Tuesday, May 14, 2019

That didn't go as planned

TOR 7  SF 3
The Giants give up runs in the 1st inning. That's a fact. It matters not who is pitching! Opener Nick Vincent gave up four hits and three runs (including Vladito's--that's Vladimir Gurrero, Jr.--first ML homer) after getting the first batter on a fly out. It took him 31 pitches to get three outs from the seven batters he faced. Maybe next time. Tyler Beede flashed some pop with five Ks but also had four hits and three walks. Travis Bergen and Trevor Gott (opener candidates, don't you think?) pitched well but Reyes Moronta got tagged again. That's six hits and five runs in his last 3-1/3 IP. OK, it was another homer from Vladito! Derek Holland pitched the 9th and walked two but did not give up a run. The Giants offense was a two-run homer by the irrepressible Panda and an RBI double from Mac Williamson.

--M.C.


update: Beede optioned to AAA, RHP Shaun Anderson makes his debut today.

4 comments:

Barbara said...

I guess one could say that the opener gambit was a slight improvement. They only gave up three runs in the first inning instead of four.
And I don't care what anybody says, Panda is the most exciting player on the team right now.

nomisnala said...

The giants should no longer play the first inning. They should just start in the second inning, and concede to their opponent an automatic 3 run lead after the first inning. Kind of like giving a friend a lead in a race, or handicapping it. The 3 runs could go against the team ERA and not a specific pitcher. If we can have automatic walks, we can have an automatic give away inning.

M.C. O'Connor said...

From Grant Brisbee at The Athletic:


. . . the Giants have been outscored 42-5 in the first inning . . . The Giants have scored two runs in the first inning just once. Their opponents have scored two or more in the first inning in 12 out of 40 games. The Reds scored as many first-inning runs against the Giants on May 6 as the Giants have scored in the first inning all season . . . But if an opener really does help the Giants, it could help them an awful lot. From the second inning on, they’re outscoring opponents, 152-151, which means they’re playing like a .500 team in every inning other than the first.


M.C. O'Connor said...

More runs are scored in the 1st inning in baseball as a general rule, but this lopsided thing is pretty ridiculous.

Here's a SABR article on the opener.

Did you know Tom Glavine has a 4.77 1st inning ERA?