Game Wrap 9/7/2024: Giants 6 Padres 3

Two very long home runs by Grant McCray carried the Giants to a win over the Padres.  Key Lines:

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .232.  Bailey is trying to fight his way out of a brutal second half slump.  He reached base 3 times and scored 3 runs.

Grant McCray CF- 2 for 4, 2 HR(5).  BA= .262.  Oh my!  That is a quick bat!  McCray took Dylan Cease, a very good pitcher, deep in the 2'nd inning on a ball he pulled to RF.  It was easily a HR in the old Petco dimensions which where huge.  Then in the 9'th he hit one even farther to R-CF.  Again it would have been gone in the original Petco.  Even Barry Bonds found the original Petco Park dimension a challenge.  I've been trying for awhile to think of who McCray reminds me of.  Watching that first HR it came to me:  Crime Dog!  Fred McGriff!  He's got a similar wiry strong build and the lightning quick power in the bat.  Maybe his nickname can be Young Crime Dog?  Did Grant McCray suddenly put himself in the mix for a starting OF spot next season?

Logan Webb RHP- 6 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 8/3.  ERA= 3.48.  Not his best work but a Quality Start.  McCray's heroics made it good enough for the W.  

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.62.  Whatever Doval was throwing up there, it looked like mostly 90 MPH sliders, the Padres were not picking it up.  Multiple broken down swings and flails at pitches 6 inches off the plate.  Now, if he can find some consistency......

Spencer Bivens RHP gets his second MLB start tomorrow afternoon against Joe Musgrove RHP.

Churn Watch:  Cavan Biggio 2B didn't hang around long.  The Giants traded him to the Braves for cash considerations.

Down on the Farm: 9/6/2024

AAA:  Salt Lake City Bees stung the Sacramento River Cats 8-1:

Thairo Estrada 2B- 3 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .433.

I think it's pretty clear the Giants have already decided to not tender a contract to Estrada this winter.  Why do I feel like he's going to be a bargain pickup for some organization?

 AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels outscored the Akron Rubber Ducks 7-5:

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB.  BA= .261.

Andy Thomas C- 2 for 5.  BA= .229.

Matt Higgins 1B- 2 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .280.

Andrew Kachel 3B- 2 for 5.  BA= .225.

Wil Jensen RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.60.

Cameron Cotter RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= .338.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds blanked the Vancouver Canadians 3-0:

Cesar Perdomo LHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.00.

Trent Harris RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.00.

Hunter Dula RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Save(5).  ERA= 3.19.

Since his ERA reached a peak of 6.04 on 7/21, Perdomo has allowed 9 ER in 31.1 IP(ERA= 2.56).  I saw him pitch in Lake Elsinore at a lower level early in the season and was impressed by his command of a mix of pitches.

A:  San Jose Giants outlasted the Fresno Grizzlies 6-5(11 innings):

Zander Darby PH/2B- 1 for 1, HR(4).  BA= .256.

Robert Hipwell 3B- 1 for 6, HR(5).  BA= .212.

Jack Bresnahan LHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 10.98.

Darby and Hipwell each hit a 3-run HR to account for all of the Giants scoring.  Darby's was a PH HR in the top of the 11'th to give the Giants a 3-run lead. They almost gave it back in the bottom of the inning but hung on for the win.

Game Wrap 9/6/2-24: Padres 5 Giants 1

Mason Black had a rough first inning exacerbated by a throwing error by Tyler Fitzgerald and the Giants never recovered in a game that illustrated the talent gap between the two teams.  Key Lines:

Michael Conforto DH- 1for 4, HR(16).  BA= .230.  Conforto drove in the Giants only run with a HR in the 6'th inning.  He had two hits in yesterday's game but is still hitting just .231 over his last 7 games and .192 over his last 15.  Very disappointing season for Conforto who almost surely won't be back next season.

Grant McCray CF- 2 for 3.  BA= .246.  Some signs of life from a bat that's been struggling over his last 15 games.

Mason Black RHP- 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 7.50.  Black gave up the 3-spot in the first inning but settled down to allow just 1 more over the next 3.2 IP.  A wild throw by Fitz as runners were advancing after a flyout to RF allowed 2 runs to score.  They might have scored anyway because Manny Machado followed with a HR, but maybe Black was temporarily distracted by the wild error?  It's been an up and down season for Black but He seems like a guy who could still be in the mix for a role next season.  He has options so could start at AAA for depth.

Logan Webb RHP takes the mound tomorrow evening facing Dylan Cease RHP.  

Churn Watch:

Kyle Harrison LHP was placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation.  Austin Warren RHP was recalled from AAA Sacramento.

Down on the Farm: 9/5/2024

 AAA:  Salt Lake City Bees swarmed over the Sacramento River Cats 11-5:

Wade Meckler LF- 1 for 4, HR(5).  BA= .308.

David Villar 3B- 2 for 4, HR(15).  BA= .256.

Hunter Bishop CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .239.

Donovan Walton DH/RHP- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .302.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels outscored the Akron Rubber Ducks 7-6:

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .258.

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .182.

Diego Velasquez SS- 2 for 5.  BA= .304.

Matt Higgins LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .264.

Luis Toribio 3B- 2 for 3, 3B.  BA= .209.

Nick Sinacola RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.68.

Will Bednar RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 7.53.

It's been another rough season for Will Bednar but Roger Munter sent out an X message saying he was hitting 97 MPH with the FB in this appearance.

A+:  Vancouver Canadians edged out the Eugene Emeralds 4-3:

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 2 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .300.

Hayden Wynja LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.97.

Austin Strickland RHP- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.46.

Ceballos success takes the sting out of FZ giving up on the season by trading Jorge Soler but playing 3B in Oracle Park is probably not in his future.

A:  Fresno Grizzlies topped the San Jose Giants 5-4:

Walker Martin SS- 1 for 3, HR(1), 2 BB.  BA= .211.

Guillermo Williamson 1B- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(12).  BA= .241.

Cale Lansville RHP- 6 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K's, GO/AO= 4.36.

Cameron Pferrer RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.16.

Walker Martin seems to be finishing the season on an up note:  5 for 11 in 3 games in Sept.  12 for 36 in 10 games since 8/24.

Game Wrap 9/5/2024: Giants 3 D'Backs 2

The Giants overcame a rough start by Blake Snell to win in a walk-off .  Key Lines:

Tyler Fitzgerald SS- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(17).  BA= .300.  Fitz led off the 9'th inning with a single, Stole 2B and scored on Patrick Bailey's ground rule double for the walk-off win.

Patrick Bailey C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .233.  Bailey drove in all 3 Giants runs with a 2-out, 2-run single in the 4'th inning and the walkoff double in the 9'th.  He is 4 for 9 over his last 3 games.

Blake Snell LHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.62.  I let out a gasp when I saw that Snell came out after 1 IP in the boxscore, but Melvin most likely made the move because Snell threw 42 pitches in the inning which was extended by Tyler Fitzgerald's throwing error.  From looking at the Play Log, it's not clear to me why both runs weren't unearned.  Perdomo scored on Fitzgerald's throwing error and Corbin Carroll scored on a Strike Out/Passed Ball.  

Landon Roupp RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.41.  Great long relief job by Roupp who should be in line for a SP or long RP role next season.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.88.  Walker gets credit for the W(9-3) and what a season he's had!  

The Giants travel to San Diego for a weekend series with Mason Black RHP starting tomorrow evening against Michael King RHP.

Down on the Farm: 9/4/2024

AAA:  Salt Lake City Bees outlasted the Sacramento River Cats 7-6(10 innings):

Wade Meckler CF- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .310.

Donovan Walton 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .300.

Christian Koss SS- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(4).  BA= .274.

Ryan Watson RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.26.

Justin Garza RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.52.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels edged out the Akron Rubber Ducks 3-2(10 innings):

Ismael Munguia LF- 2 for 3.  BA= .317.

Turner Hill PR/LF- 1 for 2, 2B.  BA= .274.

Luis Toribio 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .202.

Jack Choate LHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 6.20.

Nick Swiney LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.45.

Mat Olsen RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.40.

A+: Eugene Emeralds outscored the Vancouver Canadians 10-7:

James Tibbs III- 1 for 4, HR(1), BB.  BA= .080.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 2 for 4, HR(5), BB.  BA= .292.

Quinn McDaniel CF- 1 for 1, HR(13), 4 BB, 3 SB(40).  BA= .240.

Scott Bandura LF- 1 for 3, HR(6), 2 BB, SB(19).  BA= .235.

Jack Payton 1B- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, SF.  BA= .222.

A walk for Quinn McDaniel is essentially a double!  I had to hit the button on someone's comment yesterday about Tibbs.  While I don't disagree with the comment, I was not able to independently verify it pertained to Tibbs and it was mainly a non-baseball point.  It's the type of issue I like to address on my personal Facebook page but I prefer to (mostly) stick to baseball here.

A:  San Jose Giants subdued the Fresno Grizzlies 10-5:

Lisbel Diaz RF- 4 for 5, 3B, SB(7).  BA= .280.

Walker Martin SS- 3 for 5, 3B.  BA= .207.

Zander Darby 2B- 2 for 4, HR(3), BB.  BA= .265.

Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .226.

Ty Hanchey C- 2 for 5.  BA= .258.

Game Wrap 9/4/2024: D'Backs 6 Giants 4

Lamonte Wade Jr drove in all four of the Giants runs but it wasn't enough to overcome some subpar pitching.  Key Lines:

Tyler Fitzgerald SS- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .297.  Fitz hit cleanup, got two hits and scored two runs.

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 2 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .267.  LMWJ seemed to have a sturdy base under him when he sent one into McCovey Cove with a Bondsian amount of room to spare.  He and Fitz accounted for all of the Giants hits.

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.19.  Birdsong is now 9 IP over his previous career season high.  Serious Question:  Is it better to build his innings this season or are FZ and BoMel risking his career by sending him out there after he has obviously hit a wall?

Spencer Bivens RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.86.  Bivens ate some innings and kept his team in the game.

Camilo Doval RHP- 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.78.  Doval did not eat innings nor did he keep his team in the game.

Blake Snell LHP tries to salvage the final game of fhe series tomorrow afternoon against Merrill Kelly RHP.

(Non) Churn Watch:

Turns out the reason Matt Chapman was a late scratch for this game is he was either taking a physical or wrapping up negotiations on a 6 yr/$151 M contract extension.  This is a good deal for both sides.  Chapman is financially set for life and gets to play where his heart is.  The Giants extend their season MVP at a reasonable price(by today's standards) and lock down a position for the next 6 seasons.  The contract covers his age 32-37 seasons so it could cross over into negative value on the back end but it's not such a huge contract as to be crippling at that point.  Having Chapman locked down to a long term contract should help the Giants attract other higher end free agents this coming offseason.