Tim picked up his third loss in a suspenseless game that was over by the 3rd inning. The death blow was a three run homer (first one given up this year!) by a right handed hitter (also first!). In his shortest outing since opening day, Lincecum lasted five innings, giving up seven hits and two walks. The nine strikeouts are cool but just stat padders. I suppose anytime Tim doesn't get a quality start it is news.
Obviously this loss, like the vast majority of them, can be blamed on the offense. It is hard to believe that this offense can get worse but that's what's going on. Look for Renteria to start his disappearance; I bet money "injuries" appear and he won't be in many of our second half games. Rowand will also hit the DL soon with an "injury" related to not driving in a run for a month. I have little doubt that Pablo will rebound, but I don't expect anything from Nate, Fred, Matt, John, and the ever popular "fill-in-the-blank". Where do you guys think our second half "O" comes from? My imagination is stumped.
All we can do now is hold our breath and see what the boys are made of. The true test is when we get home; if we keep losing there then we know it's time to relax.
And, by relax, I mean
FIRE THE ENTIRE FRONT OFFICE (except Barr) and COACHING STAFF
7 comments:
Oh, those three-run homers.
I have to remind myself that Tim is human, and that he will sometimes get smacked around. We sure needed him to be a stopper last night, though.
We've got a lot of holes. I don't see any big splashy moves coming, especially because it would take more than one move to seriously improve us. Ultimately, it will come down to Neukom, and I think he is a cautious, long-term kind of guy. We are stuck with the sticks we have, I think.
I'm prepared to FREAK OUT
This is a test of our team's mettle. Thus, it is a test for us as well. So, buck up, me buckos.
Remember what our expectations were at the start of the season, and how we have been flying high--well above expectations--thus far. This is that "correction" we have been fearing/dreading/denying. Note that our Pythag. record (X W-L) and actual record are the same!
Not sure this counts as "smacked around" but it was weak. The 3run homer, your fav, has NEVER been a factor before in a Tim game, so I'm not going to worry too much about that. Tim has yet to give up more than five runs in a single outing, I think. The only adjustment that hitters seem to be making (and this is just my sense, although it could be verified with stats) is to swing earlier in the count. A good plan now that his control is better and the change can be unhittable.
Still not sure I follow the "too many holes so we can't do anything" mentality. I can understand not trusting Sabes to do the work, but the work needs to be started. Nothing drastic...how about shopping Affeldt? I think a contender that needs more relief (ie ALL OF THEM) would easily part with some high quality prospect.
I don't think the front office shares the notion that a trade has to be made. Jeremy Affeldt is a key player in our pitching-oriented team philosophy--after all, he's our most valuable reliever (excluding Wilson). A "prospect" or two would be great, but that doesn't help the 2009 Giants. Hinshaw or English or some other southpaw would have to step it up if we shipped him out. That would be "throwing in the towel" at this point, considering Affeldt's role and his success so far. If we are doing that, then I say ship Wilson as well, and anyone else but the Big Three in order to build for 2010. So, are we competing for the WC or not?
Simply put, yes, we should not worry about the WC. All of our resources of value, but limited future (like Affeldt, Winn, Molina, Howry, perhaps Lewis and Sanchez) need to be cashed in before they are worth nothing to us. If one everyday player for 2010 and beyond came from some of those bodies, then its worth it.
How about Molina, Affeldt and Sanchez to Chicago for Josh Vitters? The Cubs are in win now mode and just out of it, they have a good 3B now (Aramis) and no Lefty specialist or catcher (Soto minor injury) to speak of. I doubt Vitters can be pried way, he is their best, but people do dumb things to win.
Yes,
I can not worry about the WC.......
see here
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