Barry Zito had one bad inning and Giants hitters were once again completely befuddled by RA Dickey's dancing knuckler. Key Lines:
Barry Zito- 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 0 K's. ERA= 4.06. That is a pretty ugly pitching line, but Zito allowed 4 of the 7 hits and 2 of the 3 BB's in the 4 run 5'th inning. On the other hand, when you put yourself at the mercy of the BABIP gods, those innings are bound to happen.
RA Dickey(Blue Jays)- 8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.66. When an offense manages just 2 hits and 2 walks in the game, there aren't going to be any Key Lines. The best way to show the Giants futility here is to post the opposing pitcher's line. That is pretty sickening to see.
Whether Loss causes the Giants to lose ground in the NL West Division race depends on the outcome of the D'Backs game against the Cardinals. The Rockies are leading the Reds 9-4 in the 7'th inning of their game. The Dodgers and Padres play later tonight.
The Giants get a day off before heading to Arizona for a weekend set against the D'Backs where they will have a chance to catch up or get buried.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Down on the Farm: 6/4/2013
AAA Las Vegas 51's edged the Fresno Grizzlies 6-5:
Kensuke Tanaka(2B)- 2 for 2, 2 SF. BA= .313.
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .205.
Francisco Peguero(LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, HBP. BA= .333.
Johnny Monell(C)- 1 for 4, HR(10). BA= .282.
Juan Perez(3B)- 1 for 3, 2 SB(12). BA= .294.
Boof Bonser(RHP)- 6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 10/2. ERA= 5.40.
Haven't seen Tanaka's name in the highlights for awhile. The BA has slipped a bit.
AA New Britain Rock Cats defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 4-1:
Ryan Lollis(CF)- 2 for 3, 2 2B. BA= .284.
Javier Herrera(LF)- 1 for 3, HR(7). BA= .312.
Craig Westcott(RHP)- 7 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.88.
Scott Shuman(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 10.80.
High A Modesto Nuts topped the San Jose Giants 5-3:
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.80.
I think Dunnington is on a rehab assignment in San Jose. Not sure what the injury was.
Low A Greensboro Grasshoppers beat the Augusta Greenjackets 7-5:
Mitch Delfino(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(6). BA= .231.
Joey Rapp(1B)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .242.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 4, HR(4). BA= .222.
Shayne Houck(DH)- 2 for 3, HBP. BA= .278.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 1.08.
Rapp is hitting .293 over his last 10 games. RafRod's dinger drove in 3 runs. He is hitting .281/.314/.594 over his last 10 games. He has now surpassed his previous season high in HR's. Gregorio comes back from the DL still pitching well.
DSL Orioles1 edged the Giants 7-6:
Gustavo Cabrera(CF, 17 yo)- 2 for 5, SB(2). BA= .214.
Carlos Valdez(LF, 19 yo)- 2 for 5, 3B. BA= .250.
Jean Angomas(DH, 17 yo)- 3 for 4. BA= .625.
Olbis Perez(RHP, 18 yo)- 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.80.
Kensuke Tanaka(2B)- 2 for 2, 2 SF. BA= .313.
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .205.
Francisco Peguero(LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, HBP. BA= .333.
Johnny Monell(C)- 1 for 4, HR(10). BA= .282.
Juan Perez(3B)- 1 for 3, 2 SB(12). BA= .294.
Boof Bonser(RHP)- 6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 10/2. ERA= 5.40.
Haven't seen Tanaka's name in the highlights for awhile. The BA has slipped a bit.
AA New Britain Rock Cats defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 4-1:
Ryan Lollis(CF)- 2 for 3, 2 2B. BA= .284.
Javier Herrera(LF)- 1 for 3, HR(7). BA= .312.
Craig Westcott(RHP)- 7 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.88.
Scott Shuman(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 10.80.
High A Modesto Nuts topped the San Jose Giants 5-3:
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.80.
I think Dunnington is on a rehab assignment in San Jose. Not sure what the injury was.
Low A Greensboro Grasshoppers beat the Augusta Greenjackets 7-5:
Mitch Delfino(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(6). BA= .231.
Joey Rapp(1B)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .242.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 4, HR(4). BA= .222.
Shayne Houck(DH)- 2 for 3, HBP. BA= .278.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 1.08.
Rapp is hitting .293 over his last 10 games. RafRod's dinger drove in 3 runs. He is hitting .281/.314/.594 over his last 10 games. He has now surpassed his previous season high in HR's. Gregorio comes back from the DL still pitching well.
DSL Orioles1 edged the Giants 7-6:
Gustavo Cabrera(CF, 17 yo)- 2 for 5, SB(2). BA= .214.
Carlos Valdez(LF, 19 yo)- 2 for 5, 3B. BA= .250.
Jean Angomas(DH, 17 yo)- 3 for 4. BA= .625.
Olbis Perez(RHP, 18 yo)- 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.80.
Game Wrap 6/4/2013: Giants 2 Blue Jays 1
Andres Torres smacked a 2 run HR while Tim Lincecum conjured up memories of seasons past with a vintage performance as he and 2 relievers made the 2 runs stand up. Key Lines:
Gregor Blanco- 2 for 4, SB(6). BA= .261. The Giants need Blanco to get on base, especially when he is hitting at the top of the order. He has some power, but tends to start thinking he is Babe Ruth up there after he gets a few long hits and the BA starts to suffer. More of this!
Andres Torres- 1 for 3, HR(2). BA= .277. Torres is now something like 6 for 9 with 2 BB's in his career against Josh Johnson with an incredible 5 XBH's. Is it SSS luck or ownage, as Kruk and Kuip would say?
Tim Lincecum- 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 4.75. Timmy was on tonight. Good FB command while mixing in 3 other pitches. Most notably, he brought back the curveball to excellent effect. I don't recall which one, but one of the TV commentators on either Fox or possible the Rockies' feed, commented that they had faced the Early Timmy and extolled his FB/hammer curve combo. Maybe that got back to Timmy and he took it to heart? I seem to recall that Timmy ditched the curveball because MLB hitters were picking it up and laying off plus he had developed that killer split-change. Now it's the split-change that hitters have learned to pick up. Why not use both while mixing up the pitches a bit more? That's what Timmy did in this game, but it all starts with FB command.
With the Win the Giants stayed 2 games behind the NL West leading D'Backs who topped the Cardinals 7-6 by 2 games. The Rockies edged the Reds 5-4 to stay 2.5 games back. Yasiel Puig hit 2 dingers to lead the Dodgers to a 9-7 win over the Pathetic Padres 9-7. The Padres are in 4'th place, 7 games out while the Dodgers remain in last place 7.5 games behind the leaders.
Barry Zito tries for a sweep of the 2 game series facing RA Dickey and his knuckleball this afternoon.
Gregor Blanco- 2 for 4, SB(6). BA= .261. The Giants need Blanco to get on base, especially when he is hitting at the top of the order. He has some power, but tends to start thinking he is Babe Ruth up there after he gets a few long hits and the BA starts to suffer. More of this!
Andres Torres- 1 for 3, HR(2). BA= .277. Torres is now something like 6 for 9 with 2 BB's in his career against Josh Johnson with an incredible 5 XBH's. Is it SSS luck or ownage, as Kruk and Kuip would say?
Tim Lincecum- 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 4.75. Timmy was on tonight. Good FB command while mixing in 3 other pitches. Most notably, he brought back the curveball to excellent effect. I don't recall which one, but one of the TV commentators on either Fox or possible the Rockies' feed, commented that they had faced the Early Timmy and extolled his FB/hammer curve combo. Maybe that got back to Timmy and he took it to heart? I seem to recall that Timmy ditched the curveball because MLB hitters were picking it up and laying off plus he had developed that killer split-change. Now it's the split-change that hitters have learned to pick up. Why not use both while mixing up the pitches a bit more? That's what Timmy did in this game, but it all starts with FB command.
With the Win the Giants stayed 2 games behind the NL West leading D'Backs who topped the Cardinals 7-6 by 2 games. The Rockies edged the Reds 5-4 to stay 2.5 games back. Yasiel Puig hit 2 dingers to lead the Dodgers to a 9-7 win over the Pathetic Padres 9-7. The Padres are in 4'th place, 7 games out while the Dodgers remain in last place 7.5 games behind the leaders.
Barry Zito tries for a sweep of the 2 game series facing RA Dickey and his knuckleball this afternoon.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Down on the Farm: 6/3/2013
AAA Las Vegas 51's dominated the Fresno Grizzlies 8-0:
Chris Dominguez(3B-1B)- 2 for 3, 3B. BA= .278.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 7 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.57.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels were idle.
High A San Jose Giants blanked the Modesto Nuts 5-0:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .264.
Angel Villalona(1B)- 3 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .248.
Mac Williamson(RF)- 1 for 3, HR(7). BA= .234.
Jason Forjet(RHP)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 1.80.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.74.
Josh Osich(LHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 1.27.
What is impressing me about Angel V is it's not just HR's. He's also hitting a lot of singles and doubles in the process. As ogc has pointed out. Take out his first 10 games of the season and he is hitting for a nice BA too. Jason Forjet had a poor K rate his first 2 appearances, but picked up that part of his game in this one.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets had the day off.
DSL Giants topped the Twins 7-6:
Gustavo Cabrera(CF, 17 yo)- 1 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .111.
Emmanuel Hernandez(1B, 19 yo)- 2 for 5. BA= .400.
Nathanael Javier(3B, 17 yo)- 2 for 4. BA= .273.
Jean Angomas(RF, 18 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .500.
Richard Rodriguez(2B, 20 yo)- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .167.
Shawn Gomez(RHP, 18 yo)- 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.60.
Gustavo gets his first professional hit and keeps drawing walks. Javier is off to a decent start to his pro career. I like Shawn Gomez' size at 6'4", 180 lbs. Don't know anything else about him. He had 21 K's against 8 BB's in 25 IP last season as a 17 yo.
Chris Dominguez(3B-1B)- 2 for 3, 3B. BA= .278.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 7 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.57.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels were idle.
High A San Jose Giants blanked the Modesto Nuts 5-0:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .264.
Angel Villalona(1B)- 3 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .248.
Mac Williamson(RF)- 1 for 3, HR(7). BA= .234.
Jason Forjet(RHP)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 1.80.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.74.
Josh Osich(LHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 1.27.
What is impressing me about Angel V is it's not just HR's. He's also hitting a lot of singles and doubles in the process. As ogc has pointed out. Take out his first 10 games of the season and he is hitting for a nice BA too. Jason Forjet had a poor K rate his first 2 appearances, but picked up that part of his game in this one.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets had the day off.
DSL Giants topped the Twins 7-6:
Gustavo Cabrera(CF, 17 yo)- 1 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .111.
Emmanuel Hernandez(1B, 19 yo)- 2 for 5. BA= .400.
Nathanael Javier(3B, 17 yo)- 2 for 4. BA= .273.
Jean Angomas(RF, 18 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .500.
Richard Rodriguez(2B, 20 yo)- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .167.
Shawn Gomez(RHP, 18 yo)- 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.60.
Gustavo gets his first professional hit and keeps drawing walks. Javier is off to a decent start to his pro career. I like Shawn Gomez' size at 6'4", 180 lbs. Don't know anything else about him. He had 21 K's against 8 BB's in 25 IP last season as a 17 yo.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Down on the Farm: 6/2/2013
AAA Las Vegas 51's edged the Fresno Grizzlies 3-2 in 10 innings:
Austin Fleet(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.25.
No Grizzlies got more than 1 hit. Is Fleet pitching himself into the mix for Giants emergency starters?
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Erie Seawolves 5-4 in 10 innings:
Joe Panik(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(1), BB. BA= .290.
Javier Herrera(LF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .312.
Mark Minicozzi(3B-2B)- 2 for 5, HR(7). BA= .354.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 1 for 5, HR(3). BA= .210.
Jarrett Parker(PH-RF)- 1 for 1, HR(11), HBP. BA= .258.
Chris Gloor(LHP)- 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 4.08.
Love what Panik is doing in the EL this year. Maybe he will pick up the power a bit now? 5 QS in a row now for Chris Gloor after just 1 in his first 4 starts.
High A Stockton Ports defeated the San Jose Giants 6-3:
Brock Bond(3B)- 0 for 1, 3 BB, SB(3). BA= .222.
Devin Harris(LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(12), BB. BA= .264.
Ty Blach(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.02.
Brock Bond doing his thing the gritty way. This was better than Blach's last start. Peripherals still looking good, though.
Low A Charleston River Dogs pounded the Augusta Greenjackets 8-2:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 1 for 4, 2 SB(29). BA= .297.
Mitch Delfino(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .231.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .221.
Chris Stratton(RHP)- 5 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 6 K's, GO/AO= 6/1. ERA= 3.77.
Peripherals look OK for Stratton, but that is a lot of hits to give up!
DSL Padres beat the Giants 8-3:
Hengerber Medina(SS, 18 yo)- 1 for 4, BB, SB(1). BA= .125.
Natanial Javier(3B, 17 yo)- 0 for 3, BB, SF. BA= .143.
Gustavo Cabrera(CF, 17 yo)- 0 for 3, BB, SB(1). BA= .000.
Cesar Yanez(RHP, 18 yo)- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.38.
Reymi Rodriguez(RHP, 18 yo)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Yep! The DSL is rolling. The big gun signings, Gustavo Cabrera and Natanial Javier are there. I am surprised to see Hengerber back. I really thought he would be promoted to Arizona this year. Hey! Gustavo has drawn 2 BB's against 1 K so far. It's never too early to be searching for positives! LOL!
Austin Fleet(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.25.
No Grizzlies got more than 1 hit. Is Fleet pitching himself into the mix for Giants emergency starters?
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Erie Seawolves 5-4 in 10 innings:
Joe Panik(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(1), BB. BA= .290.
Javier Herrera(LF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .312.
Mark Minicozzi(3B-2B)- 2 for 5, HR(7). BA= .354.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 1 for 5, HR(3). BA= .210.
Jarrett Parker(PH-RF)- 1 for 1, HR(11), HBP. BA= .258.
Chris Gloor(LHP)- 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 4.08.
Love what Panik is doing in the EL this year. Maybe he will pick up the power a bit now? 5 QS in a row now for Chris Gloor after just 1 in his first 4 starts.
High A Stockton Ports defeated the San Jose Giants 6-3:
Brock Bond(3B)- 0 for 1, 3 BB, SB(3). BA= .222.
Devin Harris(LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(12), BB. BA= .264.
Ty Blach(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.02.
Brock Bond doing his thing the gritty way. This was better than Blach's last start. Peripherals still looking good, though.
Low A Charleston River Dogs pounded the Augusta Greenjackets 8-2:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 1 for 4, 2 SB(29). BA= .297.
Mitch Delfino(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .231.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .221.
Chris Stratton(RHP)- 5 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 6 K's, GO/AO= 6/1. ERA= 3.77.
Peripherals look OK for Stratton, but that is a lot of hits to give up!
DSL Padres beat the Giants 8-3:
Hengerber Medina(SS, 18 yo)- 1 for 4, BB, SB(1). BA= .125.
Natanial Javier(3B, 17 yo)- 0 for 3, BB, SF. BA= .143.
Gustavo Cabrera(CF, 17 yo)- 0 for 3, BB, SB(1). BA= .000.
Cesar Yanez(RHP, 18 yo)- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.38.
Reymi Rodriguez(RHP, 18 yo)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Yep! The DSL is rolling. The big gun signings, Gustavo Cabrera and Natanial Javier are there. I am surprised to see Hengerber back. I really thought he would be promoted to Arizona this year. Hey! Gustavo has drawn 2 BB's against 1 K so far. It's never too early to be searching for positives! LOL!
Game Wrap 6/2/2013: Giants 4 Cardinals 2
Back to regular programming. Probably just as well I took those days off. Not much to write about the first two days in St. Louis except about the weather. Scary!!
Chad Gaudin came out of the bullpen to post a clutch Quality Start to help the Giants salvage a win out of the 3 game set with the Cards in St. Louis. Key Lines:
Buster Posey- 4 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .308. Posey had been in a mini-slump but busted out of that big time today. Jon and Dave mentioned on the radio broadcast that Buster seems to be hitting a lot with 2 strikes on him lately. He's darn good at it, but it's still an awfully tough way to go. Oh well, he's Buster Posey. He can do anything, right?
Hunter Pence- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .292. I still thing if the Giants can get Pagan and Pablo healthy, this is a lineup that is competitive with anyone. They've just hit a rough patch lately. Gotta keep grinding!
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 4. BA= .291. Crawford added a couple of sparkling defensive plays. He seems to be more comfortable hitting in the 7 or 8 hole in the lineup. He's helped the Giants a lot from down there.
Brandon Belt- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .250. OK, I'm going to be a Beltist here and say I'd rather have him in the lineup against LHP's than Pill. Belt is starting to deliver some clutch hits. He had one on Thursday against Oakland too. This one was off a particularly nasty LHP, Randy Choate and off the bench to boot.
Chad Gaudin- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.21. I listened the radio broadcast while driving down from Sausalito. Bochy said on the pregame show he was hoping to get 5 innings out of Gaudin. He got one more. One mistake to David Freeze. Otherwise he was nails. Gaudin is looking more and more like this year's Ryan Vogelsong, albeit with maybe not quite as dramatic a story line, but he's been around the block a few times himself.
With the Win, the Giants remained tied with the Rockies for second place in the NL West. Division leaders D'Backs pounded the Cubs 8-4 to stay 2.5 games up. The Rockies pounded the last place Dodgers 7-2 to drop the Hated Ones 8.5 games off the pace. The Dodgers are now flirting with the dreaded 10 game deficit which is my over-under for making a comeback. The Pesky Padres edged the Blue Jays 4-3 to remain in 5.5 games off the lead in 4'th place.
The Giants now get an off day to travel then face the Blue Jays in a 2 game rematch of their ill-fated series in Toronto. Hope for a better outcome with a familiar backdrop and a real playing surface.
Tim Lincecum pitches the opener against Josh Johnson who is coming off the DL. I hate facing pitchers coming off the DL, especially former aces. They always seem to a shot of adrenaline that lasts for about 1 game.
Chad Gaudin came out of the bullpen to post a clutch Quality Start to help the Giants salvage a win out of the 3 game set with the Cards in St. Louis. Key Lines:
Buster Posey- 4 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .308. Posey had been in a mini-slump but busted out of that big time today. Jon and Dave mentioned on the radio broadcast that Buster seems to be hitting a lot with 2 strikes on him lately. He's darn good at it, but it's still an awfully tough way to go. Oh well, he's Buster Posey. He can do anything, right?
Hunter Pence- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .292. I still thing if the Giants can get Pagan and Pablo healthy, this is a lineup that is competitive with anyone. They've just hit a rough patch lately. Gotta keep grinding!
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 4. BA= .291. Crawford added a couple of sparkling defensive plays. He seems to be more comfortable hitting in the 7 or 8 hole in the lineup. He's helped the Giants a lot from down there.
Brandon Belt- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .250. OK, I'm going to be a Beltist here and say I'd rather have him in the lineup against LHP's than Pill. Belt is starting to deliver some clutch hits. He had one on Thursday against Oakland too. This one was off a particularly nasty LHP, Randy Choate and off the bench to boot.
Chad Gaudin- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.21. I listened the radio broadcast while driving down from Sausalito. Bochy said on the pregame show he was hoping to get 5 innings out of Gaudin. He got one more. One mistake to David Freeze. Otherwise he was nails. Gaudin is looking more and more like this year's Ryan Vogelsong, albeit with maybe not quite as dramatic a story line, but he's been around the block a few times himself.
With the Win, the Giants remained tied with the Rockies for second place in the NL West. Division leaders D'Backs pounded the Cubs 8-4 to stay 2.5 games up. The Rockies pounded the last place Dodgers 7-2 to drop the Hated Ones 8.5 games off the pace. The Dodgers are now flirting with the dreaded 10 game deficit which is my over-under for making a comeback. The Pesky Padres edged the Blue Jays 4-3 to remain in 5.5 games off the lead in 4'th place.
The Giants now get an off day to travel then face the Blue Jays in a 2 game rematch of their ill-fated series in Toronto. Hope for a better outcome with a familiar backdrop and a real playing surface.
Tim Lincecum pitches the opener against Josh Johnson who is coming off the DL. I hate facing pitchers coming off the DL, especially former aces. They always seem to a shot of adrenaline that lasts for about 1 game.
Blogger's Note: I'm Back!
Like it or not! Just kidding. I assume you all are happy to have me back and blogging or you wouldn't come visit the site and comment.
Had a great time with the wife in Sausalito. Caught the weather at a perfect time. Stayed at the Inn Above Tide. Pricey but worth it. Had a perfect view of much of the bay and The City out our window. Had dinner at The Spinnaker. Might be the best view of any restaurant table. Food is meh. For better food and a not terrible view, try Angelino's down the street toward SF a bit. I have never done Poggio's. Their menu is certainly not ordinary, but I haven't seen anything on it I feel like I have to have.
Thanks to everybody for the best wishes and suggestions.
Bacci,
We've done the Carmel thing a couple of times and loved it. Wanted something different this time.
ogc,
Didn't make it to Tiburon, but now that I've figured out where it is, would love to visit someday.
I don't have anything close to this kind of jack, but Jerry Garcia's old house in Marin County is for sale for around $3.5 M. You can also get an adjoining 115 acres for an additional $1.7 M. That seems like a great deal for somebody who can afford it. Gotta wonder what the catch is?
We drove up to Petaluma for lunch at Luccesi's Deli and I had an Amer the Gamer. Good sandwich! Only downside was the sourdough bread was so crusty it tore up the roof of my mouth. I think some people think that's a good thing. I'm not really a crusty bread fan.
Yesterday, Sausalito was inundated with daytrippers. Loooong lines for anything to eat. We decided to take off and check out McCovey's 44 in Walnut Creek. Just a short drive for us SoCal'ers! It was kind of neat. Food was, again, meh. I think I would have liked it better if there was more about Willie Mac himself here. Maybe some posters on the walls about his life and career. For instance, his final AB in the 1962 WS is one of the most epic in baseball history, even if the outcome was negative for him and the Giants.
Does anyone know the story of the building in SF that starts glowing just before sunset? I tried to research it on the internets but couldn't find anything. What a epic sight that is!
Tough weekend for the Giants. Glad they could at least salvage a win today. Chad Gaudin may be this year's Vogelsong, albeit with a slightly less dramatic storyline. Will post a Game Wrap later.
I see Baggs is saying Angel Villalona may have some questions about his fielding at 1B, but the bat is "special." Wonder where he got that idea? Remember, you read it hear first. Angel Villalona's bat has a chance to be special!!
Walter Guest,
Yeah, Fabio Castillo is a very interesting prospect. Giants grabbed him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. I really liked the pickup at the time. Hard throwing with good K rates. He'll be a minor league FA after this year, so the Giants have until then to decide if they want to add him to the 40 man roster. With the problems the Giants are having with their pitching and the rate Castillo is going, they might give him his shot a lot sooner than that. Definitely a kid to keep an eye on.
Check out Shankbone's site, You Gotta Like These Kids, for some epic posts previewing the upcoming MLB draft. I agree with most, if not all, of his thoughts, so rather than try to do my own draft preview, I will refer you to his. He's made a draft board of possible Giants picks for each of the first 4 rounds. I think he may have said he would do 7 rounds before the draft. I will just add a few "toolsy" HS hitters I would be happy to see the Giants draft somewhere: In addition to Justin Williams and Riley Unroe, who Shankbone mentioned, I like OF's Josh Hart and Matt McPhearson, and SS Jan Hernandez. The Giants love their up-the-middle guys in Round 1. Don't write off JC SS Tim Anderson if he doesn't climb higher on someone else's board.
Still think a HS pitcher is most likely for round 1 because the draft is full of them, but the Giants like to cut against the grain and they just might reach for a hitter in Round 1 thinking they can still get a first round pitching talent in Round 2 or even Round 3.
Had a great time with the wife in Sausalito. Caught the weather at a perfect time. Stayed at the Inn Above Tide. Pricey but worth it. Had a perfect view of much of the bay and The City out our window. Had dinner at The Spinnaker. Might be the best view of any restaurant table. Food is meh. For better food and a not terrible view, try Angelino's down the street toward SF a bit. I have never done Poggio's. Their menu is certainly not ordinary, but I haven't seen anything on it I feel like I have to have.
Thanks to everybody for the best wishes and suggestions.
Bacci,
We've done the Carmel thing a couple of times and loved it. Wanted something different this time.
ogc,
Didn't make it to Tiburon, but now that I've figured out where it is, would love to visit someday.
I don't have anything close to this kind of jack, but Jerry Garcia's old house in Marin County is for sale for around $3.5 M. You can also get an adjoining 115 acres for an additional $1.7 M. That seems like a great deal for somebody who can afford it. Gotta wonder what the catch is?
We drove up to Petaluma for lunch at Luccesi's Deli and I had an Amer the Gamer. Good sandwich! Only downside was the sourdough bread was so crusty it tore up the roof of my mouth. I think some people think that's a good thing. I'm not really a crusty bread fan.
Yesterday, Sausalito was inundated with daytrippers. Loooong lines for anything to eat. We decided to take off and check out McCovey's 44 in Walnut Creek. Just a short drive for us SoCal'ers! It was kind of neat. Food was, again, meh. I think I would have liked it better if there was more about Willie Mac himself here. Maybe some posters on the walls about his life and career. For instance, his final AB in the 1962 WS is one of the most epic in baseball history, even if the outcome was negative for him and the Giants.
Does anyone know the story of the building in SF that starts glowing just before sunset? I tried to research it on the internets but couldn't find anything. What a epic sight that is!
Tough weekend for the Giants. Glad they could at least salvage a win today. Chad Gaudin may be this year's Vogelsong, albeit with a slightly less dramatic storyline. Will post a Game Wrap later.
I see Baggs is saying Angel Villalona may have some questions about his fielding at 1B, but the bat is "special." Wonder where he got that idea? Remember, you read it hear first. Angel Villalona's bat has a chance to be special!!
Walter Guest,
Yeah, Fabio Castillo is a very interesting prospect. Giants grabbed him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. I really liked the pickup at the time. Hard throwing with good K rates. He'll be a minor league FA after this year, so the Giants have until then to decide if they want to add him to the 40 man roster. With the problems the Giants are having with their pitching and the rate Castillo is going, they might give him his shot a lot sooner than that. Definitely a kid to keep an eye on.
Check out Shankbone's site, You Gotta Like These Kids, for some epic posts previewing the upcoming MLB draft. I agree with most, if not all, of his thoughts, so rather than try to do my own draft preview, I will refer you to his. He's made a draft board of possible Giants picks for each of the first 4 rounds. I think he may have said he would do 7 rounds before the draft. I will just add a few "toolsy" HS hitters I would be happy to see the Giants draft somewhere: In addition to Justin Williams and Riley Unroe, who Shankbone mentioned, I like OF's Josh Hart and Matt McPhearson, and SS Jan Hernandez. The Giants love their up-the-middle guys in Round 1. Don't write off JC SS Tim Anderson if he doesn't climb higher on someone else's board.
Still think a HS pitcher is most likely for round 1 because the draft is full of them, but the Giants like to cut against the grain and they just might reach for a hitter in Round 1 thinking they can still get a first round pitching talent in Round 2 or even Round 3.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
