Tim Hudson took the sting out of the Diamondbacks bats today much like he did last week in Arizona. Though not quite as dominant a performance he was nonetheless impressive once again, and Brian Sabean looks like a genius here in the early going. Speaking of early going, you can't ever really say how a season will turn out after a mere eight games, but I really like 6-2 and I reckon you do as well. Brandon Belt 'tatered what looked like a really good sinker in the 1st and carved himself out a nice slice of Giants lore to boot. Speaking of booting, Brandon Hicks threw away a double play chance that cost a run, but it didn't ultimately matter as the team kept scoring and Huddy kept dealing. Just keep winning, lads.
The Giants were the featured opponent for the home openers in both Phoenix and Los Angeles. Today's Home Opener in San Francisco completed the trifecta. The Giants and the Yankees were the last two teams to have their home openers. (They left early in the Bronx.) I'm glad the team is home and has a pile of wins. I'm also glad to be done with all the folderol. No more bunting, just more baseball!
Tim Lincecum tomorrow night.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Long ball sinks Cain, Giants
Matt Cain pitched well tonight. Then he didn't. He had velocity and movement, and got a lot of weak contact (I think there were four 3-1 plays). Then he didn't. The two booming home runs he allowed to Matt Kemp were on fat pitches that were far from Buster Posey's target. Six hits allowed in six innings, all for extra bases: three homers and three doubles. It was weird. Cain seemed to have his usual arsenal, but then he'd lay one up there and it would get crushed. (Ramirez' homer was on a good pitch down and in, he just put a good swing on it.) Zack Greinke was dominating through the first five, then seemed to hurt himself on the bases and when he came out for the 6th allowed a bomb apiece to Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence. They went with the bullpen the rest of the way. Final line for Matty: 6IP, 6H, 5R, 0W, 3K, 81P, 43GSc. Final score: 6-2 LA.
If there is one thing that will chase me away from baseball, it is television broadcasts. Tonight was wretchedness in the extreme. The ESPN clowns (blithering, useless John Kruk, coupled with the equally pointless--but stentorian--Dan Shulman) spent most of the game talking about the Dodgers and would drift off into things like the Masters. Yeah, golf. The camera spent an entire half-inning looking at Yasiel Puig in the dugout while the talking heads provided their deep and original analysis of the "controversy" he generates. Hello Dodgers fans--and the rest of baseball--there is no there, there. He's young, he's talented, he makes mistakes. Wow, deep stuff. The entire show was a Dodgers game. They might as well have just let Vin call it (at least he'd actually call the game). The other team happened to be the Giants, which is why I was watching, but everyone else involved in the production of the television event was there to talk to Dodgers (an entire half-inning with Clayton Kershaw), talk about the Dodgers, and show pictures of the Dodgers. Yeah, we know they are the media's darlings, but come on, have some professionalism. They kept showing pictures of the Santa Monica pier, too, which is (1) miles from Chavez Latrine, and (2) filled with people who had no interest in the game. It was a "We ♥ LA" festival and they got their wish--the LA team won, salvaging their weekend.
Salvage was indeed what they did after losing the first two games 15-6. The Giants were looking for a sweep and that would have been sweet, but a 5-2 road trip against the NL West is not too bad. I'll take it. Next time Cain pitches it will be at home (against the Rockies on Saturday) and maybe he'll put together his first good start. Otherwise I have to like the way the 2014 season has opened.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
If there is one thing that will chase me away from baseball, it is television broadcasts. Tonight was wretchedness in the extreme. The ESPN clowns (blithering, useless John Kruk, coupled with the equally pointless--but stentorian--Dan Shulman) spent most of the game talking about the Dodgers and would drift off into things like the Masters. Yeah, golf. The camera spent an entire half-inning looking at Yasiel Puig in the dugout while the talking heads provided their deep and original analysis of the "controversy" he generates. Hello Dodgers fans--and the rest of baseball--there is no there, there. He's young, he's talented, he makes mistakes. Wow, deep stuff. The entire show was a Dodgers game. They might as well have just let Vin call it (at least he'd actually call the game). The other team happened to be the Giants, which is why I was watching, but everyone else involved in the production of the television event was there to talk to Dodgers (an entire half-inning with Clayton Kershaw), talk about the Dodgers, and show pictures of the Dodgers. Yeah, we know they are the media's darlings, but come on, have some professionalism. They kept showing pictures of the Santa Monica pier, too, which is (1) miles from Chavez Latrine, and (2) filled with people who had no interest in the game. It was a "We ♥ LA" festival and they got their wish--the LA team won, salvaging their weekend.
Salvage was indeed what they did after losing the first two games 15-6. The Giants were looking for a sweep and that would have been sweet, but a 5-2 road trip against the NL West is not too bad. I'll take it. Next time Cain pitches it will be at home (against the Rockies on Saturday) and maybe he'll put together his first good start. Otherwise I have to like the way the 2014 season has opened.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Madbum's First Win of 2014, and It Couldn't Have Come Against a Better Team
Madison Bumgarner looked pretty good today, and when Madison Bumgarner looks good, and the Giants score a couple of runs, they stand a very good chance of winning a game. Last year, Madison had 6 games where he allowed no more than 1 run, and did not not get a win. Today, he allowed 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings, and the Giants offense scored plenty. Madison looked much sharper than he did in Arizona. He threw the ball with better control, being able to keep it down and move it around. He struck out 10, 5 of those guys with runners in scoring position. I think that is his 14th game of 10 K's. Madison only walked one.
In the 7th, Madison was close to out of gas. He gave up a single to Van Slyke the younger, struck out Uribe, then induced AJ Ellis to hit a weak grounder that dribbled through a hole for a hit. A single from Dee Gordon loaded the bases, but then Santiago Casilla got 2 outs to end the inning without a score. Madison threw 114 pitches even though he only issued 1 walk. Yusiermo Petit looked much improved to pitch a scoreless 9th.
The story, again, was offense. A big fly from the Panda with 2 men on base in the 5th changed a tense 2 - 1 game into a 5 - 1 game, and then Buster Posey hit one immediately thereafter to make it 6 - 1. Morse got into the HR game, a solo shot in the 4th. Brandon Crawford picked up the first rbi in the 2nd, and Angel Pagan picked up the 7th in the 6th. Hunter Pence had two doubles.
Well, I'm tickled pink. The Giants have won the first two series, and done it in impressive fashion. I expect to see Matt Cain pitch well and that leaves Tim Hudson, coming off of an excellent start, for the home opener. Madison Bumgarner is now 9 - 3 against LA.
In the 7th, Madison was close to out of gas. He gave up a single to Van Slyke the younger, struck out Uribe, then induced AJ Ellis to hit a weak grounder that dribbled through a hole for a hit. A single from Dee Gordon loaded the bases, but then Santiago Casilla got 2 outs to end the inning without a score. Madison threw 114 pitches even though he only issued 1 walk. Yusiermo Petit looked much improved to pitch a scoreless 9th.
The story, again, was offense. A big fly from the Panda with 2 men on base in the 5th changed a tense 2 - 1 game into a 5 - 1 game, and then Buster Posey hit one immediately thereafter to make it 6 - 1. Morse got into the HR game, a solo shot in the 4th. Brandon Crawford picked up the first rbi in the 2nd, and Angel Pagan picked up the 7th in the 6th. Hunter Pence had two doubles.
Well, I'm tickled pink. The Giants have won the first two series, and done it in impressive fashion. I expect to see Matt Cain pitch well and that leaves Tim Hudson, coming off of an excellent start, for the home opener. Madison Bumgarner is now 9 - 3 against LA.
No Beer in LA - they lost their opener!
Have you ever noticed how much dodger blue and doggie poo not only rhyme, but are practically synonymous?
Ryan Vogelsong started the first game of the 2014 season against the doggers, in their very own home park, and, like most of his fellow battery-mates, pitched OK, but not superbly. Ryan allowed 4 earned runs (3 while he was on the mound) and was replaced by David Huff before he got an out in the 5th inning.
The thing was, though, that the Giants were up 8 - 0 before the doggers scored a run. This is the 1st inning:
Strike Out
Fly Out
Walk
Double
Single (2 runs), Morse advances on Kemp's fielding error
Single (1 run)
Double
Intentional Walk to load the bases for the pitcher's spot
Single (2 runs)
Single (1 run)
Walk
Line Out (12 batsmen!)
I plan on reading this over and over to sustain me through long, cold winters in the future. In the 2nd inning, Buster Posey, safe at first because of a Hanley Ramirez throwing error, scored on Brandon Hicks' double, who then scored on Joaquin Arias' single.
Giants only got 8 hits, but added 4 runners on walks. They gave up 10 hits (7 by Vogie, 2 by Huff and 1 by Gutierrez) and 2 walks. But oh, what a lovely grouping of hits.
Giants Offense! Ya gotta' love it.
Ryan Vogelsong started the first game of the 2014 season against the doggers, in their very own home park, and, like most of his fellow battery-mates, pitched OK, but not superbly. Ryan allowed 4 earned runs (3 while he was on the mound) and was replaced by David Huff before he got an out in the 5th inning.
The thing was, though, that the Giants were up 8 - 0 before the doggers scored a run. This is the 1st inning:
Strike Out
Fly Out
Walk
Double
Single (2 runs), Morse advances on Kemp's fielding error
Single (1 run)
Double
Intentional Walk to load the bases for the pitcher's spot
Single (2 runs)
Single (1 run)
Walk
Line Out (12 batsmen!)
I plan on reading this over and over to sustain me through long, cold winters in the future. In the 2nd inning, Buster Posey, safe at first because of a Hanley Ramirez throwing error, scored on Brandon Hicks' double, who then scored on Joaquin Arias' single.
Giants only got 8 hits, but added 4 runners on walks. They gave up 10 hits (7 by Vogie, 2 by Huff and 1 by Gutierrez) and 2 walks. But oh, what a lovely grouping of hits.
Giants Offense! Ya gotta' love it.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Start It Up Tim
GAME SUMMARY:
The Giants take the opening series from the snakes with an 8 - 5 victory, featuring a thrilling late game offensive explosion. If you are a fan of the big fly, you liked this game! Arizona is officially off to slow start (1 - 5) and has a bullpen in flames. Meanwhile, the Giants are already showing a no-quit attitude that was a hallmark of the last championship. Bring on the doggers!
TIM FACTS:
Start #1 ND (0-0) 6 innings 8 hits 4 runs 4 earned 0 walks 7 strikeouts 2 hr
Tim Lincecum starts his 2014 campaign with a solid, yet distinctly flawed outing. Two different 2 run homers were Tim's undoing; one from an "old" nemesis (Goldschmidt) and the other from a newbie (Trumbo). Otherwise, you have to like what you saw: no walks, loads of ground balls (8), no walks, few flyballs (1), and, let me check....yeah, no walks! He did OK; something to build on.
HIGH and/or LOWLIGHTS:
Brandon Belt's third homer in the first four games, quite the rarity, was over shadowed by the ultimate game decider, Angel Pagan's 3 run blast in the eighth. Man that dude has a lot o' hair! Tip of the hat to Brandon Hicks and his PH homer. Way to make the Skipper look like a genius. I suppose the key play turned out to be the intentional walk to Buster. After all, we scored 4 runs right after that!
Go Giants! Let's kick some dogger butt!
The Giants take the opening series from the snakes with an 8 - 5 victory, featuring a thrilling late game offensive explosion. If you are a fan of the big fly, you liked this game! Arizona is officially off to slow start (1 - 5) and has a bullpen in flames. Meanwhile, the Giants are already showing a no-quit attitude that was a hallmark of the last championship. Bring on the doggers!
TIM FACTS:
Start #1 ND (0-0) 6 innings 8 hits 4 runs 4 earned 0 walks 7 strikeouts 2 hr
Tim Lincecum starts his 2014 campaign with a solid, yet distinctly flawed outing. Two different 2 run homers were Tim's undoing; one from an "old" nemesis (Goldschmidt) and the other from a newbie (Trumbo). Otherwise, you have to like what you saw: no walks, loads of ground balls (8), no walks, few flyballs (1), and, let me check....yeah, no walks! He did OK; something to build on.
HIGH and/or LOWLIGHTS:
Brandon Belt's third homer in the first four games, quite the rarity, was over shadowed by the ultimate game decider, Angel Pagan's 3 run blast in the eighth. Man that dude has a lot o' hair! Tip of the hat to Brandon Hicks and his PH homer. Way to make the Skipper look like a genius. I suppose the key play turned out to be the intentional walk to Buster. After all, we scored 4 runs right after that!
Go Giants! Let's kick some dogger butt!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
FNGs Deliver!
Tim Hudson was outstanding in his Giants debut, mesmerizing a potent D-Backs lineup with a panoply of sinkers and changeups. He allowed only three hits in 7-2/3 scoreless innings. He needed help on a few hard hit balls but Angel Pagan made two nice catches and Hunter Pence chipped in one as well. Otherwise Huddy worked quickly, threw strikes (he struck out seven), and kept the hitters guessing. It was an impressive display of that greatest of virtues, Veteran Savvy Clutchness. Hudson also contributed a sacrifice bunt in the 5th, moving up rookie Ehire Adrianza who had walked with one out. Angel Pagan cashed in the chance with a single to right and the Giants had all they needed. Newcomer Michael Morse added his own two-out hit in the 6th, a booming liner that just eluded Tony Campana in center and scoring Hunter Pence for an insurmountable 2-0 lead. Pitching, fielding, and situational hitting: sounds like Giants baseball.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
April Fooled in AZ
The Giants managed to win a game last night they probably should have lost, and then found a way to lose a game tonight they probably should have won. Wade Miley gave up four runs in the first, the big blow another home run from Brandon Belt, but followed that up with six scoreless, retiring at one point 16 of 17. Matt Cain, staked to an early lead, never looked sharp, missing spots, working long counts, and generally laboring. He left after five and 99 pitches, clinging to a 4-3 advantage. JC Gutierrez unfortunately gave the lead back in a shaky stretch in the 6th with the D-Backs 7-8-9 hitters delivering consecutive hits. The tying run came in on a sacrifice fly by leadoff man Gerardo Parra despite a nice throw from Juan Perez in left.
A.J. Pollock had three hits, an RBI, and scored two huge runs a night after going 0-6 with four whiffs. He was the center of the Giants first use of the new video challenge system. With one out in the 4th he singled off Cain and Miley followed with a pop out. Pollock appeared to have been picked off with Parra batting but the the first base umpire ruled him safe. Bochy challenged the call and after what seemed like much too long of a delay the ruling was upheld. The TV replays did not show it conclusively and that's the idea--they have to have clear evidence to overturn the call. It was a weird time to use the challenge as the Giants were up by two. An out would have ended the inning, though, and Boch knew he'd get another challenge after the 7th. It turned out to have a big impact on the game as Parra doubled off Cain's next pitch. (Matty was inactive for too long--that process has to be speeded up.) Hunter Pence got a clean carom and held Pollock at third. Matty then crossed up Buster Posey with a ball that broke outside with Aaron Hill batting and the pitch bounced to the backstop (it was ruled a passed ball). They played it perfectly, though, and appeared to tag out the runner coming home on a flashy, well-executed sequence. The home plate umpire ruled "safe" however, and a call that had a real shot to be overturned was left to stand. TV replays showed, in my view, that Pollock was out. So we were left to rue a missed chance! It's going to be interesting to see how managers employ the new challenge--unfortunately Boch got it wrong on his first try.
The Giants have only themselves to blame. Cain was not at his best, his final line of 5 IP and 2 ER looks better on paper than it really was. He just did not throw enough strikes and gave up hits when he did. Gutierrez could not get the pitcher out in that fateful 6th and that set up the go-ahead run. The Giants had a chance to tie it in the 7th when Belt and Brandon Crawford stood at 2nd and 3rd with one out after a single and a double. Miley got Juan Perez looking in a situation where he absolutely needed to swing the bat and put a ball in play and then Angel Pagan popped out. (Perez was also caught looking to end the game.) The D-Backs got the big outs when they needed them from their 'pen--both Posey and Gregor Blanco struck out looking after a Pablo Sandoval walk in the 8th. Santiago Casilla looked solid in his inning of work, the only real positive on the mound for the Giants tonight.
It was not our beloved ballclub's best effort. Let's hope they put it together a little better tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
A.J. Pollock had three hits, an RBI, and scored two huge runs a night after going 0-6 with four whiffs. He was the center of the Giants first use of the new video challenge system. With one out in the 4th he singled off Cain and Miley followed with a pop out. Pollock appeared to have been picked off with Parra batting but the the first base umpire ruled him safe. Bochy challenged the call and after what seemed like much too long of a delay the ruling was upheld. The TV replays did not show it conclusively and that's the idea--they have to have clear evidence to overturn the call. It was a weird time to use the challenge as the Giants were up by two. An out would have ended the inning, though, and Boch knew he'd get another challenge after the 7th. It turned out to have a big impact on the game as Parra doubled off Cain's next pitch. (Matty was inactive for too long--that process has to be speeded up.) Hunter Pence got a clean carom and held Pollock at third. Matty then crossed up Buster Posey with a ball that broke outside with Aaron Hill batting and the pitch bounced to the backstop (it was ruled a passed ball). They played it perfectly, though, and appeared to tag out the runner coming home on a flashy, well-executed sequence. The home plate umpire ruled "safe" however, and a call that had a real shot to be overturned was left to stand. TV replays showed, in my view, that Pollock was out. So we were left to rue a missed chance! It's going to be interesting to see how managers employ the new challenge--unfortunately Boch got it wrong on his first try.
The Giants have only themselves to blame. Cain was not at his best, his final line of 5 IP and 2 ER looks better on paper than it really was. He just did not throw enough strikes and gave up hits when he did. Gutierrez could not get the pitcher out in that fateful 6th and that set up the go-ahead run. The Giants had a chance to tie it in the 7th when Belt and Brandon Crawford stood at 2nd and 3rd with one out after a single and a double. Miley got Juan Perez looking in a situation where he absolutely needed to swing the bat and put a ball in play and then Angel Pagan popped out. (Perez was also caught looking to end the game.) The D-Backs got the big outs when they needed them from their 'pen--both Posey and Gregor Blanco struck out looking after a Pablo Sandoval walk in the 8th. Santiago Casilla looked solid in his inning of work, the only real positive on the mound for the Giants tonight.
It was not our beloved ballclub's best effort. Let's hope they put it together a little better tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
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