmed with excitement.”
Casey Schmitt hit a two-run blast earlier in the sixth that doubled the Giants’ lead to 4–0.
Grant McCray said his nerves got the better of him in his first game, but he entered Thursday with a different attitude.
“Today I just came in with the mindset of it’s just another game. Play hard and do your job,” he said.
San Francisco scored two runs in the second after loading the bases with nobody out. Tyler Fitzgerald delivered a sacrifice fly for the second run.
Braves starter Max Fried (7–7), who pitched into the sixth, allowed three runs and struck out five. Atlanta Manager Brian Snitker said that Fried struggled at times but limited the damage, but the offense was “shut down” by Webb.
“You can tell when he came out, he was on a mission,” Snitker said. “He was going to give their bullpen a break, and he did. And he was efficient. Very, very competitive guy, with really good stuff. And with that sinker, really throws a lot of strikes. He’s a tough ride.”
Trainer’s Room
Braves: Outfielder Jorge Soler, who exited Wednesday’s game with left-hamstring tightness, has a mild strain, an MRI revealed. He is considered day-to-day.Up Next
Braves: Right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (4–5, 3.95 earned-run average) is set to start Friday when the Braves begin a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels. Right-hander Jose Soriano (6–7, 3.36) is the Angels’ scheduled starter.Giants: After a rare Friday off, rookie right-hander Hayden Birdsong (3–2, 5.40) is scheduled to start in Saturday’s opener of a two-game series at Oakland. The A’s are expected to counter with right-hander Osvaldo Bido (3–3, 3.92).
