Logan Webb pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings, Grant McCray got his first career hit and home run, and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves 6-0 on Thursday to avoid being swept.
The Giants ended a four-game losing streak thanks to Webb’s performance. The All-Star earned his fourth straight win and kept opponents to a run or fewer for his fourth consecutive start. He went at least seven innings for the 14th time this season, the most of any pitcher in the majors.
“It really was kind of a must-win for us,” San Francisco manager Bob Melvin said. “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, struck out seven, and limited the Braves to four hits. He left the game with runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth. Webb mentioned that his arm strength has been improving over his last few 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.”
McCray, who didn’t get a hit in his major league debut on Wednesday, went 2 for 3 and hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to make the score 5-0.
With his father, former big-leaguer Rodney McCray, watching from the stands, McCray, the Giants’ 11th-ranked prospect, also had an RBI bunt single in the second inning that brought in San Francisco’s first run for his first major league hit.
“I just blacked out, honestly,” McCray said. “I rounded second and was like, ‘This is for real, got it out of the way, finally.’ Just overwhelmed with excitement.”
McCray’s home run came after a two-run blast by Casey Schmitt earlier in the sixth that increased the Giants’ lead from 2-0 to 4-0.
McCray said he was nervous in his first game, but he approached Thursday with a different mindset.
“Today I just came in with the mindset of it’s just another game. Play hard and do your job,” McCray said.
San Francisco added two runs in the second after loading the bases with no outs. Tyler Fitzgerald recorded a sacrifice fly after McCray’s hit to give the Giants a 2-0 lead.
