SF Giants Gameday: Kapler rewarded for conviction in Giants' best win

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler has shouldered a lot of criticism for his team's performance in his first season at the helm. So when things work out in his team's favor, it's only fair that Kapler receives praise for strategic moves that paid off. Kapler made several difficult tactical decisions during Tuesday's 7-6 comeback win over the Houston Astros and helped give the Giants a chance to steal a series win in Wednesday's finale. Keeping the faith in veteran outfielder Hunter Pence hasn't been easy through his 2-for-32 start to the season, but Kapler has insisted Pence's track record for producing big numbers against left-handed pitchers will eventually lead to positive results. The Giants' manager was right about that on Tuesday when he called on Pence to come off the bench and face Astros southpaw Blake Taylor in the seventh inning of a game Houston lead 6-2. Pence promptly delivered his first home run of the season, a three-run blast over the right field fence that gave the Giants new life. When his club carried a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the 10th inning, Kapler made another move that showed his conviction in a key reliever and his coaching staff's decision-making process. Despite right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers' struggles in a few high-leverage situations this season, Kapler turned to Rogers to shut down the Astros and was rewarded when the rookie picked up his first career save. With a runner on third and one out in the 10th, Rogers needed a strike out and got the job done against Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, the leading hitter in Houston's lineup. Things haven't been easy for Kapler this season, particularly as he attempts to win the trust of fans who watched Bruce Bochy lead the Giants over the last 13 years. Tuesday's win was a confidence-builder for the Giants' manager, his players and in turn, some skeptical fans.