Down on the Farm: 5/24/2021

Just one game to report on.

AAA:

Bryce Johnson CF- 2 for 5, BB, 2 SB(7).  BA= .358.

Thairo Estrada SS- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(5), SB(4).  BA= .373.

Jason Vosler 3B- 1 for 3, HR(2), BB, SF.  BA= .195.

Jason Krizan 2B- 3 for 3, 2B, 3B, BB.  BA= .283.

Drew Robinson LF- 2 for 4, HR(2), BB.  BA= .211.

Dominic Leone RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.13.

Drew Robinson is 4 for 11 over his last 4 games with a 2B, HR and 3 BB's.  His overall OBP is .348.  Thairo Estrada continues his sensational season, but it is the PCL.  He's on the 40 man roster so he's in The Churn.  Will he be a gold nugget or a grain of sand in the sluice box?  I expect to see Leone in the Giants bullpen before too long.

Game Wrap 5/23/2021: Dodgers 11 Giants 5

 Anthony DeSclafani RHP was clearly not at his best today and the Dodgers torched him for 10 runs in 2.2 IP.  Between that and another dominant start by Julio Urias LHP and the rest was just going through the motions.  Game Notes:

Not much more to say about this one.  You could sort of see this coming after the exhilaration of the 4-game sweep and offensive orgasm on Thursday in Cincy.  I mean, what team wouldn't be set up for a letdown after THAT?!  

Giants are going to have to regroup, go back to their data sheets and dig down for a gut check.  They have a 4-gamer coming up in El Lay in 3 days.  What disturbed me the most about this series?  Seeing batter after Giants batter swing through fastballs that appeared to be within the middle third of the strike zone.  If you can't hit those pitches, you are pretty much toast.  I'm not sure how data helps that.  That's just shear physical dominance.

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The sweep leaves the Giants in third place in the NL West, 2 games behind the Padres and 1 behind the Dodgers.

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The Giants get a much needed day off tomorrow before starting a 2-game series at home against the D'Backs.  Kevin Gausman RHP gets the start on Tuesday facing TBD.  

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Churn Update:  Matt Wisler RHP was placed on the bereavement list so he could attend a service for his grandmother.  That brought Sam Selman LHP back, I think just one day after being sent out.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:  

Fabian Pena C- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(1).  BA= .273.

Mitchell Tolman SS- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .286.

Anthony Banda LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.51. 

Pretty much every SP at the AAA level is a candidate for a callup before the season is out.  Banda puts himself on that list with this start.

AA:

Sean Hjelle RHP- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 3.63.  

Joey Marciano LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Hjelle holding his own in AA.  Marciano is up to 9.1 IP with 12 K's.  

High A:

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 11 K.  ERA= 4.58.

Low A:

Abdiel Layer 1B- 3 for 5.  BA= .389.

Ricardo Genoves C- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(2), BB.  BA= .346.

Ryan Murphy RHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.18.

Ivan Armstrong RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.80.

Game Wrap 5/22/2021: Dodgers 6 Giants 3

Once again the Giants lineup was not competitive against an elite SP and a late comeback attempt was too little, too late.  Game Notes:

Scott Kazmir LHP had a successful return to a major league mound after a nearly 5 year absence.   He allowed a splash hit HR to Max Muncy 1B (yeah him) but was otherwise solid through 4 innings.  His FB topped out at a bit over 93 MPH which I think is a tick faster than in spring training when he got knocked around a bit.  

The Dodgers kept chipping away at the bullpen and some bad OF defense.  By that time, I wasn't really watching closely.  Was it a sun issue?  I hate TV driven start times!

Dodgers SP Walker Buehler RHP shut down the Giants offense for 6 innings before giving up a run in the 7'th.  The Giants lineup has managed just 7 hits in 13.1 IP against Trevor Bauer RHP and Buehler.  That weak production has come with 16 K's and 5 BB's.  If you boil the first two games of the series down into one factor it's this:  The Giants lineup is not competitive against elite SP's.  That is true around the league and lots of teams have not been competitive against the Giants SP's either.  It's just that the Dodgers have more and better SP's than anyone else in MLB right now.

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The Loss dropped the Giants a game behind the Padres in the NL West and into a second place tie with the Dodgers.  

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Anthony DeSclafani RHP tries to stave off a sweep against Julio Urias LHP this afternoon.

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Churn Update:  The Giants DFA'd Braden Bishop OF, who they acquired just a few days ago, to make room for Kazmir on the 40-man roster.  They also optioned Sam Selman LHP to AAA Sacramento.  The Giants will now keep their fingers crossed and hope Bishop and Trevor Hildenberger RHP clear waivers.  If not, churn on!  

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Shun Yamaguchi RHP- 6.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 5.65.

Jimmie Sherfy RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, W(1-0).  ERA= 0.00.

Thairo Estrada SS- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(3).  BA= .362.

Joe McCarthy RF- 2 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .262.

Mitchell Tolman 2B(3) and Jason Krizan 1B(2) added solo HR's.  I have a feeling we'll see both Yamaguchi and Sherfy in Giants uniforms by the end of the season.

AA:

Sam Long LHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Ronnie Williams RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.77.

High A:

Caleb Kilian RHP- 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K's.  ERA= 1.25.

Kilian didn't give up his first baserunner until after 2 outs in the 7'th inning. He's allowed 32 K's and just 1 BB in 21.2 IP so far this season.

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Low A:

Abdiel Layer SS- 1 for 4, HR(5), BB.  BA= .355.

Garrett Frechette 1B- 2 for 4.  BA= .171.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

Abdiel Layer continues to show impressive power while playing all over the infield.  Ragsdale has 23 K's and just 4 BB's in 14 IP on the season.

Game Wrap 5/21/2021: Dodgers 2 Giants 1

 The Giants offense turned dormant again in the face of a dominating pitching performance by Trevor Bauer RHP.  Game Notes:

Giants SP Alex Wood LHP made one big mistake resulting in a 2-run HR to Chris Taylor LF.  Dodgers SP Trevor Bauer RHP made a mistake(throwing error) and it cost him one unearned run.  That's the ballgame right there.

Wood did not seem to have his best stuff as he seemed to be constantly in the stretch.  Bauer's command got away from him at times, but there's no questioning his stuff.  I lost track of how many fastballs the Giants swung through that appeared to be straight and in the middle third of the strike zone.  Enough so it wasn't likely random chance.

One possible silver lining is the Giants extended enough AB's and the Dodgers needed Bauer to go deep bad enough that he ended up throwing 126 pitches, the most by any pitcher in MLB so far this season.  Giants fans can attest that when a SP throws too many pitches in one game(Cain's perfect game, Timmy's no-no) it seems to have repercussions in subsequent starts and may never be completely the same again.  We'll see.  Bauer looked like a true badass, though.

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The Loss left the Giants tied with the Padres for first place in the NL West with the Dodgers trailing by 1 game.

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Nick Tropeano RHP will likely get the start this evening facing Walker Buehler RHP.  This looks like a tough matchup for the Giants, but there's a reason they play the games.

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Churn on!  Remember Trevor Hildenberger RHP who was picked up on waivers from Mets a few days ago?  Giants waived him to make room on the 40-man roster for Tropeano.  Camilo Doval RHP was optioned to AAA Sacramento to make room on the 26-man Active Roster.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Thairo Estrada SS- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(2).  BA= .364.

LaMonte Wade Jr.- 2 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .273.

Dominic Leone RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 1.29.

Bullpen game after Scott Kazmir LHP was pulled as a contingency in case the Giants had to use Tropeano last night.  I'm thinking Kazmir could still get called up for a tandem start or something along those lines.

AA:

Heliot Ramos CF- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .304.

David Villar 3B- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .246.

Norwith Gudino RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, Save(3).  ERA= 1.86.

Ramos breaks out of his slump in a big way!

High A:

Brandon Martorano C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .300.

Conner Nurse RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Jose Marte RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, Save(3).  ERA= 0.00.

Low A:

Abdiel Layer 1B- 3 for 4.  BA= .370.

Randy Rodriquez RHP- 3.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.86.

Game Wrap 5/20/2021: Giants 19 Reds 4

 Two days after the 41'st anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, the Giants offense erupted with a similar explosive force producing a mushroom cloud of runs over Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.  I think they are still clearing out the rubble!  Game Notes:

YtY RF went 0 for 2 at the top of the lineup but also drew 3 walks and scored 3 runs.  Not a bad day for a leadoff hitter!

Darin Ruf 1B fell 90 ft short of the cycle settling for 2 doubles to go with his HR and 1B.  Oh, and he added a BB to reach base 5 times in 6 PA's.  

Brandon Crawford SS went 3 for 6 with a 3-run HR to drive in 6 runs.

Evan Longoria 3B who had been slumping, had 3 hits including a HR and added a BB.

 

Steven "Grave" Duggar CF had 2 hits including a grand slam HR to cap the 9-run 3'rd inning.

Johhny Cueto RHP worked the requisite 5 IP to record the W(3-1).  He allowed 1 ER.

We won't talk about the bullpen as it was pure mop up time by the time Cueto left the game.

Unfortunately for me, Tyler Mahle RHP is on my fantasy baseball team and completely blew up my pitching categories allowing 7 ER in 2 IP.  

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The Win completed a sweeeeeep of the 4 game series and gave the Giants a 6-2 record for the 8-game road trip.  It also maintained the Giants lead in the NL West as well as the best record in MLB.

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After a very happy flight home, the Giants immediately start a 3-game weekend series at home agains the Dodgers.  For those of you who were complaining about them not playing the Dodgers earlier in the season, well, it's doesn't get much better than an early season showdown in the last half of May.  Game 1 tomorrow evening features a great matchup of Alex Wood LHP and former Dodger facing Trevor Bauer RHP.  Can't wait!

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Logan Webb RHP was placed on the 10 day IL with R shoulder tightness.  He was replaced on the roster by Jose Alvarez LHP.  Webb's turn to start is on Saturday.  It's not clear right now who will replace him in the rotation.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:  

Jason Vosler 1B- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .214.

Thairo Estrada SS- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .340.

Tyler Beede RHP-  2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.16.

Conner Menez LHP, Jimmie Sherfy RHP, Sam Wolff RHP- 1 IP, 0 R Each.

It won't be Tyler Beede getting called up to start on Saturday. Scott Kazmir LHP is scheduled to pitch today.  We'll see if he gets scratched.  Nick Tropeano RHP and Daniel Alvarez RHP last pitched on 5/18 so they may be available.  Kazmir, Tropeano and Alvarez would all have to be added to the 40 man roster.  

AA:

Heliot Ramos CF- 0 for 2, 3 BB.  BA= .269.

Luis Amaya LHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.75.

High A:

Diego Rincones LF- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .375.

Jasier Herrera RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.23.

RJ Dabovich RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.60.

Low A:

Ricardo Genoves C- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .302.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Austin Reich RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.96.

Chris Wright LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K.  ERA= 1.13.

Game Wrap 5/19/2021: Giants 4 Reds 0

Buster Posey's 3-run double in the top of the 9'th inning turned a 1-0 nail biter into a non-save appearance for the Giants new apparent Closer, Tyler Rogers.  Game Notes:

Buster Posey C was the hitting star with 3 hits and his hitting .374 on the season.

The Giants first run was produced by Mauricio Dubon SS's double to lead off the 5'th inning followed by an RBI single for Mike Tauchman LF.  Brandon Crawford SS go the day off against Wade Miley LHP.  Dubon is surely making it easier for Kap to give Crawford days off.  Dubon added a single in 4 AB's and made a sparkling defensive play.

Kevin Gausman RHP reportedly did not have his best stuff(I was working so did not see the game), but you sure can't tell from his pitching line:  6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 1.66.

After Zach Littell RHP worked a scoreless 7'th inning, Kap tipped his hand regarding the Closer situation by bringing Jake McGee LHP in to work the 8'th inning which would have set up Tyler Rogers RHP for the Save except Buster put the Save out of reach with his hitting heroics in the top of the 9'th.  

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The Win guarantees several things for the Giants:

Continued Best Record in MLB!

Continued first place in the NL West.

Series Win.

Winning record on road trip.

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Johnny Cueto RHP tries for the 4-game sweeeeeeep tomorrow facing Tyler Mahle RHP.

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Down on the Farm:

AA:

Heliot Ramos CF- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .280.

Matt Frisbee RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 0.56.

Mac Marshall LHP- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

Patrick Ruotolo RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.35.

High A:

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .220.

Seth Corry LHP- 4.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 4.22.

Low A:

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 4, 2 HR(3).  BA= .245.

Abdiel Layer 1B- 1 for 3, HR(4), BB.  BA= .304.

Luciano's bat is coming alive as he is 7 for 15, 3 2B, 2 HR over his last 4 games.  3 of his last 4 games have been multi-hit.

Game Wrap 5/18/2021: Giants 4 Reds 2

Alex Dickerson LF and Brandon Crawford SS supplied all the offense Anthony DeSclafani RHP and 2 relievers would need to keep the Giants winning ways going in game 2 of the 4 game series in Cincinnati.  Game Notes:

Alex Dickerson LF- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(4).  BA= .230.  Dickerson has been scuffling at the plate but looked like the hitter we all know he can be in this one.  The HR was a 3-run bomb in the 4'th inning to put the Giants on top 3-1.

Brandon Crawford SS- 2 for 4, HR(10).  BA= .248.  Crawford gave the bullpen an insurance run to work with in the 7'th inning with a solo blast down the RF line.  Crawford leads the team in HR's. Overall, the Giants are tied for #2 in MLB for team HR's.

Anthony DeSclafani RHP- 7 IP,  6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.03.  DeSclafani(I refuse to call him Disco) extended himself to 107 pitches in a dominant 7 IP to outduel former Giants farmhand, Luis Castillo RHP.  Barring injury, he should join a rapidly growing list of pitchers on 1 year contracts who have significantly increased their value with the Giants.

Jake McGee LHP notched his 11'th Save without benefit of a K.  Lineout, groundout, pop up.  

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The Win guarantees the Giants will wake up tomorrow still in first place in the NL West and since the White Sox lost today, the best record in MLB.  How do you like that?

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Kevin Gausman RHP goes for the series win tonight facing Wade Miley LHP who always seems to be at his best against the Giants.

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Giants moved Tommy La Stella IF to the 60-day IL to make room for The Churn.  Giants claimed Trevor Hildenberger RHP off waivers from the Mets and immediately optioned him to Sacramento.

If everything goes as planned, Donovan "Donnie Barrels" Solano IF will come off the IL tomorrow and rejoin the Giants.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Justin Bour 1B- 1 for 3, HR(2), 2 BB.  BA= .225.

Drew Robinson RF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .200.

Nick Tropeano RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.79.

Daniel Alvarez RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.04.

AA:

Andres Angulo C- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .333.

Sandro Fabian DH- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .200.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.25.

Ronnie Williams RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.04.

High A:

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 4, 2B, 2 BB, SB(2).  BA= .265.

Sean Roby 3B- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .262.

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.97.

After a couple of rough starts, Teng pitches a dominant 5 innings.

Low A:

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .222.

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .392.

Ryan Murphy RHP- 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.84.

Giants 5'th round draft pick in 2020, Murphy, has 21 K's in 14.2 IP over 3 appearances although it is low A.

Giants affiliates are performing quite well in terms of W-L records:  AAA Sacramento- 6-6, AA Richmond Flying Squirrels- 9-4, Eugene Emeralds- 9-4, Low A San Jose Giants- 8-5.