Webb and Giants win

SF 7  COL 1

The Giants batted around in the 4th to score six runs and break a 1-1 tie. Logan Webb had an easy day getting pulled after six and only 80 pitches. He whiffed seven against four dinky hits and no walks. Drew Gilbert had a nice day with three hits including a homer. Carson Seymour struck out three in his two innings of relief and Dylan Smith retired the side in the 9th on ten pitches.

It is quite the new crew out there these days. The bench is now Andrew Knizner (C), Buddy Kennedy (UT), Jonah Cox (OF), and Turner Hill (OF). The bullpen added RHs Trent Harris and Jason Foley.

This is a good time to see what the new kids can do. I really hope Gilbert can emerge as a legit CF. I think Bryce Eldridge is the real thing. How about Blade Tidwell and Carson Whisenhunt? Have we got something there?

Speaking of Tidwell, he gets the start tomorrow at 1:05 Pacific.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Carson combo

SF 4  HOU 1

Carson Whisenhunt delivered another strong start, allowing just one run in 5-2/3, and that was followed by six outs from Carson Seymour. (The Giants don't have Carson Ragsdale anymore.) That was enough to keep the Astros subdued and give the home squad a chance.

Six of the Giants nine hits came from the final four spots in the lineup (Gilbert, Basabe, Kavanaugh, Koss). Way to go, Youth Brigade! Also, Bryce Eldridge hit his 12th homer.

It was one of those games we thought we'd see a lot of this season. Unfortunately we only see them play well about once a week! 

Today is the getaway game at 12:45 Pacific, tomorrow is an off-day, and the Rockies come to town for three starting Friday.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Webb gets Cained, Giants lose

DET 3  SF 1 (10)

The Giants wasted a great start from Logan Webb who gave up a single run on a double play ball in eight innings of work. A double play ball ended things in the bottom of the 9th for the home squad, that was their best chance of winning the game. They also blew a two on, no out situation earlier in the game. What seemed like a taut pitchers' duel on a beautiful Sunday afternoon was really just another cruel exercise in finding new ways to lose.

Mike Krukow says he's retiring from broadcasting at the end of the season. He certainly had a great run in San Francisco both as a player and an announcer. Thanks for all the goofiness, Kruk. Good luck!

The Women's Pro Baseball League is now a real thing. They have a San Francisco club and Matt Williams is the manager. Something to keep an eye on.

The Astros are in town for three starting tomorrow night at 6:45 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Bullpen gets it done

SF 5  DET 2

The Giants used JT Brubaker as a 1st-inning opener and he gave up a run. Then they brought in Adrian Houser for some long relief and he gave up a run. But that was it. The Tigers failed to score the rest of the way. They got 11 hits and four walks but stranded 12 runners and were 1-for-12 with RISP.

Houser threw four scoreless after the 2nd inning and Keaton Winn (2/3), Sam Hentges (1-1/3), and Dylan Smith (closed the 9th) finished the job. It was nail-biting as the Detroit lineup is very tough and they kept the pressure on but this time it all worked out.

The Giants got homers from Rafael Devers (a two-run bomb in the 1st) and Willy Adames (solo shot in the 5th), plus a big two-out, two RBI hit in the 2nd from Jung Hoo Lee. The pitching made it stand up.

Today's game is the Fox Saturday broadcast (4:15 Pacific). Go Giants!

--M.C.

Lee leads Giants

SF 5  TEX 1

Not to take anything away from Logan Webb who delivered six scoreless innings, but Jung Hoo Lee had a career night. He hit two homers and added a sac fly, plus he stole a base and added two nice catches. The depleted bullpen relied on 2/3 from Keaton Winn, 1-1/3 from San Hentges, and a rocky 9th from Tristan Beck bailed out by Reiver Sanmartin. Beck got an out but allowed a solo homer and a walk. Sanmartin got the double play to end it.

After the carnage of the trading deadline, it was nice to see the team put together a solid win.

So the Giants part ways with Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray, which was expected. That they got some decent minor-league talent in the process is a win for the club. If you saw how cheaply Detroit sold their ace to LA you'll understand what I mean. Caleb Killian goes, as does Erik Miller. Both are talented but like everyone else on this staff, inconsistent. Heliot Ramos goes as well, he's been in the SF organization since he was 17! I'm happy he gets to go to the Yankees. Tyler Mahle, we hardly knew ye.

Of the players obtained, Marcelo Mayer goes to the 40-man but is on the 10-day IL. Anthony Molina is on the 40-man but goes to AAA. Miguel Mendez goes to AA. Kaeden Kent, Ramon Marquez, Henry Lalane, and Marty Gair go to High-A. Joniel Hernandez goes to Rookie League. Other than Mayer and Molina there aren't any major leaguers but beefing up the system is, as I said, a good outcome for the team.

5:05 tomorrow and 11:35 for Wednesday's getaway game, all times Pacific.They are off Thursday and back home for the weekend against the Tigers.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

New Giants

Tyler Mahle was swapped for 24-year old RH reliever Anthony Molina (Braves).

Caleb Killian and Luis Arraez were swapped for four two Philadelphia minor leaguers: 20-year old RH starter Ramon Marquez, 22-year old RH reliever Marty Gair, 23-year old switch-hitting OF John Spikerman, and 23-year old RH starter Luke Gabrysh. Looks like just the first two. The earliet report I read was premature and in error as both teams have now officially announced the trade. Thinking about Tarik Skubal's return as the benchmark means the Giants did OK here.

More to come?

--M.C.

 

****UPDATE****

Robbie Ray goes to the Padres for two minor leaguers, 24-year old RH starter Miguel Mendez and 17-year old Cuban-born SS Joniel Hernandez (who is currently raking .303/.424/.503 in the Dominican Summer League).

Again, thinking in terms of Skubals, the Giants did OK here. 

 

****UPDATE****

Word is Erik Miller goes to the Red Sox for 23-year old lefty-hitting infielder Marcelo Mayer who was the #4 pick in the 2021 draft.

 Also that Heliot Ramos is going to the Yankees for a 22-year old  lefty starter named Henry Lalane and possibly infield prospect Kaeden Kent.

These obviously are not money-saving moves, more like moving guys who have hit their ceiling and trying out younger guys.

 

 

Ray makes his case

SF 4  SD 1

The Giants beat another good team with another strong pitching performance. Robbie Ray is the most obvious trade candidate (other than Luis Arraez) and he has pitched well of late. Last night he whiffed six over six frames with only one run allowed. He has a 1.67 ERA over his last nine appearances. It seems he's been putting on a showcase for potential suitors these last several weeks.

The bullpen, this year's glaring weak spot, was solid once again with three scoreless innings (Caleb Killian, Dylan Smith, Erik Miller). Andrew Susac had another homer.

The Giants have indicated they would pay to offset some of Ray's salary in a potential trade.

Carson Whisenhunt gets the start tonight (6:45 Pacific). Go Giants!

--M.C.