Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Vogie TKO'd in Giants Victory

Ryan Vogelsong was getting the results last night that we are more used to seeing, like double-play grounders instead of doubles. He even pitched around a Marco Scutaro error (that's eight for him, if you are counting) in the 5th. Then he got hit on the hand by a pitch from Craig Stammen. Actually, he swung at a high, inside pitch and failed to put the bat on the ball--he used his pitching hand instead. (It was the kind of thing that makes you want the DH rule. Then again, Vogie laid down a beautiful RBI bunt in his previous plate appearance.) CRACK went the knuckles and just like that he needs surgery and will be out at least a month. It was great watching Vogie look like Vogie and it was terrible watching him get hurt. Giants starters have been remarkably healthy and have mostly avoided injuries these last few seasons and have been the mainstay of two championships. 2013 is shaping up a little differently in the early going as the hitters have carried much of the load. Let's hope Vogelsong can come back and be effective again. The part that worries me a bit is that he's 35 which is senior citizen territory for ballplayers. But if fortitude and desire were quantifiable, Vogie would lead the team, and that gives me a ray of hope. And despite leading the league in runs allowed (Tim Lincecum did that last year), we know what the guy can do when it's crunch time:


That's innings pitched in four games in the 2012 post-season, followed by hits, R/ER, homers, BB/IBB, strikeouts, hit batters, balks, WP, and BF. 99 batters faced, only 16 hits allowed and zero home runs. Damn! That was some fine pitching! Get well soon, man.

The good part about last night was very, very good. Brandon Belt hit the ball very well, as did Andres Torres. The Giants scored against all three Nats pitchers and Scutaro, Angel Pagan, Buster Posey, and Pablo Sandoval had two hits apiece. It was fun. Nice work from the 'pen, too, Javier Lopez in particular. The road trip from hell is now just a memory. Tonight Washington trots out Baseball Jesus--Stephen Strasburg--and the Giants counter with Matt Cain. Should be a great matchup!

--M.C.



p.s. At least we don't have to deal with this shite. Our guy broke his hand playing the game.


3 comments:

M.C. O'Connor said...

Casilla and Vogie DL'd. Surkamp was on the 40-man roster but is on the DL. They are recalling Pill and Sandy Rosario (RH). I wonder if they intend to use Gaudin as a 5th starter, or perhaps Machi. Looks like the BIG FOUR (MC, MB, TL, BZ) will have to step it up sooner rather than later.

Zo said...

They were talking last night about how, with the off-day Thursday, they could get into next week before making this decision. They are down to 12 pitchers, which doesn't seem like the best idea. At least we are at home for awhile as the next two games after the Rox are at Oakland followed by two against Oakland at ATT.

M.C. O'Connor said...

Vogie out for a minimum of 6 weeks, then can throw off a mound. Could be 8 weeks. You have to figure 6-8 plus rehab starts, probably another 2 weeks, maybe as much as 10. Two months for sure. That's after the ASB.

Sure would be nice to have him healthy for August and September.