Bengie Molina traded to Rangers.
Wow. I never thought it possible.
It's Buster-time now!
Whoopeee!
--M.C.
p.s. Does this mean more playing time for Nate?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Nothing works: Dodgers crush Giants, sweep series
The Dodgers came to town and did everything right. The Giants were over-matched in every department and got swept by a team they were--by record--equal to. LA, like San Diego, clearly has our number. Listed below is SF's record vs. LA since 2003, the last time the Giants were in the playoffs. Starred years ** indicate the Giants finished ahead of the LAtriners in the standings.
2003: 13-6**
2004: 9-10
2005: 10-9**
2006: 6-13
2007: 8-10
2008: 9-9
2009: 7-11
2010: 1-5
That's 63-73 or .463 ball. Since 2006 it's 31-48, or .392 ball.
I was happy to see Aaron Rowand get a single and a homer against Vicente Padilla. Otherwise, I was happy when the game was over and I didn't have to watch.
--M.C.
p.s. Here's some of the media shite the Giants churn out so we'll think there are grownups in charge.
p.p.s. Month-by-month breakdown: April 13-9, May 14-14, June 13-14. Run difference (RS-RA): +36 for April, -1 for May, and 0 for June.
2003: 13-6**
2004: 9-10
2005: 10-9**
2006: 6-13
2007: 8-10
2008: 9-9
2009: 7-11
2010: 1-5
That's 63-73 or .463 ball. Since 2006 it's 31-48, or .392 ball.
I was happy to see Aaron Rowand get a single and a homer against Vicente Padilla. Otherwise, I was happy when the game was over and I didn't have to watch.
--M.C.
p.s. Here's some of the media shite the Giants churn out so we'll think there are grownups in charge.
p.p.s. Month-by-month breakdown: April 13-9, May 14-14, June 13-14. Run difference (RS-RA): +36 for April, -1 for May, and 0 for June.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The rain of pain falls mainly on Cain
Matt Cain labored against a patient Dodgers lineup, finally giving up the ghost with two outs in the 5th inning. It took Matt 105 pitches to get those 15 outs, giving up 7 hits and 4 runs. LA racked up 12 hits in all, and looked poised to issue the coup de grâce against Runzler in the 7th, but he struck out Ronnie Belliard and Reed Johnson to end the threat. If only Cain could have done the same with James Loney in the 5th--especially after whiffing Matt Kemp ahead of him. It was the second consecutive poor outing by Cain (Game Score 40), and things get ugly when our starters don't carry the load.
On the 11th of April, Tim Lincecum struck out 10 Braves in his second start of the year on the way to a 6-3 win over visiting Atlanta. The Giants were 5-1. On the 14th of June I saw the Giants whip the Orioles behind Jonathan Sanchez to bring their record to a season-high 36-27 (.571) and tied with the Dodgers for 2nd place, only 1/2 game behind the Padres. The Giants are now 40-36, which means they've played .500 ball (35-35) since the 11th of April, and .308 ball (4-9) in the last two weeks.
Buster Posey got another shot at glory in the 9th after Pat Burrell's homer and Edgar Renteria's single. Once again he was the tying run. Like last night, he fell short, but by gum he looked good doing it --a sharp line drive that Rafael Furcal snagged to end it.
--M.C.
On the 11th of April, Tim Lincecum struck out 10 Braves in his second start of the year on the way to a 6-3 win over visiting Atlanta. The Giants were 5-1. On the 14th of June I saw the Giants whip the Orioles behind Jonathan Sanchez to bring their record to a season-high 36-27 (.571) and tied with the Dodgers for 2nd place, only 1/2 game behind the Padres. The Giants are now 40-36, which means they've played .500 ball (35-35) since the 11th of April, and .308 ball (4-9) in the last two weeks.
Buster Posey got another shot at glory in the 9th after Pat Burrell's homer and Edgar Renteria's single. Once again he was the tying run. Like last night, he fell short, but by gum he looked good doing it --a sharp line drive that Rafael Furcal snagged to end it.
--M.C.
Monday, June 28, 2010
DP downer
The Giants offensive woes were woefully offensive tonight as they hit (and ran) into FIVE double plays. Oh, that's right, I said I wouldn't discuss our offense anymore. After all, it is what it is and we are what we are. I don't see that changing much.
Barry Zito (Game Score 56) matched Chad Billingsley (Game Score 55) for six innings, but that was not enough for the Giants. Santiago Casilla gave up a two-run homer to Casey Blake in the 8th and that was the difference. The Giants generated a little drama in the 9th, Uribe walked and Rowand singled with one out. Buster Posey was sent up to pinch-hit and he worked Kuo for 8 pitches before finally striking out on a ball out of the zone. It should be noted that Bengie Molina went 0-3 on 11 pitches. I cannot see how the Giants justify giving Molina starts behind the plate. Eli Whiteside is running out a cool .834 OPS, and even a struggling Buster Posey (.719 OPS) is out-hitting "Big Money" (.647 OPS). Time to sit no. 1 down explain the facts of life. Dammit, there I go again talking about our offense!
So let's talk about the bullpen. On the surface, things look pretty good. Only the Phillies have pitched to fewer batters (790 to 876) and only the Padres have given up fewer runs (72 to 78). Including tonight, Giants relievers have given up 16 HR in 205 IP (0.72 HR/9, 6th), and teams are hitting .245 (T4th) against them. Walks have been a problem, as 4.46 BB/9 is tied for 11th place in the NL. We can go up and down the list and dissect the various individuals, and that sounds like a good post for the All-Star Break. The problem, of course, is that the Giants play an awful lot of close games, and mistakes in the bullpen are killers--like tonight. Rarely do the Giants enjoy a run cushion and rarely can the Giants survive a shaky relief outing. Since I said I wouldn't talk about our lack of offense, I'm done here.
Matt Cain tomorrow--let's hope for some better luck, eh?
--M.C.
Barry Zito (Game Score 56) matched Chad Billingsley (Game Score 55) for six innings, but that was not enough for the Giants. Santiago Casilla gave up a two-run homer to Casey Blake in the 8th and that was the difference. The Giants generated a little drama in the 9th, Uribe walked and Rowand singled with one out. Buster Posey was sent up to pinch-hit and he worked Kuo for 8 pitches before finally striking out on a ball out of the zone. It should be noted that Bengie Molina went 0-3 on 11 pitches. I cannot see how the Giants justify giving Molina starts behind the plate. Eli Whiteside is running out a cool .834 OPS, and even a struggling Buster Posey (.719 OPS) is out-hitting "Big Money" (.647 OPS). Time to sit no. 1 down explain the facts of life. Dammit, there I go again talking about our offense!
So let's talk about the bullpen. On the surface, things look pretty good. Only the Phillies have pitched to fewer batters (790 to 876) and only the Padres have given up fewer runs (72 to 78). Including tonight, Giants relievers have given up 16 HR in 205 IP (0.72 HR/9, 6th), and teams are hitting .245 (T4th) against them. Walks have been a problem, as 4.46 BB/9 is tied for 11th place in the NL. We can go up and down the list and dissect the various individuals, and that sounds like a good post for the All-Star Break. The problem, of course, is that the Giants play an awful lot of close games, and mistakes in the bullpen are killers--like tonight. Rarely do the Giants enjoy a run cushion and rarely can the Giants survive a shaky relief outing. Since I said I wouldn't talk about our lack of offense, I'm done here.
Matt Cain tomorrow--let's hope for some better luck, eh?
--M.C.
The race for 2nd place
You can find me on Dodger Dugout this week, answering questions about the Giants. Thanks again to webmaster Robert Timm for the invitation!
Heading into tonight's game the 40-34 Giants are 4-1/2 back of high-flying San Diego. The 40-35 Dodgers are 5 back after losing 2 of 3 to the Yankees.
The Giants have scored 312 runs, 12th in the NL. The Dodgers have scored 351 (5th). The Giants have allowed 267 runs, 2nd in the NL. The Dodgers have allowed 344 runs (T10th). Tonight's Dodger starter, Chad Billingsley, has yet to find the form that made him a rising star in 2008. In 13 starts this season, he's allowed 80 hits and 41 runs in 76-2/3 IP. He still strikes a lot of guys out, averaging 8.1 per 9 IP, which is a tick below his career mark of 8.2. He turns 26 at the end of July. Giant starter Barry Zito is having his best season as a Giant--in 15 starts (99 IP) he's allowed 84 hits and 39 runs. Billingsley's 3.73 FIP is good for 23rd among NL starters. Zito, with 3.88, sits at 26th.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Heading into tonight's game the 40-34 Giants are 4-1/2 back of high-flying San Diego. The 40-35 Dodgers are 5 back after losing 2 of 3 to the Yankees.
The Giants have scored 312 runs, 12th in the NL. The Dodgers have scored 351 (5th). The Giants have allowed 267 runs, 2nd in the NL. The Dodgers have allowed 344 runs (T10th). Tonight's Dodger starter, Chad Billingsley, has yet to find the form that made him a rising star in 2008. In 13 starts this season, he's allowed 80 hits and 41 runs in 76-2/3 IP. He still strikes a lot of guys out, averaging 8.1 per 9 IP, which is a tick below his career mark of 8.2. He turns 26 at the end of July. Giant starter Barry Zito is having his best season as a Giant--in 15 starts (99 IP) he's allowed 84 hits and 39 runs. Billingsley's 3.73 FIP is good for 23rd among NL starters. Zito, with 3.88, sits at 26th.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Out-Soggied Tim
The folks of The Seattle-Tacoma area must have loved this much hyped match up. Both Jon Lester (Tacoma) of the Bosox and our own Tim Lincecum (Bellevue) are native sons of that soggy wonderland. Both are young dominant pitching stars with wicked career winning percentages that have huge impacts on their franchises' present and future. But today they performed as differently as their physique.
The 6'4'' 240 lbs. Lester was incredibly good: CG, 1 runs, 5 hits (all singles), 1 walk, 9 strikeouts
The 5'11'' 170 lbs. Lincecum was horrible: 3 innings, 4 runs, 5 hits (hr,2b), 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
I don't come from Rainville so I'm not pleased with the result. Our amphibian got outmatched by theirs. No contest. Easily Tim's shortest outing (since the 2009 opener) and it came at a bad time. We all know that this is put-up-or-shut-up time. And with the doggers coming to town it is certainly
The 6'4'' 240 lbs. Lester was incredibly good: CG, 1 runs, 5 hits (all singles), 1 walk, 9 strikeouts
The 5'11'' 170 lbs. Lincecum was horrible: 3 innings, 4 runs, 5 hits (hr,2b), 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
I don't come from Rainville so I'm not pleased with the result. Our amphibian got outmatched by theirs. No contest. Easily Tim's shortest outing (since the 2009 opener) and it came at a bad time. We all know that this is put-up-or-shut-up time. And with the doggers coming to town it is certainly
NO TIME TO SHUT UP !!!!
Post-Madison
The Bumgarner Effect kicked in yesterday. Yeah, so he gave up a couple of bombs. Pffft. Otherwise, he was great. I'm amazed the Giants "went for it" with MadBum and threw him into the fire with, get this, Buster Posey catching! I just don't know this team anymore. Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy are geniuses. Uh, but we lost. Because we can't fookin' hit. (Except for Madison Bumgarner.) Not hitting is a sadly familiar refrain, so I'll refrain from saddling you with it. The Bumgarner Effect just kicked in. I think I like it.
--M.C.
--M.C.
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