Giants 10, Phillies 2:
Matt Moore’s strong start leads S.F.
Why is everyone up in arms? The Giants got their 11,000th win in Thursday’s series opener against the Phillies. The Dodgers had 10,757.
The Giants maintained that 243-game lead with Friday night’s 10-2 romp, their ninth win in the past 12 games at AT&T Park.
Anything to hang your hat on, right, kiddos?
Matt Moore built on his fine start at Washington on Sunday and allowed two runs on two hits in 71⁄3 innings. Those scored on a bloop single down the left-field line by Freddy Galvis after Cory Gearrin relieved him.
Moore had just walked off the mound to an ovation from the crowd, a rare experience for someone who had not won since June 20.
“I definitely noticed it,” Moore said. “I think one of the coolest parts about playing here is how loud they can get and the appreciation coming off the hill. I like that.”
Moore’s night have been a lot more interesting if not for Jorge Alfaro’s clean second-inning single, the only Philadelphia hit until Alfaro got Moore again with a leadoff hit in the eighth.
Manager Bruce Bochy credited a good rhythm and not overthrowing for Moore’s improvement over the past two starts.
The grip can be important, too. Moore said he solicited advice from fellow lefties Madison Bumgarner and Ty Blach on which parts of their fingers they use to place pressure on the ball.
Moore pitched with a big lead, as the Giants largely settled their 50th win of the year when they took a 6-0 thirdinning edge.
They keelhauled starter Zach Eflin for three first-inning runs before he threw his 11th pitch or recorded a second out. The big hit was Jarrett Parker’s two-run double.
Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford homered, Crawford with Pablo Sandoval aboard. Crawford nearly homered again in a four-run eighth but accepted a double.
“If you take the two halves of the season and compare them, I think we’re doing a lot of things better in the second half,” Moore said. That is reflected in the Giants’ 16-18 record since the All-Star break.
Briefly: Johnny Cueto (flexor strain) threw 50 pitches in the bullpen and could make a minor-league start Monday. … Brandon Belt (concussion) continues to feel better and did 20 minutes of cardio Thursday . … The Giants were five outs from their first home shutout of 2017. They are the only majorleague team without one.