A game that started out as a tight terrific pitcher's duel between Ryan Vogelsong and Mike Pelfrey had such a strange, chaotic ending it's hard to know where to start writing about it. Let's just go to the Key Lines:
Angel Pagan- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .233. Pagan has a 7 game hit streak going in which he has hit .333.
Buster Posey- 2 for 4. BA= .386. Buster hit the ball on the nose 4 times. Buster was also charged with a throwing error on the play in which the winning run scored, but that was because Scott Hairston(yes, THAT guy!), went way inside the baseline on the force out at home to hook Busters right ankle which knocked him off balance on the relay to first for the attempted DP.
Emmanuel Burriss- 2 for 4. BA= .303. Burriss has 2 more hits and is off the a nice start to the season.
Brandon Belt- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .238. Belt came in as a pinch hitter with 2 outs and 2 runners on and the Giants trailing 4-2 in the top of the 9'th. He skied one to shallow CF that the wind blew past a charging Kirk Nieuwnhuis for a Candlestick Park double and 2 game tying RBI's. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. More on Belt in a minute....
Aubrey Huff- 0 for 4. BA= .182. Huff had already had a very tough day before the bottom of the 9'th inning, both at the plate and in the field at 1B whiffing on at least 2 grounders that I think Belt probably would have fielded plus 4 very weak AB's. With The Riot still unavailable due to illness, the Giants burned Brett Pill, a guy who played a little 2b last year in Fresno, by pulling him back for Belt after announcing him as a pinch-hitter for Brandon Crawford against lefty Tim Byrdek. Belt got the call when Terry Collins countered by bringing in Jon Rauch. That left Huff to play 2B with Burriss moving to SS. Sure enough, with runners on first and third, Huff instinctively broke toward 1B on a potential DP grounder to SS. Burriss hesitated and got the throw to first too late. Everybody safe, setting up the game winner on the Hairston/Posey incident. Hector Sanchez was in the game going to the bottom of the ninth as he has also pinch hit. Buster Posey played some 2B in college, but 2B is an injury risk position, so I doubt Bochy would consider playing him there. Sandoval could move to SS with Burriss staying at 2B with Posey moving to 3B. No really good options. Just a very weird ending to the game. Gotta think with the way Huff is playing it might be time to give Brandon Belt another serious look at 1B. At least he's a better fielding option. Gotta also think the bat would eventually come around too.
Ryan Vogelsong- 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K's, GO/AO= 8/2. Very well pitched game by Vogelsong. He deserved to win and deserved a better final line. Bochy let him hit in the top of the 7'th with 2 outs and a runner on 2B. He struck out. Bochy did get another inning out of him, but at the cost of 2 more runs allowed. The bullpen has been used a lot, though.
Javier Lopez- 0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K. ERA= 0.00. Second game in a row Lopez fails to retire a batter. Still has a 0 ERA. Yikes!
Tim Lincecum tries to get his season back on line tomorrow afternoon facing Dillon Gee.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Don't know what to really think. Giants are 7-7, and have actually hit pretty well (although this RISP pattern from last year seems to be rearing its ugly head). Bad defense has been the name of the game so far. Sloppy plays, and some sloppy pitching here and there. Still, we're playing 500 ball, had a nice little 3-win streak.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some rotation is in order, but I fully expect Bochy to play Belt and Huff at random intervals for a while. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. I want Huff to get the chance to see what he has left, but he hasn't done anything good either, except not strike out. Fans wanting some quick resolution will be sorely frustrated though, its just not the Giants way. As long as Huff's body language is positive I say keep it that way. But I'm watching for Rowand/Tejada moments on him. I like him 10 times more than those loser bad Giants though.
One quick thing: Pato you best credit Affeldt with 2 solid outings as you like to hop on here when he gets the gas can going. He was solid last night and got the double play grounder TWICE today.
And Scott Hairston definitely deserves some unwritten rules of baseball.
Get em tomorrow. Timmy please have a good first inning and Giants defense please wake the hell up for him.
Looks like Phil Humber just finished a Perfect Game against the Seattle Mariners. Not sure how hard a task that is, really.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say nice bit of hitting under pressure from manny burriss. As I get all critical Bill on him, gotta say he has been ok at hitting singles.
ReplyDeleteAffeldt did his job today... I wish he would earn that 5 million a little more often. Again Posey shows his lack of experience as a catcher. He thought that just because he was in front of the plate that Hairston wouldn't go after him and he was wrong. He also thought he wasn't blocking the plate with the Cousins collision and the point is that it doesn't matter if he thinks he is in the right place, he needs to be more careful when runners are charging home. He should have ate that ball instead of going for the double play with Affeldt covering.
ReplyDeleteBochy screwed this one up. I have been extremely pleased with his managing of games in the last couple of years so not too upset that every once in a while he lays an egg. Huff is really hurting us and I wouldn't wait another 3 to 4 weeks before putting him on the bench. At this point in his career you have to think he is not going to get his bat speed back and we can't afford to give him the amount of at-bats it would take to get it back. His defense is bad at any position and I actually think he could end up being a great late pinch hitting option off the bench giving him an opportunity to actually add value to this team.
Sanchez, Pill, Belt, and Blanco need to be given more opportunities in favor of Huff and even Nate. Play the hot hand and find out if any of these guys can run away with the job as I think we all know what we are getting with Huff and Nate. The middle infield is becoming a big concern as I eluded to in the offseason. I had hoped they would address it by spending money on someone like Cuddyer (questionable defense but would sure look nice as our 5th hitter) or Rollins even but they made zero effort to sign him. Freddie Sanchez probably isn't coming back so where does that leave them. Panik is at least 2 years away so unless they decide to get creative, this could be an issue all season.
I love to throw out ridiculous trade scenarios but it might be a good idea for the Giants to start talking to Atlanta about either Prado or Uggla. They may be inclined to deal one of them after they fall completely out of the race in the next 3-4 weeks. Prospects could get us Prado and he could bat 2nd moving Melky or Posey to 5th or they may have to put together a slightly bigger deal for Uggla who could step in and bat cleanup.
Not sure why you want to sit Nate. He's hot right now and looks like he's finally gotten to a place where he can keep it going. I'd like to see Joaquin Arias get a shot at a MI role. He can get it done defensively and has continued to hit in Fresno.
DeleteCrawford has had some hard hit balls right at defenders and his D is keeping his head above water.
DeleteWe need someone who can hit either 2nd or 5th to give this offense a little more consistency and Nate probably isn't the ideal guy for either spot. I don't know if Sanchez, Pill, Belt, or Blanco could be the guys either but would prefer to find out then continue with what they are doing now. Huff is the big bat that they need to sit which would give them the opportunity to get one of those guys in the lineup and still keep Nate out there but it is also possible that 2 out of those 4 guys will be more productive then just one of them with Nate.
DeleteMelky can either bat 2nd or 3/5 making the middle of the order Panda/Posey/Melky if Blanco proved he could bat 2 (good speed, good approaches at the plate, lefty hitter which makes it easier for Pagan to steal if he is on 1B in front of him). Or they could leave Melky at 2 and see about Belt, Pill, and Sanchez for the 5th spot. I like Nate but any of these guys could be much more suited for key spots in the lineup and I would much rather see Nate batting 7th or 8th.
How long before Heath Hembree is called up and how come we haven't heard a peep about him since Wilson went down? This bullpen is great but part of what made it great was having a go to guy in the 9th which we don't have now. Casilla is ok but if Hembree is as nasty as advertised then why are they waiting?
Hembree certainly has the raw talent to be a closer at the MLB level. He's had a pretty meteoric rise though. Ideally, he gets a bit more seasoning in the PCL. He blew a Save the other night.
Deleteblah, blah, blah, blah, blah
ReplyDeletehuff stinks....his coming into camp not fat meant nothing...cuz at 35, you cant take a year off and expect to be productive
i dont like belt...but he can play first
send huff to the bench and never let him off...he doesnt care, he only wanted the money anyway
enough with benching anyone else...the rest are doing fine...although craw looks like he could do with a day...his d is still great, but he looks a little bit gassed at the plate and not getting the extension he needs...at least he isnt hitting into dps on the first pitch...SIT HUFF
as for vogie....has he had a non quality start since signing with the giants? he was less down on himself this game...i think the 9th kinda shocked him into reality
how confused was bochy at the end? he thought craw was still at ss....his brain has turned to cream of wheat
i hate the hairstons
they both suck...until they face the giants
their only purpose in life is to irritate the hell out of us
i dont care if the riot is still puking his guts out tomorrow...get his ass on the field...maybe a met will slip on the puke and keep a run from scoring
valentine, ticked off that humber was getting tons of press today, let his pen totally implode,as they blew a 9-1 lead
You crack me up, Bacci. Agree or not, you always have a colorful way of expressing yourself. I agree with most of the above.
DeleteI think we both predicted disaster for whatever team hired Bobby Valentine. Is there a more irritating person in all of baseball?
sorry doc, im just a little perturbed that bochy and his crew didnt seem to play out strategy being down one mi....huff can never be used as a defensive replacement....hope someone taped miller's pbp from the 9th...i hear that they were classic
Deleteand i have a terrible feeling that huff didnt run straight back to the hotel after the game last night
as for valentine, somebody in the bosox fo was smokin something really strong if they thought he could bring order to that clubhouse. they needed a disciplinarian....not a guy who wants his name in the papers everyday...i wouldve gone for one of their guys in the minors...their managers at aa and aaa are dang good.
they just traded for byrd...apparently they are upset at cody's d...cody not playing good d? means he isnt into the game...wonder why that is
and the only more irritating person is...fat tommy...but he isnt managing any more...he is just fat
hope no one says ozzie...cuz ozzie something talks without thinking, but he is a good manager and can actually be very funny
greenwald was at the seattle game today...lucky stiff
Bacci,
DeleteI read you comments about Huff on Giants Extra too. Just my opinion, but it's very unfair to insinuate that he went out and got drunk without something to back it up. Even if he did, he wouldn't be the first ballplayer in history to do it and probably wouldn't be the only player on either the Giants or Mets to do it tonight. Sorry, Bacci, but that's cheap shot.
comments are based on past history
Deletehis own reported past history and the reports of his behavior last season
he looked like crap today
ok, so he isnt a second baseman...but he has played the game since he was a little kid
how hard is it to run to second when there is a hit...he didnt move
he was hung over
he is gonna make a great color man
Bacci,
DeleteDid you watch the game? Yes, Huff DID move on the play at 2B. He instinctively took one step toward first base, realized it was the wrong way then hustled to try to get to 2B. 1 step, or even a lean in the wrong direction will get you picked off a base or get you to a base too late. It was not a lack of hustle or a lack of caring. He was NOT hung over! He reacted instinctively to the position he is used to playing, hustled his but off to try to make up for it, but the game is too fast to make up that kind of mistake.
I did not hear Jon Miller's broadcast, but if Alex Pavlovic's transcription is accurate, Miller did not describe the action accurately based on what I saw on the TV screen backed up by Kruk and Kuip's comments.
Huff had a bad game. There is plenty to criticize on the field without making personal, unsubstantiated attacks on the man or misrepresenting the botched play at 2B.
I was listening on the radio in my car today, and yes, Miller said something along the lines of Huff didn't move. Just saw the play in MLB, and Huff clearly broke toward 1st.
DeleteI was a MI in my baseball days, so I'm just automatically breaking to 2nd on a DP grounder in my mind. I'm trying give Huff the benefit of being a 1st Baseman playing 2nd. But, no. That's just not acceptable. He's a pro. Him dropping the throw from Burriss, failing on the pivot, making a crappy/late throw to 1st are all OK. But, breaking the wrong way. No. His head is not in this. Probably not his heart either. And it looks more and more like his skills aren't in this either.
It was a great run in 2010. But, wow. Talk about a guy who took the money and ran...slowly...
Huff does have value to this team. But it's unwise for Bochy to hold him up in any leadership or starter role.
We'll just have to agree to disagree then. A lot of players with Huff's MLB resume, or even less, would have simply refused to go out there. I don't see how you can say it was in any way his fault when he's never played the position before, never even PRACTICED at the position. From what I saw, he was trying to do the best he could in a bad situation. He was playing hard. He wasn't sulking. To lay that play on Huff is harsh and grossly unfair.
DeleteOne more thing: If it's unacceptable for Huff to make an instinctive break in the wrong direction in a position he's never played or practiced at before, how much more unacceptable is it for a HOF announcer to inaccurately describe the play in the broadcast? It's not like he's never called a play before!
DeleteBochy absolved Huff from fault on that play, saying that he was too far away to reach second, even had he broke right.
DeleteJust another reason for the haters to dog pile on him. As noted, there are players who would have refused to go there ( I would note Bonds).
And it is very unfair to accuse him of drinking in excess without some proof. It would be like if I accused you of posting that while drunk, I have no proof either.
Come on. This play was not a misposition on a double cut-off for a an outfield throw to 3rd. Or a the wheel play on a bunt. It was cover 2nd on a grounder to short. Easier said than done, maybe. But, really, you both act like Huff is an accountant from Fremont who was pulled out of the upper-deck and thrown into the game.
DeleteHuff had never played 2B or even practiced the position before, so yeah, he might as well have been an accountant from Fremont.
DeleteThis is a case of the mob ripping a guy to shreds for something that wasn't his fault to slate their thirst for vengeance over a whole host of past perceive wrongs.
DeleteGood Doctor, are you baiting me?
DeleteI'm not trying to demonize Huff or define him with one play or one bad day.
But you honestly, as a baseball fan, you want to defend that play? If Aubrey was asked to catch, that would be one thing. Being asked to play 2nd base is very much another.
He made a mistake. It's an understandable one. But those of us who criticize Huff are not just talking about one play. We're talking about a guy who got his big contract, came into camp out-of-shape, and was unable to lead a team when it was struggling. (The man who led the team the previous year to the World Series. There were definitely expectation of leadership.) His numbers have not lived up to his contract. He has a well-deserved reputation for partying. And he has not seemed to realize that as you get older, you can't pound the night before and rise bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Does Bacci have specific knowledge of when Huff drinks? Doubt it. But, Huff has a really bad day after a Friday night in New York, and makes a bonehead play (and yes, what Huff did was boneheaded), it's fair to speculate that Huff had tipped a few the night before. Or would tip a few that night.
So now you and OGC backed into defending the guy for the play. When really, we're talking about something larger here. I don't care about the play. I certainly don't think it's even close to being the main reason the Giants lost. But I do care about what Huff has done since 2010, the way he's dealt with adversity and the way he's disappeared from any type of leadership of this club.
No, I'm not baiting you any more than you are baiting me. You've just basically confirmed my thesis that you are ripping Huff for the play when it's really a lot of pent up stuff that came before it. And yes, you ARE trying to demonize him!
DeleteYes, I believe Huff deserved a long leash. Yes, I think he has come to the end of that leash, at least for the time being. Yes, it's time to give Belt another extended chance to win a starting job once and for all. I think we can all find common ground there somewhere.
None of that has anything to do with the play at 2B which was in no way something Huff should be blamed for.
Doc, I was joking about the baiting, of course.
DeleteEnjoying the debate. Like the players playing cards during a rain delay.
We are really seeing this differently. First off, what Aubrey did makes it look to me like he was not paying attention. In-of-itself, OK, fine. You let it go. But Huff has history and that's that. The play does not exist all by itself. We've got to look at who did it, and then guess at the reasons why.
Now you say, playing out-of-position. That's it. He gets a pass.
I say there's different levels of playing out of position. When Pedro Feliz was asked to catch the end of game in 2007, hey, all bets are off. If he keeps the pitches from hitting the umpire, Good Job! Pedro was being asked to do something that he was not in any way trained to do.
Aubrey has experience at 1st and 3rd. During infield practice or during actual double plays, in addition to fielding and catching his position, I gotta believe that he see's what the other infielders are doing.
Excuse him all you like. But in my opinion, a professional INFIELDER should have broke the correct way on that. Pitchers, catchers, & outfielders get a pass. Infielders don't.
I think it's more than fair give Huff a little crap on that. My little league coach would have given my some if I'd made that mistake.
I don't agree. 2B is an entirely different kettle of fish from 1B or 3B. In some ways, I think it's even harder to play than SS, except it doesn't require as much range or arm. It does nimbleness and quickness and there is a ton of stuff to remember to do. I just don't see it as anything like playing 1B or 3B at all.
Deleteritzo just tweeted...freddie to start rehab with sj on monday
ReplyDeleteThe Giants need to tighten up their defense.. They rank last in MLB defensively with 3 more errors today, that can't continue on a team that relies on pitching..
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Sanchez @ Pill play more.. Maybe Sanchez can catch a few games that Vogelsong is pitching also.. I get nervous when Sanchez pinch hits, because Bochy is burning his backup catcher. As for Pill, its tough when the team is carrying 4 1st baseman (including Posey). When Pill plays LF, does he hurt the team defensively?
I think Bochy will continue to rotate Huff & Belt at 1st base until one of them steps up and takes the job.. Maybe Belt tomorrow, if no rainout? Belt needs to show that he can make the necesary adjustments to merit consistent playing time.. I give Huff credit today for playing 2nd base, despite never playing there in his career.. He said he'll play anywhere Bochy puts him..
Just saw Cliff Lee going on DL with Oblique injury.. Thats a shame considering how good he looked against the G's
LG
When did Lee get the oblique injury? in the 10th inning of the Cain game? Interesting.
Deleteone of those errors was on posey when he was spiked by the evil hairston
Deletesome of the errors have been charged to guys who are being overaggressive....those errors im ok with
craw is getting rung up cuz he has the largest range of any ss in the league
Agree with Bacci on this one. Errors are a terrible way to rank defenses. Crawford has made some errors, but he has made a lot more plays that other shortstops don't make. He actually has a very high UZR defensive rating.
DeleteThanks for your points about the errors.. You've seen them play alot more then I have. I've only seen 1 game so far, but listened to several others, so its hard to tell whats causing the errors... It just sounded like sloppy defensive play sometimes giving the opposition extra outs.. I'm ok with errors due to being overaggressive and having great range. I'm not ok with errors made on routine plays..
DeleteLG
The Associated Press release said he strained it during the 10th inning of the Cain game. Phils just being cautious.
ReplyDeleteLG
I don't get too nervous with Hector pinch hitting, as Sandoval can play C, not even as "a pinch," he was a legitimately decent catcher... Good news for Freddy, we could really use the flexibility of giving Crawford a day off every now and then.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Huff/Belt craziness - the best lineup probably include neither of them. Posey at 1B and Hector behind the dish with Schierholtz in right.
Glad Bochy and the staff knew what they were doing with Pagan. How awful he looked for the better part of two months was making me call for Blanco, but I'll hush now.
As Giants fans we should be ecstatic about the Perfect Game today. It makes Jonathan Sanchez's No Hitter against the Padres only the second easiest pitching feat of its kind now...
Giants should be fine. Dodgers haven't played anyone decent yet.
played the brew crew...and split 4 games
Deletethey have had a very ez sched...but they are good
kemp and ethier are both hittin
dont think their pen is all that great though...
I agree, Bacci. The Dodgers are for real. Matt Kemp may be all they have on offense, but he's the best player in the game right now and us Giants fans should know something about how far that can get you. They also have a very strong starting staff. The bullpen is shaky, but they will be tough to catch, even at this early stage.
DeleteJust don't agree with you fellas, but that's why they play 162 games! We'll see.
DeleteJust to piggy back your post Doc - I'm actually really grateful Bobby V is managing the Red Sox because he was driving me absolutely NUTS as a commentator. I would literally mute the TV and use mlb radio with my mlb.com account. The dude went to Japan and WASN'T a big league manager for a reason. Good luck getting that overpaid mess together Bobby!
As a very vocal critic of the way Bochy was continuing to trot Huff out, in the five hole no less, I found yesterday oh so frustrating. Huff was having a very bad day long before the 9th inning rolled around.
ReplyDeleteI haven't posted much since the end of the game because it just didn't feel right kicking Huff when he is down. I truly feel bad bad for him, it was a pretty ugly game for #17.
Bochy however, should not get a pass. Forget about the 9th inning defensive mess, as it is fair (I am not saying right, or wrong) to say he played the inning correctly. Bochy has just plain been stubborn (or stupid) when it comes to Huff's role on the team.
Yesterday was a microcosm of last year plus of Aubrey Huff. Poor offensive production and sub par defense - and it costs the Giants wins. It's that simple. I believe Belt is the answer, but whoever it is, it's NOT Huff. Continuing to write Huff's name in the line-up is sheer lunacy.
Huff is 1 for his last 16. That's 4 games. the game before that, he won with a late HR. I think it's time for Huff to sit a few games and give Belt another chance, but Huff did have a good spring training and as recently as 4 games ago gave Bochy reason to think he would be a better option on offense going forward than Belt.
Deleteagreed, Huff is not playing well and should sit.. We're only 14 games into the season but as the season goes on, it's Bochy's job to get the most out of all 25 players on the roster, including Huff..
DeleteLG
Doc,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is great. So much of what you provide to those of us that visit regularly is is awesome.
On this subject you are just plain wrong, and I have a hard time understanding you dogged insistence that we should wait this out. Huff is just plain done as major league regular. Forget his current 1 for 16, his numbers over his last 700+ plate appearances are horrible - and they are not trending up.
Huff is a poor defender, and his play at 1B yesterday was no aberration. He cost the Giants runs. He is a below average base runner - I am being generous. In other words, he does not help the team in any way other than on offense, and his offense has been, well.......offensive.
I believe Belt is the answer. But I may be wrong. It is Bochy's job to find an answer, and he has done a piss poor job of it to this point.
Scott,
DeleteMaybe you could point out where I said we should wait this out. Here's what I said in the response to your previous comment: "I think it's time for Huff to sit a few games and give Belt another chance,...."
Where in there do I say we should wait it out?
It's OK to disagree with me, but please, at least disagree with what I actually say.
Doc,
ReplyDeleteYou are kidding right? Should I go back to previous threads where you have consistently suggested that giving Huff time is the right call?
It's ok, you are entitled to your view. And, I generally agree with your take on things.
Yes, and up to now I believe it was right to give Huff time to work it out. I think his performance the last 4 games culminating in yesterday's horrific performance BEFORE the 2B debacle shows it's time to put Belt back in there and give him a reasonable numbers of games to show if he can get his feet on the ground.
DeleteAbout these defensive problems, yes some of it is overaggressive play, some is due to Crawford's range. But they need to pay attention to fundamentals. I think its fair to say Posey has been hesitant and rusty at the same time, and Pato is right, he has to eat that ball. Sandoval being a bit out of shape might contribute to some of his miscues. Pagan's troubles could be getting to know the other guys and the park. But overall, its been ugly and it shouldn't just be shrugged off. The Giants have to have a fundamentally sound defense. The mistakes have to stop.
ReplyDeleteScott Thompson, I think you're being rough on Huff early. I think he is facing an uphill battle, but the 700 ABs before the ones you site put the Giants on his back and Huff's stat quotes in the same breath with Pujols and Votto. He was very, very good in 2010. I don't think we'll get that back, but we might get back his career average. Or he is done. But the Giants have to find that out, and more importantly WILL find that out, so my advice is to be patient, don't bang your head on this issue til June.
Everybody was quick to dismiss the Doyers (and I'm looking at you OGC on this one). I think they are absolutely legit and a big time problem. The Giants need to treat all their NL West games like playoff games. They are in the hole early to AZ. They need to crush the Pads, continue good play with the Rocks, and of course, BEAT LA.
Really, you think that Kemp is going to continue hitting like this AND that they will continue to play second division teams all season? That is why they are doing so great right now. I will applaud them for at least taking care of business while the opportunity is there, but I think it is way too early to call them legit.
DeleteHah, we're both on here. Kemp and Kershaw can carry a team for months at a time. Yes, they beat up on the Padres. The Giants seem to have trouble doing the same. We're in the hole already. I hope teams will start pitching around Matt Kemp. I hope we do when we face them. It looks like he decided to take it to another level.
DeleteThe dodgers big weakness is their pen. If their young guys step up and solidify it, yes, they are legit. Sure, Coletti has collected a bunch of middling infielders, and they don't really have a great 1b/lf, but Dee Gordon looks good. Between Gordon and those 2 relievers, that is a lot of rookie if. But if they come correct, the Dodgers are a huge problem.
OGC,
DeleteYes, I think there is evidence that Kemp is capable of being crazy good not just for a whole year, but for a career! Kershaw is close to the best pitcher in baseball if not the best. Those are two mighty strong building blocks for the Dodgers. Do they have enough other pieces? Not sure, but I think they are very dangerous.
And Huff is sitting with Belt starting at 1B in a game that's not gonna get played.
ReplyDeleteGreat, a BS excuse for Bochy to start Huff in the nightcap tomorrow.
DeleteQuestion, if both games are played tomorrow, what do the Giants do for a starter on Friday?
I think you either make it a bullpen game or you send Otero out and bring up Burres for one start.
DeleteI haven't seen anybody else make this comment, but, IMO, the coaching staff and/or Burriss are responsible for the screwed up DP attempt. The coaching staff OR Burriss should have conferred with the out of position Huff before the play to make sure he was a) positioned correctly (he wasn't) and b) understood his responsibilities if the ball was hit to the left side of the IF. I didn't see anybody, especially Burriss, conferring seriously about this with Huff. Next, Bochy says the play was supposed to go to 1b, not a DP. It is obvious nobody told Burriss that as he looked to 2b and hesitated. I think Huff is the easy target. The real fault lies with coaching and, to a lesser extent, with Burriss for not making sure Huff knew what the play - and his responsibility within the play - was. MLB ballplayers are always conferring, making sure they understand their responsibilities. So if is just BS to say it was OK to neglect conferring with Huff, to make sure he understood his role, then blame him for screwing it up. This, BTW, would eliminate the "career tendencies" excuse Huff throws out there. Bottom line, everyone is supposed to know their responsibilities onn the play before the pitch is thrown. That's what meeting on the mound (sans coach - the coach needs to yell at the IF captain, the IF needs to meet at the mound and make sure everyone know thier responsibilities. Without that, this is what you get, everyone playing at a sandlot level, with misunderstandings ruling the day.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you can go over every potential option of the play ahead of time. I also don't know if Bochy saying the play was supposed to go to 1B was something they decided on before the AB or if he was commenting on what decision Burriss should have made after the ball was put in play. It's hard to believe they would not play for the DP in that situation if the opportunity arose. It was not really a DP ball. It was a force play at 2B at best, but I would think you would usually want to get the lead runner if at all possible, although the lead runner, and winning run were ahead of the play so getting the runner at 2B would have been getting the second runner and not the one that mattered anyway.
DeleteWhat hasn't been mentioned is that unless you think they could have gotten a DP on the ball, which I think it's very doubtful, that play probably did not affect the outcome of the game.
OK, went back and reviewed the summary. I had forgotten there was already one out from the sac bunt, so getting one out, any out, on the Huff play would have likely prevented the winning run from scoring that inning. My bad on the second paragraph of above comment.
DeleteI agree that the coaching staff should have conferred with Huff. But as between Burriss and Huff, there is no way Burriss is more culpable than Huff. Huff should have mentally walked through all of the difference scenarios prior to the batter getting coming to bat. I assume you should do that anyways even if you are not playing a new position. Was he so mentally out of the game?
DeleteIt (the upcoming play, the possibilities, the responsibilities, should have been talked about prior to the play. The play should not have started with only an assumption that Huff knew a) where to start the play and b) EXACTLY what his responsibilities were on the play. How hard is that?
DeleteInteresting points, allfrank.
DeleteIt reminds of those shows that go into detail why a airliners crash. (It's related, really, I swear...) There used to be a fairly strict hierarchy in the cockpit. Jr. officers did not question the captain. And often, tragically, a Jr. officer would be in possession of key piece of information, like, "We're heading right for that mountain." But the Jr. would get shut down by the captain and wasn't able to deliver the info.
Could be (and yes I'm getting into some real groundless speculation) that Burriss didn't feel like he could approach a veteran like Huff and remind him of the "obvious" fact that he was covering 2nd on a grounder to the right side. Or that he should move toward 2nd a couple of steps and be ready for a DP ground ball.
Agree with doc that the ball was too slowly hit for a DP. And also that the play did not directly affect the outcome of the game. (Although, it was Tejada who scored the winning run) At the very least, the momentum shifted further in the Met's favor and encouraged Giant-slayer Hairston in his aggressive sliding into home.
Anyway, as for me, I've had enough of Huff. Unfair after a day like that? Sure. But, he is not the future or the present for this club.
Huff should cover 2nd on a grounder to the left side, I meant.
DeleteAs Dr. B points out, they absolutely had to get one out. It is on Burriss and the coacdhing staff that Burriss could not get - was not prepared - one out. Had that happened, Gs win the game.
DeleteAgain, I don't think you can go over every possible scenario before the play starts. So much depends on player judgement re. how hard the ball is hit, where it is hit, etc. For all we know Huff DID remind himself to break toward second as the play started, instinct and force of habit took over. I've had that happen to me many times.
DeleteAgain, it is totally unfair to rip a guy for a play at a position he has never played or even practiced before.
No one is riding Huff out of town on a rail.
DeleteAs I've said above, some playing out-of-position is more difficult than others. This play is worth a little static to Huff.
And yes, part of that judgment is history. If Huff was hitting (last year or this, take your pick) this would not be so much of a thing. But this miscue kind of really highlights some bad impressions fans have of Huff. Fair or unfair to the isolated world of that particular play. That play reinforces a belief that Huff has had a laissez faire attitude with regard to preparation. And not focusing enough to break the right way on play shows that to me. Not to you. But it does to me. For that play, he was not prepared.
We'll just have to disagree, and rather strongly.
DeleteSince we are throwing around blame here I will add my 2 cents on the matter. Bochy was at fault for not leaving himself an option on defense at 2B for the bottom of the ninth. Burris was at fault for looking just as much like a deer in the headlights at SS as Huff did at 2B. Huff was also at fault for not either asking if he had any doubts about the situation or for not making sure he knew where to go and what to do on that play.
ReplyDeleteBochy used up 2 hitters in 1 at bat when he went with Pill and then pulled him in favor of Belt in the ninth. Belt ended up getting the lucky double but that was just ridiculous to not give Pill the chance against a righty. I can understand if it was belt against a righty and then they bring in the lefty so you counter with Pill but I don't buy that Pill can't hit RHP.
Burris looked just as lost at SS as Huff did at 2B. They should have been communicating after every pitch and if the ball really was supposed to go to 1B on the play then Burris should have thrown it there without hesitating. With Huff I think it is easy to say his head wasn't in the game because he has the attitude of a guy who could lose focus but Burris was also not very focused and could have embraced the opportunity to captain the defense which he clearly didn't.
Finally, Huff was at fault because he should have made sure he knew where he was going and should have been extra alert knowing that it wasn't natural for him to be at 2B. At 1B I am sure that Huff's mind wanders on occasion and he finds himself just reacting instinctively but knowing he has no 2B instincts, he shouldn't have lost focus. It is as simple as mentally telling himself where he needs to be if a ball is hit to the left side of the infield before the pitch. Playing out of position is hard but you can make up for it by being more prepared and focused.
I really don't think Brett Pill had much of a chance against Jon Rauch. Maybe Belt didn't either, but it was more than Pill. If the Giants don't get a hit right there, we woudn't be having this discussion about Huff playing 2B. Bochy understood that and went with the guy he thought had the best chance to keep the inning alive. Right or wrong, Bochy has always taken care of the present and worried about the future when it comes. You can argue that is shortsighted, but I bet if you broke it down statistically, it's the right approach.
DeleteAnd I'll agree with you on that Doc. To even get to that point (bottom of 9) Bochy played the best odds. It was the right choice. Get to worrying about 2B defense when/if you get there.
Delete