9-3 loss in AZ
Once again the Giants fell apart after a promising beginning--the Diamondbacks scored four runs in the bottom of the 6th and took control of the game and the series. Starter Jeff Samardzija looked strong over the first five frames with nine strikeouts but after an interminable top of the 6th a different man came out of the dugout. A walk, single, and homer greeted the big righty and the Giants lost their 3-2 lead and were effectively done. Hunter Strickland came on and gave up one of The Shark's runs to make it 6-3 Arizona but followed it with a clean 7th. Ty Blach had two outs and no one on in the 8th and then walked two and gave up two hits and that made it 9-3. The D-Backs didn't need their closer in this one. The lineup, sadly, had only four hits, but one was a homer by Aaron Hill and Buster had two doubles, so there's some silver lining in the dark cloud.
Giants pitchers gave up 27 runs in the four games. At least they leave that horrid place and go to a ballpark in San Diego that plays more like San Francisco. Matt Cain goes tomorrow for the Padres home opener, note it is at a goofy time, 3:40 p.m.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Not Pretty
8-6 loss in AZ
The Giants were up 4-1 in the 5th and Matt Moore got two quick outs when he started to look a little shaky and couldn't locate his pitches. Chris Owings doubled and Paul Goldschmidt walked and they followed it with a nifty double steal to put runners on second and third. That moved the meter from shaky to reeling, you have to give the D-Backs credit for putting him on the spot. He's going to have to do a better job holding runners. The next batter Jake Lamb whacked one down the line that Brandon Belt misplayed and it was suddenly 4-3 and Moore was clearly done. He was serving up fat ones and a booming double by Yasmany Tomas tied the score before Brandon Drury grounded out to end it.
Moore had less than nothing in the 6th (I was shocked Boch sent him out there) and quickly put two on. Cory Gearrin walked two and gave up a hit before Neil Ramirez got the strikeout to end it. In the 7th, Ramirez' wild pitch on a strikeout put the leadoff runner on then a passed ball and two hits later it was 8-4 Arizona. Ramirez has nasty stuff and it looked like Buster got crossed up more than once. I think he's going to be an effective late game pitcher but it may take a few outings to smooth the rough edges. That's seven runs yielded by three pitchers in the 5th, 6th, and 7th. Ugly stuff! It took away from good work by Eduardo Nunez (another flashy manufactured run), big power from Belt (triple and homer), and two hits apiece from Hunter Pence and Buster Posey. George Kontos worked a scoreless frame.
It would be nice to see the Giants get the hell out of Arizona with a split. Why am I starting to feel like Chase Field is as cursed as Coors Field? Weird shit always happens down there in the desert.
Jeff Samardzija tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants were up 4-1 in the 5th and Matt Moore got two quick outs when he started to look a little shaky and couldn't locate his pitches. Chris Owings doubled and Paul Goldschmidt walked and they followed it with a nifty double steal to put runners on second and third. That moved the meter from shaky to reeling, you have to give the D-Backs credit for putting him on the spot. He's going to have to do a better job holding runners. The next batter Jake Lamb whacked one down the line that Brandon Belt misplayed and it was suddenly 4-3 and Moore was clearly done. He was serving up fat ones and a booming double by Yasmany Tomas tied the score before Brandon Drury grounded out to end it.
Moore had less than nothing in the 6th (I was shocked Boch sent him out there) and quickly put two on. Cory Gearrin walked two and gave up a hit before Neil Ramirez got the strikeout to end it. In the 7th, Ramirez' wild pitch on a strikeout put the leadoff runner on then a passed ball and two hits later it was 8-4 Arizona. Ramirez has nasty stuff and it looked like Buster got crossed up more than once. I think he's going to be an effective late game pitcher but it may take a few outings to smooth the rough edges. That's seven runs yielded by three pitchers in the 5th, 6th, and 7th. Ugly stuff! It took away from good work by Eduardo Nunez (another flashy manufactured run), big power from Belt (triple and homer), and two hits apiece from Hunter Pence and Buster Posey. George Kontos worked a scoreless frame.
It would be nice to see the Giants get the hell out of Arizona with a split. Why am I starting to feel like Chase Field is as cursed as Coors Field? Weird shit always happens down there in the desert.
Jeff Samardzija tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Vlog 29 : One in the Win Column
Win , 8-4 at Arizona
Let the winning begin!! Want to relive all the glory? Or at least all I can remember and cram into a 2 minute vlog, just click below:
Vlog 29 : One in the Win Column
Let the winning begin!! Want to relive all the glory? Or at least all I can remember and cram into a 2 minute vlog, just click below:
Vlog 29 : One in the Win Column
Sunday, April 2, 2017
2017, Meet 2016
Blown saves. I think Giants fans had seen quite enough of those last year to last well into this year. Sigh.
Great game though 5 innings. Madison Bumgarner on the hill for the Giants, Zach Greinke for the dbacks. Madison was perfect through 5 - didn't allow a baserunner and was making it look easy. The Giants, on the other hand, made Greinke work. Baserunner in the 1st, a manufactured run in the 2nd thanks to Nunez and Panik. Then, a bit of history as Madison Bumgarner tied the Giants' record (15) for home runs by a pitcher in the 4th with a solo shot. That was fun. In the top of the 6th, the Giants added one, with Nunez singling home BCraw. Then, it turned into a baseball contest. Madison gave up a triple, then a single to break the shutout, then a home run to tie the game.
They went into the 7th inning tied. Greinke had been pulled after the 5th, Andrew Chafin pitching. Madison broke that tie with another solo shot, this one way up in the left field stands. Man, the guy has a stroke when there is a ball over the plate, and now leads all Giants pitchers with 16 home runs. So the Giants went into the 8th with a 4 - 3 lead facing the dbacks 5th pitcher of the day. No more runs, though, as the Giants sent Derek Law to the mound to hold the lead. He had nothing, giving up a run on 3 hits to tie the game and leaving Blach and Strickland to get 3 outs.
So, again a tie game going into the 9th. Fernando Rodney pitching for Arizona. Joe Panik tripled to lead off the inning! Gillaspie, in reserve for just such a role, sacrificed him home for a 5 - 4 lead. In spite of wild pitches and a walk, though, the Giants entered the bottom of the 9th with just the one-run lead.
And then. What was Melancon's story, that he didn't allow a single run all spring? 2 quick outs and then a loss - a blown save for Law and one for Melancon. Giants lose a heartbreaker, 6 - 5.
2 hits for Span, 3 for Nunez, 2 for Crawford and 2 for Madison, who now is leading MLB hitters in the home run category. But the Giants open with a loss, spoiling a fine effort. Arizona can be Coors Field-like, but the bottom line is, you pitch in the late innings, you need to get outs. Didn't do that today. Is it too early for existential angst? No, it is not.
Great game though 5 innings. Madison Bumgarner on the hill for the Giants, Zach Greinke for the dbacks. Madison was perfect through 5 - didn't allow a baserunner and was making it look easy. The Giants, on the other hand, made Greinke work. Baserunner in the 1st, a manufactured run in the 2nd thanks to Nunez and Panik. Then, a bit of history as Madison Bumgarner tied the Giants' record (15) for home runs by a pitcher in the 4th with a solo shot. That was fun. In the top of the 6th, the Giants added one, with Nunez singling home BCraw. Then, it turned into a baseball contest. Madison gave up a triple, then a single to break the shutout, then a home run to tie the game.
They went into the 7th inning tied. Greinke had been pulled after the 5th, Andrew Chafin pitching. Madison broke that tie with another solo shot, this one way up in the left field stands. Man, the guy has a stroke when there is a ball over the plate, and now leads all Giants pitchers with 16 home runs. So the Giants went into the 8th with a 4 - 3 lead facing the dbacks 5th pitcher of the day. No more runs, though, as the Giants sent Derek Law to the mound to hold the lead. He had nothing, giving up a run on 3 hits to tie the game and leaving Blach and Strickland to get 3 outs.
So, again a tie game going into the 9th. Fernando Rodney pitching for Arizona. Joe Panik tripled to lead off the inning! Gillaspie, in reserve for just such a role, sacrificed him home for a 5 - 4 lead. In spite of wild pitches and a walk, though, the Giants entered the bottom of the 9th with just the one-run lead.
And then. What was Melancon's story, that he didn't allow a single run all spring? 2 quick outs and then a loss - a blown save for Law and one for Melancon. Giants lose a heartbreaker, 6 - 5.
2 hits for Span, 3 for Nunez, 2 for Crawford and 2 for Madison, who now is leading MLB hitters in the home run category. But the Giants open with a loss, spoiling a fine effort. Arizona can be Coors Field-like, but the bottom line is, you pitch in the late innings, you need to get outs. Didn't do that today. Is it too early for existential angst? No, it is not.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Here We Go
Former first-round draft pick Chris Marrero makes the club on the final weekend. He was the 15th pick in the 2006 June draft, one notable for Evan Longoria (#3), Clayton Kershaw (#7), Tim Lincecum (#10), Max Scherzer (#11), and Ian Kennedy (#21). Not all first-rounders are sure things, I note that Billy Rowell (#9) and Kasey Kiker (#12) never made the majors. Maybe the 28-year old has finally put his game together after a long haul (nearly 1300 games and over 5000 plate appearances) in the minors and foreign leagues. He's not being asked to play every day but to bring the big stick off the bench and to back up and/or platoon in left field with spot starts at first base. I'm rooting for the guy as I love good surprise stories and unsung hero stuff.
Kelby Tomlinson got sent to AAA along with Josh Osich. Tomlinson is a capable infield backup but Aaron Hill played just well enough this spring to make his experience (12 years) and potential power (161 career HR) attractive. Tomlinson had an option remaining and can improve his game at Sacramento and be ready for a later call-up. I'm looking forward to Hill, one thing the Giants needed last year was a better bench. Lefty Osich looked like a lock after Will Smith was hurt but had a hard time finding his groove in Arizona. I expect he'll be back sooner rather than later. Fortunately southpaw Steven Okert has looked good, and with the dearth of lefties (Blach is the only other one) he seems like he has to get one of the final spots. That's six (Melancon, Strickland, Law, Kontos, Blach are the others) so far, and if they go with the expected seven then it will likely be Cory Gearrin or perhaps Neil Ramirez.
Matt Cain gets the fifth spot in the rotation but rookie Ty Blach still makes the squad. The youngster will get a chance to prove himself in a tough role, but it just may be the right thing for his development. Obviously it would be great if Cain can deliver, but if he falters it is nice to know there's some talent waiting in the wings. That would be a three-southpaw rotation with MadBum and Matt Moore! Blach has logged about 600 innings over four seasons (100 games) in the minors and at age 26 looks ready to take on the big league challenge. Who can forget his terrific performance against Kershaw and the Dodgers in Game 161 last season? Blach also pitched the last two innings of Game 3 against the Cubs in the LDS and nailed down the win.
Gorkys Hernandez will take on the Gregor Blanco role and back up both Denard Span and Hunter Pence in center field and right field. Nick Hundley gets the backup backstop spot, Trevor Brown is certainly likeable but is still only 25 and can benefit from more seasoning. We've been spoiled by having special players like Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain who were full-time studs when just out of their teens. That's not typical for ballplayers!
Weird opening to the season with a game tomorrow, and off-day Monday, then three more in Arizona, but that's the way of the things these days. I'm excited for some real baseball. Spring Training is definitely too long.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Kelby Tomlinson got sent to AAA along with Josh Osich. Tomlinson is a capable infield backup but Aaron Hill played just well enough this spring to make his experience (12 years) and potential power (161 career HR) attractive. Tomlinson had an option remaining and can improve his game at Sacramento and be ready for a later call-up. I'm looking forward to Hill, one thing the Giants needed last year was a better bench. Lefty Osich looked like a lock after Will Smith was hurt but had a hard time finding his groove in Arizona. I expect he'll be back sooner rather than later. Fortunately southpaw Steven Okert has looked good, and with the dearth of lefties (Blach is the only other one) he seems like he has to get one of the final spots. That's six (Melancon, Strickland, Law, Kontos, Blach are the others) so far, and if they go with the expected seven then it will likely be Cory Gearrin or perhaps Neil Ramirez.
Matt Cain gets the fifth spot in the rotation but rookie Ty Blach still makes the squad. The youngster will get a chance to prove himself in a tough role, but it just may be the right thing for his development. Obviously it would be great if Cain can deliver, but if he falters it is nice to know there's some talent waiting in the wings. That would be a three-southpaw rotation with MadBum and Matt Moore! Blach has logged about 600 innings over four seasons (100 games) in the minors and at age 26 looks ready to take on the big league challenge. Who can forget his terrific performance against Kershaw and the Dodgers in Game 161 last season? Blach also pitched the last two innings of Game 3 against the Cubs in the LDS and nailed down the win.
Gorkys Hernandez will take on the Gregor Blanco role and back up both Denard Span and Hunter Pence in center field and right field. Nick Hundley gets the backup backstop spot, Trevor Brown is certainly likeable but is still only 25 and can benefit from more seasoning. We've been spoiled by having special players like Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain who were full-time studs when just out of their teens. That's not typical for ballplayers!
Weird opening to the season with a game tomorrow, and off-day Monday, then three more in Arizona, but that's the way of the things these days. I'm excited for some real baseball. Spring Training is definitely too long.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Spring Musings
Will Smith will not pitch for the Giants this season: Tommy John surgery looms for the lefty. Matt Moore, George Kontos, Derek Law, and Hunter Strickland are all TJS survivors. I've always wondered why ligament reconstruction, arthroscopy, and laser eye surgery aren't considered performance-enhancing. Why are chemical fixes bad and mechanical ones good? Speaking of bad, Smith's injury is a blow for the bullpen. It will be interesting to see who steps up to fill the void. A lefty who can get righties out is a tough guy to replace, but having a couple of good LOOGYs could make up the difference. It will take a village out there this season, and that's OK as it seems to be the Giants Way. Get a bunch of pretty good guys to back up a star, in this case closer Mark Melancon, and work the matchups and play well in the field and good things will happen.
Speaking of good, I'm happy that Barry Bonds is back with the club. The man knows more about hitting than any other human. Get that knowledge out of him and spread it throughout the organization. Even if that were not the case, Bonds was a megastar in orange-and-black. He was the biggest draw in baseball and played magnificently under constant scrutiny. He was the only one who could turn right field and McCovey Cove at Pacific Bell Park into his personal showcase. No one hits them out there anymore. He was the only one, it will be some time before another player can do that. The bête noire of the MLB burned a lot of bridges in his day, but every good melodrama needs a black knight, especially a flashy and menacing one. Barry had a knack for the role, eh?
I also must admit to enjoying the World Baseball Classic, although I also admit to being a skeptic in its first incarnation. I think the fact that the other nations approached the tournament with both planning and passion finally convinced the American public it was a worthy endeavor. MLB's big-wigs I expect were tired of looking bad, especially in comparison to the Japanese. Team Japan is awesome and Team USA did well to get past them. I got to see most of the semi-final against Japan and the final against Puerto Rico. I thought the Puerto Rican lineup was scary, but it became obvious they didn't have the pitching depth available to win it. Certainly the presence of Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey on the domestic roster was a huge pull for me, and adding FNG Melancon was icing on the cake. I note that all performed well, BCraw in particular was part of everything, good and bad, that happened to the team. Why wouldn't veteran guys like our stud shortstop and catcher want to play real baseball instead of mucking around in Scottsdale? Both will be a joy to watch this season, and having a stud closer will be a huge boon for the team's chances.
What's on your mind as we count down to Opening Day?
--M.C.
Speaking of good, I'm happy that Barry Bonds is back with the club. The man knows more about hitting than any other human. Get that knowledge out of him and spread it throughout the organization. Even if that were not the case, Bonds was a megastar in orange-and-black. He was the biggest draw in baseball and played magnificently under constant scrutiny. He was the only one who could turn right field and McCovey Cove at Pacific Bell Park into his personal showcase. No one hits them out there anymore. He was the only one, it will be some time before another player can do that. The bête noire of the MLB burned a lot of bridges in his day, but every good melodrama needs a black knight, especially a flashy and menacing one. Barry had a knack for the role, eh?
I also must admit to enjoying the World Baseball Classic, although I also admit to being a skeptic in its first incarnation. I think the fact that the other nations approached the tournament with both planning and passion finally convinced the American public it was a worthy endeavor. MLB's big-wigs I expect were tired of looking bad, especially in comparison to the Japanese. Team Japan is awesome and Team USA did well to get past them. I got to see most of the semi-final against Japan and the final against Puerto Rico. I thought the Puerto Rican lineup was scary, but it became obvious they didn't have the pitching depth available to win it. Certainly the presence of Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey on the domestic roster was a huge pull for me, and adding FNG Melancon was icing on the cake. I note that all performed well, BCraw in particular was part of everything, good and bad, that happened to the team. Why wouldn't veteran guys like our stud shortstop and catcher want to play real baseball instead of mucking around in Scottsdale? Both will be a joy to watch this season, and having a stud closer will be a huge boon for the team's chances.
What's on your mind as we count down to Opening Day?
--M.C.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Things to get excited about for 2017
The return of Giants baseball from winter hibernation is certainly exciting enough, don't you think? But there are some specific things about the 2017 Giants that I'm feeling stoked about. For one, how about Matt Moore? For another, how about Eduardo Nunez? I don't think either player has shown his full potential. Moore will be 28 in June and Nunez will be 29. These guys ought to be at their physical peaks--the Giants were smart to grab them both. Let's imagine a full season from both of them with Moore complementing the outstanding one-two MadBum-JohnnyC combo and Nunez filling out an already outstanding infield. We are going to enjoy watching these guys.
Mark Melancon was of course the obvious upgrade the bullpen needed, but I'm excited for some of the youngsters like Derek Law and Steven Okert and perhaps even Kyle Crick. "Old vets" like Hunter Strickland and Cory Gearrin will be more seasoned and I expect they'll be stalwart contributors. We didn't really get to see what Will Smith can do, I feel like Bochy did not know him well enough last season and that this year he may get a chance to be, for lack of a better term, Jeremy Affeldt Lite. The fact that Matt Cain is physically healthy (at least that's the word) is exciting. My expectations are muted, but if he can be effective as a fifth starter that will make the rotation among the best in the game.
Gorkys Hernandez and Jarrett Parker both bring some excitement to the outfield. Untested, sure, but that's part of it. The uncertainty in the outfield, what with both Pence and Span being below par last season, is a problem, but I feel good about the process. There are vets aplenty to push these guys and I have faith that they will step up. They don't have to be superstars, just solid major-leaguers, and I believe the team has the support and coaching necessary to achieve that. Then again, Mac Williamson and Chris Marrero could make some roster decisions really tough. That's good. When you cut or re-assign talented players, that means you have a deep club.
What are you guys excited about?
--M.C.
p.s. I forgot to mention Jae-gyun Hwang, Mr. Excitement. Who knows what this guy can do?
Mark Melancon was of course the obvious upgrade the bullpen needed, but I'm excited for some of the youngsters like Derek Law and Steven Okert and perhaps even Kyle Crick. "Old vets" like Hunter Strickland and Cory Gearrin will be more seasoned and I expect they'll be stalwart contributors. We didn't really get to see what Will Smith can do, I feel like Bochy did not know him well enough last season and that this year he may get a chance to be, for lack of a better term, Jeremy Affeldt Lite. The fact that Matt Cain is physically healthy (at least that's the word) is exciting. My expectations are muted, but if he can be effective as a fifth starter that will make the rotation among the best in the game.
Gorkys Hernandez and Jarrett Parker both bring some excitement to the outfield. Untested, sure, but that's part of it. The uncertainty in the outfield, what with both Pence and Span being below par last season, is a problem, but I feel good about the process. There are vets aplenty to push these guys and I have faith that they will step up. They don't have to be superstars, just solid major-leaguers, and I believe the team has the support and coaching necessary to achieve that. Then again, Mac Williamson and Chris Marrero could make some roster decisions really tough. That's good. When you cut or re-assign talented players, that means you have a deep club.
What are you guys excited about?
--M.C.
p.s. I forgot to mention Jae-gyun Hwang, Mr. Excitement. Who knows what this guy can do?
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