1st inning: 7-11
2nd inning: 12-6
3rd inning: 6-12
4th inning: 10-8
5th inning: 11-7
The Giants bounced back tonight with a clutch 3-2 win after an ugly four-game stretch of losses. It's hard to see the good when the bad comes in clusters like that, but the reality is that the team has now had back-to-back winning innings. That's something. Now we have to hope for back-to-back winning months: June was 18-10, they've got some time to turn around July's 2-4. Rookie Dereck Rodriguez had another fine start (6-1/3 IP, 2 R) to lead the way. A dramatic late homer from Pablo Sandoval along with a big hit from Andrew McCutchen backed that up. Once again some fine relief work (Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson, Will Smith) sealed the deal. The bullpen has not only been the most improved part of the club but the most valuable as well (with apologies to the Brandons).
After 90 games the 46-44 (.511) Giants are still in the hunt in the wide-open West. I like that Johnny Cueto and Madison Bumgarner are back in the fold, the team will need all its weapons after The Break. The Dodgers I must admit are scaring me a bit, they survived all their injuries and now have the last year's pennant-winning band back together. The Diamondbacks are also showing some resilience after their big plunge. Those two teams aren't going away. The Giants will have to play some kick-ass baseball to keep up with them.
Jeff Samardzija, the other starter who went on the DL, gets the start tomorrow. He's yet to be effective this year after a spring injury. Let's hope he can get his game back together real soon. And that the lineup can start hitting and scoring with more authority again.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Friday, July 6, 2018
Monday, July 2, 2018
The Switch Was Flipped
Goddammit.
The Giants won 7 of their last 8 games. They won them by 1 and 2 runs, until the last couple in Arizona when they scored 16. And they were looking good tonight. A first-pitch home run by Gorkys and a 3rd inning rbi double by Buster that scored Brandon Belt put the Giants up 2 - 0. Meanwhile, Madison Bumgarner was on the mound. He didn't look real sharp to start the game, but got through the 1st inning unscathed. He cruised through the 2nd, but loaded the bases before escaping with no runs in the 3rd. A crisp 4th, 5th and 6th followed with only a couple hits, while Kyle Freeland stymied the Giants.
Then came the 7th, and the switch was flipped. A pinch hit single. Then a bloop. Then an infield single and Madison was done, having thrown 22 consecutive scoreless innings up to that point. Reyes Moronta was brought in but he had a real command problem. A walk gave the Rockies 1. Then a double play gave the Giants 2 outs but tied the score. Then an easy grounder that Brandon Crawford inexplicably tossed way wide of Brandon Belt, and I knew that the Giants' run of good fortune (and good baseball) had been turned off.
The Giants put a couple men on base after that, but they didn't threaten. The Rockies scored 2 more to make the final 5 - 2. Fucking Coors. The balls and strikes calls were shitty. The theme unis look like crap, and as a side note, I do not give a flying fuck about the basketball feed on the bottom of the screen. So what happens tomorrow? Does the switch reset? Or do we get Coorsed until we limp home Thursday?
The Giants won 7 of their last 8 games. They won them by 1 and 2 runs, until the last couple in Arizona when they scored 16. And they were looking good tonight. A first-pitch home run by Gorkys and a 3rd inning rbi double by Buster that scored Brandon Belt put the Giants up 2 - 0. Meanwhile, Madison Bumgarner was on the mound. He didn't look real sharp to start the game, but got through the 1st inning unscathed. He cruised through the 2nd, but loaded the bases before escaping with no runs in the 3rd. A crisp 4th, 5th and 6th followed with only a couple hits, while Kyle Freeland stymied the Giants.
Then came the 7th, and the switch was flipped. A pinch hit single. Then a bloop. Then an infield single and Madison was done, having thrown 22 consecutive scoreless innings up to that point. Reyes Moronta was brought in but he had a real command problem. A walk gave the Rockies 1. Then a double play gave the Giants 2 outs but tied the score. Then an easy grounder that Brandon Crawford inexplicably tossed way wide of Brandon Belt, and I knew that the Giants' run of good fortune (and good baseball) had been turned off.
The Giants put a couple men on base after that, but they didn't threaten. The Rockies scored 2 more to make the final 5 - 2. Fucking Coors. The balls and strikes calls were shitty. The theme unis look like crap, and as a side note, I do not give a flying fuck about the basketball feed on the bottom of the screen. So what happens tomorrow? Does the switch reset? Or do we get Coorsed until we limp home Thursday?
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Giants Sweep Snakes!
SF 9 AZ 6
It took 16 hits, nine runs, and seven pitchers but the San Francisco Giants completed their three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The pitching staff was stingy in June, allowing only 84 runs in 28 games (exactly 3 rpg), but inaugurate July with a six-run stinker. Derek Holland could not get out of the 4th, Pierce Johnson lost it in the 7th after two perfect innings, and Mark Melancon allowed a run in the 9th and had to be bailed out by Will Smith. But the rest of the group got it done and the lineup was not to be denied, scoring in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th frames.
This is a huge win for the club, especially given their poor play on the road before this. The Giants looked good this weekend. I have to give a nod to Brandon Belt for two hits and three walks, not to mention superb glove work, as always. Brandon Crawford had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. The B-Boys have carried the offense, don't you think?
Colorado next. 5:40 Pacific, Madison Bumgarner. Go Giants!
--M.C.
It took 16 hits, nine runs, and seven pitchers but the San Francisco Giants completed their three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The pitching staff was stingy in June, allowing only 84 runs in 28 games (exactly 3 rpg), but inaugurate July with a six-run stinker. Derek Holland could not get out of the 4th, Pierce Johnson lost it in the 7th after two perfect innings, and Mark Melancon allowed a run in the 9th and had to be bailed out by Will Smith. But the rest of the group got it done and the lineup was not to be denied, scoring in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th frames.
This is a huge win for the club, especially given their poor play on the road before this. The Giants looked good this weekend. I have to give a nod to Brandon Belt for two hits and three walks, not to mention superb glove work, as always. Brandon Crawford had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. The B-Boys have carried the offense, don't you think?
Colorado next. 5:40 Pacific, Madison Bumgarner. Go Giants!
--M.C.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Another Win in the Desert
SF 7 AZ 0
The Giants thumped the Diamondbacks with a three-homer barrage that backed up a fine start from rookie Derek Rodriguez. Ty Blach and Cory Gearrin finished up and secured the team's tenth shutout which is tied with the Chicago Cubs for the most in all of baseball. Buster Posey and Andrew McCutchen led the way with three hits apiece and Brandon Crawford, Pablo Sandoval, and Joe Panik each added two RBI. Rodriguez faced 25 batters, throwing 102 pitches to get through 6-1/3 IP. Arizona is a tough club--they are in first place--and the youngster kept the lid on them with eight ground balls and five strikeouts. The boys have won 10 of their last 13 and notch an 18-10 record for the month of June. They are tied for second place with LA and 3-1/2 games off the pace. Derek Holland takes the hill tomorrow at 1:10 Pacific with a chance for a sweep.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants thumped the Diamondbacks with a three-homer barrage that backed up a fine start from rookie Derek Rodriguez. Ty Blach and Cory Gearrin finished up and secured the team's tenth shutout which is tied with the Chicago Cubs for the most in all of baseball. Buster Posey and Andrew McCutchen led the way with three hits apiece and Brandon Crawford, Pablo Sandoval, and Joe Panik each added two RBI. Rodriguez faced 25 batters, throwing 102 pitches to get through 6-1/3 IP. Arizona is a tough club--they are in first place--and the youngster kept the lid on them with eight ground balls and five strikeouts. The boys have won 10 of their last 13 and notch an 18-10 record for the month of June. They are tied for second place with LA and 3-1/2 games off the pace. Derek Holland takes the hill tomorrow at 1:10 Pacific with a chance for a sweep.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Friday, June 29, 2018
The Suarez-Slater-Smith Show
SF 2 AZ 1
The Giants bounce back from yesterday's heartbreaker with a superbly-pitched effort tonight in Arizona. Rookie Andrew Suarez allowed only one run in his six-inning start, stymieing a hot Diamondbacks lineup with a heap o'grounders (they had FIVE infield hits). Rookie Austin Slater had three great at-bats, hammering a liner each time, two went for doubles, both drove in a run. That was the offense. Rookie Reyes Moronta pitched the 7th in dominating fashion. He's been superb this season what with 42 K and 19 H in 35-2/3 IP. Tony Watson was equally brilliant with a 1-2-3 8th. He has to be the best off-season move the team made. Will Smith overpowered them in the 9th for his first career save*. So nice to have him healthy and performing at the level everyone was hoping for. A terrific win against the first-place club, especially in their yard. The Giants were 25-30 on May 29th, here on June 29th they are 43-40. Not a bad turnaround!
Five more games on the road and then they are back home for six before The Break. Derek Rodriguez starts tomorrow night (7:10 Pacific). Go Giants!
--M.C.
*turns out it was second career save, his saved a game with Milwaukee in 2014
The Giants bounce back from yesterday's heartbreaker with a superbly-pitched effort tonight in Arizona. Rookie Andrew Suarez allowed only one run in his six-inning start, stymieing a hot Diamondbacks lineup with a heap o'grounders (they had FIVE infield hits). Rookie Austin Slater had three great at-bats, hammering a liner each time, two went for doubles, both drove in a run. That was the offense. Rookie Reyes Moronta pitched the 7th in dominating fashion. He's been superb this season what with 42 K and 19 H in 35-2/3 IP. Tony Watson was equally brilliant with a 1-2-3 8th. He has to be the best off-season move the team made. Will Smith overpowered them in the 9th for his first career save*. So nice to have him healthy and performing at the level everyone was hoping for. A terrific win against the first-place club, especially in their yard. The Giants were 25-30 on May 29th, here on June 29th they are 43-40. Not a bad turnaround!
Five more games on the road and then they are back home for six before The Break. Derek Rodriguez starts tomorrow night (7:10 Pacific). Go Giants!
--M.C.
*turns out it was second career save, his saved a game with Milwaukee in 2014
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
If You Love Pitching Duels
Watch Rockies games. Ha ha ha ha ha, no.
The Giants battled the Rockies for 8.5 scoreless in I gs tonight. Madison Bumgarner for the Giants, coming off of an excellent 8 inning scoreless start. Madison threw 7 innings, struck out 8, and gave up 2 hits. Kyle Freeland for the Rox, 25 year-old 2nd year pitcher. He threw 7 scoreless, gave up 4 hits. Will Smith made quick work of the Rox in the 8th, as did Reyes Moronta in the top of the 9th. A 0 - 0 game at that point.
Something had to give and Brandon Crawford was in a giving mood. A soaring shot to the right field arcade with 1 out gave the Giants the win.
I like that the Giants have gotten wins without dropping the first game of a series. Brandon Crawford is a stud. 1 - 0 Giants.
The Giants battled the Rockies for 8.5 scoreless in I gs tonight. Madison Bumgarner for the Giants, coming off of an excellent 8 inning scoreless start. Madison threw 7 innings, struck out 8, and gave up 2 hits. Kyle Freeland for the Rox, 25 year-old 2nd year pitcher. He threw 7 scoreless, gave up 4 hits. Will Smith made quick work of the Rox in the 8th, as did Reyes Moronta in the top of the 9th. A 0 - 0 game at that point.
Something had to give and Brandon Crawford was in a giving mood. A soaring shot to the right field arcade with 1 out gave the Giants the win.
I like that the Giants have gotten wins without dropping the first game of a series. Brandon Crawford is a stud. 1 - 0 Giants.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Gorkys Leads Giants Past Rockies
SF 3 COL 2
The Giants squeaked past the Rockies in a tense game that ended on a video review. Fortunately the cameras went our way and the call on the field (a game-ending double play) was confirmed and that sealed the win. The Giants are facing the Rockies at the halfway point in the season. Tonight was Game 80 and Madison Bumgarner will get the call for Game 81 tomorrow night. The win puts the team at 41-39 which is 4-1/2 back of leaders Arizona, 1-1/2 behind second place Los Angeles, and 2-1/2 up on Colorado.
Gorkys Hernandez continues his fine hitting with a solo shot in the 3rd to tie it and a bases-loaded walk in the 8th (off Adam Ottavino!) which drove in the eventual game-winner. He even had a hand in the tying run in the 7th, bunting over Austin Slater and Hunter Pence, and Slater scored on Andrew McCutchen's sacrifice fly. (I wouldn't bunt with Gorkys--he's hitting .284/.338/.482 with 10 homers!! But it worked out, so no complaints.)
Derek Holland had an excellent start, striking out eight in 6-2/3 and allowing only an Ian Desmond solo shot. Reyes Moronta got the last out of the 7th but Mark Melancon gave up a run with two outs in the 8th and Tony Watson had to finish the inning. Sam Dyson gave up a fluky double to start the 9th but got it done with a strikeout and the DP. Joe Panik initially booted the grounder but recovered to complete the play. This year's club has a knack for making everything extra exciting.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants squeaked past the Rockies in a tense game that ended on a video review. Fortunately the cameras went our way and the call on the field (a game-ending double play) was confirmed and that sealed the win. The Giants are facing the Rockies at the halfway point in the season. Tonight was Game 80 and Madison Bumgarner will get the call for Game 81 tomorrow night. The win puts the team at 41-39 which is 4-1/2 back of leaders Arizona, 1-1/2 behind second place Los Angeles, and 2-1/2 up on Colorado.
Gorkys Hernandez continues his fine hitting with a solo shot in the 3rd to tie it and a bases-loaded walk in the 8th (off Adam Ottavino!) which drove in the eventual game-winner. He even had a hand in the tying run in the 7th, bunting over Austin Slater and Hunter Pence, and Slater scored on Andrew McCutchen's sacrifice fly. (I wouldn't bunt with Gorkys--he's hitting .284/.338/.482 with 10 homers!! But it worked out, so no complaints.)
Derek Holland had an excellent start, striking out eight in 6-2/3 and allowing only an Ian Desmond solo shot. Reyes Moronta got the last out of the 7th but Mark Melancon gave up a run with two outs in the 8th and Tony Watson had to finish the inning. Sam Dyson gave up a fluky double to start the 9th but got it done with a strikeout and the DP. Joe Panik initially booted the grounder but recovered to complete the play. This year's club has a knack for making everything extra exciting.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
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