Game Wrap 5/17/2021: Giants 6 Reds 3

 The Giants offense produced 3 HR's and gave Logan Webb RHP enough run support to overcome another shaky bullpen performance.  Game Notes:

YtY hit his second HR in two games.  Not sure why I was under the impression he was in a slump but he's not.  Slash line for last 7 games:  .296/.367/.704, 2 HR's.  Last 15 games:  .278/.371/.630, 4 HR's.  

Wilmer Flores 3B has scuffled all season but may be coming out of it.  He went 3 for 4, HR(3) today and is 5 for 8 with a BB in his last 9 PA's over 3 games.  

What more can we say about Mauricio Dubon 2B?  He is red hot with a 7 game slash of .421/.450/.579 and .324/.375/.514 over 15.

Logan Webb was dominant again, more in terms of groundballs than K's. but still dominant.  Speaking of groundballs, Webb came into the game with the 6'th highest GB% of MLB pitchers with more than 30 IP(thanks to Rotoworld for the stat).  Of concern is Webb came out after 6 IP due to R shoulder soreness(also per Rotoworld) which he and Kap don't seem to think is serious and did not seem to warrant mention by any of the beat writers, but we'll see.  Barring ongoing injury, Webb seems to be in the process of breaking out into an ace pitcher.  

Just when you think Kap has found some answers in the bullpen Jarlin Garcia LHP and Matt Wisler RHP cough up 3 runs in a combined 1.2 IP.  Very disheartening.  It appears Tyler Rogers RHP is the Closer for now as he notched his 5'th Save and 2'nd in consecutive games/days.  Right now, Rogers is the only reliever Kap can count on in the entire pen, except maybe Zach Littell RHP.

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The Win guarantees the Giants remain in first place.  Anthony DeSclafani RHP makes his return to Cincinnati tomorrow evening facing former Giants prospect Luis Castillo RHP.

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Down on the Farm:

Just one game for Giants affiliates in the minors:

AAA:

LaMonte Wade Jr RF- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .263.

Joey Bart C- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .382.

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

Dominic Leone RHP- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.80.  

Love what Joey Bart is doing so far.  Could he and Buster Posey coexist on a 2022 Giants team?  I've been advocating for bringing Dominic Leone up.  Hmm....maybe Jimmie Sherfy is the answer?  

Down on the Farm: 5/16/2021

 AAA:

Joey Bart C- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .355.

Shun Yamaguchi RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 5 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 10.13.

Big day for Joey Bart who seems to be doing what he needs to take it to the next level.  Another disappointing appearance for Yamaguchi.

AA:

Vince Fernandez RF- 2 for 3, HR(3), BB.  BA= .321.

Sam Long LHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.27.

Heliot Ramos CF went 0 for 4 and his now 1 for his last 17.

High A:

Will Wilson 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .415.

Caleb Kilian RHP- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 1.84.

Low A:

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .383.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 4, HR(3), BB.  BA= .139.

Harrison Freed LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .296.

Luis Toribio 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .222.

Garrett Frechette 1B- 1 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .167.

Abdiel Layer 2B- 2 for 5, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .300.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.00.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.38.

Game Wrap 5/16/2021: Giants 4 Pirates 1

Took yesterday off from blogging, so we'll pick it up with today's game which had a happier ending than yesterday's debacle.  Alex Wood LHP might have not had his best stuff but turned in another better-than-quality start and this time the bullpen was able to shut it down the rest of the way.  The Giants salvaged a split in the road series in which they should have gone at least 3-1.  Game Notes:

Mike Tauchman CF/LF drew 2 BB's at the top of the order, stole a base and scored 2 runs.   We'll take that from the leadoff spot.  

YtY has scuffled lately, but showed the pop in his bat with a a two-run HR to R-CF to give the Giants a couple of insurance runs in the 9'th inning.  

Buster Posey C reached base 4 times in 5 PA's with 3 singles and a BB.  He did not figure in the scoring. He's hitting .382.

Mauricio Dubon 2B also did not figure in the scoring but had two more hits and made a couple of brilliant defensive plays from 2B.  He's hitting .471 over his last 7 games.  His playing time could take a hit with the approaching return of Donovan Solano IF.

Alex Wood LHP's final line was 6 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's, GO/AO= 8/2.  He recorded his 5'th win of the season(5-0) something no other Giants pitcher has done recently.

Tyler Rogers RHP got the Save Opp and converted it for his 4'th of the season.  At this point, he should probably be considered at least the co-Closer.  

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The Win left the Giants in first place in the NL West by 0.5 games over the Padres and 2 games over the Dodgers.  The Giants have the best record in the NL and the second best record in MLB.  

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The Giants now move on the Cincinnati which is often a tough place for them to visit.  They start a 4-game series tomorrow evening with Logan Webb RHP facing Sonny Gray RHP.

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Down on the Farm:

Eugene is still playing in the minors so let's go back and look at yesterday's minor league highlights:

AAA:

Bryce Johnson CF- 3 for 5, BB.  BA= .486.

Donovan Solano 2B- 3 for 3, 2B.  BA= 1.000. 

Thairo Estrada SS- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(3), 2 BB.  BA= .395.

Chadwick Tromp C- 1 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .217.

Tyler Beede RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.18.

Scott Kazmir LHP- 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.84.

Donnie Barrels keeps doing his thing in his first rehab appearance.  Very encouraging progression by Tyler Beede coming back from TJ surgery.

AA:

Heliot Ramos CF- 0 for 5.  BA= .289.

David Villar 3B- 3 for 5.  BA= .300.

Vince Fernandez PH- 1 for 1, HR(2).  BA= .280.

After a hot start, Heliot Ramos has cooled off considerably and is now 1 for his last 13 as of this game.

High A:

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .184.

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 3, SF, SB(3).  BA= .381.

Prelander Berroa RHP- 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Luis Moreno RHP- 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.68.

Chris Wright LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 1.93.

Low A:

Patrick Bailey DH- 1 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .262.

Will Wilson SS- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .405.

Down on the Farm: 5/14/2021

AAA:  

Joey Bart C- 1 for 4, BB.  BA= .296.  Bart is 6 for 18 over his last 4 games.

AA:

Heliot Ramos CF- 1 for 4.  BA= .333.  Ramos is just 1 for 8 over his last 2 games and 2 for 12 over his last 3, but overall he's had a hit in 8 of 9 games.

 High A:

Will Wilson SS- 3 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .424.

Sean Roby DH- 2 for 3, HR(3).  BA= .258.

Nick Morreale RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 3.24.

Of all the players in line for an early promotion, Wilson may be the one who will go the farthest by the end of the season.

Low A:  

Luis Matos CF- 3 for 5, HR(2), SB(2).  BA= .359.

Ricardo Genoves C- 4 for 6.  BA= .357.

Harrison Freed LF- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .316.

Abdiel Layer SS- 4 for 5, 2 HR(2).  BA= .364.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 1.69.

Randy Rodriquez RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 2.84.

Marco Luciano did not appear in the game.  Rest?  Hurt?  Luis Matos continues his hot start.  Is Abdiel Layer a sleeper in the Giants system?

Game Wrap 5/14/2021: Pirates 3 Giants 2(11 innings)

 Manager Gabe Kapler may have left Giants ace Kevin Gausman RHP in 1 batter too long and a sensational start went for naught as the Giants went on to lose the battle of new extra-inning rules.  Game Notes:

As mentioned, Gausman was sensational for 8 innings, striking out 12, walking none while featuring a well commanded fastball and a devastating split change pitch that faded down and away to LH batters.  Unfortunately the BABIP gods took over in the 9'th inning with couple of soft flyballs that fell in for hits to put runners at first and third.  Jake McGee LHP came in and gave up another BABIP special on grounder right that beat the shift.  Tie game.  McGee struck out the next 3 batters.  I guess it's tough to argue that Gausman was not the best pitcher available to face the second batter, Kevin Newman, but the orthodox call would be to bring in McGee after the first baserunner reached, no matter how BABIPy is was.

Brandon Crawford SS was almost the hero again as he brought back memories of another HR a few years ago with a blast to RF to take the lead in the 8'th inning.

The first three batters in the Giants lineup, Mike Tauchman LF, Mike Yastrzemski RF and Buster Posey C went a combined 0 for 14 with 5 K's and 0 BB's.  

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Johnny Cueto RHP tries to get back on track tomorrow evening after a rough return from the IL his last start. He'll face Ex-Giant Tyler Anderson LHP whose scheduled start was bumped back with Rookie Miguel Yajure RHP taking the start today.

Game Wrap 5/13/2021: Giants 3 Pirates 1

.....Train kept a'rollin'!  Steven "Grave" Duggar CF was the hitting star who started a 3-run rally in the 5'th inning and that was all the runs Giants pitchers needed as they shut down the Pirates offense like they have been doing most of the season.  Game Notes:

Duggar was not expected to start but Brandon Belt 1B was a late scratch with LaMonte Wade Jr 1B moving to 1B and opening a spot in CF.  Duggar opened the scoring with a big HR to right of straightaway CF (411 ft).  Duggar would add a single and a walk later.  He was 0 for his previous 7 prior to the HR but is slashing .278/.316/.556 over his last 7 games and may be earning more playing time in the Giants OF.  Credit to The San Francisco Giants Blog for starting the nickname.

Mauricio Dubon SS got the start at SS in place of Brandon Crawford SS who is experiencing a reaction to COVID vaccine.  Dubon did not figure in the scoring but got 2 hits and his batting .417 over his last 7 games and .324 over his last 15.

After Duggar's HR, Mike Tauchman LF and Buster Posey C added two out singles in the 5'th.  Tauchman scored on a throwing error and then YtY tripled in Buster with the insurance run.

Anthony DeSclafani RHP was dominant for 5 innings:  5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.14.  Kap lifted him for a PH in the 6'th even with a Giants lead because he "felt sluggish".  .....OK then!  

4 Giants relievers allowed just 1 run the rest of the say with Camilo Doval RHP giving up a HR to Will Craig 1B.  Tyler Rogers RHP got the Save Opp and converted, allowing Jake McGee LHP an extra day off.

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Giants ace Kevin Gausman RHP gets the start tomorrow facing former Giant Tyler Anderson LHP who has been very good for the Pirates so far.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA: 

Joe McCarthy RF- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .222.

Mitchell Tolman 3B- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .375.

Nick Tropeano RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.52.

Dominic Leone RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(2).  ERA= 0.00.

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

Solid start by Tropeano who may be moving down the Gaints SP depth chart with the emergence of Logan Webb RHP and the ongoing rehabilitation of Tyler Beede RHP.  I expect to see Dominic Leone pitching in the Giants bullpen sometime this season, possibly Sherfy too.

AA:

Vince Fernandez RF- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .250.

Matt Frisbee RHP- 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

6 perfect innings for Matt Frisbee who has now pitched 11 shutout innings with just 2 hits and 0 BB's.  The bullpen allowed a walk and a HBP to complete the 9-inning combined no-hitter.  Patrick Ruotolo RHP picked up his 3'rd Save.

High A:

Will Wilson SS- 1 for 3, HR(2), BB, HBP.  BA= .379.

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 2 for 3, 2B, HBP, SB(1).  BA= .233.

Franklin Labour DH- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .286.

Seth Corry LHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.26.

Travis Perry RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 2.16.

Solomon Bates RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.00.

Will Wilson was one of the players FZ named as being candidates for early promotion.  The HR was a grand slam as the Emeralds scored 6 times in the bottom of the 8'th inning to take an 8-2 lead which was also the final score.  Seth Corry's line was an improvement over his 2021 debut, but still needs to get that walk rate down.

Low A:

Alexander Canario RF- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .286.

Robert Emery C- 2 for 4, 2 HR(2).  BA= .267.

Emery was signed as a UDFA out of Univ. of San Francisco after the 2020 draft.

Down on the Farm: 5/12/2021

Only two games tonight with AAA Sacramento and High A Eugene idle.

AA:

Heliot Ramos CF- 1 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(3).  BA= .400.

Frankie Tostado 1B- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .346.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.00.

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

Heliot Ramos has at least 1 hit in all 7 games he has appeared in with a walk in 5 of 7 games.  6 of his 10 hits went for extra bases with 4 doubles and 2 HR's.  Add in the 3 SB's and you have quite the  start to the season for the kid who I think should still be ranked as the top prospect in the system.  Flying Squirrels are off to a 7-1 start to the season which has to be their best since....well, forever!

Low A:

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .300.  

Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .167.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.76.

Ivan Armstrong RHP- 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.84.

Luis Matos has 4 doubles and a HR out of his 9 hits.  Marco Luciano hits his first HR of the season but his BA remains below the Mendoza Line.  Ivan Armstrong is a jumbo sized pitcher who is still only 20 yo.  He had a solid pro debut with the DSL Giants in 2018 but stumbled to a 6.43 ERA for the AZL Giants Black in 2019.  Of course last season was lost.