Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Game Wrap Spring Training 2013: Mariners 6 Giants 3

Barry Zito was sharp in his longest spring start to date, but Daryl Maday and Shane Loux gave up 4 runs over the last 3 innings.  Key Lines:

Andres Torres- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SB(2).  BA= .263.

Gregor Blanco- 1 for 3, HBP, SB(4).  BA= .209.  The Giants first two hitters were on base 4 times out of 8 PA's with 2 SB's and 2 Runs.  I really like a lineup with those two speedsters at the top.  Of course, I would rather have Pagan at the top and let the other two compete for the #2 spot and we know Scoots ain't giving up his spot in the 2 hole.

Brandon Belt- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .420.  Belt continues to be insanely hot at the plate.  Let's hope he can carry this success into the season.

Ricky Oropesa- 1 for 1.  BA= .333. Ricky got called back for the game and gets another hit.

Brandon Crawford- 1 for 3, 3B.  BA= .273.  Crawford continues to show some consistency at the plate and be a threat to produce runs at the bottom of the lineup.

Barry Zito- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.46.  Wow!  Look at that K/BB.  I'm really liking this new Barry Zito kid.  Where did the Giants find him again?

Pablo Sandoval reportedly underwent an MRI which showed a bone spur, not a new problem for him.  At this point it is looking like a relatively minor inflammation and irritation of the ulnar nerve and he will likely be back in time to start the season.  Let's keep our fingers crossed.  Pablo is a big part of any scenario that has the Giants contending for a repeat title.

9 comments:

  1. When the opportunity presents itself, one has to make the most of it.
    Pill's injury was an opportunity for Oropesa, and he is making the most of it.
    I know small sample size etc. But the sample size + the averages are good enough to significantly raise Oropesa's profile.

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    1. Agreed. I've been sufficiently impressed with Oropesa's stats and reports of excellent defense at first. This being his first spring and his showing both great approach and power at the plate, my opinion has quickly shifted about this kids future.

      Richmond is going to be tough on all levels of hitter, but Rickey going into his season with this start and confidence is a solid way to kick it off. I'd really like to see him succeed because his skill set is exactly they kind of player the Giants need to be developing to round out the lineup and keep the Farm-line moving.

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    2. Just heard Giants are keeping Ricky around for today's game too.

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    3. And he tripled; 1 RBI, 1 run scored.

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  2. Any articles/interviews on what Ricky learned from his first pro season at San Jose and what he worked on this offseason to improve himself?

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    1. None that I know of. I thought about asking him for an interview this offseason, but decided it might be a bit too invasive what with the work connection and everything.

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  3. I called this the other day :

    " Johnny Monell took some grounders at first base on Tuesday because the Giants are more than a little light on corner infielders at the moment. Brett Pill is recovering from minor knee surgery, Ricky Oropesa was sent down to minor league camp and Pablo Sandoval and Hector Sanchez (an emergency option) are sidelined.

    I thought Monell was pretty smooth over there. Bochy did, too.

    “He looks pretty good,” Bochy said. “Out of the (non-Belt) guys we’ve put over there, he looks the best.”"

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    1. Better than Pill - who is said to be pretty good at 1B?

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