Matt Cain has given up three runs in each of his three post-season starts. He lasted only 5 IP in the first one, upped it to 5-2/3 in the second, and managed 6-2/3 tonight. It wasn't a dominating start, but it was effective, and gave the Giants a chance to win. Matty got bit by the home run bug again, something that happens to him in both St. Louis and Cincinnati. This time it was rookie Matt Carpenter, subbing for apparently-injured Carlos Beltran, who hit a two-run shot on an 0-2 pitch. The unlikely hero made a nice play in the 9th to take away a hit, too. That was enough. The Giants had their chances but unfortunately the big run-scoring hit never materialized. Giants worked Kyle Lohse (108 pitches) for seven hits and five walks in 5-2/3, but only scored one run. The Cardinals bullpen was overpowering after that and snuffed out any chance at a comeback. The Giants need a win tomorrow. Tim Lincecum will get the start and that is something we were all hoping for. It should be very exciting, and I'll be in a better mood because, unlike today, I'll get to see it.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
6 comments:
I get my wish: Tim will be the key to this year's run. He has done well so far, but tomorrow will have to be even better. Throw a shutout and hit a homer kind of day.
I'll be happy with a good start and some fucking runs.
Matt Carpenter ... wow. Inexcusable to give up the long ball to anyone on an 0-2 pitch, especially in the postseason. On the heels of our less-than-it-should-have-been top of the inning, it was a game-changer.
So, back to that top of the inning. Our 3 P's are not getting it done. Panda is contributing, but usually spacing his hits out, so that they don't come at important times. Posey is either getting pitched around or getting anxious & flailing at the high fastball (& these Cardinals throw a lot of those). Pence, on the other hand, is not doing anything (other than hitting into DP's to end big threats).
Yes, he's the Reverend Hunter Pence. But, he can play that role from the bench, too. On the premise that, if A. Rodriguez can sit out a game because of lack of production, Hunter Pence certainly can, I would like to see Blanco in RF & Nady in LF tonight.
Pence is giving us nothing. Blanco is giving us tough at-bats & the odd, loud run-producing hit. If Matt Carpenter can deliver the big hit, Nady certainly can.
Unless Pence has some sort of history of smashing Wainwright around, then I say give Nady a start. If we had a left-handed Nady, it would be better, but we don't, so it has to be Nady. (H. Sanchez catching, Posey at 1B, & Belt in the OF would be OK, but I don't think that Bochy would start both of his Catchers in a postseason game.)
Anyone have any other suggestions?
Career lines against Wainwright:
38 AB 11 H 3 2B 0 3B 1 HR 1 RBI 0 BB 11 K .289 Ave. .289 OBP .447 SLG
23 AB 9 H 0 2B 0 3B 0 HR 3 RBI 1 BB2 K .391 Ave. .440 OBP .391 SLG
Neither is particularly impressive from the run-production standpoint. However, the top line is Pence, as indicated by the high K's & low OBP. Bottom line in Nady, as in .440 OBP.
I think Posey catches today, and Sanchez catches Zito tomorrow. The rest of the line up stays the same. Unless we have Donald Trump putting together line up cards like the NY circus, we do not bench Pence. Swap him with Belt in the line up.
Go Tim. Vogie made this possible.
What an awful time to resurrect our ugly habit of stranding lots and lots of runners on base.
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