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Tony Vitello Praises Giants' Offensive Spark
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- Tony Vitello Praises Giants' Offensive Spark
(© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
For the San Francisco Giants , Tuesday's 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers featured a breakout performance from veteran catcher Eric Haase , who powered the offense with two home runs while continuing to impress the coaching staff behind the plate.
Following the game, Giants manager Tony Vitello spoke extensively about Haase's impact, both offensively and defensively, after one of the biggest performances of the season from the backup catcher.
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"I thought what he did behind the plate was incredible," Vitello said. "He did a lot of the things that you're wanting to say from the dugout. It's so much easier from the dugout, but on the field he did a lot of the directional stuff and kind of the coaching up of the pitcher stuff that we want done."
Haase's work offensively proved just as important. The Giants struggled to consistently generate offense early in the game before the veteran catcher changed the momentum with a pair of home runs that helped secure the victory.
"What you're talking about is the highlights on the hitting," Vitello said. "It was an incredible night offensively, and we needed something because we just didn't have anything cooking. He did that for us a couple different times."
Vitello explained that Haase's value goes beyond production at the plate, pointing to the respect he has earned throughout the clubhouse.
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"Anytime someone's around him, you instantly enjoy being around him," Vitello said. "He also knows the game. I think he really knows the game too, so he's a good one to be in the trenches with."
Video courtesy of NBC Sports Bay Area
The Giants' pitching staff also continued its strong run against one of baseball's toughest lineups. Vitello praised both Adrian Houser and Trevor McDonald for limiting damage against a dangerous Dodgers offense despite stressful moments on the mound.
"I thought our guys have pitched really well," Vitello said. "Houser just continues to push forward despite kind of quirky outings. If you suffocate the strike zone, it's difficult for anybody, no matter who you are."
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Houser finally earned a win after notably struggling to begin the season, perhaps one of his best starts of the season against a formidable Dodgers lineup. Vitello believed the right-hander's consistency from his last start eventually had to pay off.
"He's got extreme composure, he gets after the strike zone, he doesn't ever panic, and he's got really good stuff," Vitello said. "If he just goes out there and is himself every outing, the percentages and the numbers gotta even out."
Vitello also praised Jung Hoo Lee 's competitive nature and the growing chemistry throughout the clubhouse.
"He is ultra-competitive," Vitello said. "But when he's at his best, he's got that fun little leaguer vibe in him where he really likes playing the game."
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With contributions coming throughout the roster and strong chemistry continuing to build, the Giants continue to build momentum with another statement win over their division rivals. After a difficult few weeks for the Giants, it may seem they are hitting their stride.
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