No Hitter Tim

I expected to use this title a couple of years ago. Back then it seemed like it was only a matter of time. However, in the last couple seasons, that thought pattern died. Lincecum starts have brought many things to mind lately ( narcotics, for one ), but, sad to say, certainly not no hitters. That all changed tonight as Tim Lincecum delivered only the seventh no hitter in S.F. Giants history. A 148 pitch gem that featured 13 strikeouts, 12 of them swinging. Like all no hitters, a couple great defensive plays were needed, but basically it was all Timmeh. It was frigging AWESOME!

 The Freak (a moniker I haven't used much this season) was dealing from the start. His curveball has become a staple and he used it often. But the split finger looked especially devastating. The four walks were well scattered, so no perfection, but, sheesh, who's complaining? I can't help but think how happy Tim's agent must be. That single flashy win could add MILLIONS to Tim's next contract. Does he now become more desirable to the Giants? After all, is there any Giant more loved? Even after some rough times, the excitement he brings is tangible. And this just adds to the legend. Will it help keep him in SF?

 I got to see the end of the game at The Firestone Public House in Sacramento. It was thrilling to join in the cheers of the crowded establishment. The way Buster grabbed Tim from behind will be a visual that I hope I never lose. Tonight is why we love this game so much.

42

A few days ago I was astride a granite boulder that rested in the scree along the edge of a Sierra lake. I was craning my neck to examine a small plant through a hand lens--it was a wild orchid, the tiny white flowers spiraling up a short stem that clung to a crack in the rock. The afternoon sun had crisped my forearms umber, and the wind whipped my hat enough so that I needed my chin strap. Down the mountain was a stream strewn with Tiger Lillies in the shady spots, and I soaked my hot, tired flesh in a surging pool eddying out from a small waterfall. The butterflies abounded along meadow verges, iridescent Melissa Blues and stately Lorquin's Admirals, and warblers chased each other among the lodgepoles. A few days before that I was dumping my companions and the beer cooler from the canoe and into the Russian River with an unfortunate maneuver. Fortunately, all was recovered, the summer levels being quite low, and we wrestled our craft back to action and finished the float. There were Fourth of July fireworks from an Oakland Hills vista, a famous play in a small theater in the big City, a Sonoma wine-tasting excursion, a seafood dinner along the Carquinez Strait, and many wonderful long days and late nights with family and friends. In short, it was a hell of a holiday.

And speaking of hell, how the hell did this happen? This 2013 Giants team? Poor performances, sure. Key injuries, of course. But collapse? This is not one of the scenarios I envisioned. At the very worst, I thought this a .500 club. I did not believe this team was capable of playing this poorly. Every baseball team puts up stretches of .350 ball. Sometimes it even lasts a whole season--just ask the Astros. But this sustained run of bad baseball is a shocker. On May 12th, the Giants had just taken three of four from the Braves and were 23-15, in first place in the West by two games. They've gone 19-35 since, including a stretch where they lost 16 of 19. They are now in fourth place, 6-1/2 back, fighting it out with the Padres for the booby prize.

The 2009 Giants won their 42nd game on July 1st (Game 77). The 2010 Giants won their 42nd game on July 5th (Game 82). The 2011 Giants won their 42nd game on June 24th (Game 76). The 2012 Giants won their 42nd game on June 26th (Game 75). The 2013 Giants piled it on in San Diego last night, finally racking up win 42 on July 12th, their 92nd game. That's the kind of math I don't like. In terms of seasonal innings, Games 73-90 constituted their fifth 18-game cluster, and cluster it was. They went 3-15, an unimaginable stretch of bad luck and worse ball-playing. That's 11-7, 10-8, 8-10, 8-10, and the unfathomable 3-15 for the five innings. On a bright note, two wins in Games 91 and 92 gets the sixth frame started off with a nice 2-0 record. If you break it down by month, April was 15-12, May 14-13, June a swooning 10-17, and July a wretched 3-8. If any team could use an All-Star Break, it's San Francisco.

I'm back home, my friends. I'm plugged in again. I'll admit that I took a vacation from the Giants as well--when I go AWOL I go all the way. I did not know about Homer Bailey beating Tim Lincecum and his mates with a no-hitter. I did not know about Zack Wheeler besting Matt Cain and the boys, Matty throwing his shortest start ever, on the heels of getting clobbered by the Dodgers. What's up with Cain? I'm dumbfounded. We watched Tim be just about the lousiest starter in the NL last year, now we get the pleasure of doing it all over again, this time with no. 18. I swear I have not insulted the gods! In fact, I make my regular offerings, just like always. Perhaps more drastic measures are needed. Thanks for holding down the fort in my absence.

GO GIANTS!

--M.C.

Giants Win Again!

Last time the Giants won, Madison Bumgarner was on the hill.  Also, tonight!  Until yesterday, you might have said that everything about the Giants kind of had a sinking feeling with the exception of Matt Cain or Madison Bumgarner.  After yesterday..........................

Let's be positive.  A home run from Pablo Sandoval.  That was his first since May.  Gregor Blanco had some hits.  And Kensuke Tanaka!  12 hits, 3 for Blanco, 2 for Posey and Tanaka.  Madison gave up 3 hits in the first inning to allow 2 runs, but only 1 more in seven, striking out 6 and walking only 1.  He is going to the All Star game.  I think that the managers are catching on to what should be the obvious strategy - have a bunch of closers on your team.  The pitchers, with the exception of the starter, rarely go more than one inning anyway. 

Well, we could go back to bitching about all the bases-loaded at bats the Giants had that did not score, but let's not put a damper on the evening.  There do seem to be some omens that the Giants might hit at a better clip.  Baseball can turn around quickly, especially when it is hard to fathom reasons.

Double Digit Junk Tim

Tim Lincecum brought some of the best junk of the season, the bullpen cruised, the defense choked and Buster Posey made a highlight film as the Giants dropped another game, 4-3 to the Mets in 16 innings at beautiful AT&T Park. Not only a gut wrenching loss but an epic waste of Buster (5 hits!!), who won't even be able to play on Tuesday after all that time behind the plate.  We have lost 12 of our last 14 games and the vultures are clearly circling.

The placement of  Brandon Belt in the third slot was amazing to me. How on earth has he earned that respect?  When I saw the lineup I pretty much had to laugh. By the end of the game, no laughter.  Belt went OH FOR EIGHT WITH FIVE STRIKEOUTS. That is quite likely the worst single game performance in many years. I am done with him, that was too painful to ever forget. I won't ever look at Brandon Belt again the same way. Our recent history of first basemen is terrifying, actually embarrassing.   Yuck, how about some positive notes....

Timmeh never seemed to be able to command his fastball ( no news there ) but all his other breaking shit looked sharp. His ELEVEN STRIKEOUTS were a season high by a couple and included loads of swinging strikes. That is my idea of a good time. It is rather amazing how fast Tim has gone away from any resemblance of a power pitcher. He still racks up the strikeouts but, boy howdy, does he throw a pile of junk! Curves, sliders and the endless change ups.  Sure seemed to work as he only gave up three runs in seven innings, and at least one of those runs was greatly aided by shaky defense. Tim Lincecum looks like he might be figuring out his new lively hood .... Wonder if we will get to see the progress continue?

And what about next year? Will he be a Giant? As each game passes, the outcome of the season gets less in doubt, but there are still huge questions to be dealt with.

Thanks for being you Buster.

Maddy to the Rescue

They had to win sometime, and I'm glad it didn't take any longer than it did.  Madison pitched superbly, not allowing a baserunner until 2 outs in the 5th, when he unexpectedly allowed a baserunner and a home run.  That was all and the Giants already had 4, courtesy of some poor pitching, poor defense and good hitting by Gregor Blanco and Marco Scutaro.  We could actually win this series.  Who's pitching tomorrow?  Kershaw?  Well, that figures.

Batting out of order?  Which league is this again?

Peee-Yeww

I was lured into thinking that the Giants had bottomed and were directionally correct.  You know, blown out, then no-hit, then an extra-innings loss, then a tie (or rain-out, if you prefer).   But tonight was a stinker.  Matty threw like crap.  I don't know........maybe the Giants do need to make a move.  If so, I'm hoping they can get Shin-Soo-ji.

I would sincerely like the Giants to show that my opinions are posted just in time to make a fool of me.

Not Even Close to Good Enough Tim

There is no way I am going to write about this game. Congrats and all that crap. For some strange reason if you would like to read about it, here's the frigging game info.

It officially can't get worse than that, right?