It was a sentimental pleasure to see Pablo Sandoval, The Panda, back at his old position at third base. It was something I thought I’d never see again after he left for Boston in 2015. Three years later, with two years left on his lucrative guaranteed contract, paid for by the Red Sox despite having released him last season, the Giants now have him back at the price of a veteran minimum salary. To everyone’s surprise, he appears to be back at something close to his peak form, hitting near his career .280 average with decent power and his old deceptive agility fielding his old position. It may be that his experience in Boston, where he indulged his worst conditioning habits, humbled him to a point where he was willing to do whatever it took to stay in baseball. So far, he has amply justified his low-risk opportunity of redemption from the Giants, and if nothing else, seeing him dive for balls again and zing throws across the diamond to first was a wonderful reminder that sometimes life actually offers second chances.
It was also a treat to see Padres reliever Adam Cimber come into the game in the fifth. Cimber is one of the few MLB pitchers who throws with a submarine motion, with his arm nearly dragging in the dirt as he zings the ball to the plate. The last time I saw someone throw that way in person was in the early ’80s when Kent Tekulve pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cimber retired his first three Giants in order, but he gave up three hits and two runs to the four Giants he faced in the sixth inning. Judging from his 3.18 ERA, his stuff is probably pretty good, but the Padres may want to keep him as a one-inning specialist, taking advantage of hitters before they can adjust to his motion. If he’s used right, he could have a good career in front of him.
The hope has been for the Giants to stay afloat this season until they get their injured stars back on the field, upon which they could make a late run for a playoff spot. They have succeeded with the first part, with Bumgarner back no worse for wear and Johnny Cueto about three weeks away from returning to the mound as well. They can afford to tread water a little longer, but the time is near when they will need to make their move, especially since the LA Dodgers have recovered from their early-season face plant and are now in second place in the West. The field of contenders is getting crowded in the division.
The future is now, guys. October is within reach.
