Game Wrap 7/3/2023: Mariners 6 Giants 5

Blake Sabol drove in all five Giants runs with a pair of home runs but  it wasn't enough to overcome a 9'th inning meltdown by All-Star Closer Camilo Doval as the Giants wasted another Quality Start by Logan Webb.  Key Lines:

Blake Sabol C- 2 for 4, 2 HR(10).  BA= .255.  That's 3 HR and 7 RBI's over his last 2 games for Sabol.  I think it's safe to say he is not going back to Pittsburgh.  Whatever else happens to the Giants this year, the emergence of Sabol and Bailey alone would make it a successful season in my eyes.  Add in several young pitchers and Matos and Schmitt and I'm good.

Logan Webb RHP- 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 11 K's, GO/AO= 4/1.  ERA= 3.38.   No run support again.  Sabol's HR in the 9'th was too little, too late.  If it had come anytime earlier in the game Doval would not have been necessary or at least he would have been in Save situation with a multi-run lead when he generally performs better than in tie games.  It's all about sequencing.

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.77.  Doval had several things going against him.  It was a non-save situation(of course it was a possible win situation but he does not seem to dig those).  He's been used a lot since the beginning of May and has been looking a bit gassed lately.  He was coming off the high of being selected for the All-Star team.  It would probably be better for him and the Giants if he wasn't going and just rested up for a few days.

The Giants drop to 4 games behind the D'Backs in the NL West and are currently holding the final Wild Card playoff spot leading the Phillies by 1 game and trailing the Marlins by 2.5 games and the Dodgers by 1.5.

Looks like another bullpen game tomorrow afternoon against Logan Gilbert RHP.

Churn Watch:

The Giants got bad news when they learned that Thairo Estrada IF has a fracture in his left hand after getting HBP in last night's game.  He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.  He was replaced on the roster by Brett Wisely IF.  Other than maybe Patrick Bailey, Estrada is the guy the Giants can least afford to lose to an extended IL stint.  After Saturday's game, it sure sounded like Anthony DeSclafani RHP was begging to be put on the IL.  He got his wish today with shoulder fatigue and was replaced by Mike Yastrzemski OF who had a hit and a walk in the game tonight.  

Down on the Farm: 7/2/2023

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats edged out the Reno Aces 3-2.

Mike Yastrzemski DH- 0 for 3, BB.  BA= .000.  

Joey Bart C- 2 for 4.  BA= .230.

Will Wilson 2B- 2 for 2, BB.  BA= .232.

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

YtY went 0 for 5, 2 BB in 2 rehab games.  I think the plan is for him to be activated for tomorrow's game.  Joey Bart extends his hitting streak to 6 games.  Would like to see more consistency from Teng but lines like this in the PCL tend to project will to the major leagues.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Reading Fightin' Phils 6-1.

Shane Matheny CF- 2 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .262.

Andy Thomas C- 1 for 2, HR(8), BB, SF.  BA= .211.

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 2 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .190.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 4 Ks.  ERA= 4.97.  

Ben Madison RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Raymond Burgos LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.76.

Wild evening for Whiz, but he got out of hit without giving up a run.  Maybe he's just a 3 true outcomes pitcher.

A+:  Everett Aquasox blanked the Eugene Emeralds 5-0.

Nothing to see here.  You can move along.

A:  Modesto Nuts outscored the San Jose Giants 9-8.

Onil Perez C- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .320.

Jose Ramos 2B- 2 for 2, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .200.

Reggie Crawford LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.50.

Daniel Blair RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 1.89.

Crawford only threw 9 pitches in the first inning so not sure why he came out after just one inning.

The Complexes had Sunday off as usual.

Game Wrap 7/2/2023: Mets 8 Giants 4

The Giants looked like an exhausted team which had a rough evening on all levels in a sloppy loss at the end of an east coast road trip.  Key Lines:

Blake Sabol PH/LF- 1 for 2, HR(8). Sabol came in as PH to face a RHP for Austin Slater LF in the 7'th inning.  That move paid off with a 2-run HR to cut into the Mets 5-1 lead at the time.

Luis Matos RF/CF- 2 for 2, BB.  BA= .241.  Nice offensive game for Matos although he did not figure in the scoring.  He made a rookie mistake trying to do too much when he tried to deke out a runner and ended up misplaying the ball.

Ross Stripling RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 6.51.  Here's where it gets really weird.  Kapler reportedly told a reporter before the game that Stripling was good for 60 pitches.  He threw 24 in 2 IP with just one baserunner allowed and came out of the game for Alex Wood LHP who was apparently the bulk inning guy.  Stripling worked 4 IP with 10 K's in his final rehab start so it's not clear why he was being used as a strict Opener.  Seems like a few other people are wondering the same thing.  Maybe he's not 100% physically?  It sure seems like if the Giants are going to compete for the postseason they need to get effective starts, or at least bulk innings, out of Ross Stripling.  Why not start that when he's going good?

Alex Wood LHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.20.  I have to admit the Giants have a good record in Opener/Bullpen games  but this one backfired spectacularly as Wood just did not have any command loading the bases with one out on 2 walks and a HBP.  He then walked in the Mets first run.  He did have some bad luck on a groundball single/error by Brandon Crawford but then gave up a leadoff HR to Mark Canha(yes him) in the 4'th inning.  

Tristan Beck RHP- 2.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.20.  Not a great line but decent considering the circumstances.  Beck sure looks like a hoss on the mound.  Is it time to give him some higher leverage innings?

The Giants finish the road trip a disappointing 2-4 after winning their 10'th road game in a row on day 1 in Toronto.  On the other hand, I think this is their longest trip of the season in terms of miles travelled and it was against two very talented, if under-achieving teams so 2-4 is probably better than this trip looked at the beginning of the season.  The DBacks, Dodgers and Marlins all lost too so the pertinent standings remain static despite the loss.

The Giants return home tonight and start a home series against the Mariners tomorrow evening with Logan Webb RHP facing Bryan Woo RHP.

Down on the Farm: 7/1/2023

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outlasted the Reno Aces 5-4(10 inning).

Dalton Guthrie 3B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .286.

Tyler Fitzgerald CF- 1 for 5, HR(9).  BA= .295.

Joey Bart C- 2 for 5.  BA= .214.

Brett Wisely RF- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .301.

Will Wilson 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .225.

Sean Newcomb LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 6.10.

Joey Bart has a 5-game hit streak in which he is 7 for 21.  Most of Sean Newcomb's inflated ERA is due to a single disaster appearance in which he gave up 5 ER in 1.1 IP on June 20.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Reading Fightin' Phils 4-1.

Wade Meckler LF- 2 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .392.  

Vaun Brown CF- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(8).  BA= .265.

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .173.

Mason Black RHP- 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's, GO/AO= 5/0.  ERA= 3.66.  

Spencer Bivens RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.17.

Evan Gates  RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.05.

 Exciting stuff from Wade Meckler and Vaun Brown but the big story here is Mason Black's 5 perfect innings and I don't think it's possible to pitch much better than his line.  In the process he stretches his scoreless innings streak to 22.1 over his last 5 appearances.  He as 29 K's and just 5 BB's in that span.  Per Roger Munter on Twitter, Black was hitting 97 MPH with his FB.

A+:  Everett Aquasox topped the Eugene Emeralds 4-2.

Victor Bericoto 1B- 1 for 4, HR(16).  BA= .298.

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4.  BA= .284.

Brett Auerbach 3B- 3 for 4, 2B.  BA= .246.

Jack Choate LHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Sam Delaplane RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Sam Delaplane moves up from SJ.

A:  San Jose Giants outscored the Modesto Nuts 12-11.

Heliot Ramos DH- 3 for 4, 2 2B, HR(2), BB.  BA= .385.

Tanner O'Tremba RF- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB, SB(8).  BA= .275.

Thomas Gavello C- 3 for 5.  BA= .243.

Dilan Rosario 3B- 2 for 4, 2 HR(2).  BA= .219.

Turner Hill CF- 1 for 4, HBP, 2 SB(11).  BA= .225.

Big game for Heliot in a rehab assignment.

Complex Performances:

Anyelo Gonzalez LF(DSL, 18 yo)- 1 for 2, BB, HR(2).  BA= .370.  Primary position is listed as C but seems to play multiple positions.  Bat off to a great start to his pro career.

Angel Guzman RF(DSL, 17 yo)- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .325.  17 yo LH batter hitting for both average and power.

Soyger Brizuela C(DSL, 17 yo)- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .226.  Another catcher.  7 for his last 20 after going 0 for 11 in his first 3 pro games.

Game Wrap 7/1/2023: Mets 4 Giants 1

 Anthony DeSclafani was stricken with a bad case of goferitis in the third inning while Justin Verlander shut down the Giants lone rally with a GIDP.  Key Lines:

Anthony DeSclafani RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.44.  Oddly enough, Tony D struck out the side in the third inning while giving up 3 solo HR's. Tony says he's feeling gassed and just trying to get to the All-Star break.  Note he did not pitch much last season due to the ankle surgery.  Not sure what the answers are but the All-Star break will only be a short-lived respite likely to energize him for just a game or two.

Sean Manaea LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.53.  Manaea might be able to pick up some innings from DeSclafani, but he has to get out of Kap's doghouse first(not that he doesn't deserve to be in Kap's doghouse).  

Note that the overall pitching effort today was good enough yesterday.

Too early to say what impact the loss will have on the standings but the Marlins also lost so the Giants remain 1.5 games behind the top team in the Wild Card playoff race.

Ross Stripling RHP tries for a series win tomorrow facing David Peterson LHP although weather could be an issue in even getting the game in.

Down on the Farm: 6/30/2023

 AAA:  Reno Aces defeated the Sacramento River Cats 6-4.

Isan Diaz 2B- 1 for 5, HR(5).  BA= .313.

Tanner Andrews RHP- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.60.

Cats roster is ravaged by all the callups and graduations.  Pretty much down to AAAA guys in the lineup now.

AA:  Reading Fightin' Phils beat the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-3.

Logan Wyatt 1B- 2 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .344.  

Landon Roupp RHP- 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 1.74.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds pounded the Everett Aquasox 9-2.

Grant McCray RF- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, SB(30).  BA= .236.

Jared Dupere LF- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .266.

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 1 for 5, HR(8).  BA= .208.

Ghordy Santos 2B- 2 for 4, HR(6), SB(4).  BA= .247.

John Bertrand LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.25.

A:  Modesto Nuts crushed the San Jose Giants 9-4.

Manuel Mercedes RHP- 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 8/3.  ERA= 3.36.

Complex Performances: 

Rayner Arias CF(DSL, 17 yo)- 0 for 1.  BA= .414.  Uh oh!  We don't like to see prospects of Arias' caliber come out of games early.  Hopefully precautionary but we've seen quite a few DSL prospects come out of games and not reappear on boxscores the rest of the season.

Junior Flores RHP(ACL, 21 yo)- 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.18.

Game Wrap 6/30/2023: Giants 5 Mets 4

Patrick Bailey's 3-run HR in the 8'th inning gave the Giants their first lead of the game and the bullpen took it from there, with a little more help from Bailey, to take the first game of the weekend series in New York.  Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 0 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .280.  In his last 3 games, LMWJ has quietly reached base 7 times in 13 PA yet has not figured in any scoring during that stretch.

Wilmer Flores DH- 1 for 5, HR(8).  BA= .255.  Flores drove in the Giants 2'nd run of the game with a solo HR in the 5'th inning which temporarily tied it at 2-2. 

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 4, HR(5).  BA= .322.  Per Dave Fleming's call, Mets reliever David Robertson hung a knuckle-curve and Bailey, batting lefthanded, crushed it sending it about 430 feet to straightaway CF.  Perhaps even more impressive, he made a perfect throw in the 9'th inning to nail Starlin Marte trying to steal 2B for the second out of the inning.  Wow!  Star players have the ability to take over games and win them.  That's what Bailey is doing now.

Alex Cobb RHP- 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.12.  Cobb gave up runs in the first two innings but kept the Giants in the game despite a sub-Quality Start.  

Sean Manaea LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.68.  What's going on with Manaea?  His last 3 appearances have been 1 inning each.  The Giants were trailing by 2 runs during his half-inning so it would seem he is relegated to being an expensive low-leverage 1-inning guy.  Oh, and Bailey hit his bomb before Tyler Rogers RHP came on in the 8'th inning so Manaea gets the W.

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.89.  Is Camilo Doval on your fantasy team?  He's become a Save machine.

The Win leaves the Giants 2.5 games behind the first place D'Backs in the NL West. They are in the 3'rd Wild Card playoff spot trailing the Marlins by 1.5 games and the Dodgers by 0.5.

Anthony DeSclafani RHP tries to clinch a series win tonight facing Justin Verlander RHP.

Churn Watch:  Michael Conforto OF is trying to stay off the IL with his tight hamstring so David Villar IF was optioned to AAA Sacramento to make room on the roster for Alex Cobb's reactivation from the IL.