Split

The Giants bounced back from the two agonizing losses that opened the series with consecutive wins to salvage a split. Last night they overcame a 5-0 deficit to take a 6-5 lead in the 9th that took two pitchers to save, but save they did. Today was also a comeback win, with three runs in the bottom of the 3rd after a Manny Machado two-run homer opened the scoring in the top half of the frame. FNG Dominic Smith got the big hit for the Giants, a two-out, two-strike, two-run double that put them on top for good. Robbie Ray's line in the 3-2 win: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 W, 9 K.

I don't like to make too much of one at-bat but Dom Smith's hit is exactly the kind of hit the Giants got in April on a regular basis. Those hits evaporated in May. Sometimes bringing in new blood works like a charm. Last night FNG Daniel Johnson singled and stole a bag before scoring on Patrick Bailey's single in the 5th. It was the club's first run. He singled again in the 7th behind Willy Adames' walk. Both scored on Heliot Ramos' double to make it 5-3. Welcome to the squad, Dan Johnson! Seriously, those are the hits that have eluded the Giants for some time now. It's great to see the new guys contribute right away.

Sean Hjelle deserves a hat tip for a dandy 2-2/3 IP last night after Kyle Harrison faltered. Ryan Walker fumbled in the 9th but Randy Rodriguez heroically rescued him and preserved the win. That guy is amazing. He pitched a scoreless 8th today, too. Camilo Doval put two on in the 9th today but got it done, sealing the deal with a strikeout. He was popping 100+ mph with his cutter.

The Braves come to town for the weekend. Tomorrow night's game is at 7:15 PT. It's Hayden Birdsong's turn in the rotation.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

 

p.s. Just to note that bullpen stalwart Tyler Rogers has faced 103 batters this year and walked just three while yielding only 18 hits. This team has a great group of relievers. 

Shakeup

As expected the Giants parted ways with struggling first baseman LaMonte Wade, Jr. who was DFAd today. Sam Huff got the axe as well. Wade is a free agent after this season. The 31-year old has inexplicably "fallen off a cliff" in his hitting performance. He's been a productive player for the team for the last few years and it is sad to see his decline and departure. "Late-inning LaMonte" is no more.

The Giants desperately need some offense from their backup catcher and Huff has not delivered. He doesn't get to play much, but that's the nature of the job. The Giants desperately need their starting catcher to hit, too.

Former first-rounder Dominic Smith was in the minors with the Yankees but opted out and came to San Francisco on a one-year deal. The soon-to-be 30-year old journeyman lefty has bounced around the bigs for eight seasons and put up roughly league-average numbers as a part-time 1B/OF. He'll be in the lineup tonight, I hope!

Christian Koss and Luis Matos were re-assigned to the minors while C Andrew Knizner and OF Daniel Johnson were promoted. The 30-year old Knizner (KIZZ-ner) has 290 ML games, almost entirely behind the dish. The 29-year old Johnson is a lefty with 95 ML games under his belt. He was, like Jerar Encarnacion, mashing in the Mexican League and got noticed by the Giants.

The team certainly needs something! The two losses to the Padres have been sickening. To waste all that brilliant pitching is a real shame. I forgot to mention that Jordan Hicks went on the 15-day IL. He hasn't had much luck this season. Sean Hjelle takes the spot. Bryce Eldridge was promoted from AA to AAA. That puts him in Sacramento. The 20-year old lefty slugger is on the fast track.

Kyle Harrison tonight (6:45 PT).

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Four runs!

SF 4  MIA 2

The Giants plated four runs today in Miami and that was enough and they edged the Marlins to take the series. After a crushing 1-0 loss yesterday that wasted a great start by Robbie Ray, the team bounced back with some good work from Hayden Birdsong and a big hit from Luis Matos. Birdsong pitched into the 6th and was pulled with one out after three straight singles. Ryan Walker got the next two outs. Luis Matos extended the Giants 1-0 lead in the 4th with a three-run homer. That came with two outs.

The Marlins got another run in the 7th when still-struggling Jordan Hicks walked three batters. Tyler Rogers saved the inning. Erik Miller got two outs in the 8th but needed Camilo Doval to finish the frame. Doval allowed two baserunners in the 9th but also got a double play. A comebacker ended it.

Wilmer Flores got his 47th RBI in the 3rd on a groundout. That's good for fifth-best in MLB. After going 16-11 in April (and 3-1 in March) the team slipped to 13-14 for May. They start the month of June with a win. The rest of the week is at home. The San Diego Padres (32-24, 1/2 game up on SF) come to San Francisco for four games starting tomorrow night (6:45 PT). It's Webb's turn in the rotation. The weekend will feature the Atlanta Braves.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Fourth team shutout

SF 2  MIA 0

The Giants racked up some hits (11) but still had trouble scoring runs. It took seven pitchers but they got it done and kept the Marlins off the board. The runs came in the 1st when Heliot Ramos tripled to RF and Wilmer singled him in, and in the 4th when Matt Chapman homered.

Kyle Harrison started and gave up one hit over his five frames. He was followed by Tristan Beck (2/3), Ryan Walker (1/3), Erik Miller (2/3), Tyler Rogers (1/3), Spencer Bivens (2/3), and Camilo Doval (1-1/3) with an impressive four-out save.

Considering how well this pitching staff has suppressed run-scoring, it feels like they should have more shutouts. Four is right at league-average. The Padres lead MLB with nine, the Guardians are second with seven.

Tomorrow's game is at 1:10 Pacific. Robbie Ray takes his 7-0 magic to the mound.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

3rd inning: 9-9

1st inning: 13-5

2nd inning: 9-9

3rd inning: 9-9

The Giants couldn't get much going with the bat today and lost to the Tigers 3-1. This was the team's 54th game which is one-third of the season. At 31-23 they find themselves in second place behind LA despite playing .500 ball since their hot start.

The Giants have scored 238 runs (4.4 rpg) which is a tick above the league average (229, 4.3 rpg). The team's slash line of .232/.310/.380 is actually lower than the ML average of .244/.316/.395! This team has benefited from a lot of clutch hits.

On the pitching side they've allowed 196 runs (3.6 rpg) which is quite good. They are fourth-best in ERA (3.25) and third-best in FIP (3.39). Thank the bullpen for that!

If they can stabilize the rotation and get some consistency behind the top two spots that would be a huge improvement for the rest of the year. But they will still struggle to score runs. That makes it hard to play over .500 for long stretches. Regardless, it's Memorial Day and the Giants would be a playoff team if the season ended today.

3:40 start tomorrow and it should be Webb's turn.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants edge Nats

SF 3  WSN 2

This team is going to play a lot of games—close, low-scoring—like this one. Today Robbie Ray got his seventh win. The Giants have won 10 of the 11 games Ray has started this season. Michael Soroka matched Ray in IP (6) but gave up some early runs and that was that was the difference. Ray was staked to a 3-0 lead after three frames. He gave up an ugly run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 3rd but that was it. Once again Randy Rodriguez (7th) and Tyler Rogers (8th) were awesome. Ryan Walker gave up a run in the 9th but got the save and the Giants had a series win on the road.

It's on to Detroit for Memorial Day (10:10 a.m. Pacific) and Hayden Birdsong. Logan Webb goes Tuesday (3:40) and Landen Roupp Wednesday (10:10).

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Shootin' blanks

SF 4  WSN 0

That's only the third shutout by the Giants this season. Landen Roupp threw six scoreless frames but then gave up a double and a walk to start the 7th. Randy Rodriguez came in and got a strikeout and double play. He gets used in all the toughest spots but has pitched superbly. He's faced 81 batters this season (21-2/3 IP) and has 31 whiffs with only three walks and 12 hits allowed. Erik Miller and Camilo Doval finished up. Doval has also been excellent—over 23-1/3 IP he's given up only nine hits.

Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore dominated the Giants for his first six innings, striking out nine and yielding a mere two hits. He was removed after Jung Hoo Lee walked to start the 7th. The first reliever (Jackson Rutledge) gave up three walks and the second reliever (Zach Brzykcy*) gave up three hits and that was the game.

Tomorrow's game is at 1:05 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

 

*pronounced "BRICK-see"