Bloggers Note

Hey team!  I will be offline over the weekend until at least Sunday evening. Go Giants! 

Down on the Farm: 4/25/2024

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats downed the Las Vegas Aviators 7-1:

Marco Luciano SS- 0 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .289.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 5, 2B.  BA= .304.

Yusniel Diaz RF- 1 for 3, HR, BB, 2 SB(4).  BA= . 222.

Chase Pinder CF- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .265.

Mason Black RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, GO/AO= 6/1.  ERA= 1.19.

Tommy Romero RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K, GO/AO= 5/0.  ERA= 2.66.

Casey Schmitt's double drove in 3 runs.  Based on performance, it sure seems Mason Black should be added to take Blake Snell's next turn in the rotation.  Part of that calculation may depend on how quickly the Giants think Snell can come back.

AA:  Bowie Baysox blanked the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-0:

Vaun Brown- 1 for 4 3B.  BA= .111.

Evan Gates RHP- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.96.

Jose Cruz RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 1.35.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Hillsboro Hops 7-6(10 innings):

Diego Velasquez SS- 1 for 4, 2B, BB, SF.  BA= .300. 

Quinn McDaniel CF- 1 for 3, 3 BB, 2 SB(12).  BA= .333.

Onil Perez C- 2 for 6, SB(7).  BA= .356.

Tanner O'Tremba RF- 3 for 4, 2 2B, HBP, SB(4).  BA= .303.

Manuel Mercedes RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K, GO/AO= 6/1.  ERA= 4.91.

Hops took a 6-3 lead in the top of the 10'th but the Ems struck back with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning for the walk-off win.  

A:  San Jose Giants tamed the Fresno Grizzlies 7-0:

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 5, SB(10).  BA= .281.

Cesar Quintas RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .179.

Drew Cavanaugh DH- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .231.

Bo Davidson LF- 2 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .135.

Cale Lansville RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.  ERA= 4.91.

Cesar Perdomo LHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.59.

Cody Tucker RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.22.

Down on the Farm: 4/24/2024

 AAA:   Las Vegas Aviators bombed the Sacramento River Cats 10-4:

Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .300. 

David Villar 1B- 2 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .280.

Trenton Brooks DH- 1 for 2, HR(1), 2 BB, SB(3).  BA= .262.

Daulton Jefferies RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.44.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.68.

Giants need to add someone to rotation for Snell's next turn.  Jefferies, or do you drop someone and add Mason Black to the 40-man? I'd like to see Jefferies get one more start before we give up on him.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Bowie Baysox 6-3:

Will Wilson SS- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .208.

Carter Howell RF- 3 for 3, 2 2B.  BA= .267.

Luis Toribio 3B- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .250.

Ryan Murphy RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 2.12.

Nick Swiney LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 6.00.

A+:  Hillsboro Hops outlasted the Eugene Emeralds 3-2(10 innings):

Tanner O'Tremba LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .241.

Hayden Wynja LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

Andrew Blair RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

A:  Fresno Grizzlies blanked the San Jose Giants 5-0:

Jonah Cox CF- 1 for 3, BB, SB(9).  BA= .269.

Esmerlin Vinicio LHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Game Wrap 8/24/2024: Mets 8 Giants 2

 The bad news started before game time with this one as Blake Snell LHP was a late scratch and IL placement for an adductor strain turning this one into a bullpen game, something Giants fans like about as much as a teeth cleaning.  it went about as well as expected.  Key Lines:

Tyler Fitzgerald CF/2B- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .269.  Fitz has some pop in his bat.  He needs to find a position he can field and give him regular playing time.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.21.  Walker has been the Giants most successful Opener when they need one.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 4/1.  ERA=5.79.  Not what we were hoping to see.  I wonder in this situation why you don't just start Hjelle rather than bring him in from the bullpen?

Landon Roupp RHP- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 3/0.  ERA= 6.17.  Ditto Sean Hjelle above.

Mitch White RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 6.55.  White gets roughed up in his first Giants appearance.  Ideally you would want him to figure things out in AAA but he is out of options so the Giants will try to catch lightening in a bottle.  That did not happen here.

The Loss dropped the Giants to 3 games behind the NL West leading Dodgers and tied with the D'Backs for 3'rd place.  They are 1.5 games behind the second place Padres.

The Giants get a rare day off at home tomorrow before starting a weekend series against the Pirates with Kyle Harrison LHP facing Quinn Priester RHP.

Churn Watch:  

As mentioned above, Blake Snell LHP was placed on the IL with moderate left adductor strain.  Landon Roupp RHP got the call to replace him on the Active Roster. 

Luke Jackson RHP was activated from the IL and Mitch White RHP, who as acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays for cash, as also added to the Active Roster.  Kai-Wei Teng RHP and Nick Avila RHP were optioned to AAA Sacramento.

Down on the Farm: 4/23/2024

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats obliterated the Las Vegas Aviators 14-1:

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 5, BB.  BA= .239.

Brett Wisely 2B- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .353.

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .303.

David Villar DH- 2 for 5, BB. BA= .269.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 3 for 5, 2 2B, 3B.  BA= .313.

Heliot Ramos RF- 3 for 4, HR(6), BB.  BA= .333.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 8.79.

Nick Avila RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. ERA= 0.00.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.04.

Obviously a game to pad the ol' stat line but Casey Schmitt is on some kind of tear.  Fourth multi-hit game in a row and 7'th out of last 8 games, 11 game hit streak. Heliot Ramos continues to stat his case to be the first OF call up.  Whisenhunt likely came out due to pitch count issues, 74 in 3.2 IP.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Bowie Baysox 6-2:

Grant McCray CF- 0 for 3, 2 BB, SB(2).  BA= .163.

Will Wilson SS- 2 for 3, 2 BB, SB(2).  BA= .180.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .228.

Luis Toribio 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .250.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.12.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds came from behind to top the Hillsboro Hops 6-2:

Onil Perez DH- 2 for 3, BB, SB(5).  BA= .382.

Scott Bandura CF- 1 for 3, BB, SB(2).  BA= .139.

Jack Choate LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Nick Morreale RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.60.

Ben Madison RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.00.

Ems scored all 6 runs in the bottom of the 8'th inning.  Onil Perez doesn't hit for much power but what a hit tool!  6 BB's against 3 K's.  Really interesting prospect.

A:  Fresno Grizzlies blanked the San Jose Giants 6-0:

Dylan Carmouche LHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.77.

Cole Hillier RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.35.

Game Wrap 4/23/2024: Giants 5 Mets 1

The Giants broke open a pitching duel between Logan Webb and Luis Severino in the 5'th inning and cruised to an easy win.  Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 1 for 3, 2B, HBP.  BA= .357.  Double drove in the final Giants run.  #4 MLB 1B in fWAR. 

Michael Conforto LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .281.  Conforto is 5 for 12 over his last 3 games.

Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 3, 3B.  BA= .237.  His triple to lead off the 7'th inning started a 2-run rally which made the final 2 innings much easier on the stomach.  Thairo is 4 for 10 over his last 3 games.  .296/.333/.519 over his last 15.

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 2 for 3.  BA= .208.  YtY accounted for 4 of the Giants 5 runs driving in 3 and scoring 1.  Giants were patient and his bat came to life:  .316/.381/.474 over his last 7 games.

Logan Webb RHP- 8 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 15/4.  ERA= 2.33.  Another masterful performance by The Ace.  Webb has now allowed just 3 runs in 29 IP over his last 4 starts.  That's a 0.93 ERA.  Webb's low K rate will probably hurt him in WAR calculations but his walk and GB rates are something else.

The Win enables the Giants to stay 2 games behind the Dodgers and even with the D'Backs in 3'rd place in the NL West.  The Padres lost so they are just 0.5 games ahead in second place.

Interesting matchup tomorrow afternoon as the Giants go for the swweeeeep!  Blake Snell LHP vs Sean Manaea LHP.

Game Wrap 4/22/2024: Giants 5 Mets 2

Keaton Winn turned in another brilliant pitching performance and some key hits got the Giants back on the winning side of the ledger.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .284.  Lee has reached base in 13 consecutive games.  He has reached base at least twice in his last 5 games.  His slash line over his last 7 games is .385/.467/.538.  

Jorge Soler DH- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .250.  Soler's slash line over his last 7 games is .292/.346/.417 and .275/.373/.431 over his last 15.

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 4, 2B, SB(3).  BA= .226.  The double in the 3'rd inning drove in 2 runs to extend the Giants lead to 4-0

Michael Conforto LF- 2 for 4, HR(5).  BA= .271.  Conforto extended the lead to 5-1 in the 6'th with a solo HR.

Nick Ahmed SS- 2 for 4.  BA= .296.  After Tom Murphy took strike 3 looking with the bases loaded and 1 out in the second inning, Ahmed picked him up with a 2-run single and where would this team be without Nick Ahmed?

Keaton Winn RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's, GO/AO= 7/0.  ERA= 3.54.  The lone run Winn allowed was a solo HR to Pete Alonso.  When Bob Melvin allowed him to start the 7'th inning, he put the first two batters on but Ryan Walker picked him up.  Second excellent Start in as many games.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 3.46.  Walker came in with runners at first and 2'nd and no outs.  He promptly got Alonso to reach for a sweeper for a shallow pop fly out.  He then got lefty hitter Brett Baty to line out to Jung Hoo Lee in CF followed by the ground out to end the threat.  Walker has not allowed a run in his last 3 appearances since giving up 3 in 0.2 IP on 4/16 in Miami.

Tyler Rogers RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.61.  Rogers has not allowed a run in his last 5 appearances.

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 3.86.  It was a non-Save situation and as usual Doval sunk to the occasion with 2 walks, an error and wild pitch.  The TV camera panned over to the Giants dugout and Bob Melvin looked none too comfortable.  I texted my buddy and said maybe someone should make sure there was a defibrillator close by.  Doval said "No worries, Papi.  I got this!" and got D. J. Stewart to ground out to end the game.

The Win got the Giants 0.5 games closer to the idle Dodgers at 2 games back. The D'backs lost so they are tied with the Giants for 3'rd place in the NL West.  The Padres won so remain in second place 0.5 games behind the Dodgers.

Logan Webb RHP tries to secure a series win tomorrow facing Luis Severino RHP

Churn Watch:  Luke Jackson RHP was activated from the IL and Nick Avila RHP was optioned to AAA Sacramento.

Down on the Farm: 4/21/2024

AAA:  Oklahoma City Baseball Club(Dodgers) outscored the Sacramento River Cats 5-4:

David Villar 3B- 3f or 5.  BA= .260.

Blake Sabol 1B-C- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .273.

Donovan Walton 2B- 4 for 4.  BA= .273.

Clay Helvey RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Cody Stashak RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.86.

Justin Garza RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.69.

Since April 10, David Villar is 10 for 32(.312) with 4 2B, HR.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Harrisburg Senators 7-4:

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 3, SF.  BA= .294.

Brett Auerbach 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .258.

John Bertrand LHP- 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.75.

Jose Cruz RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 1.93.

Eric Silva RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 6.14.

Nick Garcia RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, Save(1).  ERA= 2.00.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds edged out the Vancouver Canadians 2-1:

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BA= .370.

Diego Velasquez SS- 3 for 4.  BA= .333.

Dylan Cumming RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, GO/AO= 3/0.  ERA= 0.64.

Nick Sinacola RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.75.

Julio Rodriguez RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 2/0.  ERA= 1.42.

Seth Corry LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Cumming, Sinacola and Corry are the trio who posted a combined no-hitter on 4/17.

A:  Modesto Nuts topped the San Jose Giants 5-3:

Cole Foster SS- 3 for 4, 2B.  BA= .327.

Ty Hanchey C- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.

Ubert Mejias RHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 7.94.

Tommy Kane LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.35.

Game Wrap 4/21/2024: D'Backs 5 Giants 3

Jordan Hicks labored mightily for 5 innings and somehow left the game with the lead and a chance to record a Win.  Alas, the bullpen failed to hold amid at least two questionable umpiring calls.  Key Lines:

Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .230.  Thairo has been scuffling.  Regression to career averages would help the offense significantly. 

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .182.  Another scuffler.  With 2 outs in the 5'th inning, the only Giants baserunner off Slade Cecconi RHP was a HBP to Jung Hoo Lee.  Estrada singled and YtY homered onto the RF arcade to give the Giants a 2-1 lead and take Hicks off the hook for a Loss.  

Jordan Hicks RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 0 K, 2 HBP, Balk, GO/AO= 7/3.  ERA- 1.61.  The line is ugly and it's a near miracle he didn't give up more than the 1 run.  96 pitches in 5 innings.  I think the secret sauce was getting a groundball when he had to, but hopefully Hicks and the coaches will figure out how to command the strike zone better.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, GO/AO= 5/1.  ERA= 0.00.  Bob Melvin is an avowed Sean Hjelle fan and he had to like what he saw out of Tall One today.

Umpires- there were two very questionable calls that may have been the difference the game:

6'th inning:  Runners at first and second with no outs.  Christian Walker hits a flyball to Jung Hoo Lee.  The runners tag, the throw is cut off and the trailing runner is called safe at 2B.  Available video was possibly not conclusive but it sure looked like the tag was applied to the runner's chest at least 6 inches before his foot hit the bag.  Giants asked for replay but the call was not overturned.  Was other video available to the replay umps?  We'll never know for sure.  The trailing runner scored so there was one questionable run.

9'th inning:  Runners on first and third, no outs.  Kevin Newman appears to strike out but the ump ruled foul tip keeping the AB alive.  He doubles in a run on the next pitch and puts another runner at 3B who scored on a Sac Fly.  Second questionable run.  

Bob Melvin and Matt Williams were both ejected after Corbin Carroll struck out which should have been the third out of the inning.

Slade Cecconi RHP- 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K, ERA= 3.00.  The Giants were expecting to face Merrill Kelly RHP who was a late scratch.  They did not make Cecconi work very hard as he threw just 64 pitches in his 6 IP.  How important is mental preparation for hitters to face a certain pitcher pitcher?  Does a last minute scratch put them at a disadvantage?  To be clear, Cecconi looked like he had good stuff that the Giants have a recent history of looking terrible against rookie pitchers.

The Loss drops the Giants 2.5 games behind the NL West leading Dodgers, 1.5 games behind the Padres and 1 game behind the D'Backs.

Keaton Winn RHP gets the ball for the first game of a 3-game series against the Mets with Forever Giant Jose Quintana LHP on the mound for the Mets.

Down on the Farm: 4/20/2024

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the Oklahoma City Baseball Club(Dodgers):

Luis Matos LF- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .226.

Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .303.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .295.

Spencer Howard RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, GO/AO= 7/2.  ERA= 4.86.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 0.73.

Casey stays hot.  Hopefully the start of better days for Luis Matos.  Howard is depth for the MLB rotation.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Harrisburg Senators 6-1:

Grant McCray DH- 2 for 5, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .171.

Carter Howell CF- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .211.

Brett Auerbach 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .222.

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K.  ERA= 2.38.

Reggie Crawford LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, GO/AO= 3/0.  ERA= 0.00.

Big news here is probably Crawford's electric outing.  Reportedly hit 98 MPH on the radar guns.  Like Matos in AAA, hopefully this is the start of some good things for Grant McCray.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Vancouver Canadians 3-1( 7 innings, Game 1 of doubleheader):

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 2 for 3, BB, SB(7).  BA= .342.

Tanner O'Tremba RF- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .182.

Manuel Mercedes RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 6.52.

Matt Mikulski LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 0.00.

A+:  Vancouver Canadians outscored the Eugene Emeralds 7-5(7 innings, Game 2 of doubleheader):

Turner Hill RF- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .281.

Quinn McDaniel CF- 2 for 4, 3 SB(10).  BA= .357.

Tyler Vogel RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Quinn McDaniel looks like quite the dynamic player.  Mostly plays 2B but appears to have plenty of speed to cover CF.

A:  Modesto Nuts buried the San Jose Giants 8-3:

Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .150.

Joe Whitman LHP- 3 IP, 2 H 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 6.52. 

Luke Jackson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Joe Whitman reportedly looked great for 3 innings hitting 96 MPH on the radar gun, but then lost control of the strike zone in the 4'th and reliever Michael Rodriguez LHP allowed 3 inherited runners to score.

Game Wrap 4/20/2024: Giants 7 D'Backs 3

 Patrick Bailey celebrated his bobblehead day with one of the best offensive days by any Giants hitter in recent memory.  Jung Hoo Lee had a game of his own and the bullpen picked up Kyle Harrison with 5 innings of scoreless ball.  This was also one of the more entertaining Giants wins in recent memory.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 5, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .289.  After Kyle Harrison allowed a run in the first inning, Lee got it back in a hurry with a leadoff HR.  He also drove in an insurance run in the 8'th with an oppo-field double and later scored the final Giants run.

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 2 for 3.  BA= .388.  LMWJ is locked in.  It looks to me like he's taken the next step from the plate discipline we saw last season to being more aggressive on hittable pitches.  Then again a BABIP of over .500 is not sustainable.

Patrick Bailey C- 4 for 4, 2 2B, HR(2).  BA= .340.  Have a day, Patrick Bailey!  He was well on his way to a triple to complete a cycle when the ball skipped into the stands in L-CF for a ground rule double.  Oh!  And the HR as a splash hit, the first since YtY on June 19 of last season.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.00.  Not a great start by any stretch but there was some bad BABIP luck involved as evidenced by the K/BB.  He was able to complete the 4'th inning and limit the damage.  

Bullpen- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K.  Now THIS is what we are looking for!  Ryan Walker RHP, Erik Miller LHP, Taylor Rogers LHP, Tyler Rogers RHP and Camilo Doval RHP were all sensational.  The only baserunner was a bloop single off Tyler Rogers to lead off the 8'th inning but he promptly erased that runner with a GIDP so it looks like as a group they faced the minimum number of batters over the final 5 innings.

The Dodgers and Padres both lost so the Giants finish the day tied with the D'Backs for 3'rd place in the NL West just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers and 0.5 games behind the Padres.

Jordan Hicks RHP tries for a series win tomorrow afternoon against Merrill Kelly RHP.

Churn Watch:

Kai-Wei Teng RHP was optioned to AAA Sacramento and Sean Hjelle RHP was activated off the IL.  The Giants also acquired Mitch White RHP from the Blue Jays for cash considerations.  Alex Cobb RHP was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for White. White was once a highly touted prospect for the Dodgers and pitched fairly well for them at the MLB level but his career fell on hard times after a trade to the Blue Jays.  The Giants pitching gurus will try to help him find the old magic.

Down on the Farm: 4/19/2024

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the Oklahoma City Baseball Club(Dodgers) 7-5:

David Villar 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(2), BB.  BA= .250.

Trenton Brooks 1B- 2 for 4, BB, SB(2).  BA= .278.

Casey Schmitt SS- 2 for 4, BB, SB(4).  BA= .284.

Heliot Ramos LF- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .348.

Yusniel Diaz DH- 2 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .238.

Mason Black RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 1.53.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.17.

Mason Black seems about ready for a big callup.

AA:  Harrisburg Senators blanked the Richmond Flying Squirrels 4-0:

Will Wilson SS- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .143.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .208.

Travis Kiest RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 1.23.

Nick Garcia RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.25.

EL has always been rough on Giants hitting prospects and this year looks like no exception.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Vancouver Canadians 8-6:

Matt Higgins LF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .423.

Jack Payton 1B- 2 for 4.  BA= .179.

Justin Bench RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .286.

Andrew Kachel DH- 3 for 4, 2B, 3B, HR(1).  BA= .407.

Hayden Wynja LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 6.55.

Cameron Cotter RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Kachel fell a single short of a cycle.

A:  Modesto Nuts buried the San Jose Giants 9-3:

Jonah Cox CF- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .324.

Elian Rayo 3B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .342.

Ty Hanchey C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .294.

Cesar Perdomo RHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 2.16.

Junior Flores RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.70.

Game Wrap 4/19/2024: D'Backs 17 Giants 1

 Blake Snell's start seemed promising but perhaps fatigue caught up with him in the 5'th inning and the route was on.  Key Lines:

Jorge Soler DH- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .240.  Soler's HR in the 4'th briefly cut the deficit to 1 but was the only bright spot in an otherwise absent Giants lineup.

Blake Snell LHP- 4.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 11.57.  Snell got through the first two scoreless frames on 26 pitches and 3 GB outs against 1 FB out.  Then he ran into Blaze Alexander who hit the first of two doubles off him, the first only after the initial HR call was overturned.  Still, Snell got through 4 innings with just 2 runs allowed.  The first batter of the 5'th inning doubled on a pop up to 2B.  Snell got the next two batters but Christian Walker singled in a run on a ground ball to RF.  The next two batters hit line drives and that was it for Snell.  Probably not nearly as bad as the line looks and some reason for optimism going forward.

The Dodgers and Padres both lost so the Giants remain 2.5 games behind the Dodgers in 4'th place in the NL West, 1.5 games behind the Padres and 1 game behind the D'Backs.

Kyle Harrison LHP tries to get the Giants back on the winning side of the ledger this afternoon facing Zac Gallen RHP

Down on the Farm: 4/18/2024

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the Oklahoma City Baseball Club(Dodgers) 8-4:

Heliot Ramos DH- 2 for 3, HR(5), 3 BB.  BA= .349.

Brett Wisely 2B- 4 for 6.  BA= .353.

Trenton Brooks 1B- 2 for 4, BB, SB(1).  BA= .260.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .271.

Blake Sabol C- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .265.

Daulton Jefferies RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 3.38.

Justin Garza RHP- 2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 1.86.

Giants best bet is probably to be a bit more patient with YtY and Slater but Heliot is demanding another chance.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels quieted the Harrisburg Senators 6-2:

Carter Howell RF- 2 for 3, 3B, 2 BB.  BA= .172.

Vaun Brown CF- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .091.

Damon Dues LF- 3 for 4.  BA= .174.

Ryan Murphy RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Wil Jensen RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 1.64.

Some low BA's on this Squirrels team.

A+:  Vancouver Canadians beat the Emeralds 7-2:

Onil Perez C- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .379.

Jack Choate LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Julio Rodriguez RHP- 1.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Onil Perez is a hitting machine! 

A:  Modesto Nuts topped the San Jose Giants 4-2:

Luke Jackson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Shane Rademacher RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 4/0.  ERA= 3.38.

Luke Jackson begins rehab assignment.

Game Wrap 4/18/2024: Giants 5 D'Backs 0

The Giants got their homestand off to a rousing start with a sensational start from Logan Webb and put the game away with a late rally.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .282.  Lee leads the team in hits with 22, 3 more than Michael Conforto.  He also reached on an error by 2B Ketel Marte that was probably caused by his speed.

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 0 for 1, 2 BB, SF.  BA= .370.  LMWJ drove in the Giants first run with a Sac Fly in the 3'rd inning.  As it turned out that was the winning run but he contributed to the insurance rally in the 8'th by walking and scoring.

Wilmer Flores PH- 1 for 1, 2B.  BA= .244.  The Giants loaded the bases to start the 8'th inning.  After Soler grounded weakly into a force out at home, the D'Backs brought in a lefty reliever to face Michael Conforto.  Bob Melvin countered with Wilmer who delivered the back-breaker double to make it 3-0.

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .135.  YtY's double off a LHP drove in 2 to cap the Giants scoring.  He also made a sensational catch in R-CF to rob Gabriel Moreno of a hit leading off the 8'th inning.  Getting YtY going would be a huge boost to the Giants season.

Nick Ahmed SS- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .271.  Ahmed started the 8'th inning rally with a ringing double off the L-CF fence that had a serious chance to be a HR.  He also played a stellar SS.

Logan Webb RHP- 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, GO/AO= 13/1.  ERA= 2.93.  Webb allowed singles to the first two batters he faced then set down 19 in a row before walking Christian Walker with one out in the 7'th.   Webb promptly picked Walker off 1B.  Just great, great start by a true ace.

The rest of the NL West was idle so the Giants gained a half game on the division and are now tied with the D'Backs at 9-11, 2.5 games behind the Dodgers and 1.5 games behind the Padres.

Blake Snell LHP faces Jordan Montgomery LHP tomorrow evening in the battle of the Boras late-signers.  Montgomery has already ditched Boras. Will Snell be next?

Down on the Farm: 4/17/2024

 AAA:  Oklahoma City Baseball Club(AKA Dodgers) held off the Sacramento River Cats 4-3:

Blake Sabol 1B- 2 for 4, SB(3).  BA= .227.

Chase Pinder RF- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .300.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 11.81.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Clay Helvey RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Clay Helvey may be a sleeper in the system to keep an eye on.

AA:  Harrisburg Senators outlasted the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-4(11 innings):

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 2 for 5.  BA= .250.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.77.

Ragsdale looking good coming off arm surgery.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds shut out the Vancouver Canadians 5-0:

Scott Bandura RF- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .167.

Matt Higgins LF- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .409.

Andrew Kachel 1B- 0 for 0, SB(3).  BA= .348.

Dylan Cumming RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, GO/AO= 4/0.  ERA= 0.82.

Nick Sinacola RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.00.

Seth Corry LHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

3 pitchers, 9 innings, no hits.  Ems are 9-1 on the season.

A:  San Jose Giants topped the Modesto Nuts 5-4:

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4, BB, SB(3).  BA= .250.

Cole Foster 2B- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .306.

Javier Francisco 1B- 1 for 3, 3B, HBP.  BA= .211.

Dylan Carmouche 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 3.60.

Game Wrap 4/17/2024: Giants 3 Marlins 1

Keaton Winn pitched six strong innings and the Giants hit just well enough to secure a series win on the road.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .270.  Lee seems to starting to hit his stride, hitting .313 over his last 7 games, and should not bat anywhere but leadoff even against LHP's.

Jorge Soler DH- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .239.  Still not a lot of power but Soler bounces back from a terrible game last night.

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .208.  Chapman drove in a valuable insurance run and set up an opportunity for more in the 8'th inning but the Giants left runners at 2'nd and 3'rd stranded.

Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .239.  Thairo is hitting .380 over his last 7 games.

Keaton Winn RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.09.  Winn did not give up a run until the 6'th inning when he took a comebacker off the foot which appeared to affect his location and the next batter hit a solo HR.  He later issued a walk to Jazz Chisholm but Patrick Bailey C took care of him on a CS.  Bob Melvin indicated he took Winn out early due to concern for the impact of the (very mild) foot injury.  Winn appears to be a full-fledged MLB SP with avoiding serious injury his biggest challenge.

Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 6.00.  Melvin used Miller in the 7'th with just a 1-run lead.  He now has 4 consecutive scoreless appearances with 7 K and 0 BB in 4 IP.

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(3).  ERA= 3.60.  Doval has not allowed a run in 4.1 IP since his first appearance on March 30.

All 4 NL West rivals lost today so the Giants Win puts them 3 games behind the division leading Dodgers, 1 game behind the D'Backs and 2 games behind the Padres.  The Giants record stands at 8-11 or 8-8 outside Dodger Stadium.

The Giants come home to start a 4-game series against the division rival D'Backs tomorrow evening with Logan Webb RHP taking the mound against Ryne Nelson RHP.

Down on the Farm: 4/16/2024

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the Oklahoma City Baseball Club aka Dodgers 3-2:

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .352.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .258.

Heliot Ramos RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .357.

Blake Sabol C- 2 for 4.  BA= .200.

Ismael Munguia CF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA- .179.

Carson Seymour RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K's, GO/AO= 5/0.  ERA= 2.16.

AA:  Harrisburg Senators edged out the Richmond Flying Squirrels 3-2:

Grant McCray CF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .148.

Logan Wyatt 1B- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .200.

John Bertrand LHP- 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K, GO/AO= 7/1.  ERA= 3.00.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds were idle.

A:  Modesto Nuts buried the San Jose Giants 14-2:

Elian Rayo DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .345.

Trent Harris RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Harris is a 25 yo NDFA.

Game Wrap 4/16/2024: Marlins 6 Giants 3

Some quetionable fielding and a bullpen failure kept the Giants from securing a series win against the Marlins.  Key Lines:

Austin Slater RF- 1 for 3.  BA= .133.  The Giants hit into some bad luck in this one.  Slater led off the game by smoking one to RF but right at Jesus Sanchez who struggled to hang on but did for the first out.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(4).  BA= .205.  Still more than on track to hit 25 on the season.

Nick Ahmed SS- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .288.  There was a missed GIDP which contributed to the Marlins 2-run 4'th inning.  Questionable whether it would have been different with Estrada at 2B instead of Fitz.  In the end it probably did not matter to the outcome.

Jordan Hicks RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 8/2.  ERA= 1.57.  At 86 pitches, Hicks probably could have gone another inning but threw a lot of pitches in the 4'th.  As it was he left with the game tied at 2. Alas, Ryan Walker RHP didn't have it and gave up a 3 spot in the 6'th which effectively ended the ballgame.

The Loss left the Giants record at 7-11, 4 games behind the Dodgers, 3 behind the Padres and 2 behind the D'Backs.  

Keaton Winn RHP goes for a series win tomorrow at 9:10 AM PDT facomg Trevor Rogers LHP

Game Wrap 4/15/2024: Giants 4 Marlins 3

A 3-run rally in the 7'th inning turned a Quality Start by Kyle Harrison into a Win with the bullpen closing it out.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .258.  Lee singled to lead off the game but was CS.  He walked in the 4'th inning and scored the Giants first run of the game.  Then in the 7'th, he singled in the Giants third run but was left stranded at 3B in a bases-loaded, 2-out situation.  So Lee was directly responsible for 2 of the Giants 4 runs and contributed to a third run.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 3/11.  ERA= 4.70.  Kind of an odd pitching line and not one you want to count on to repeat but in this game it was good enough for a QS and a W.

Tyler Rogers RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, GO/AO= 3/1.  Forever Giant Otto Lopez led off the 7'th inning against Rogers by reaching on a throwing error by Nick Ahmed.  That apparently counts as a GO which is how Rogers could accumulate 3 GO's and 1 AO in one inning of work. Other than that, nice job pitching out of the leadoff error.  BTW, Ahmed committed two throwing errors in the game.

Camilo Doval RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 2/0, Save(2).  ERA= 4.50.  Doval had not pitched since April 7. I guess Bob Melvin doesn't believe in using Closers in non-save situations just to keep them loose.

The Win improved the Giants record to 7-10 and cut the Giants deficit to the NL West leading Dodgers to 3 games. The Giants remain in 3'rd place 2 games behind the Padres and 1 game behind the D'Backs. Interestingly enough the Giants and Dodgers have both played .500 ball since the opening series.

Jordan Hicks RHP tries to secure a series win tomorrow facing Ryan Weathers LHP.

Down on the Farm: 4/14/2024

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats shut out the El Paso Chihuahuas 4-0:

Casey Schmitt 3B- 3 for 4, 2 HR(3).  BA= .241.

Yusniel Diaz RF- 1 for 3, HR(1):  BA= .241.

Tommy Romero RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K.  BA= 1.10.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 0.00.

Spencer Bivens RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(3).  ERA= 5.56.

This was Casey Schmitt's third multi-hit game in a row within an 5 game hit streak.  He is 10 for 21 in his last 5 games with 3 HR.  Still rooting for Sean Hjelle to get another shot and figure it out at the MLB level.  He's a unique talent who provides a different look for batters to adjust to.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels sank the Akron Rubber Ducks 5-1:

Grant McCray DH- 2 for 4, HR(1), BB, SB(1).  BA= .125.

Hunter Bishop CF- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .267.

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4.  BA= .263.

Andy Thomas 1B= 3 for 4.  BA= .190.

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 3.38.

Eric Silva RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 9.64.

Evan Gates RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

Maybe this game will get McCray going.  Solid start for Birdsong who is one of several SP prospects who will be knocking on the door to the Giants clubhouse at Oracle Park by midseason.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds completed a 6-game sweep of the Everett Aquasox 5-1:

Diego Velasquez SS- 1 for 4, HBP.  BA= .313.

Matt Higgins 1B- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .444.

Jack Payton C- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .125.

Andrew Kachel LF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .348.

Seth Lonsway LHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.80.

A:  San Jose Giants vs Visalia Rawhide postponed due to wet grounds.

Game Wrap 4/14/2024: Rays 9 Giants 4

Blake Snell was roughed up for the second consecutive time to start the season as the Giants dropped another series to the Rays.  Key Lines:

Jorge Soler DH- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .228.   Soler's bat seems to be coming to life which is sorely needed.

Michael Conforto LF- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .298.  Conforto continues to lead the team in OPS among Qualified Batters but Lamonte Wade Jr and Tyler Fitzgerald are ahead of among all players.

Tyler Fitzgerald SS- 2 for 4, 2B, 3B.  BA= .417.  Fitz seems to be moving up the depth charts and getting more opportunities.

Blake Snell LHP- 4 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA 12.86.  Snell wasn't wild like in his first start but he still struggled with command within the zone.  2-run and 3-run dingers were his undoing.  I didn't see what he threw on the back-breaker 3-run job but he hung a changeup on the 2-run shot that capped off a 3-run first inning.  Still the equivalent of a spring start for him so have to believe he'll be better and stronger next start.

The Giants move on to Miami for a series against the Marlins with Kyle Harrison LHP facing A. J. Puk LHP tomorrow at 3:40 PM PDT.

Down on the Farm: 4/13/2024

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats pummeled the El Paso Chihuahuas 8-2:

Heliot Ramos LF- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .346.

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.

Trenton Brooks DH- 2 for 3, SF, Sac.  BA= .237.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 5, 2 SB(3).  BA= .185.

Ismael Munguia RF- 1 for 4, 3B.  BA= .182.

Clay Helvey RHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.08.

AA:  Akron Rubber Ducks defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-4:

Hunter Bishop DH- 1 for 3, HBP.  BA= .269.

Logan Wyatt 1B- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB, SB(1).  BA= .182.

Wil Jensen RHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Nick Garcia RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.80.

Nick Garcia was picked up this winter in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Everett Aquasox 6-5:  

Diego Velasquez SS- 0 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .321.

Onil Perez C- 2 for 4, BB, SB(3).  BA= .429.

Justin Bench RF- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .250.

Zach Morgan 1B- 1 for 4, 2B, SF, SB(2).  BA= .350.

Nick Morreale RHP- 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Ben Madison RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Velasquez, Perez and Morgan are probably the 3 prospects I am most bullish on for the Ems.  

A:  San Jose Giants vs Visalia Rawhide postponed due to rain.  Makeup game today.

Game Wrap 4/13/2024: Giants 11 Rays 2

The Giants lineup took out their frustrations with a 5 HR explosion to give Logan Webb an easy Win for a change.  Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 2 for 3, HR(1), 2 BB.  BA= .368.  LMWJ has been a consistent bright spot in the Giants lineup.  Huge game here.

Jorge Soler DH- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .208.  Just a reminder we're 15 games and 3 HR projects to 30 on the season.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 4, HR(3), BB.  BA= .213.  I predicted 25 HR and he's on a pace for 30.

Thairo Estrada 2B- 3 for 4, 2 HR(3), BB.  BA= .224.  Another projected 30 HR guy.

Patrick Bailey C- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .306.  OK, so maybe Bailey didn't need more seasoning in AAA.

Logan Webb RHP- 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K, GO/AO= 12/2.  ERA= 3.80.  A signature Webb Start.  Difference is he got run support.  

Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 7.71.  Low leverage work here, but after a couple of disastrous appearances, Miller has settled down to K 8 batters against 1 BB in 4.1 IP over his last 4 appearances.

The Win improved the Giants record to 6-9 while they remained 4 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 1 game behind the D'Backs and Padres.  

Blake Snell LHP tries to bounce back from a wild first start and give the Giants a series win facing Shawn Anderson RHP who is probably an Opener in a 10:40 AM PDT game.

Down on the Farm: 4/12/2024

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats mauled the El Paso Chihuahuas 9-2:

Marco Luciano SS- 0 for 3, 2 BB, 2 SB(3).  BA= .326.

David Villar 3B- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .245.

Heliot Ramos RF- 3 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .354.

Casey Schmitt 2B- 2 for 4, HR(1), SF.  BA= .163.

Mason Black RHP- 5 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 1.98.

Justin Garza RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.29.

Heliot should be first up for an OF call up.  Can't let another first round draft pick go without a legitimate shot at a MLB roster spot.  Sensational start for Mason Black.  It's already starting to look like the Giants could be in sell mode at the trade deadline which could give a guy like Black a chance to join the long term rotation.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels edged out the Akron Rubber Ducks 3-2:

Will Wilson SS- 1 for 2, HR(1), 2 BB.  BA= .091.

Ryan Murphy RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 2.57.

Nick Swiney LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 6.75.

Travis Kiest RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, Save(1).  ERA= 2.25.

Wilson's 3-run HR won the game but time is running out on his chances for a MLB career with a BA of .091.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds outscored the Everett Aquasox 7-5:

Diego Velasquez SS- 1 for 4, BB.  BA= .360.

Scott Bandura CF- 2 for 4, 2B, 3B, BB.  BA= .190.

Zach Morgan C- 2 for 4.  BA= .375.

Andrew Kachel 1B- 2 for 4.  BA= .353.

Justin Wishkoski 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .217.

Turner Hill RF- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .316.

Daniel Blair RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.80.

Seth Corry LHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K. ERA= 0.00.

Cameron Cotter RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, Save(1).

Nice to see Seth Corry apparently healthy and pitching multiple scoreless frames, but the walks are still there.

A:  San Jose Giants topped the Visalia Rawhide 2-1(8 innings, first game of DH): 

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4, SB(2).  BA= .316.

Elian Rayo 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.

Cesar Quintas RF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .125.

Cale Lansville RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.80.

Cesar Perdomo LHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.80.

Tommy Kane LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

If Maui Ahuna can hit, he's got a serious shot because by all reports he's a plus defender at SS.  Reminder A ball is a conservative starting point for a college draftee from a major conference.

A:  San Jose Giants defeated the Visalia Rawhide 4-3:

Jonah Cox CF- 1 for 1, 2B, 4 BB, 3 SB(7).  BA= 385.

Cole Foster SS- 0 for 1, 2 BB, HBP, SB(2).  BA= .333.

Joe Whitman LHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.05.

Shane Rademacher RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Can Jonah Cox walk(or run) out of San Jose?  Shane Rademacher appears to be a NDFA who pitched 4 innings over 2 games for the Giants Orange ACL team last season.

Game Wrap 4/12/2024: Rays 2 Giants 1

 The Giants again failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities costing Keaton Winn a hard-luck loss.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 1 for 5, SB(1).  BA= .250.  Lee made the most of his one hit stealing 2B, taking 3B on a throwing error and scoring on a WP.  The Giants reached base 11 other times including getting the tying run to 3B in the 9'th inning with 1 out but failed to score any more runs.

Keaton Winn RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's, GO/AO= 5/1.  ERA= 5.06.  Maybe not an ace level start but Winn deserved better than a L on his record.

Landon Roupp RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 2.08.  Roupp has filled a valuable role as a multi-inning reliever.  

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. ERA= 2.08.  Walker has also been a valuable reliever in multiple roles.

The Loss dropped the Giants record to 5-9, 4'th place in the NL West, 4 games behind the Dodgers, 2 behind the Padres and 1 behind the D'Backs.  They need to go 76-72 the rest of the season to finish at .500.  They have to go 85-63 to finish with 90 Wins.

Logan Webb RHP tries to get the Giants back on the winning side of the ledger tomorrow facing Ryan Pepiot RHP.

Down on the Farm: 4/11/2024

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the El Paso Chihuahuas 10-9:

David Villar DH- 2 for 3, 2 2B, BB.  BA= .205.

Heliot Ramos LF- 1 for 4, 3B.  BA= .318.

Chase Pinder CF- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .400.

Brett Wisely 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .364.

Daulton Jefferies RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 4.82.

 

Carson Whisenhunt LHP didn't have it in this one and put the Cats in a 7-0 hole in just 1.1 IP.   Heliot's bases-loaded triple was the big blow in a comeback win.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels edged out the Akron Rubber Ducks 2-1:

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .286.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K.  ERA= 3.38.

Eric Silva RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 16.88.

Mat Olsen RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 7/71.

Evan Gates RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

Nice bounceback by Eric Silva after getting torched in his previous appearance.  Carson Ragsdale struck out the side in the first inning.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Everett Aquasox 7-4:

Turner Hill LF- 3 for 4, BB, SB(1).  BA= .333.

Quinn McDaniel CF- 1 for 4, HR(1), SF.  BA= .438.

Onil Perez C- 2 for 3, 2 2B, BB, SB(2).  BA= .412.

Thomas Gavello 3B- 2 for 5.  BA= .214.

Jack Choate LHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Onil Perez keeps raking and shows his SB speed last year was not a fluke.

A:  San Jose Giants blanked the Visalia Rawhide 3-0:

Josh Bostick RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.38.

Esmerin Vinicio LHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 9.00.

Cole Hillier RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.45.

*************************************************************************************

Well, well, well!  The first shoe seems to have dropped in the fallouut from Scott Boras Corp's no-good, very bad, disastrous winter.  Jordan Montgomery LHP announced he was changing representation to Wasserman.  You have to wonder how many more will follow.

Down on the Farm: 4/10/2024

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the El Paso Chihuahuas 7-3:

Heliot Ramos RF- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(4), BB.  BA= .325.  

Trenton Brooks DH- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .194.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.42.

If FZ is truly remorseful about not giving Heliot more of shot last season, he is likely to have an opportunity to make that right at some point this season.

AA:  Akron Rubber Ducks topped the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-3:

Grant McCray CF- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .071.

Victor Bericoto 1B- 3 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .318.

Hunter Bishop LF- 3 for 5, SB(1).  BA= ..333.

John Bertrand LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.70.

Nick Garcia RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Victor Bericoto has toonder in his bat.  Wouldn't it be wild if Hunter Bishop had a huge breakout year worthy of a former high first round draft pick and made and impact at the MLB level?  We can dream, right?

A+:  Eugene Emeralds pounded the Everett Aquasox 7-2:

Matt Higgins 1B- 2 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .583.

Andrew Kachel LF- 3 for 4, BB.  BA= .300.

Justin Bench RF- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .250.

Dylan Cumming RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.13.

Nick Sinacola RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.50.

A:  Visalia Rawhide whipped the San Jose Giants 8-3:

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 1 for 1, 2B.  BA= .278.

Dylan Carmouche LHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 6.00.

Eldridge doubled in the first inning but was lifted for a PH in the second inning.  Injury?  

Game Wrap 4/10/2024: Giants 7 Nationals 1

Nick Ahmed and Tyler Fitzgerald let the Giants offense turning Jordan Hicks Quality Start into a Win.  Key Lines:

Michael Conforto LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .326.  Conforto leads the team in OPS for hitters with 30 AB or more.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .208.  After a hot start, Chapman has been slumping.  Giants need him to get it going.  Still predicting 25 HR's for him on the season.

Nick Ahmed SS- 3 for 3, 3B.  BA= .282.  Ahmed has not hit for much power but he drove the triple to CF.  Ahmed has been a decent hitter in his career.  Maybe he can find that again?

Tyler Fitzgerald CF- 3 for 3, 2B, 2 SB(2).  BA= .500.  Fitz stole 2B and 3B in the second inning leading to a run.  Probably bought himself some extra leash with this performance.

Jordan Hicks RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 7/4.  ERA= 1.00.  Hicks has been a revelation as a SP.  Needed just 79 pitches to get through 6 IP.  His stuff is good enough he can afford to pitch to contact.  Only run he gave up was a solo shot to Joey Gallo.

Ryan Walker RHP, Landon Roupp RHP and Erik Miller LHP worked a scoreless inning each with Miller striking out the side in the 9'th.

The Win improved the Giants record to 5-8, 4 games behind the Dodgers and 1 behind the Padres and D'Backs.

Tomorrow is a travel day. Giants start a weekend series in Tampa Bay against the Rays on Friday with Keaton Winn RHP facing TBD.

Down on the Farm: 4/9/2024

 AAA:  El Paso Chihuahuas nipped the Sacramento River Cats 3-1:

Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 3, SF.  BA= .371.

Blayne Enlow RHP- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 8/2.  ERA= 8.22.

Tommy Romero RHP- 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 1.59.

AA:  Akron Rubber Ducks edged out the Richmond Flying Squirrels 2-1:

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K.  ERA= 4.50.

Wil Jensen RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.80.

Clay Helvey RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 0.00.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Everett Aquasox 6-3:

Diego Velasquez SS- 3 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .438.

Matt Higgins DH- 2 for 2, BB, Sac.  BA= .556.

Zach Morgan 1B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(1), SB(1).  BA= .400.

Nick Morreale RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.  BA= 0.00.

Ben Madison RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

So far Diego Velasquez is not hitting the Emerald Wall, pick up right where he left off last season as San Jose's MVP.

A:  San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 7-4:

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 5, SB(3).  BA= .471.

Cole Foster SS- 3 for 4, BB.  BA= .412.

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 1 for 5, 2B.  BA= .235.

Luke Shliger C- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .273.

Ubert Mejias RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, GO/AO= 8/2.  ERA= 0.00.

Junior Flores RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Trent Harris RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Good to see Cole Foster, Giants 3'rd round draft pick off to a hot start after stumbling in a late promotion last season.

Game Wrap 4/9/2024: Nationals 5 Giants 3

 The score might have been closer than last night but this loss might have been more disappointing as the Giants had their emerging ace, Kyle Harrison facing a pitcher with a career ERA well over 6.......and lost.  Key lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 5.  BA= .255.  Lee continues to do the things the Giants signed him to do, but that doesn't go far if he doesn't have support behind him in the lineup.

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 2 for 3, Sac.  BA= .130.  Getting YtY going would help this offense a lot.

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 1, 2 BB, SF.  BA= .296.  Can't complain about anything Bailey has done or not done so far.  He's actually off to a pretty good start to the season.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.76.  A QS but that's not going to be enough with this lineup and bullpen behind him.

Bullpen- 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 1 K.   Right now the Giants do not have a MLB-caliber bullpen.

Jordan Hicks RHP tries to stave off a sweep at the hands of one of the weaker teams in the league tomorrow afternoon facing Patrick Corbin LHP

Game Wrap 4/8/2024: Nationals 8 Giants 1

Well, that's not how they drew it up.  Blake Snell was wild high with the FB and paid the price while the Giants lineup continued to struggle to score runs.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .238.  Things looked promising when Lee singled to lead off the Giants half of the first inning and scored on Lamonte Wade Jr's double but that would be the last run they scored in the game despite Lee reaching base 3 times.

Lamonte Wade Jr LF- 2 for 3, 2 2B.  BA= .333.  LMWJ continues to confound the doubters.  He didn't get help behind him in the lineup.

Blake Snell LHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 9.00.  Lack of FB command was the key here as Snell was wild high all evening, which only lasted 3 innings.  Snell has always walked a lot of batters so we'll see, but I expect him to be better next start.  This was the equivalent of a 2'nd or 3'rd preseason start.

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 4/1.  ERA= 7.11.  Teng's performance was better than the line.  He pitched 3 shutout ininngs before running into trouble in the 9'th when his pitch count probably got too high.  He threw 61 pitches in all.  I would count him as a bright spot in the game.

The Loss drops the Giants to 4-7 tied for 3'rd place in the NL West with the D'Backs, 4 games behind the Dodgers and 1 behind the Padres.

Kyle Harrison LHP tries to get the Giants back on the winning side of the ledger tomorrow evening with Josiah Gray RHP taking the mound for the Nationals.

Here we go.  Michael Conforto OF sat out the game with a sore side.

Down on the Farm: 4/7/2024

AAA:  Reno Aces downed the Sacramento River Cats 6-4:

Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 5, 2B.  BA= .375.

Brett Wisely CF- 1 for 3, BB, SB(3).  BA= .385.

Spencer Howard RHP- 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 4/1.  ERA= 7.88.

Luis Matos went 0 for 5 to drop his BA to .208.  Slow start for Matos after a hot spring training. 

AA: Somerset Patriots crushed the Richmond Flying Squirrels 8-0:

Ryan Murphy RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Matt Frisbee RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Squirrels managed just 3 singles and 3 walks on offense.

A+: Tri-City Dust Devils topped the Eugene Emeralds 4-3:

Onil Perez C- 2 for 5.  BA= .444.

Matt Higgins LF- 3 for 4.  BA= .429.

Tom O'Tremba RF- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .400.

Daniel Blair RHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 3.00.

Matt Mikulski LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Onil Perez continues to be a catching prospect to watch.  Is this the year Mikulski finally figures it out?

A:  Fresno Grizzlies mauled the San Jose Giants 9-5:

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 5.  BA= .500.

Cole Foster SS- 2 for 5.  BA= .308.

Guillermo Williamson 1B- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .375.

Nadir Lewis RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .500.

Williamson is a bat to watch. He and Bryce Eldridge are competing in the same demographic.

Game Wrap 4/7/2024: Giants 3 Padres 2

Logan Webb turned in a Quality Start and Matt Chapman drove in the winning run to cap a 2-run rally in the 8'th inning to give the Giants their first series win of the season.  Key Lines:

Jorge Soler DH- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .243.  Soler scored the winning run.

Logan Webb RHP- 7 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K, GO/AO= 12/3.  ERA= 4.86.  If you keep the ball on the ground for a large enough sample size, good things happen.

Ryan Walker RHP= 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 1.59.  Ryan Walker and Landen Roupp are the Giants top relievers in the young season.

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, Save(1). ERA= 6.75.  I was able to follow the last inning on Gameday. It looked like Doval had the premium stuff and command going.

The win improves the Giants record to 4-6, tied for third place with the D'Backs, 3 games behind the Dodgers. They trail the second place Padres(5-7) by percentage points.

Blake Snell LHP makes his Giants debut tomorrow evening facing the Nationals who start Trevor Williams RHP

Bloggers Note

Hey team!  I will be offline over the weekend.  Heading out to my 50 year HS reunion. Yikes!  Be back Sunday PM or Monday.  DrB

Down on the Farm: 4/4/2024

AAA  Sacramento River Cats outlasted the Reno Aces 9-8(11 Innings):

Heliot Ramos RF- 3 for 5, 3B, HR(3), BB.  BA= .348.

Jackson Reetz C- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .364.

Donovan Walton 2B/P- 2 for 4, HR(1), BB.  BA= .333.

Carson Seymour RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 6/2.  ERA= 1.17.

Cody Stashak RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Donovan Walton RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Walton was credited with the W.  Ha!  One night after we were all stoked about Matos and Luciano, they go a combined 0 for 11 at the top of the order.  Nice game for Heliot who already has 3 HR.

Churn Watch:  

Otto Lopez IF was claimed off waivers by the Marlins.

Cooper Hummel C/UT was claimed off waivers by the Astros.

Down on the Farm: 4/3/2024

AAA  Sacramento River Cats pounded the Reno Aces 12-7:

Luis Matos RF/LF- 3 for 6, 2 HR(2), SB(1).  BA= .500.

Marco Luciano SS- 3 for 5, 2 2B, BB, SB(1).  BA= .438.

David Villar 3B- 2 for 5, HR(1), SB(1).  BA= .227.

Heliot Ramos DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .278.

Chase Pinder LF- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(1).  BA= .357.

Ismael Munguia CF- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(1).  BA= .188.

Tommy Romero RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.  ERA= 1.29.

Tremendous season debut for Luis Matos.  Great to see Marco Luciano off to a strong start.  Gotta think he's going to be the Giants starting SS by the end of the season.

Game Wrap 4/3/2024: Dodgers 5 Giants 4

 The Giants once again fell behind the Dodgers early and were never able to catch up.  Key Lines:

Jorge Soler DH- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .280.  Two good nights in a row for Soler.

Michael Conforto LF- 1 for 4.  BA= .370.  Giants have had trouble driving in runners. Conforto made his hit count driving in both runners from 2'nd and 3'rd and 1 out in the 6'th to narrow the Dodgers lead to 4-3.

Patrick Bailey C- 2 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .375.  Bailey briefly tied the game in the 3'rd inning with a solo blast off Glasnow who had been mowing the Giants down.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.91.  Very similar story to Webb's start last night.  Were they subpar or are the Dodgers just too good?  I am not sure there are any pitchers out there who can consistently shut this lineup down.

Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 12.27.  Miller looked sharp in 1 inning of work.

Taylor Rogers LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 5.40.  Gave up a dinger to Ohtani.  The whole reason Rogers was signed was to get elite LH hitters out.

The Giants get a day off before their Home Opener Friday night against the Padres with Jordan Hicks RHP facing Dylan Cease RHP.

Down on the Farm: 4/2/2024

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outlasted the Reno Aces 9-8(12 innings):

Heliot Ramos RF- 1 for 6, HR(2), HBP.  BA= .214.

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 5, 2 BB.  BA= .364.

David Villar 1B- 2 for 6, 2B, BB.  BA= .176.

Brett Wisely 2B- 3 for 4, 2 2B, 3B, 2 BB.  BA= .417.

Jackson Reetz C- 3 for 5, 2B, 2 HR(2), BB.  BA= .429.

Spencer Howard RHP- 3.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 6 K.  ERA= 12.27.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Hard to know what to make of great batting lines and poor pitching lines out of Reno.  I am inclined to look more at Howard's K ratios than he ERA here.  Reminder that Brett Wisely is on the 40-man roster and bats LH.

Game Wrap 4/2/2024: Dodgers 5 Giants 4

Logan Webb couldn't contain the top of the Dodgers lineup and the Giants offense continued to miss opportunities as they failed to take advantage of a Dodgers bullpen game.  Key Lines:

Jorge Soler DH- 2 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .238.  Soler heating up would be a big boost to the Giants offense.

Michael Conforto LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .391.  Conforto stays hot but lined out softly to 2B when he had a chance to get a rally going in the 8'th after a leadoff single by Soler and got picked off to help kill another earlier rally.

Wilmer Flores 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .313.  Wilmer did not show any ill effects of his dive into the Padres dugout Sunday.

Logan Webb RHP- 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 6.52.  Webb threw 96 pitches in 3.2 IP.  Just a really rough outing against the toughest first inning lineup in baseball.  It didn't help that Mookie Betts hit a pop fly that landed for a hit to lead off the Dodgers first which led to a 29 pitch inning.

Landon Roupp RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Nice couple of innings from Roupp who is looking like a keeper.

Taylor Rogers LHP- 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K.  ERA- 3.86.  Line doesn't look like much but he managed to get Ohtani to ground out to end a threat in the 6'th.  

Ryan Walker RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 1.93.  Walker is an early bright spot too.

Kyle Harrison LHP goes up against Tyler Glasnow RHP trying to stave off a sweep tomorrow evening.

Churn Watch:

The Giants managed to get something back for Joey Bart in a trade with the Pirates.  The haul was Austin Strickland RHP and 8'th round draft pick in 2023 who has yet to appear in a professional game.

Oh, and I hate the Dodgers. They make my physically ill!

Game Wrap 4/1/2024: Dodgers 8 Giants 3

The Giants failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities and the top of the Dodgers lineup was too much for Giants pitchers.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 fo 5.  BA= .316.  Lee continues to bet on base at the top of the lineup.  He needs people to drive him in.

Michael Conforto LF- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .368.  Conforto has been the Giants hottest hitter early in the season.  Time to move him up the the lineup?  Maybe at least ahead of Tom Murphy?  

Keaton Winn RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.40.  An inning short of a Quality Startw with strong secondary stats against what is probably the best top 4 of any lineup in MLB and possibly one of the best ever.

Giants Bullpen- 3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 4 K.  The bullpen continues to struggle.  This is an area FZ might have been too confident in during the Hot Stove League season.

Dodgers Top 4:  8 for 13, 3 2B, 3B. 2 BB.  As my buddy texted me last night:  That's quite a stack of pancakes there!  Giants don't have an answer right now.

James Paxton LHP(Dodgers):  5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 5 K, ERA= 0.00.  Paxton gave the Giants opportunities which they failed to capitalize on.  The one that stands out in my mind is runners on first and secone with no outs in the 5'th.  Austin Slater, who did not get many PA's this spring took two awful swings and cued one to 2B for a GIDP and essentially end the threat.  At that point in the game, Slater was the tying run at the plate.

Logan Webb RHP tries to tame the top of the Dodgers lineup tonight facing TBD.

Churn Watch:  

Mike Yastrzemski OF returned from Paternity Leave.

Luis Matos OF and Daulton Jeffries RHP were optioned to AAA Sacramento.

Nick Avila RHP was added to the 40-man Roster and called up.

Otto Lopez IF was DFA'd.

Down on the Farm: 3/31/2024

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats blanked the Salt Lake City Bees 1-0(7 innings, Game 1 of Doubleheader):

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Spencer Bivens RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Cody Stashak RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

Strong start for The Whiz.  Gotta think we'll see him pitch in Oracle Park sometime this season but the Giants have a few pitchers in Sacramento we can say that about.

AAA:  Salt Lake City Bees outlasted the Sacramento River Cats 3-2(9 innings, Game 2 of Doubleheader scheduled for 7 innings):

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .333.

Heliot Ramos PH/CF- 1 for 1, HR(1).  BA= .250.

Mason Black RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

R. J. Dabovich RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Mason Black is another pitching prospect with a chance for a call up this season.  Is R. J. Dabovich back?

AAA pitchers at this level seem to be ahead of the hitters but it's possible that neither the Giants nor Angels AAA hitters are not very good.