It never feels good to get shut out on opening day. Especially when the guy you tried to sign over the offseason hits a dinger in the first inning.
The Giants lineup looked lifeless in Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Yankees, when it mustered up just four hits – all singles – and three walks all afternoon. New York ace Gerrit Cole racked up 11 strikeouts in six scoreless innings to set a Yankees opening day record before the Yankees bullpen closed it out.
At least Giants fans got to watch Logan Webb deal on the mound, as he set a new opening day franchise record and career high with 12 strikeouts over six innings. After the game, a reporter asked Webb if he was trying to match Cole, as 11 of the first 12 batters were retired via strikeout to begin the contest.
“No. I don’t think it would be smart for me to try and match that guy in strikeouts,” Webb said with a smile, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “I think he’s the best strikeout pitcher in baseball. I wasn’t necessarily trying to go toe-to-toe with him. I was just trying to not give up any runs. He did a better job of that than I did.”
When the Yankees signed Cole to a nine-year, $324 million contract before the 2020 season, it was for dominant displays like Thursday.
Webb is making just $4.6 million in his first year of arbitration – compared to Cole’s massive $36 million salary this season – but the Giants right-hander had his slider, sinker and changeup all working Thursday afternoon in the Bronx.
Ultimately, Webb was done in by the long ball, as he gave up an early home run to Aaron (Arson?) Judge and a two-run shot to Gleyber Torres in the fourth inning. Webb, who gave up just 11 home runs all last season, finished six innings, giving up four earned runs on four hits and two walks. By the end of the day, the Yankees and Giants each recorded 16 strikeouts.
Given MLB’s odd scheduling quirk of giving teams rest after opening day, the Giants will have to stew about this one until Saturday.
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