Webb gem

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after right fielder Jung Hoo Lee #51 made a running catch at the wall to end the top of the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park on June 14, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s easy to forget how good pitching can help produce good hitting.

The correlation isn’t always guaranteed, isn’t always direct or obvious, but every once and awhile those two different facets of the game sync for a team, and it becomes perfectly clear how much one needs, or feeds, off the other. Defenders are also hitters. The Giants field eight two-way players who not only watch, but prepare, for every pitch thrown by the pitching staff.

Every missed fastball and spiked slider in every prolonged at-bat in every drawn-out inning takes its toll over a long game or long series. There’s a trickle down effect to all that standing around — it’s not just the pitcher who struggles. It’s hard for the other players to stay vigilant, to stay sharp as the mind wanders and the body tires.

Errors are made. Mistakes seem to compound. Outfielders and infielders are like the rest of us, they’re fans of baseball.

They love to be involved, to see action. Good pitching gets them gassed up! Jung Hoo Lee said as much about Logan Webb’s performance before his run-saving, wall-colliding catch in the 8th inning.

Webb had recorded 23 Chicago hitters in the game so far and wanted a 24th. At the time, the Giants had a three-run lead — but the Cubs had just scored their first run on a throwing error by first baseman Casey Schmitt, and threatened with a runner on second base. Webb’s pitch count had eclipsed the century mark.

Manager Tony Vitello went out to the mound to go get his starter and was turned back by his starter. Webb wanted to finish the inning, and even in the far reaches of right field with the afternoon sun in his eyes, Lee could see that. His