R.A. Dickey ate 6 more innings.  They were not delicious.

The Giants picked up 7 runs in the first 3 innings to take the series 2 games to 1.  Dickey allowed 6 hits and walked 5 in the first 2+ innings, and 6 of the runs were earned.  Johnny Cueto and 3 relievers held the Braves to 7 hits, 3 by Matt Kemp.

I’m going to say something that may be considered heretical:  I’ve never believed in “hibernation mode.” It’s perfectly natural for a team to go many innings without scoring a run, no matter how many runs they score early on.  In fact, it’s the nature of the game. Having said that, the Giants went into hibernation mode.  A sacrifice fly by Cueto in the 3rd marked the first of 18 consecutive outs the Giants made to close out the game.  Matt Wisler recorded the final 6 of those, 1 by strikeout.

The series loss marks the first lost series since the 2 game sweep in Houston, May 9 and 10.  The Braves have a 10 and 7 record over this stretch, and maintain a 1/2 game lead over the 3rd place Mets, who play later on ESPN because New York.  Keep hooooooooooope! alive.

The Braves try again on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anywhere-There-Might-Not-Be-Dodgers-Fans, 9:07 pm Eastern time.

The funniest thing I ever heard about San Francisco:  “Buster Posey was safe.” – some umpire.  (Note: full disclosure, this is NOT the funniest thing I ever heard about San Francisco.)