Friday, May 17, 2013

Game Wrap 5/17/2013: Rockies 10 Giants 9

The Rockies won a Coors Field Special with a lot of help from the Giants defense and manager.  Key Lines:

Marco Scutaro- 3 for 5.  BA= .327.  Scooter's hit parade continues.  I think the question is evolving from why is he hitting so well now to why wasn't he hitting like this all along in his career.  That swing is one of the shortest paths to the ball I've ever seen!  The error was on a shallow flyball that took a great effort just to get to.  Maybe not really an error, although it did appear to be catchable.

Pablo Sandoval-  3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .313.  Night at the office for Panda.  He's gotta know he's not going to throw out Eric Young if he leaves his feet on a slow roller, though!

Buster Posey- 2 for 3, HR(6), BB. SF.  BA= .293.

Hunter Pence- 2 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .298.

Brett Pill- 2 for 5.  BA= .333.  Wouldn't be shocked to see a Pill/Belt L-R platoon from now on.

Madison Bumgarner- 4.2 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.09.  Bummy had to throw a ton of pitches, in part due to the 4 errors committed behind him.  I know Bochy is trying to nurse the bullpen along, but Bummy was clearly gassed and probably should not have faced Pacheco after walking LeMahieu.

With the Loss, the Giants fell into a first place tie with the D'Backs who crushed the lowly Marlins 9-2.  The Rockies are 3 games back in 3'rd place.  The Padres dropped their game to the Nationals to remain 5 games off the pace.  The Dodgers lost to the Braves 8-5 on Justin Upton's grand slam HR and remain 6 games behind the leaders in the NL West.

Tim Lincecum faces Tyler Chatwood tomorrow evening in game 3 of the series.

6 comments:

  1. One leg shorter than the other equals chronic back issues causing streaks like the start of this season , and maybe last season. Maybe his 2012 stint with Giants is his true talent level? Go Scoots!

    Belt was hitting well lately, do not see platoon with Pill until he really cools down.

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  2. Belt's Splits:

    vs LHP's: .192/.222/.269
    vs RHP's: .260/.339/.460.

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    1. Small samples, particularly for LHP, which is small even on a seasonal basis.

      FreeBelters would note that Belt has hit well against LHP in majors and minors prior to this year.

      I would note that the Giants seem to believe still in Belt, and thus I do not think a platoon is likely right now for variety of reasons. First, it is early in the season and he is doing OK. Platooning him now would put more pressure on him, better to selectively play Posey at first, a reason Belt should understand emotionally. Second, as I noted above, he has been hitting well recently, why start taking him out now? Third, as noted, it is small samples LHP and he has actually been better v. lHP career. Fourth, he is starting to incorporate power with his disciplined approach, no need to disrupt that right now, so early in the season. Fifth, the Giants do not normally make such a definitive move so early in the season, only if poor play warrants, and he has been doing well lately. Had he continued to do poorly as early, then yeah, I can see a platoon.

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  3. And Pill gets sent down. Hope the staff can settle. Who takes the bump? Timmay! Fasten seatbelts.

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    Replies
    1. Giants recall Machi. Need the extra pitcher. SP's running on fumes.

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