He’s come back from Tommy John surgery and has said he is considered legally blind. He was diagnosed with a severe astigmatism, which causes blurred vision, in third or fourth grade when he had difficulty seeing the ball.
But as he blossomed this summer, it was hard to believe he had anything standing in his way. Webb, who went 11-3 with a 3.03 E.R.A. in 27 games (26 starts), finished the season making 20 consecutive starts without a losing decision. It is the longest such streak for the Giants since Jack Sanford in 1962.
“He’s got three pitches that are elite, which is definitely a luxury on my end,” Posey said.
Webb allowed only two hits over the first five innings and got help from San Francisco’s impressive defense, including a slick, inning-ending double play in the fourth when second baseman Tommy La Stella fielded Justin Turner’s ground ball up the middle and shoveled the ball from his glove to Brandon Crawford at the bag while La Stella’s momentum was carrying him toward center field. The toss didn’t arrive in a perfect spot, but Crawford was able to pluck the ball out of the air and execute a snappy relay throw that reached first base just in time.
Webb described the play as “sick.” Kapler said he thought “it was one of the better plays we’ve made all year.”
And with that, the Giants have the Dodgers on their heels.