Giants reliever thrust into spotlight, expecting ‘outrageous’ cheering section in St. Louis

DENVER, COLORADO – AUGUST 03: Pitcher Sam Coonrod #65 of the San Francisco Giants throws in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 03, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)ST. LOUIS — When Sam Coonrod earned his first major league win for the Giants, it was easy to see why the organization believed in his abilities.

The rookie right-hander blew through the heart of the Chicago Cubs order, striking out Javier Báez with a 97-mile per hour fastball, punching out Kris Bryant with a 99-mile per hour fastball, and inducing a weak groundout from Anthony Rizzo.

In the 13th inning of a 4-4 game, Coonrod stared down three All-Stars and…