CHICAGO -- The Giants got a good win yesterday, but early on they lost a modest streak. When Brandon Belt dropped a pop-up, the team lost a franchise-record 17-game errorless streak. They were one game away from tying the 2009 Yankees for the longest streak since 1913, which is as far back as many records go.
The Giants have made just two errors in their last 26 games and Bochy pointed to that run as one of the reasons he has remained optimistic while losing two-thirds of his games.
"That's one of the reasons it's hard with what we've been playing through, and some of the troubles, because we have played very well defensively," he said. "I'm good with that. They're playing the way they are and keeping their focus. I'm good with that. Things aren't going so well offensively, but you don't take it out there defensively."
Even in yesterday's win, the Giants scratched across just three runs, scoring on an error, a seeing-eye single, and a one-man effort from Brandon Crawford. It is hotter at Wrigley today and the wind is blowing out a bit to left, so it could be a day for the bats. That's not great for Johnny Cueto, who has slowed in the second half and has allowed 10 runs in his past two starts here.
--- Cueto won't have Brandon Crawford behind him. Bochy said this was a planned day off, and others are coming for regulars. Angel Pagan is also getting a rest day. That moves Brandon Belt up to fifth, despite a .208 average since the break that had previously dropped him as far as eighth.
In the past, when Belt is swinging through fastballs like this, Bochy has given him two or three days in a row to clear his head and reset. That won't happen in September.
San Francisco Giants
"He's our guy," Bochy said. "He's our best defensive first baseman and Brandon is the kind of guy who can come out of it like that. He's back out there today. If I feel he needs a couple days, sure, I'll give it to him, but he wants to be out there."
--- The minor league season is wrapping up, but Bochy said there are no current plans to add additional call-ups. That can always change, of course. Trevor Brown was on the couch last year when he got the call, and he ended up playing just about every day down the stretch for a banged-up team. For now, Brown will be the only backup catcher, and he said he's feeling much better. The Giants have him on a pretty strong mix of medicine.
--- Travel plans: Gregor Blanco will likely join the Giants in Arizona to continue his rehab, but Bochy didn't have an update on how Blanco is doing. With Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker back, and Gorkys Hernandez on the bench, there's no reason to rush Blanco. Matt Moore will fly to Denver during today's game. He'll start tomorrow in another day game.
--- I'll send this out one more time since it'll be replaced by a new episode soon: Here's my podcast with Grant Brisbee of McCovey Chronicles. You can find it on iTunes here. If you like the pods, please consider leaving a rating on iTunes!
