Chris Heston won his first MLB game and the Giants offense overcame the LOB bug to top the D'Backs in the rubber game of the opening series. Key Lines:
Norichika Aoki- 3 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .429. Aoki has been everything you could ask for in a leadoff man through the first series. Wait 'til he starts doing this in AT&T Park!
Matt Duffy- 2 for 4, 2B, Sac. BA= .600. Duffy made some nifty plays at 2B too. Curious that he got the start at 2B facing a RHP.
Casey McGehee- 2 for 5, 2B, HR(1). BA= .333. McGehee did not see the ball well all of game 2 and seemed to be struggling to get good looks in his first two AB's tonight, striking out with the bases loaded in the first inning. He apparently solved whatever the problem was by mid-game because he scorched a couple of balls, one down the line for a double and then the clinching HR in the top of the 9'th that was a line drive over the LF fence. Man, does he ever have a short, quick stroke to the ball!
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 5. BA= .385. Crawford also crushed the ball on a couple of outs. Bochy is impressed enough to move him up to 5'th in the order tomorrow in San Diego. Crawford is starting the season hot. Let's see if he can stay out of the slumps this season.
Chris Heston- 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 9/1. ERA= 0.00. This was the big story of the night. Heston was fabulous, showing much better velocity than he's been give credit for as well as strikeout quality secondary stuff that he could throw at any point in the count. The FB ran up to 91-93 MPH in the first couple of innings then settled down to 89-91 MPH. On top of that, the FB was a 2-seam with impressive sink and arm side run that he could throw to both sides of the plate. He showed two breaking balls, a slider at about 85 MPH and a curve at about 78 MPH. Both breaking balls had sharp bite in 2 planes. He did not show his changeup until late in the start, but used it to strike out David Peralta showing impressive sink and fade.
I am not sure where Heston fits in long term this season, but he certainly served notice that the Giants have another SP option who can more than hold his own at the big league level in case one or two of the veteran starters is out with a prolonged injury or does not perform. Hesto Presto!
1 shutout inning apiece from Machi, Romo and Casilla with Casilla getting the Save(2).
The Giants now move on to San Diego for the Padres Home Opener tomorrow afternoon with Tim Hudson facing Ian Kennedy.
Brandon Belt and Jake Peavy were both feeling better today so avoided the DL for the time being. Belt too batting practice and said he could feel the groin strain, but did not hold back. Peavy threw a bullpen and said he felt fine.
The Rockies completed a sweep of the BrewCrew and sit on top of the division after the first 3 games with a 3-0 record. The Dodgers got 3 dingers from AGone to top the Padres 7-4 and take the rubber game of their series. They and the Giants are tied for second place at 2-1. The D'Backs and Padres slipped into familiar territory for both with 1-2 records good for a tie for last place.
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If Heston can pitch like this on a consistent basis I think I'd like to see the Giants make some roster moves. Behind Bumgarner we've got a starting staff that's old, fragile, and extremely inconsistent.
ReplyDeleteBochy sounded pretty enthusiastic after the game and basically said Heston is not going anywhere for now. It looks like he is in line to pitch the Home Opener. If he handles himself well then, it's going to be very difficult to send him back down. On the other hand, I think he has options while others don't and that is always a consideration. I think someone else is going to have to pitch themselves out of a role before Heston sticks the rest of the season.
DeleteDown on the Farm starts again tonight. I'm excited to see Tyler Beede starting game 1 for San Jose. Too bad it's in Lancaster.
ReplyDeleteI read one of the reasons why both Duffy and Maxwell started was the starting pitcher for the Dbacks had very strong reverse splits last year and righties hit him much better. Heston looked like a pitcher last night despite the errant pick off throw and when he tripped off the mound. I thought he had good presence and made some good pitches. I think he is going to have to go back down at some point but he may be pitching himself into a spot for next year if he keeps this up
ReplyDeleteBilly Baseball
The mound trip ended up being funny. But only because he pitched a pretty good game. Had it been otherwise, it'd been not so funny...
DeleteFolks - how much does Heston have to do prove he should stay? win 5 games? have the team win half the games he starts? beat the Dodgers in LA? beat the Rockies in CO? have an ERA in the low 3s? I don't think Bochy and his staff have had to make a decision like this on a inexperienced pitcher in recent memory. Maybe Dirty Sanchez?
ReplyDelete22SS
I don't know how you can keep Heston on the staff once everyone is off the DL, no room for him. I think he yoyo's up and down as he is needed and if he keeps doing well, he's in line for a rotation spot next year.
DeleteBilly Baseball
Doc,
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the minor league updates, I took a look at the rosters and noticed a few things...
1) Where is Clayton Blackburn? Is he hurt?
2) Escalante and Chuckie Jones are listed as "Restricted". Did they get busted for PEDs? I hadn't heard anything.
3) Interesting to see Stratton getting opening night duties over Crick. Does this say anything about either of there stick, or do you think it is just a timing issue for AA?
Clayton has an injury, although I forget what it is.
DeleteAs Roger says below, Jones just got busted, and Escalante got busted for a second time (50 Games) six or seven weeks ago.
DeleteChuckie Jones receives 50 game suspension for a drug of abuse. Just when I thought he was turning the corner for being a prospect. Doh.
ReplyDelete