They’re a team rich in history and on this Election Day, they are world champions. Willie Mays, Dusty Rhodes, and Johnny Antonelli are just three names from the last time the Giants were world champions. Leo Durocher was the team’s skipper and “The Catch” was the talk of the nation. Fifty-six years later, it’s Buster Posey, Cody Ross and Freddy Sanchez. I had a healthy disdain for Barry Bonds’ San Fransico Giants. I have to admit, the 2010 World Series champions are an easy team to fall in love with. Texas’ tenacious lineup never threatened San Francisco pitching. The Giants toppled Texas four games to one with dominant arms and timely hitting. The Rangers, a team who had no problem putting up 30 plus runs against New York, were shut out twice in five games. Texas’ offense went from decimation to deficiency. San Francisco battled Cliff Lee twice in the series and came out on the upside both times. On Monday, San Francisco’s 3-1 game five victory propelled them to a world championship. Now Giants fans are enjoying their most gratifying moment since the team’s move from the Polo Grounds.
The only disappointing thing about the Giants winning the series (except for it not being the Yankees) is Barry Zito’s benching. It would have been great for the veteran southpaw to pitch during the series, but who am I to argue with Bruce Bochy’s decision to leave him off the roster. Zito doesn’t have that devastating curveball he once possessed and has since been replaced by the likes of hurlers, Tim “The Freak” Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner. There’s no guarantee Zito would have been helpful in delivering the Giants their first title since 1954.
What accolades haven’t been said about Edgar Renteria? Renteria delivered three hits in game four and had the tie-breaking homer off C.J. Wilson in game two. He went 7-for-17 with six RBIs in the series. The speedy World Series MVP is as proven a clutch hitter as anyone. The 34 year old slugger who slapped a game winning single in game seven of the Fall Classic 13 years ago for Florida showed up again last night. Renteria ripped Lee’s cut fastball to center in the seventh inning Monday to become the unlikely hero of the World Series. The shortstop’s three RBIs broke a tie game and were all Lincecum needed to shut the door on the Rangers’ promising season. Lincecum outdueled Lee, adding another glorious feat to his already awesome career. He allowed a single run in eight frames last night. The Giants scored 29 runs over five games but their pitching strength cannot be undermined. Lincecum, Cain and Bumgarner kept the Rangers quiet at the plate with a batting average against of only .190. As the old adage goes: Good pitching beats good hitting any day. Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants!
Parting Points: Best San Francisco band? It’s close. There’s Third Eye Blind, Journey, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Chris Isaak, and Santana. But, my choice would be Green Day.
Showing posts with label San Francisco Giants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Francisco Giants. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Power at the Park
Cliff Lee looked more out of place than like an ace last night in the opening game of the World Series. The Rangers’ stellar starter was battered by the Bay in Texas’ 11-7 drubbing by the Giants. San Francisco handed Lee his first career post-season loss as they attacked the lefty for six earned runs. Texas gave Lee a 2-0 lead early, but the Giants soon swung things in their favor to take game one at AT&T Park.
Freddy Sanchez doubled before Cody Ross and Aubrey Huff hammered two-out singles in the six run fifth frame to break a 2-2 tie and chase Lee from the game. Tim Lincecum pitched well after a shaky start for the Giants. The San Francisco starter botched a rundown in the first inning and was tagged for a run on a Vlad Guerrero base hit off his shin. The Rangers tallied a second run in the second off Lincecum on Elvis Andrus’ sacrifice fly, but the Giants forged a comeback in the third to tie the game. Michael Young booted a third base grounder by Edgar Renteria to begin the frame. Andres Torres was hit by a pitch following the error and Sanchez lined a double to put the NL champions on board. Buster Posey’s game tying single followed.
The Rangers committed four errors during the sloppy contest, including a one by Andrus in the bottom of the fifth as the Giant bats came alive. It was the biggest post-season inning for San Francisco since the 1937 World Series. Pat Burrell was the only hitter who did not record a hit for the home team. Lee fanned seven but the Giants were able to knock the ace around for eight hits. San Francisco also succeeded in keeping ALCS MVP, Josh Hamilton, hitless in four trips to the plate. Sanchez keyed San Francisco with four hits and contributed three RBIs. The powerful slugger stroked three doubles to set a World Series record. Huff accounted for three hits and a stolen base, and Juan Uribe added a solo homerun as the impressive Giants defeated the resolute Rangers.
Lincecum went 5 2/3 innings despite giving off little semblance of stardom to earn the win. He was effective enough and at one point retired 13 of 14 batters he faced. Lincecum left the game with an 8-4 advantage. Bruce Bochy used a harvest of relievers to retire the Rangers in the final four frames. Texas collected two runs in the sixth and three in the ninth to keep the score respectable. The Giants weren’t perfect on defense, committing three errors of their own. But the offense executed when it needed to, and the bullpen shut the door on a high scoring affair. The Giants send Matt Cain to the mound to oppose southpaw, C.J. Wilson in game two tonight in San Francisco.
Parting Points: Joe Girardi and the Yanks agreed on a three year contract.
Freddy Sanchez doubled before Cody Ross and Aubrey Huff hammered two-out singles in the six run fifth frame to break a 2-2 tie and chase Lee from the game. Tim Lincecum pitched well after a shaky start for the Giants. The San Francisco starter botched a rundown in the first inning and was tagged for a run on a Vlad Guerrero base hit off his shin. The Rangers tallied a second run in the second off Lincecum on Elvis Andrus’ sacrifice fly, but the Giants forged a comeback in the third to tie the game. Michael Young booted a third base grounder by Edgar Renteria to begin the frame. Andres Torres was hit by a pitch following the error and Sanchez lined a double to put the NL champions on board. Buster Posey’s game tying single followed.
The Rangers committed four errors during the sloppy contest, including a one by Andrus in the bottom of the fifth as the Giant bats came alive. It was the biggest post-season inning for San Francisco since the 1937 World Series. Pat Burrell was the only hitter who did not record a hit for the home team. Lee fanned seven but the Giants were able to knock the ace around for eight hits. San Francisco also succeeded in keeping ALCS MVP, Josh Hamilton, hitless in four trips to the plate. Sanchez keyed San Francisco with four hits and contributed three RBIs. The powerful slugger stroked three doubles to set a World Series record. Huff accounted for three hits and a stolen base, and Juan Uribe added a solo homerun as the impressive Giants defeated the resolute Rangers.
Lincecum went 5 2/3 innings despite giving off little semblance of stardom to earn the win. He was effective enough and at one point retired 13 of 14 batters he faced. Lincecum left the game with an 8-4 advantage. Bruce Bochy used a harvest of relievers to retire the Rangers in the final four frames. Texas collected two runs in the sixth and three in the ninth to keep the score respectable. The Giants weren’t perfect on defense, committing three errors of their own. But the offense executed when it needed to, and the bullpen shut the door on a high scoring affair. The Giants send Matt Cain to the mound to oppose southpaw, C.J. Wilson in game two tonight in San Francisco.
Parting Points: Joe Girardi and the Yanks agreed on a three year contract.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
San Francisco Snags Series in Sixth
San Francisco is back in the World Series for the first time since 2002. The pitching-rich Giants topped the Philadelphia Phillies in game six last night 3-2 to win the National League Championship. San Francisco hosts the Rangers next Wednesday in game one of the World Series. The Giants are looking for their first world title since moving to the Bay Area. Philadelphia failed in their bid to become the first senior circuit team in 66 years to win three consecutive pennants. The Giants earned their 19th pennant in franchise history. Juan Uribe’s eighth inning homerun off Ryan Madson broke a 2-2 tie and the visiting Giants held on to become unlikely winners of the series.
The Phillies drew first blood in game six with a three hit first inning. San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez, was pulled after two-plus innings. Sanchez walked Placido Polanco in the first inning and the speedy Philly advanced to second on a wild pitch. Chase Utley’s right field double send Polanco home before Jayson Werth made it a 2-0 Philadelphia edge later in the inning. Werth’s sacrifice fly scored Utley from third base to put the Giants in an early hole.
San Francisco scored a run in the third off 33 year old starter, Roy Oswalt. Oswalt yielded nine hits in six innings for the Phillies. He allowed back-to-back singles in the third and a sacrifice by Freddy Sanchez that put runners and second and third for the Giants. Aubrey Huff singled in one run before scoring himself on Polanco’s error at third base. The game remained tied even as Sanchez struggled on the mound. The Giants’ pitcher tossed six straight balls to begin the bottom of the third and then hit Utley in the back. Both benches and bullpens cleared during an altercation between pitcher and batter after the All-Star second baseman Utley flipped the ball back in Sanchez’s direction. No punches were thrown and nobody was ejected. The Giants managed to get out of the inning when Jeremy Affeldt buzzed through the Phillies’ order. Affeldt stayed perfect through the fourth and Madison Bumgardner took over in relief with similar success.
Madson relieved Oswalt beginning in the seventh. He fanned the first two Giants he faced before allowing a double by Freddy Sanchez. The Phillies escaped the inning but couldn’t do anything at the plate in their own half of the frame. Javier Lopez was solid in setting the defending NL champs down in order. In the eighth, Uribe pounced on Madson’s first pitch slider and the Giants were closer to bouncing the Phillies from contention. It was Uribe’s first long ball of the post-season but will forever be regarded as the one that sent the Giants to the 2010 Fall Classic. San Francisco’s Brian Wilson, who led the majors in saves this season, needed a line drive double play to end the bottom of the eighth. Wilson worked around two walks in the ninth before fanning struggling slugger, Ryan Howard, to end the game.
Parting Points: Mizzouri topped Oklahoma. Who will be number one in the BCS this week? My guess is Oregon.
The Devils benched Ilya Kovalchuk for undisclosed reasons. I already dislike John MacLean.
I’m so excited for the Sharapova-Vujacic engagement announcement. I think they should take Maria’s last name because Sasha Sharapova sounds terrific (and it’s alliteration)
Song of the day- “1983” by Neon Trees
The Phillies drew first blood in game six with a three hit first inning. San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez, was pulled after two-plus innings. Sanchez walked Placido Polanco in the first inning and the speedy Philly advanced to second on a wild pitch. Chase Utley’s right field double send Polanco home before Jayson Werth made it a 2-0 Philadelphia edge later in the inning. Werth’s sacrifice fly scored Utley from third base to put the Giants in an early hole.
San Francisco scored a run in the third off 33 year old starter, Roy Oswalt. Oswalt yielded nine hits in six innings for the Phillies. He allowed back-to-back singles in the third and a sacrifice by Freddy Sanchez that put runners and second and third for the Giants. Aubrey Huff singled in one run before scoring himself on Polanco’s error at third base. The game remained tied even as Sanchez struggled on the mound. The Giants’ pitcher tossed six straight balls to begin the bottom of the third and then hit Utley in the back. Both benches and bullpens cleared during an altercation between pitcher and batter after the All-Star second baseman Utley flipped the ball back in Sanchez’s direction. No punches were thrown and nobody was ejected. The Giants managed to get out of the inning when Jeremy Affeldt buzzed through the Phillies’ order. Affeldt stayed perfect through the fourth and Madison Bumgardner took over in relief with similar success.
Madson relieved Oswalt beginning in the seventh. He fanned the first two Giants he faced before allowing a double by Freddy Sanchez. The Phillies escaped the inning but couldn’t do anything at the plate in their own half of the frame. Javier Lopez was solid in setting the defending NL champs down in order. In the eighth, Uribe pounced on Madson’s first pitch slider and the Giants were closer to bouncing the Phillies from contention. It was Uribe’s first long ball of the post-season but will forever be regarded as the one that sent the Giants to the 2010 Fall Classic. San Francisco’s Brian Wilson, who led the majors in saves this season, needed a line drive double play to end the bottom of the eighth. Wilson worked around two walks in the ninth before fanning struggling slugger, Ryan Howard, to end the game.
Parting Points: Mizzouri topped Oklahoma. Who will be number one in the BCS this week? My guess is Oregon.
The Devils benched Ilya Kovalchuk for undisclosed reasons. I already dislike John MacLean.
I’m so excited for the Sharapova-Vujacic engagement announcement. I think they should take Maria’s last name because Sasha Sharapova sounds terrific (and it’s alliteration)
Song of the day- “1983” by Neon Trees
Friday, October 22, 2010
Fiery Phils Follow Flub with Fight
The Philadelphia Phillies forced a game six in the NLCS after climbing out to an early lead and holding on against the hometown Giants. The defending NL champions defeated San Francisco 4-2 in a pitching rematch between game one starters, Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum. The Phillies escaped McCovey Cove by stealing a win from the Giants and ace Lincecum. The San Francisco hurler tossed seven innings of two run ball, but his defense arguably cost him the win in the third inning. Halladay was stellar in his second start of the NLCS, battling through six innings to keep the Phillies’ season alive. The Giants still have the edge 3-2 as the series heads back to the city of brotherly love.
The Giants scored first Thursday night, picking up a run in the first inning on Buster Posey’s fielder’s choice. In the top of the third, San Francisco’s infield handed the Phillies a 3-1 lead. Had it not been for the Giant giveaways, perhaps San Francisco would be headed to the World Series. But the home team’s sloppy defense and miscues gave the Phillies the drive they needed to kill the Giants’ momentum. Raul Ibanez singled off Lincecum and Carlos Ruiz was hit by an inside fastball to begin the frame. A questionable Halladay sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third for outfield slugger, Shane Victorino. The vicious Victorino was ruled safe at second on an error by Giants’ first baseman, Aubrey Huff. The ball bounced off Huff’s glove and skirted into the outfield to score a pair of runs. Victorino scored on a base hit by second baseman, Chase Utley, five pitches later.
San Francisco got one run back in the fourth. Back-to-back doubles by Pat Burrell and Cody Ross resulted in the Giants’ second tally of the game. Philadelphia got out of the jam by throwing out Ross, who tested Jayson Werth’s arm while attempting to tag up on Pablo Sandoval’s fly ball to right field. Halladay buckled down the rest of the game to keep the Giants off the scoreboard and the Phillies’ one run advantage intact. Philadelphia added an insurance run on Werth’s ninth inning homerun off Ramon Ramirez. Closer, Brad Lidge, was called upon to shut down the Giants in the bottom of the ninth. Lidge earned the three out save with just ten pitches. Lincecum suffered the loss for San Francisco, despite striking out seven batters.
Parting Points: Song for Friday- “I Alone” by Live
The Giants scored first Thursday night, picking up a run in the first inning on Buster Posey’s fielder’s choice. In the top of the third, San Francisco’s infield handed the Phillies a 3-1 lead. Had it not been for the Giant giveaways, perhaps San Francisco would be headed to the World Series. But the home team’s sloppy defense and miscues gave the Phillies the drive they needed to kill the Giants’ momentum. Raul Ibanez singled off Lincecum and Carlos Ruiz was hit by an inside fastball to begin the frame. A questionable Halladay sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third for outfield slugger, Shane Victorino. The vicious Victorino was ruled safe at second on an error by Giants’ first baseman, Aubrey Huff. The ball bounced off Huff’s glove and skirted into the outfield to score a pair of runs. Victorino scored on a base hit by second baseman, Chase Utley, five pitches later.
San Francisco got one run back in the fourth. Back-to-back doubles by Pat Burrell and Cody Ross resulted in the Giants’ second tally of the game. Philadelphia got out of the jam by throwing out Ross, who tested Jayson Werth’s arm while attempting to tag up on Pablo Sandoval’s fly ball to right field. Halladay buckled down the rest of the game to keep the Giants off the scoreboard and the Phillies’ one run advantage intact. Philadelphia added an insurance run on Werth’s ninth inning homerun off Ramon Ramirez. Closer, Brad Lidge, was called upon to shut down the Giants in the bottom of the ninth. Lidge earned the three out save with just ten pitches. Lincecum suffered the loss for San Francisco, despite striking out seven batters.
Parting Points: Song for Friday- “I Alone” by Live
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Braves Bid Bobby (Good)Bye
The drought is over for the celebratory champions of the National League West. The Giants won their first playoff series in eight seasons Monday after defeating the Braves in Bobby Cox’s last game as Atlanta’s skipper. Cox announced he would be retiring at the end of the 2010 season earlier in the year. Last night, the manager was hoping his legacy would last another day in the best-of-five series with San Francisco. The series was tense right up until the final out. Every game of the NLDS was decided by one run, culminating with the Giants’ 3-2 victory in Game 4 at Turner Field. The Braves were plagued by miscues during the thrilling series and couldn’t find a way to beat some of the league’s best pitchers in the post-season.
Derek Lowe pitched hitless baseball for the Braves through six solid innings. Lowe was pitching on just three days’ rest but showed no signs of sluggishness. He destroyed San Francisco hitters, fanning eight total batters. Depleted with injuries to standout players, Atlanta was unable extend Cox’s career however. It was the West coast Giants that quieted a packed stadium on the East coast. The Giants did just enough to advance to face the Phillies in the conference championship. After trailing 1-0 in the sixth, San Francisco tied the game when Cody Ross pasted a homerun off Lowe. The Braves plated a run in the bottom of the sixth to retake a one run lead. Brian McCann homered off second year hurler, Madison Bumgarner. The Giants’ flamethrower went six innings and allowed six hits. He struck out five and walked one batter during his post-season debut. Giants starters have stupefied the opposition, allowing just three earned runs during the NLDS’s 29 innings.
The Braves had their chances. They stranded nine men on base and were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Giants overcame the Braves’ one run lead for the second time with Ross’ hitting heroics in the seventh. The 29 year old outfielder drove in the winning run on a punch to left field. Buster Posey scored on the base hit off Atlanta’s Jonny Venters. The Giants were helped by Atlanta errors for the third time in their three victories. Shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, was the guilty party for the Braves on Monday night. Gonzalez’s costly blunder in the decisive seventh allowed the tying run to score. Aided by shaky Atlanta defense and reliable relief pitching, San Francisco shut down the home team and seized the series. Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Brian Wilson combined to slam the door on the Braves’ promising season in Cox’s final game.
Parting Points: I’m disappointed in Favre’s behavior and the fact that the Jets are 4-1.
Derek Lowe pitched hitless baseball for the Braves through six solid innings. Lowe was pitching on just three days’ rest but showed no signs of sluggishness. He destroyed San Francisco hitters, fanning eight total batters. Depleted with injuries to standout players, Atlanta was unable extend Cox’s career however. It was the West coast Giants that quieted a packed stadium on the East coast. The Giants did just enough to advance to face the Phillies in the conference championship. After trailing 1-0 in the sixth, San Francisco tied the game when Cody Ross pasted a homerun off Lowe. The Braves plated a run in the bottom of the sixth to retake a one run lead. Brian McCann homered off second year hurler, Madison Bumgarner. The Giants’ flamethrower went six innings and allowed six hits. He struck out five and walked one batter during his post-season debut. Giants starters have stupefied the opposition, allowing just three earned runs during the NLDS’s 29 innings.
The Braves had their chances. They stranded nine men on base and were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Giants overcame the Braves’ one run lead for the second time with Ross’ hitting heroics in the seventh. The 29 year old outfielder drove in the winning run on a punch to left field. Buster Posey scored on the base hit off Atlanta’s Jonny Venters. The Giants were helped by Atlanta errors for the third time in their three victories. Shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, was the guilty party for the Braves on Monday night. Gonzalez’s costly blunder in the decisive seventh allowed the tying run to score. Aided by shaky Atlanta defense and reliable relief pitching, San Francisco shut down the home team and seized the series. Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Brian Wilson combined to slam the door on the Braves’ promising season in Cox’s final game.
Parting Points: I’m disappointed in Favre’s behavior and the fact that the Jets are 4-1.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Winning the West
The San Francisco Giants are one win away from their first NL West division crown since 2003. San Francisco’s 4-1 triumph over the Diamondbacks coupled with the Padres’ slip-up to the Chicago Cubs pits the Giants in ideal position heading into this weekend’s series. The Giants play San Diego beginning tonight, and unless the Padres sweep the Giants at A T & T Park, Bruch Bochy’s club will be headed to the playoffs. The Giants have been on a tear as of late, winning eight of their last ten and sweeping the Diamondbacks in three games. Last night, Arizona slapped seven hits but crossed the plate just once. The Giants garnered six hits but tallied a more productive four runs.
Madison Bumgarner and Barry Enright battled in a pairing of rookie hurlers on Thursday night. Bumgarner, looking for his first ever victory at home for the Giants, pitched out of jams to earn the win. The San Francisco rookie southpaw surrendered one run through five frames. He struck out seven to stave off the Diamondbacks and give the Giants their 91st win this season. Enright struggled in his start, allowing three homeruns through five innings of work. Arizona’s offense didn’t help the rookie. The Diamondbacks stranded a runner on second base in each of the first four innings as Enright suffered his fifth loss in his last five tries. The Giants were the first team to light up the scoreboard when Pablo Sandoval deposited a fastball off Enright into McCovey Cove for a 1-0 lead. It was the third baseman’s 13th long ball of the season and 62nd RBI.
The Diamondbacks evened the contest in the fourth inning after loading the bases against Bumgarner. The Giants’ 21 year old hurler limited the damage to a single tally via Enright’s sacrifice fly. Bumgarner was bashed around in the fifth on back-to-back one out singles, but remained composed and got the final two outs to keep the ball game tied 1-1. In the San Francisco half of the fifth, Andres Torres gave the Giants a one-run advantage when he 16th homerun landed over the right-center field wall. The leadoff centerfielder had two hits Thursday night and also stole his 25th base of the year.
Rookie-of-the-year candidate, Buster Posey, pulled the Giants ahead by three with some sixth inning fireworks. Posey’s two run drive followed Aubrey Huff’s leadoff walk and was the 16th time the Giants have clubbed one out in their last seven games. San Francisco used a trio of relievers to pen down the DBacks the rest of the game. A three run cushion was all the bullpen needed to contain the ailing Arizona offense. Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo and Ramon Ramirez held Arizona hitless through four frames. Ramirez picked up the save in place of Bochy’s usual closer, Brian Wilson. Wilson will be well-rested for the upcoming series against San Diego. The Giants’ pitching staff leads the majors in strikeouts, and has already topped the single-season franchise record for K’s. San Francisco looks to pitching sensation, Matt Cain, when they try to win the West this evening.
Parting Points: October kickoff!
I guess the Mets will be hunting for a new manager next season. Joe Torre anyone?
No mock turtlenecks on the NBA sidelines? Hmm, I hope college football doesn’t follow suit and start banning sweater vests.
Madison Bumgarner and Barry Enright battled in a pairing of rookie hurlers on Thursday night. Bumgarner, looking for his first ever victory at home for the Giants, pitched out of jams to earn the win. The San Francisco rookie southpaw surrendered one run through five frames. He struck out seven to stave off the Diamondbacks and give the Giants their 91st win this season. Enright struggled in his start, allowing three homeruns through five innings of work. Arizona’s offense didn’t help the rookie. The Diamondbacks stranded a runner on second base in each of the first four innings as Enright suffered his fifth loss in his last five tries. The Giants were the first team to light up the scoreboard when Pablo Sandoval deposited a fastball off Enright into McCovey Cove for a 1-0 lead. It was the third baseman’s 13th long ball of the season and 62nd RBI.
The Diamondbacks evened the contest in the fourth inning after loading the bases against Bumgarner. The Giants’ 21 year old hurler limited the damage to a single tally via Enright’s sacrifice fly. Bumgarner was bashed around in the fifth on back-to-back one out singles, but remained composed and got the final two outs to keep the ball game tied 1-1. In the San Francisco half of the fifth, Andres Torres gave the Giants a one-run advantage when he 16th homerun landed over the right-center field wall. The leadoff centerfielder had two hits Thursday night and also stole his 25th base of the year.
Rookie-of-the-year candidate, Buster Posey, pulled the Giants ahead by three with some sixth inning fireworks. Posey’s two run drive followed Aubrey Huff’s leadoff walk and was the 16th time the Giants have clubbed one out in their last seven games. San Francisco used a trio of relievers to pen down the DBacks the rest of the game. A three run cushion was all the bullpen needed to contain the ailing Arizona offense. Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo and Ramon Ramirez held Arizona hitless through four frames. Ramirez picked up the save in place of Bochy’s usual closer, Brian Wilson. Wilson will be well-rested for the upcoming series against San Diego. The Giants’ pitching staff leads the majors in strikeouts, and has already topped the single-season franchise record for K’s. San Francisco looks to pitching sensation, Matt Cain, when they try to win the West this evening.
Parting Points: October kickoff!
I guess the Mets will be hunting for a new manager next season. Joe Torre anyone?
No mock turtlenecks on the NBA sidelines? Hmm, I hope college football doesn’t follow suit and start banning sweater vests.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Padres Pounded at Petco
The San Diego Padres are aware, perhaps painfully, of their one game NL West lead over the upstate Giants. San Francisco whipped out the bats in the series opener at Petco Park last night, while the Friars’ offense was just batty. The Giants’ victory allowed them to pull within one game of the division and one game behind Atlanta for the NL wildcard. San Francisco banged out 13 hits as Matt Cain took a three-hitter into the ninth for his 11th win of the season. The Giants topped the Padres 7-3.
Leadoff hitter, Andres Torres, got the ball rolling in the top of the first as the Giants began their quest to defeat Jon Garland for the first time. Torres tripled off the San Diego starter, and scored on Freddy Sanchez’s base hit to center. The Giants surged to a three run lead in the third frame after a Sanchez stolen base and an Aubrey Huff homerun. It was Huff’s 24th of the season and put Bruce Bochy’s team in a favorable position. San Diego tallied a run in this crucial series during the bottom half of the third. Will Venable launched a solo shot off Cain to trim the deficit to two runs.
The visiting Giants enjoyed a six run advantage by the sixth inning, however. Juan Uribe added to the homerun parade with a one-run blast, his 20th long ball of the season, in the fourth. Huff, who finished 3-for-4, ignited the scoring in the fifth after Cain worked a hitless bottom of the fourth. Huff pasted a right field double that was followed by Buster Posey’s homerun to left field. Reliever Kevin Correia replaced Garland in the sixth with the Padres trailing by five. Pat Burrell’s towering, 421-foot shot to left added to the Giants’ lead in the sixth. The Padres scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Giants’ powerful offensive showing. Ryan Ludwick slammed a full count offering into the seats off Cain. Cain surrendered three runs on five hits before leaving the game. Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez closed out the game for the Giants, who have won five of their last six games. Garland suffered the loss after yielding eight hits and six runs through five frames. A tough game two is in store for both teams tonight. No-hit pitcher, Jonathan Sanchez opposes San Diego southpaw, Clayton Richard. Richard is 3-0 in four starts against the Giants this year. Both teams will be going for their 80th win of the season and control of first place in the West.
Parting Points: A bit of a snooze-fest to start the NFL season, but the real excitement takes place on Sunday.
The Cowboys extended Miles Austin’s contract for six years, which is a good move for Dallas. See previous blog entry for reasons why this is good!
A few marquee matchups on the college football slate this weekend: Ohio State-Miami, Alabama-Penn State and Florida State-Oklahoma.
Leadoff hitter, Andres Torres, got the ball rolling in the top of the first as the Giants began their quest to defeat Jon Garland for the first time. Torres tripled off the San Diego starter, and scored on Freddy Sanchez’s base hit to center. The Giants surged to a three run lead in the third frame after a Sanchez stolen base and an Aubrey Huff homerun. It was Huff’s 24th of the season and put Bruce Bochy’s team in a favorable position. San Diego tallied a run in this crucial series during the bottom half of the third. Will Venable launched a solo shot off Cain to trim the deficit to two runs.
The visiting Giants enjoyed a six run advantage by the sixth inning, however. Juan Uribe added to the homerun parade with a one-run blast, his 20th long ball of the season, in the fourth. Huff, who finished 3-for-4, ignited the scoring in the fifth after Cain worked a hitless bottom of the fourth. Huff pasted a right field double that was followed by Buster Posey’s homerun to left field. Reliever Kevin Correia replaced Garland in the sixth with the Padres trailing by five. Pat Burrell’s towering, 421-foot shot to left added to the Giants’ lead in the sixth. The Padres scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Giants’ powerful offensive showing. Ryan Ludwick slammed a full count offering into the seats off Cain. Cain surrendered three runs on five hits before leaving the game. Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez closed out the game for the Giants, who have won five of their last six games. Garland suffered the loss after yielding eight hits and six runs through five frames. A tough game two is in store for both teams tonight. No-hit pitcher, Jonathan Sanchez opposes San Diego southpaw, Clayton Richard. Richard is 3-0 in four starts against the Giants this year. Both teams will be going for their 80th win of the season and control of first place in the West.
Parting Points: A bit of a snooze-fest to start the NFL season, but the real excitement takes place on Sunday.
The Cowboys extended Miles Austin’s contract for six years, which is a good move for Dallas. See previous blog entry for reasons why this is good!
A few marquee matchups on the college football slate this weekend: Ohio State-Miami, Alabama-Penn State and Florida State-Oklahoma.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Stranded in S.F.
Webb Wrings Win, Zito Zapped
Yesterday’s date was 511, so it seems only fitting to discuss baseball in the 511. San Francisco, area code 511, hosted the first place San Diego Padres Tuesday. The Giants have been on the losing side of four games against the Pads this season. San Diego arrived in the Bay Area to face a team coming off a 6-5 win at Citi Field Sunday. The Giants and Mets stranded 23 runners total in that game and the pitchers produced 16 walks. San Francisco carried that tone back home as the hometown hurlers issued 12 walks in a sloppy effort. Barry Zito lost for the first time this season as the Padres drove the lefty’s pitch count up. Zito struggled with location and labored through five frames and a career high seven walks. The Padres prevailed 3-2 to pad their NL West lead to 1 ½ games over the Giants. It wasn’t a celebratory 511 in the 511 because the baseball team was clipped and the ace pitcher was tagged for his first loss.
Twenty-four year old, Ryan Webb, picked up his first win by tossing 1 1/3 innings for the visiting San Diego club. The Padres grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning off Zito. Oscar Salazar had two hits, including a one-out single in the second. Jerry Hairston, Jr. followed Salazar’s slap with a ground rule double over the Bay Area centerfield fence. Zito loaded the bases with a pass to Scott Hairston and David Eckstein scraped together a base hit to drive in a pair of runs. San Francisco got a run back in the bottom of the third as Pablo Sandoval tripled and scored on Aubrey Huff’s base hit. Huff went 2-for-4 with an RBI for San Francisco, but the Giants stranded 11 base runners in the defeat. San Diego wasn’t better, leaving 15 on board. Pitcher, Wade LeBlanc, was charged with six hits, two runs and four walks through four plus innings for the Giants. San Diego added a run in the fifth. Zito walked Kyle Blanks with one out. Blanks stole second base and crossed home on backstop, Yorvit Torrealba’s hit to give the Padres a 3-1 lead. The Padres stole three total bases in Tuesday’s victory and Zito was done after 108 pitches. Zito steadied himself after allowing the runners waltz around the bases. He conferred with pitching coach, Dave Righetti, to get the final outs of the fifth. Zito contributed a hit at the plate, but finished the night with a 5-1 record on the hill.
Bruce Bochy’s Giants got within a run following Juan Uribe’s RBI in the home half of the fifth. The run was set up by Huff’s double a batter earlier. Huff cruised home to end the evening for LeBlanc. Eckstein reached base in all five at-bats and walked three times. Neither team would score again as run production came to a halt. Webb, Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams threw scoreless frames for the 20-12 Padres in relief, and Heath Bell earned the save with a hitless ninth. The Padres’ pitching has been phenomenal this season. San Diego leads the league in runs per game. The Giants are second in that category, which explains the low scoring affair between the California clubs Tuesday night.
Parting Points: Javier Vasquez is finally pitching a good game and the Yankees can’t score any runs.
It looks like LeBron and the Cavs may be ousted in Boston. Was Tuesday night James’ final as a Cleveland Cavalier?
Songs of the day: “Disarm” by Smashing Pumpkins and “Breathless” by the Corrs
Yesterday’s date was 511, so it seems only fitting to discuss baseball in the 511. San Francisco, area code 511, hosted the first place San Diego Padres Tuesday. The Giants have been on the losing side of four games against the Pads this season. San Diego arrived in the Bay Area to face a team coming off a 6-5 win at Citi Field Sunday. The Giants and Mets stranded 23 runners total in that game and the pitchers produced 16 walks. San Francisco carried that tone back home as the hometown hurlers issued 12 walks in a sloppy effort. Barry Zito lost for the first time this season as the Padres drove the lefty’s pitch count up. Zito struggled with location and labored through five frames and a career high seven walks. The Padres prevailed 3-2 to pad their NL West lead to 1 ½ games over the Giants. It wasn’t a celebratory 511 in the 511 because the baseball team was clipped and the ace pitcher was tagged for his first loss.
Twenty-four year old, Ryan Webb, picked up his first win by tossing 1 1/3 innings for the visiting San Diego club. The Padres grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning off Zito. Oscar Salazar had two hits, including a one-out single in the second. Jerry Hairston, Jr. followed Salazar’s slap with a ground rule double over the Bay Area centerfield fence. Zito loaded the bases with a pass to Scott Hairston and David Eckstein scraped together a base hit to drive in a pair of runs. San Francisco got a run back in the bottom of the third as Pablo Sandoval tripled and scored on Aubrey Huff’s base hit. Huff went 2-for-4 with an RBI for San Francisco, but the Giants stranded 11 base runners in the defeat. San Diego wasn’t better, leaving 15 on board. Pitcher, Wade LeBlanc, was charged with six hits, two runs and four walks through four plus innings for the Giants. San Diego added a run in the fifth. Zito walked Kyle Blanks with one out. Blanks stole second base and crossed home on backstop, Yorvit Torrealba’s hit to give the Padres a 3-1 lead. The Padres stole three total bases in Tuesday’s victory and Zito was done after 108 pitches. Zito steadied himself after allowing the runners waltz around the bases. He conferred with pitching coach, Dave Righetti, to get the final outs of the fifth. Zito contributed a hit at the plate, but finished the night with a 5-1 record on the hill.
Bruce Bochy’s Giants got within a run following Juan Uribe’s RBI in the home half of the fifth. The run was set up by Huff’s double a batter earlier. Huff cruised home to end the evening for LeBlanc. Eckstein reached base in all five at-bats and walked three times. Neither team would score again as run production came to a halt. Webb, Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams threw scoreless frames for the 20-12 Padres in relief, and Heath Bell earned the save with a hitless ninth. The Padres’ pitching has been phenomenal this season. San Diego leads the league in runs per game. The Giants are second in that category, which explains the low scoring affair between the California clubs Tuesday night.
Parting Points: Javier Vasquez is finally pitching a good game and the Yankees can’t score any runs.
It looks like LeBron and the Cavs may be ousted in Boston. Was Tuesday night James’ final as a Cleveland Cavalier?
Songs of the day: “Disarm” by Smashing Pumpkins and “Breathless” by the Corrs
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Barry Brilliant in Besting Birds
Former CY Young winning southpaw, Barry Zito, is up to 3-0 on the year for the San Franscisco Giants. Zito and Cardinals’ hurler, Adam Wainwright dueled through seven scoreless frames before the Giants’ bats found a way to hand St. Louis their first series loss of the season. San Francisco squeezed out two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the Cardinals 2-0 in the second game of a three game home series. The Giants took the series opener Friday night, ending a four game skid. Tim Lincecum’s seven inning outing helped the Giants’ ace to secure his fourth win in a 4-1 final Friday. Yesterday, a vintage Zito zipped through the Redbirds’ roster to earn his first career win against the NL Central foes. The San Francisco lefty struck out ten in a three-hit, 114 pitch gem of a performance.
The first two Cardinals to step to the plate struck out. MVP Albert Pujols grounded out to end the first inning. The Giants’ flamethrower issued a walk to Bengie Molina in the top of the second but received some aid from his defense Molina was caught stealing for the third out. Zito had his way with Tony LaRussa’s visiting Redbirds until allowing a leadoff single to Felipe Lopez in the fourth inning. Zito induced a Pujols double play groundout with runners on first and second base in the fourth, and fanned the slugger with one on in the sixth. Pujols is 1-for-8 so far in the series, with three strikeouts. Zito had a one-two-three fifth, sixth and seventh inning as the lefty dominated the latter frames and improved his eye-popping ERA to 1.32. It was the 31 year old’s 13th double digit strikeout game of his career. Zito’s curveball was crafty and fastball unforgiving in a fine controlled presentation by the highly- paid pitcher. He complemented his signature curve with a slider Saturday and really did not allow the Cardinals to threaten his shutout bid. St. Louis sluggers were off-balance and struggled to compile a rally throughout the game. The brilliant Zito of 2010 bears a striking resemblance to the elevated elite pitcher who captured and dazzled baseball fans with the Oakland A’s earlier in his career. Brian Wilson nailed down the save, his fourth this year, with a one hit ninth.
Wainwright, also undefeated headed into Saturday’s contest and coming off a complete game win against the Mets, hung tough until the eighth. Wainwright yielded just four hits, including the key 0-1 curveball that Nate Schierholtz drilled. Schierholtz opened the eighth frame with a double to right field to represent the second San Francisco hitter to get past first past. Andres Torres pinch-hit for Zito and promptly followed with an RBI single to center for the first recorded run of the game. Torres failed twice to lay down a bunt, but his futile attempts proved more valuable when he pounced on Wainwright’s offering for a base hit to shatter the scoreless tie. Aubrey Huff drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to left for the second Giants’ tally to complete the eighth and rescue Zito from a no-decision. Notably, Wainwright drilled former teammate, Mark DeRosa twice in the St. Louis loss. The Giants scattered seven hits on Pablo Sandoval bobblehead Night. The Panda snagged a pair of singles and scooped a hard one-hopper in the field to preserve the Giants’ fourth shutout at home this season.
Parting Points: Mixed bag- Joe Paterno favors a Big 10 expansion, the Thunder even the series with LA, and the Penguins are moving on after an OT clipping of the Senators.
The first two Cardinals to step to the plate struck out. MVP Albert Pujols grounded out to end the first inning. The Giants’ flamethrower issued a walk to Bengie Molina in the top of the second but received some aid from his defense Molina was caught stealing for the third out. Zito had his way with Tony LaRussa’s visiting Redbirds until allowing a leadoff single to Felipe Lopez in the fourth inning. Zito induced a Pujols double play groundout with runners on first and second base in the fourth, and fanned the slugger with one on in the sixth. Pujols is 1-for-8 so far in the series, with three strikeouts. Zito had a one-two-three fifth, sixth and seventh inning as the lefty dominated the latter frames and improved his eye-popping ERA to 1.32. It was the 31 year old’s 13th double digit strikeout game of his career. Zito’s curveball was crafty and fastball unforgiving in a fine controlled presentation by the highly- paid pitcher. He complemented his signature curve with a slider Saturday and really did not allow the Cardinals to threaten his shutout bid. St. Louis sluggers were off-balance and struggled to compile a rally throughout the game. The brilliant Zito of 2010 bears a striking resemblance to the elevated elite pitcher who captured and dazzled baseball fans with the Oakland A’s earlier in his career. Brian Wilson nailed down the save, his fourth this year, with a one hit ninth.
Wainwright, also undefeated headed into Saturday’s contest and coming off a complete game win against the Mets, hung tough until the eighth. Wainwright yielded just four hits, including the key 0-1 curveball that Nate Schierholtz drilled. Schierholtz opened the eighth frame with a double to right field to represent the second San Francisco hitter to get past first past. Andres Torres pinch-hit for Zito and promptly followed with an RBI single to center for the first recorded run of the game. Torres failed twice to lay down a bunt, but his futile attempts proved more valuable when he pounced on Wainwright’s offering for a base hit to shatter the scoreless tie. Aubrey Huff drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to left for the second Giants’ tally to complete the eighth and rescue Zito from a no-decision. Notably, Wainwright drilled former teammate, Mark DeRosa twice in the St. Louis loss. The Giants scattered seven hits on Pablo Sandoval bobblehead Night. The Panda snagged a pair of singles and scooped a hard one-hopper in the field to preserve the Giants’ fourth shutout at home this season.
Parting Points: Mixed bag- Joe Paterno favors a Big 10 expansion, the Thunder even the series with LA, and the Penguins are moving on after an OT clipping of the Senators.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Renteria, Rowand Rock and Roll
The longest home opener in San Francisco history came down to a two-out 13th inning head-first slide. Aaron Rowand followed an infield single with a safe slide into first base as Juan Uribe scored from third to lift the Giants over visiting Atlanta, 5-4. Uribe walked, stole second and reached third on an error to set up Rowand’s RBI opportunity in the 13th inning. The four hour game gnawed away at San Francisco’s roster, but the Giants remain the only undefeated team in baseball at 4-0. Manager Bruce Bochy utilized his entire bullpen and bunch during the contest. The last time a Giants’ home opener went over 13 innings was against the Boston Braves. San Francisco won that 1917game 4-2. Ninety-three years later, the Giants were victorious again, and in dramatic comeback fashion.
Braves’ rookie sensation, Jason Heyward struck out four times against San Francisco pitching for his first hitless outing in the majors. The Giants’ pitchers issued nine walks and the offense did not draw one until Uribe’s key pass in the bottom of the 13th. It was all Atlanta in the early goings. The Braves totaled three runs off San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez. The 27 year old former no-hit hurler fanned 6 of the 22 batters he faced. Sanchez scattered seven hits through just over four innings. The visitors scratched out two runs in the top of the third on a pair of singles. Braves’ first baseman, Troy Glaus, knocked in the first run on a smack to left and Matt Diaz’s infield shot made it 2-0 in favor of Atlanta. Thirty-two year old left fielder, Diaz collected another RBI in the top of the fifth off Sanchez. The Giants finally got on board in the seventh following a dazzling season debut from Atlanta pitcher, Tim Hudson. Edgar Renteria’s base hit in the fourth marked the first baserunner for San Francsico. Hudson’s 77 pitch outing was impressive. He went seven innings and allowed three hits and two runs. The runs came off the bats Pablo Sandoval and first year Giant, Aubrey Huff. Rowand singled to lead off the frame, and Renteria’s double put two on base with no outs. Sandoval’s ground out sent Rowand home. Renteria scored the second Giants run on a Huff groundout.
Heyward walked on four pitches in the top of the eighth inning with Dan Runzler on the hill for the Giants. Waldis Joaquin threw a wild pitch and Runzler issued a pair of walks in unproductive relief roles for Bochy’s pen. Runzler’s base-on-balls to David Ross provided an RBI for the Atlanta catcher. Glaus scored on the walk to give the Braves a 4-2 edge. The San Francisco bullpen salvaged the inning but not before Runzler finished with three walks. Billy Wagner was sent in to record the save for the Braves in the bottom of the ninth. Wagner, the famed former closer for Philadelphia and New York, gave up a leadoff double to Eugenio Velez. He followed up the extra base hit by striking out Rowand for the first out. Renteria socked a slider to the fences off the new Atlanta closer, good for two runs and a tie game. Renteria is hitting .388 with three multihit games so far this season.
San Francisco closer, Brian Wilson, sent the Braves down in order during the 10th. The Giants managed one hit off Atlanta reliever, Eric O’Flaherty in their half of the 10th. Wilson struggled as the Braves threatened to score in the 11th. He loaded the bases before Sergio Romo was summoned from the bullpen. Romo got Glaus to flyout to end the inning and escape the jam. Sandoval slugged a single to start the 12th for San Francisco. He reached third on a sacrifice by Andres Torres but the Giants wouldn’t convert off Kris Medlen until the next frame. Brian McCann was charged with the significant throwing error in the bottom of the 13th. It was one of four errors during the epic opening game of the series that concluded with a rolling Rowand sliding and uncontested Uribe scoring. Jeremy Affeldt earned his second win of the season for the Giants. Braves manager, Bobby Cox, was ejected for arguing a call during the 13th. It was the record 154th time Cox has been thrown out of game. The seething skipper departed just before Medlen served up the game-winning stroke.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “If You Could Only See” by Tonic
Braves’ rookie sensation, Jason Heyward struck out four times against San Francisco pitching for his first hitless outing in the majors. The Giants’ pitchers issued nine walks and the offense did not draw one until Uribe’s key pass in the bottom of the 13th. It was all Atlanta in the early goings. The Braves totaled three runs off San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez. The 27 year old former no-hit hurler fanned 6 of the 22 batters he faced. Sanchez scattered seven hits through just over four innings. The visitors scratched out two runs in the top of the third on a pair of singles. Braves’ first baseman, Troy Glaus, knocked in the first run on a smack to left and Matt Diaz’s infield shot made it 2-0 in favor of Atlanta. Thirty-two year old left fielder, Diaz collected another RBI in the top of the fifth off Sanchez. The Giants finally got on board in the seventh following a dazzling season debut from Atlanta pitcher, Tim Hudson. Edgar Renteria’s base hit in the fourth marked the first baserunner for San Francsico. Hudson’s 77 pitch outing was impressive. He went seven innings and allowed three hits and two runs. The runs came off the bats Pablo Sandoval and first year Giant, Aubrey Huff. Rowand singled to lead off the frame, and Renteria’s double put two on base with no outs. Sandoval’s ground out sent Rowand home. Renteria scored the second Giants run on a Huff groundout.
Heyward walked on four pitches in the top of the eighth inning with Dan Runzler on the hill for the Giants. Waldis Joaquin threw a wild pitch and Runzler issued a pair of walks in unproductive relief roles for Bochy’s pen. Runzler’s base-on-balls to David Ross provided an RBI for the Atlanta catcher. Glaus scored on the walk to give the Braves a 4-2 edge. The San Francisco bullpen salvaged the inning but not before Runzler finished with three walks. Billy Wagner was sent in to record the save for the Braves in the bottom of the ninth. Wagner, the famed former closer for Philadelphia and New York, gave up a leadoff double to Eugenio Velez. He followed up the extra base hit by striking out Rowand for the first out. Renteria socked a slider to the fences off the new Atlanta closer, good for two runs and a tie game. Renteria is hitting .388 with three multihit games so far this season.
San Francisco closer, Brian Wilson, sent the Braves down in order during the 10th. The Giants managed one hit off Atlanta reliever, Eric O’Flaherty in their half of the 10th. Wilson struggled as the Braves threatened to score in the 11th. He loaded the bases before Sergio Romo was summoned from the bullpen. Romo got Glaus to flyout to end the inning and escape the jam. Sandoval slugged a single to start the 12th for San Francisco. He reached third on a sacrifice by Andres Torres but the Giants wouldn’t convert off Kris Medlen until the next frame. Brian McCann was charged with the significant throwing error in the bottom of the 13th. It was one of four errors during the epic opening game of the series that concluded with a rolling Rowand sliding and uncontested Uribe scoring. Jeremy Affeldt earned his second win of the season for the Giants. Braves manager, Bobby Cox, was ejected for arguing a call during the 13th. It was the record 154th time Cox has been thrown out of game. The seething skipper departed just before Medlen served up the game-winning stroke.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “If You Could Only See” by Tonic
Friday, September 25, 2009
Bullpen Breakdowns
They hang on by the red threads of a baseball for their post-season lives. I’m talking about the Chicago Cubs, who last night, staved off playoff elimination and extended their hopes one more day by defeating the San Francisco Giants with late inning heroics. Bay area closer, Brian Wilson, gave up the game-winning homerun in the top of the ninth to Cubs struggling second base slugger, Jeff Baker. Baker doubled to left in the top of the second off San Francisco starter, Brad Penny. He was doubled up in his next at-bat, and flied out to center field for the first out of the seventh inning. Baker came to bat for the fourth time in the ninth with the opposing team clinging to a one run lead. His long ball put the Cubs ahead 3-2 for good, and sent a stunned San Francisco team packing and trailing the NL wildcard-leading Rockies by four games.
The Giants were a strike away from gaining a came on Colorado before the two out bomb banished their opportunity. Penny pitched eight innings of one-run ball before handing the game over to Wilson. Wilson began the inning by walking veteran Chicago swinger, Derrek Lee. Lee stole second after Wilson retired the next two batters on popups. Baker smacked a fastball over the left field wall, and the Giants quickly fell behind a run. The home team put two runners aboard in their half of the ninth. Cubs’ hard-throwing reliever, Carlos Marmol, struck out two Giants to end the game. Former New York Met, Aaron Heilman, ascended to victory for his fourth of the year as Marmol picked up his 15th season save. Wilson suffered the loss, but his summoning from the bullpen was hard to argue. The closer’s miniscule ERA of 1.27 over his last nine outings justified Bruce Bochy’s move. Chicago starter, Ryan Dempster, was outpitched by his former teammate from Florida. Dempster lasted seven innings but scattered seven hits and two runs.
The outcome of the Rockies-Padres game was posted on the scoreboard when the Cubs and Giants were tied at 1-1 in the fifth. Each team scored one run in the fourth inning. Micah Hoffpauir scored when Baker grounded into a double play. Left fielder for the Giants, John Bowker, crossed the plate on shortstop Juan Uribe’s double in the bottom of the fourth to even the score. Bowker replaced Nate Schierholtz in the lineup. The southpaw slugger sat because of food poisoning. The manager’s decision payed off when backup Bowker homered off Dempster into McCovey Cove in the seventh.
The Giants are now 82-71 and four games back with nine remaining. San Francisco plays six more home games against Chicago and Arizona before finishing the season in San Diego. The Padres are poised to play spoiler. Smug San Diego set aside the Rockies 5-4 Thursday night. The Rockies lead was trimmed to 3 ½ games over the idle Atlanta Braves. The Braves probably have the easiest schedule of the remaining wildcard contenders. The NL Central is all but over as soon as the Cardinals win and the Cubs lose another game. But this wildcard race is an intriguing one that should come down to the final day of the regular season. The Rockies play the Cardinals next in a possible preview of the post-season. Matt Holliday will return to Corrs Field for the first time since he was traded to Oakland last winter. He will arrive in a Redbird uniform to face a Rockies team that has lost 7 of their last 11, including last night. Joe Beimel took the loss for Colorado and a shaky bullpen, but hope to reconvene and regroup this weekend. Jason Hammel tossed a gem through six ½ excellent innings, but his bullpen collapsed after being handed a 3-1 advantage. The Cardinals will start two CY Young candidates in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright and plate All-stars, Holliday and Albert Pujols in the three game set beginning Friday. Both teams will embark on the last weekend of September with still a lot to prove.
Parting Points: Yankees-Red Sox, the final round starts tonight.
Song of the day-: “Hand In My Pocket” by Alanis Morisette
The Giants were a strike away from gaining a came on Colorado before the two out bomb banished their opportunity. Penny pitched eight innings of one-run ball before handing the game over to Wilson. Wilson began the inning by walking veteran Chicago swinger, Derrek Lee. Lee stole second after Wilson retired the next two batters on popups. Baker smacked a fastball over the left field wall, and the Giants quickly fell behind a run. The home team put two runners aboard in their half of the ninth. Cubs’ hard-throwing reliever, Carlos Marmol, struck out two Giants to end the game. Former New York Met, Aaron Heilman, ascended to victory for his fourth of the year as Marmol picked up his 15th season save. Wilson suffered the loss, but his summoning from the bullpen was hard to argue. The closer’s miniscule ERA of 1.27 over his last nine outings justified Bruce Bochy’s move. Chicago starter, Ryan Dempster, was outpitched by his former teammate from Florida. Dempster lasted seven innings but scattered seven hits and two runs.
The outcome of the Rockies-Padres game was posted on the scoreboard when the Cubs and Giants were tied at 1-1 in the fifth. Each team scored one run in the fourth inning. Micah Hoffpauir scored when Baker grounded into a double play. Left fielder for the Giants, John Bowker, crossed the plate on shortstop Juan Uribe’s double in the bottom of the fourth to even the score. Bowker replaced Nate Schierholtz in the lineup. The southpaw slugger sat because of food poisoning. The manager’s decision payed off when backup Bowker homered off Dempster into McCovey Cove in the seventh.
The Giants are now 82-71 and four games back with nine remaining. San Francisco plays six more home games against Chicago and Arizona before finishing the season in San Diego. The Padres are poised to play spoiler. Smug San Diego set aside the Rockies 5-4 Thursday night. The Rockies lead was trimmed to 3 ½ games over the idle Atlanta Braves. The Braves probably have the easiest schedule of the remaining wildcard contenders. The NL Central is all but over as soon as the Cardinals win and the Cubs lose another game. But this wildcard race is an intriguing one that should come down to the final day of the regular season. The Rockies play the Cardinals next in a possible preview of the post-season. Matt Holliday will return to Corrs Field for the first time since he was traded to Oakland last winter. He will arrive in a Redbird uniform to face a Rockies team that has lost 7 of their last 11, including last night. Joe Beimel took the loss for Colorado and a shaky bullpen, but hope to reconvene and regroup this weekend. Jason Hammel tossed a gem through six ½ excellent innings, but his bullpen collapsed after being handed a 3-1 advantage. The Cardinals will start two CY Young candidates in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright and plate All-stars, Holliday and Albert Pujols in the three game set beginning Friday. Both teams will embark on the last weekend of September with still a lot to prove.
Parting Points: Yankees-Red Sox, the final round starts tonight.
Song of the day-: “Hand In My Pocket” by Alanis Morisette
Monday, August 17, 2009
Murphy Mobbed
Daniel Murphy clubbed the game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday at Citi Field to lift the New York Mets to a 3-2 win over the visiting Giants from San Francisco. Jeff Francoeur scored the final run for the home team in a game that featured solid starting pitching from both teams. The Mets didn’t make a grand statement or a dramatic exit but the walkoff was thrilling nonetheless.
The Mets, an already ailing ball club, were minus their All-Star third baseman, David Wright. Wright could miss as much as the rest of the season after suffering a concussion during Saturday’s second game of the four game set with the Giants. Wright was beaned on the left ear piece of his helmet by a 90 mph fastball from San Francisco youngster, Matt Cain. Cain did not intentionally throw at Wright, but was clearly trying to pitch Wright up and in. The Met slugger could not get out of the way quick enough and dropped to the batter’s box dirt as soon as the pitch struck his head. Wright was carried off the field and taken to a hospital, where he underwent testing. He spent the night at the hospital and his CT scan came back negative. Jerry Manuel, the first year Mets manager, stated the staff is unsure when Wright will return to play. The club is also undecided as to whether or not David should be placed on the disabled list. It’s one horror after another for the Metropolitans. Wright had been a formidable figure in Queens and seeing him go down in the manner he did was enough to raise the hair on my arm.
Scrappy, slap-hitting Luis Castillo, made up for some New York’s missing offense Sunday afternoon against the Giants’ no-hit tosser, Jonathan Sanchez. The second baseman belted his first homerun of 2009 with an upper-deck two-run shot to give the Mets a 2-1 lead in the fifth. Mike Pelfrey made the start for the Amazin’s. Pelfrey allowed a run in the top of the fifth inning on left fielder, Eugenio Velez’s single. Velez, a .292 hitter for San Francisco, connected for one of his two hits on the day to score Eli Whiteside. Angel Pagan hit a two out double that bounced off the glove of the Giants’ Fred Lewis in left field during the fifth.. Castillo then put the Mets on top with his two out, 3-1 blast into the stands to finely finish the bottom of the frame. You have to wonder about a pitcher who throws a no-hitter and gives up a homerun to Castillo in the same season.
The Giants came back to tie the game in the eighth inning. Randy Winn doubled to centerfield to score Velez. The Mets bullpen held strong in relief of Pelfrey. Brian Stokes, Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez combined for a 1 2/3 scoreless and hitless effort. Feliciano successfully retired pinch hitter, Ryan Garko. Garko has hit lefties well but he smoked a 3-2 offering directing into the glove of Castillo at second. San Francisco tried to tack on more runs in the ninth but KRod struck out the side. In the bottom half, New York ended the game, making Sergio Romo the losing pitcher. Francoeur lined a base hit off Romo to open the ninth. Then, Fernando Tatis placed down a perfect sacrifice bunt before Murphy drove a Jeremy Affeldt curveball to right field to decide the game. Perhaps skipper, Bruce Bochy, should have left Romo in the game to face right-handers. Bochy chose to summon Affeldt from the bullpen instead of having Romo intentionally walk Murphy to face Omir Santos. The Mets mobbed Murphy and went home winners. Murphy is only hitting .279 on the season, with seven long balls. He has 40 RBIs but only two in his last 17 at-bats. It’s about time Daniel came up with a game-winning crack. The walkoff single was a feel-good moment for a team that has had anything but this summer.
Rodriguez was the hurler on the winning side for the Mets. It was a well-fought game on both fronts but you have to give Pelfrey credit for keeping the team in the game. He is only an even 8-8 this year but provided a quality 7 plus innings yesterday at home. Pelfrey pitched one of his best outings, whiffing five batters and giving up just five hits. It was the third time in 2009 Pelfrey went at least seven innings for Manuel. Sanchez and Pelfrey both got no-decisions in the contest but pitched well enough to deserve mention. The team still trails in NL East by eleven or so games. I was very surprised to see Castillo go deep. It was his first homerun since May 2008, and it was certainly hard hit. The Giants don’t have much of a lineup, but their pitching is as good as any staff in the National League. Their six losses in nine games have not destroyed their playoff chances. The team just tends to specialize in flat defeats and failing to capitalize early in games. They are currently in a heated playoff race for the wildcard. The Giants and Florida Marlins trail the Colorado Rockies by one game for the NL wildcard.
On a different note, I would love to see the Mets return to a uniform similar to the throwback ones they wore during the Giants series. I dig the cream color, pinstripes and the lettering on the jerseys. Even the Mets announcers alluded to the handsome digs the team was sporting. It would be an improvement over the bland black road silks the Mets are currently swaddled in.
Parting points: There’s an interesting new book about UT football coming out this week. It’s called “On Rocky Top” and written by Clay Travis. Legendary coach, Bill Walsh, also has a new sports philosophy book coming out later this month.
Happy Birthday to Jorge Posada! Too bad the Mariners clobbered the Yankees yesterday.
Today’s lyric: “Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit. Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit”- from U2’s “I’ll Go Crazy”
The Mets, an already ailing ball club, were minus their All-Star third baseman, David Wright. Wright could miss as much as the rest of the season after suffering a concussion during Saturday’s second game of the four game set with the Giants. Wright was beaned on the left ear piece of his helmet by a 90 mph fastball from San Francisco youngster, Matt Cain. Cain did not intentionally throw at Wright, but was clearly trying to pitch Wright up and in. The Met slugger could not get out of the way quick enough and dropped to the batter’s box dirt as soon as the pitch struck his head. Wright was carried off the field and taken to a hospital, where he underwent testing. He spent the night at the hospital and his CT scan came back negative. Jerry Manuel, the first year Mets manager, stated the staff is unsure when Wright will return to play. The club is also undecided as to whether or not David should be placed on the disabled list. It’s one horror after another for the Metropolitans. Wright had been a formidable figure in Queens and seeing him go down in the manner he did was enough to raise the hair on my arm.
Scrappy, slap-hitting Luis Castillo, made up for some New York’s missing offense Sunday afternoon against the Giants’ no-hit tosser, Jonathan Sanchez. The second baseman belted his first homerun of 2009 with an upper-deck two-run shot to give the Mets a 2-1 lead in the fifth. Mike Pelfrey made the start for the Amazin’s. Pelfrey allowed a run in the top of the fifth inning on left fielder, Eugenio Velez’s single. Velez, a .292 hitter for San Francisco, connected for one of his two hits on the day to score Eli Whiteside. Angel Pagan hit a two out double that bounced off the glove of the Giants’ Fred Lewis in left field during the fifth.. Castillo then put the Mets on top with his two out, 3-1 blast into the stands to finely finish the bottom of the frame. You have to wonder about a pitcher who throws a no-hitter and gives up a homerun to Castillo in the same season.
The Giants came back to tie the game in the eighth inning. Randy Winn doubled to centerfield to score Velez. The Mets bullpen held strong in relief of Pelfrey. Brian Stokes, Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez combined for a 1 2/3 scoreless and hitless effort. Feliciano successfully retired pinch hitter, Ryan Garko. Garko has hit lefties well but he smoked a 3-2 offering directing into the glove of Castillo at second. San Francisco tried to tack on more runs in the ninth but KRod struck out the side. In the bottom half, New York ended the game, making Sergio Romo the losing pitcher. Francoeur lined a base hit off Romo to open the ninth. Then, Fernando Tatis placed down a perfect sacrifice bunt before Murphy drove a Jeremy Affeldt curveball to right field to decide the game. Perhaps skipper, Bruce Bochy, should have left Romo in the game to face right-handers. Bochy chose to summon Affeldt from the bullpen instead of having Romo intentionally walk Murphy to face Omir Santos. The Mets mobbed Murphy and went home winners. Murphy is only hitting .279 on the season, with seven long balls. He has 40 RBIs but only two in his last 17 at-bats. It’s about time Daniel came up with a game-winning crack. The walkoff single was a feel-good moment for a team that has had anything but this summer.
Rodriguez was the hurler on the winning side for the Mets. It was a well-fought game on both fronts but you have to give Pelfrey credit for keeping the team in the game. He is only an even 8-8 this year but provided a quality 7 plus innings yesterday at home. Pelfrey pitched one of his best outings, whiffing five batters and giving up just five hits. It was the third time in 2009 Pelfrey went at least seven innings for Manuel. Sanchez and Pelfrey both got no-decisions in the contest but pitched well enough to deserve mention. The team still trails in NL East by eleven or so games. I was very surprised to see Castillo go deep. It was his first homerun since May 2008, and it was certainly hard hit. The Giants don’t have much of a lineup, but their pitching is as good as any staff in the National League. Their six losses in nine games have not destroyed their playoff chances. The team just tends to specialize in flat defeats and failing to capitalize early in games. They are currently in a heated playoff race for the wildcard. The Giants and Florida Marlins trail the Colorado Rockies by one game for the NL wildcard.
On a different note, I would love to see the Mets return to a uniform similar to the throwback ones they wore during the Giants series. I dig the cream color, pinstripes and the lettering on the jerseys. Even the Mets announcers alluded to the handsome digs the team was sporting. It would be an improvement over the bland black road silks the Mets are currently swaddled in.
Parting points: There’s an interesting new book about UT football coming out this week. It’s called “On Rocky Top” and written by Clay Travis. Legendary coach, Bill Walsh, also has a new sports philosophy book coming out later this month.
Happy Birthday to Jorge Posada! Too bad the Mariners clobbered the Yankees yesterday.
Today’s lyric: “Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit. Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit”- from U2’s “I’ll Go Crazy”
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sanchez Stunner
Baseball’s first no hitter of 2009 occurred at A T & T Park in San Francisco as the hometown Giants shut out the visiting ball club from San Diego, 8-0. Jonathan Sanchez turned in a Randy Johnson vintage-like performance in his spot start for the sidelined left-handed hurler. Johnson went on the disabled list earlier this week because of shoulder problems. Sanchez, a recently-demoted Giant and pitcher in trade talk discussion, tossed the franchise’s first no-no in 33 years. An eighth inning fielding error stood in the way of perfect game.
The Puerto Rico native Sanchez returned to San Francisco’s rotation and shined in his second chance as a starter. The 26 year old southpaw was so bad this season for the Giants he was banished to the bullpen last month. Sanchez had not started a game since June 22nd for Bruce Bochy’s staff. He held a 3-8 record before Friday night’s unbelievable accomplishment. Sanchez was slotted into the schedule and showed complete control in his showcase start for Johnson. He threw breaking balls effectively and only allowed one base runner on Juan Uribe’s error at third base. Chase Headley reached when Uribe bobbled a hard-hit but routine grounder then fumbled in two attempts to throw the runner out at first.
Sanchez struck out a career high eleven Padres, and did not issue a walk on the night. He fanned Everth Cabrera looking to end the game facing his 28th batter, one more than the minimum. The closest San Diego came to breaking up Sanchez’s no-hit bid was in the ninth. Gold Glove outfielder, Aaron Rowand, saved the Giants’ pitcher when he banged into the wall to catch Edgar Gonzalez’s long drive to center. Sanchez won for the first time since May 25th. The trend of terrific starting pitching continues to keep the 2009 San Francisco Giants in the playoff hunt. Tim Lincecum was near perfect against the Padres before Tony Gwynn’s seventh inning hit a night before. Johnson earned his 300th win a few months ago, and Matt Cain and Barry Zito are two performers who can go the distance. If the Giants can get their offense rolling in the second half, Sanchez becomes another asset the team probably did not foresee being a factor down the stretch. The team leads the majors in shutouts this year, with 13 total. The Giants have a great culture capable of clarifying and contending with their crippling pitchers.
The last no-hit gem thrown by a San Francisco Giant was in 1976 by John Montefusco. It was the 13th no-hitter in club history. Sanchez did his with 110 pitches, 77 for strikes.
Parting points: On July 11, 1985, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros becomes the first pitcher in history to record 4,000 strikeouts. Ryan notches the milestone when he fans New York Mets outfielder Danny Heep on three pitches in the sixth inning.
Happy 150th birthday to Big Ben!
The Puerto Rico native Sanchez returned to San Francisco’s rotation and shined in his second chance as a starter. The 26 year old southpaw was so bad this season for the Giants he was banished to the bullpen last month. Sanchez had not started a game since June 22nd for Bruce Bochy’s staff. He held a 3-8 record before Friday night’s unbelievable accomplishment. Sanchez was slotted into the schedule and showed complete control in his showcase start for Johnson. He threw breaking balls effectively and only allowed one base runner on Juan Uribe’s error at third base. Chase Headley reached when Uribe bobbled a hard-hit but routine grounder then fumbled in two attempts to throw the runner out at first.
Sanchez struck out a career high eleven Padres, and did not issue a walk on the night. He fanned Everth Cabrera looking to end the game facing his 28th batter, one more than the minimum. The closest San Diego came to breaking up Sanchez’s no-hit bid was in the ninth. Gold Glove outfielder, Aaron Rowand, saved the Giants’ pitcher when he banged into the wall to catch Edgar Gonzalez’s long drive to center. Sanchez won for the first time since May 25th. The trend of terrific starting pitching continues to keep the 2009 San Francisco Giants in the playoff hunt. Tim Lincecum was near perfect against the Padres before Tony Gwynn’s seventh inning hit a night before. Johnson earned his 300th win a few months ago, and Matt Cain and Barry Zito are two performers who can go the distance. If the Giants can get their offense rolling in the second half, Sanchez becomes another asset the team probably did not foresee being a factor down the stretch. The team leads the majors in shutouts this year, with 13 total. The Giants have a great culture capable of clarifying and contending with their crippling pitchers.
The last no-hit gem thrown by a San Francisco Giant was in 1976 by John Montefusco. It was the 13th no-hitter in club history. Sanchez did his with 110 pitches, 77 for strikes.
Parting points: On July 11, 1985, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros becomes the first pitcher in history to record 4,000 strikeouts. Ryan notches the milestone when he fans New York Mets outfielder Danny Heep on three pitches in the sixth inning.
Happy 150th birthday to Big Ben!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Golden Gate Glitches
Bleak and black has been a recurring theme by the Bay since the Giants’ Championship season. San Francisco has not been able to return to the high-profile elite of the National League. Where are Willie McCovey and Orlando Cepeda when you need them? General manager, Brian Sabean, has established a nice blend of pitchers but the Giants’ offense has not been able to overcome the loss of Barry Bonds. The rotation remains the strength of this NL West club in 2009. New arrivals will help but do not mean the lineup is solidified. Iffy hitters and players looking to rejuvenate their careers make up the mollified San Fran team. No longer do the fans have to put up with the number one clubhouse cancer Bonds, and the organization seems to have calmed down. San Francisco now has a bunch of kids running the show, which seems fitting with Sabean at the helm.
Randy Johnson, the tall and talented tower, came over from Arizona during an off-season move. The lefty is five wins short of 300 and will be a big boost to the young rotation. The Big Unit is on a one-year deal and joins former CY Young winner, Barry Zito in the middle of the Giants’ starting rotation. Zito is being demoted and will not start Opening Day for the first time in two years with San Francisco. The reason the curveball specialist won’t be on the mound when the season kicks off is because of last year’s CY Young winning righty, Tim Lincecum.
Zito has been a disappointment since signing one of the biggest free agent contracts out of the Oakland farm system. The $126 dollar Barry believes in himself, but many fans are fed up with the fickle flamethrower. Matt Cain posted a 3.78 ERA in 2008 and is looking like the number two starter this year. The right-handed Cain has been the talk of trade rumors this winter. Sabean could still move the 24 year old to acquire a slugger during the season. Chances are though, Matt will be a Giant for the entire year. His trade potential won’t be high if he continues to pile on the hits and walks. He went 8-14 last year but wasn’t helped any by his hapless hitting team. Cain is discretely looking to break out and produce his first winning season since 2006. Lincecum is a modest and mound magician, and many scouts expect him to be the top ace in the league behind New York’s Johan Santana. Number 55 wins flew under the radar last year. Tim notched 18 w’s and only lost 5 games in which he started. That amounted to a startling 2.62 ERA and 265 strikeouts. Nobody noticed the novice, slender and shaggy-haired second year pitcher last year until he won the CY Young. His only knock is perhaps his control but he is only in his second big league year. Lincecum threw two complete games and one shutout in 2008. If he can do more than that in 2009, the Giants are guaranteed another 18 win season from their number one producer. The stage is set for lefty, Johnathan Sanchez to earn the fifth spot if he can beat out Noah Lowry. Sanchez is the favorite, with his impeccable strikeout-per-inning ratio. Last year, he had 157 of them in 158 innings. The 26 year old represented Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He went 9-12 last year and like Lincecum, should concentrate on controlling his pitches. Lowry is back and healthy and has a chance to be a contribution to the team. His shoulder cost him an entire season and he will likely begin the Spring on the DL. The Pepperdine product is effective in providing innings but is not a strikeout pitcher.
Johnson and Zito formulate a fierce three-four for the Giants. Both have colossal curves and outstanding off-speed stuff in their repertoires. When they are at the top of their games, they are arguably two of the best leftys of the modern era. Johnson will one day make a speech in Cooperstown and is a familiar figure throughout the league. The once-feared hurler is at the end of the road career-wise, but has proven he can still pitch. His ERA remains very low and he doesn’t walk very many batters. Cavalier Johnson has 37 shutouts and pitched over 4,000 innings in a span of two decades in the majors.
Zito has a deceptive curveball but his out-over-the-plate approach to throwing the fastball leaves him prone to the long ball. I loved Zito as an Oakland A and would love nothing more than to see him get back his 20 game winning ways in San Fran. He seems ideal pitching for the National League but is already 30 years old. Hitters no longer fear Zito’s stuff. I think he needs to be less predictable on the mound and strive to give up less earned runs. Barry boasts a winning record of 123-93 and is credited with four post-season wins in his career. Zito is quite the workhorse and keeps himself in good shape so he is durable. Once, he also looked incredibly invincible. The one problem with Barry is he is slow to the plate. Therefore, the Giant hurler is susceptible to being run on. When men get on base, he has to be careful they don’t steal on him. Being a lefty helps, but Zito allows too many men on base and endures long innings.
Relievers resolving issues and returning to the bullpen in the bay include closer Brian Wilson, Alex Hinshaw, Sergio Romo and Keichii Yabu. Wilson was without question the shining star of the pen in an all-star 2008 campaign. Brian brings quality to the closer position with his feature fastball. He was second most in saves, with 41, in the NL last year. The phenomenal 27 year old is a quick worker on the mound and rarely concedes hits. Hinshaw is a young left-hander with an anticipatory relief role. His 3.40 ERA included 47 strikeouts and a 2-1 record in 48 games a year ago. He will need to impress management in order to make the Opening day roster. The same goes for the righty, Romo. Both made debuts in 2008. Romo projects to be more of a middle-man with his low WHIP and strikeout ability. The California native allowed 13 runs in just 29 games. Sabean acquired two professional and prolific pitchers last winter in Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry. They were brought in to put out the fire and are capable of pitching in long relief. Affeldt had a 3.33 ERA for the Reds in 2008 and for a southpaw, can stifle right-handed sluggers. Howry was a free agent who pitched for the Cubs last year but originally grew up in the Giants organization. Luis Perdomo, a Rule 5 draft selection, is also making his Giants debut in 2009. Yabu could be the player to pick up the slack and be a major mop up man if he can reclaim himself. He still has a lot to prove coming off a 3-6 year. Many are projecting a late season call up if need be. For the start of the year, Yabu will test the waters in Triple-A Fresno. Although there are still holes, the Giants are going to rely mainly on Affeldt and Howry and look to Wilson to be the fine finisher. Three right-handers are no longer with the team due to free agency signings in the off-season. Kevin Correria, Brad Hennessey and Tyler Walker all have new homes but all were replaceable to begin with. Jack Taschner will see relief work as a left-handed specialist. The 30 year old has quietly thrown 140 innings in four San Francisco seasons. Taschner gets important outs and doesn’t allow many out of the park.
At the plate, the Giants’ RF, Randy Winn, is slated to lead off. Winn is a better than average player and a veteran hitter. He had a .306 average in roughly 600 at-bats last year. Randy is 34 years old though, and his body is breaking down. I expect he will share time in the field. Edgar Renteria is the biggest position player the Giants acquired. Renteria is an all-star at shortstop and will hit second in the order. 3B Pablo Sandoval, C Bengie Molina and LF Fred Lewis make up the heart of the order. Sandoval is a free-swinger and switch-hitter and Molina can hit well in the clutch. Rocket arm Bengie decks and drives the ball. Molina’s diligence behind the plate has made him the best of the Molina brothers in MLB. Lewis’ leadoff capabilities are present, but the Giants would like to see their left-fielder be more forceful at the plate. His patience in the number one hole brought Lewis 51 free trips to first on walks. In his rookie year, Fred flourished with a .282 plate average. The lefty is estimated to improve all aspects of his game and moving him to the fifth slot in the order shows the team has confidence in him.
Sixth hitter, Aaron Rowand, plays a mean CF and bats behind Lewis. Aaron adds RBIS near the bottom of the order and is a singles-hitter. He has post-season experience in both leagues, with the ChiSox and the Phillies. In 57 trips to the plate, Rowand scored 9 runs on 13 hits in the playoffs. His outfield defense ranks him among the elite in the league. Rowand also is a fierce base runner and excellent slider. Travis Isikawa is the team first basemen and 7th hitter. Travis is a natural at the position but will sit the bench when fill-in, Sandoval, moves to first base. Isikawa has clubbed several homeruns this Spring and the Giants are thrilled with his power. Second base is still up in the air but among the competitors are Eugenio Velez, Emmanuel Burriss and Kevin Frandsen. Velez is likely to become a mere pinch hitter and runner. The potential final batter, Frandsen, makes contact but lacks power. He also is not as quick as Burriss. Burriss is the favorite because he is batting .396 this spring and plays brilliant on the field. The Kent State switch hitter drove in 18 runs in 2008. If Frandsen wins the job though, Burriss will be on the outside looking in.
Juan Uribe is the cream of the crop when it comes to infield Giant reserves. Uribe can back up short or third. The Olympian, Nate Schierholtz, has the edge for the go-to utility outfielder and Catcher Buster Posey could get a rookie call up. Schierholtz is recovering from an injury and strikes out too often but produced an over .300 average as a 2008 Giant. Posey is a top prospect with a solid glove. He can make plays behind the plate and gun down base runners well. Jesus Guzman was signed from the A’s and is only 24 years old. The Giants allowed Guzman to try out for an infield spot and Jesus hasn’t disappointed yet. He hit a shot to clear the wall in a 7-5 win over the Brewers earlier this Spring. His .943 slugging percentage have made noise, but he had several throwing and fielding errors at third base.
This is not the most endearing team to watch or root for. Manager, Bruce Bochy certainly has his hands full with glitches on offense and defense. The anomalies won’t suffice if adjustments aren’t made soon. The bullpen was last year’s major weakness and although improved, still is the Achilles’ heel. The do have one of the superior pitchers in Lincecum and Rowand is a tough out, ruthless fielder and the team rock. Rowand’s combative style and Molina’s leadership will be ignitions to a San Fran team frantic for wins. The way I see it, the Giants are legitimate. They just need to be a little more aggressive on offense and more stingy on defense. The pitching is great enough to sustain marginal leads as long as the hitters can put up some runs and the fielders can minimize extra base hits. If not, this team could be gentle Giants and cellar-dwellers again.
Parting points: I guessed 13 of the 16 NCAA teams left in my bracket, so I am in decent shape.
Randy Johnson, the tall and talented tower, came over from Arizona during an off-season move. The lefty is five wins short of 300 and will be a big boost to the young rotation. The Big Unit is on a one-year deal and joins former CY Young winner, Barry Zito in the middle of the Giants’ starting rotation. Zito is being demoted and will not start Opening Day for the first time in two years with San Francisco. The reason the curveball specialist won’t be on the mound when the season kicks off is because of last year’s CY Young winning righty, Tim Lincecum.
Zito has been a disappointment since signing one of the biggest free agent contracts out of the Oakland farm system. The $126 dollar Barry believes in himself, but many fans are fed up with the fickle flamethrower. Matt Cain posted a 3.78 ERA in 2008 and is looking like the number two starter this year. The right-handed Cain has been the talk of trade rumors this winter. Sabean could still move the 24 year old to acquire a slugger during the season. Chances are though, Matt will be a Giant for the entire year. His trade potential won’t be high if he continues to pile on the hits and walks. He went 8-14 last year but wasn’t helped any by his hapless hitting team. Cain is discretely looking to break out and produce his first winning season since 2006. Lincecum is a modest and mound magician, and many scouts expect him to be the top ace in the league behind New York’s Johan Santana. Number 55 wins flew under the radar last year. Tim notched 18 w’s and only lost 5 games in which he started. That amounted to a startling 2.62 ERA and 265 strikeouts. Nobody noticed the novice, slender and shaggy-haired second year pitcher last year until he won the CY Young. His only knock is perhaps his control but he is only in his second big league year. Lincecum threw two complete games and one shutout in 2008. If he can do more than that in 2009, the Giants are guaranteed another 18 win season from their number one producer. The stage is set for lefty, Johnathan Sanchez to earn the fifth spot if he can beat out Noah Lowry. Sanchez is the favorite, with his impeccable strikeout-per-inning ratio. Last year, he had 157 of them in 158 innings. The 26 year old represented Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He went 9-12 last year and like Lincecum, should concentrate on controlling his pitches. Lowry is back and healthy and has a chance to be a contribution to the team. His shoulder cost him an entire season and he will likely begin the Spring on the DL. The Pepperdine product is effective in providing innings but is not a strikeout pitcher.
Johnson and Zito formulate a fierce three-four for the Giants. Both have colossal curves and outstanding off-speed stuff in their repertoires. When they are at the top of their games, they are arguably two of the best leftys of the modern era. Johnson will one day make a speech in Cooperstown and is a familiar figure throughout the league. The once-feared hurler is at the end of the road career-wise, but has proven he can still pitch. His ERA remains very low and he doesn’t walk very many batters. Cavalier Johnson has 37 shutouts and pitched over 4,000 innings in a span of two decades in the majors.
Zito has a deceptive curveball but his out-over-the-plate approach to throwing the fastball leaves him prone to the long ball. I loved Zito as an Oakland A and would love nothing more than to see him get back his 20 game winning ways in San Fran. He seems ideal pitching for the National League but is already 30 years old. Hitters no longer fear Zito’s stuff. I think he needs to be less predictable on the mound and strive to give up less earned runs. Barry boasts a winning record of 123-93 and is credited with four post-season wins in his career. Zito is quite the workhorse and keeps himself in good shape so he is durable. Once, he also looked incredibly invincible. The one problem with Barry is he is slow to the plate. Therefore, the Giant hurler is susceptible to being run on. When men get on base, he has to be careful they don’t steal on him. Being a lefty helps, but Zito allows too many men on base and endures long innings.
Relievers resolving issues and returning to the bullpen in the bay include closer Brian Wilson, Alex Hinshaw, Sergio Romo and Keichii Yabu. Wilson was without question the shining star of the pen in an all-star 2008 campaign. Brian brings quality to the closer position with his feature fastball. He was second most in saves, with 41, in the NL last year. The phenomenal 27 year old is a quick worker on the mound and rarely concedes hits. Hinshaw is a young left-hander with an anticipatory relief role. His 3.40 ERA included 47 strikeouts and a 2-1 record in 48 games a year ago. He will need to impress management in order to make the Opening day roster. The same goes for the righty, Romo. Both made debuts in 2008. Romo projects to be more of a middle-man with his low WHIP and strikeout ability. The California native allowed 13 runs in just 29 games. Sabean acquired two professional and prolific pitchers last winter in Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry. They were brought in to put out the fire and are capable of pitching in long relief. Affeldt had a 3.33 ERA for the Reds in 2008 and for a southpaw, can stifle right-handed sluggers. Howry was a free agent who pitched for the Cubs last year but originally grew up in the Giants organization. Luis Perdomo, a Rule 5 draft selection, is also making his Giants debut in 2009. Yabu could be the player to pick up the slack and be a major mop up man if he can reclaim himself. He still has a lot to prove coming off a 3-6 year. Many are projecting a late season call up if need be. For the start of the year, Yabu will test the waters in Triple-A Fresno. Although there are still holes, the Giants are going to rely mainly on Affeldt and Howry and look to Wilson to be the fine finisher. Three right-handers are no longer with the team due to free agency signings in the off-season. Kevin Correria, Brad Hennessey and Tyler Walker all have new homes but all were replaceable to begin with. Jack Taschner will see relief work as a left-handed specialist. The 30 year old has quietly thrown 140 innings in four San Francisco seasons. Taschner gets important outs and doesn’t allow many out of the park.
At the plate, the Giants’ RF, Randy Winn, is slated to lead off. Winn is a better than average player and a veteran hitter. He had a .306 average in roughly 600 at-bats last year. Randy is 34 years old though, and his body is breaking down. I expect he will share time in the field. Edgar Renteria is the biggest position player the Giants acquired. Renteria is an all-star at shortstop and will hit second in the order. 3B Pablo Sandoval, C Bengie Molina and LF Fred Lewis make up the heart of the order. Sandoval is a free-swinger and switch-hitter and Molina can hit well in the clutch. Rocket arm Bengie decks and drives the ball. Molina’s diligence behind the plate has made him the best of the Molina brothers in MLB. Lewis’ leadoff capabilities are present, but the Giants would like to see their left-fielder be more forceful at the plate. His patience in the number one hole brought Lewis 51 free trips to first on walks. In his rookie year, Fred flourished with a .282 plate average. The lefty is estimated to improve all aspects of his game and moving him to the fifth slot in the order shows the team has confidence in him.
Sixth hitter, Aaron Rowand, plays a mean CF and bats behind Lewis. Aaron adds RBIS near the bottom of the order and is a singles-hitter. He has post-season experience in both leagues, with the ChiSox and the Phillies. In 57 trips to the plate, Rowand scored 9 runs on 13 hits in the playoffs. His outfield defense ranks him among the elite in the league. Rowand also is a fierce base runner and excellent slider. Travis Isikawa is the team first basemen and 7th hitter. Travis is a natural at the position but will sit the bench when fill-in, Sandoval, moves to first base. Isikawa has clubbed several homeruns this Spring and the Giants are thrilled with his power. Second base is still up in the air but among the competitors are Eugenio Velez, Emmanuel Burriss and Kevin Frandsen. Velez is likely to become a mere pinch hitter and runner. The potential final batter, Frandsen, makes contact but lacks power. He also is not as quick as Burriss. Burriss is the favorite because he is batting .396 this spring and plays brilliant on the field. The Kent State switch hitter drove in 18 runs in 2008. If Frandsen wins the job though, Burriss will be on the outside looking in.
Juan Uribe is the cream of the crop when it comes to infield Giant reserves. Uribe can back up short or third. The Olympian, Nate Schierholtz, has the edge for the go-to utility outfielder and Catcher Buster Posey could get a rookie call up. Schierholtz is recovering from an injury and strikes out too often but produced an over .300 average as a 2008 Giant. Posey is a top prospect with a solid glove. He can make plays behind the plate and gun down base runners well. Jesus Guzman was signed from the A’s and is only 24 years old. The Giants allowed Guzman to try out for an infield spot and Jesus hasn’t disappointed yet. He hit a shot to clear the wall in a 7-5 win over the Brewers earlier this Spring. His .943 slugging percentage have made noise, but he had several throwing and fielding errors at third base.
This is not the most endearing team to watch or root for. Manager, Bruce Bochy certainly has his hands full with glitches on offense and defense. The anomalies won’t suffice if adjustments aren’t made soon. The bullpen was last year’s major weakness and although improved, still is the Achilles’ heel. The do have one of the superior pitchers in Lincecum and Rowand is a tough out, ruthless fielder and the team rock. Rowand’s combative style and Molina’s leadership will be ignitions to a San Fran team frantic for wins. The way I see it, the Giants are legitimate. They just need to be a little more aggressive on offense and more stingy on defense. The pitching is great enough to sustain marginal leads as long as the hitters can put up some runs and the fielders can minimize extra base hits. If not, this team could be gentle Giants and cellar-dwellers again.
Parting points: I guessed 13 of the 16 NCAA teams left in my bracket, so I am in decent shape.
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