Living life on top

Giants 3, A's 2

A year ago, Heliot Ramos was barely a week into his last chance with the Giants. Two months later he was wearing an All Star jersey in Texas.

Fast forward to today, he's the most powerful hitter in the Giants' lineup. He might be the most important, too.

Ramos leads the Giants in runs, hits, and OPS. In May alone he's hitting .396 with a 1.148 OPS. It's a surge that's kept the Giants afloat while seemingly every other hitter is waiting for the Baseball Gods to smile down on them. It's a surge that enabled the Giants to win Sunday and sweep the A's.

Ramos belted the A's first pitch of the game into the bleachers. Then he capped a comeback in the eighth by pulling a base hit into left. All the better, he's doing this from the leadoff spot, where he's spent the last few days. He's getting more at-bats than anyone else on the team.

I'm all in favor of the best hitter batting first. That's why it has to be Ramos.

Up next: The Royals come to town and present the toughest test to Win Day. They send Kris Bubic (4-2, 1.66 ERA) to the mound against Robbie Ray (6-0, 3.04), with his season-long win streak on the line. First pitch at 6:45 pm.

🎧 Listen to Giants Postcards: Kerry and I are back, and right away we suggested that Jordan Hicks move to the bullpen. Looks like Buster Posey and Bob Melvin are among our listeners. Can’t imagine where else they could have gotten that idea. Listen on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere else with podcasts. Leave us a review, please!