Saturday, April 25, 2026

Game Wrap 4/24/2026: Marlins 9 Giants 4

This one got away early as Adrian Houser gave up 8 runs in 4 innings of work and the lineup was not able to catch up.  Key Lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 3 for 5, RBI.  BA= .320.  Arraez keeps hitting but the impact of singles hitters is limited by the batters around him in the lineup.  Arraez batted second and the #1, 3 and 4 went a combined 1 for 13.  If you add in the #5 batter, it was 2 for 17.

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 3 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .275.  Lee continues his hot hitting.  Can we please get him and Arraez batting closer together in the lineup?

Eric Haase C- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .333.  Once upon a time Haase was one of the more promising young power-hitting catchers.  He seems to be back healthy and hitting more like that version of him.

Adrian Houser RHP- 4 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 4/1 GO/AO).  ERA= 7.36.  Houser's early season struggles continue but not too surprising given his career history.  Note he has a career positive groundball tendency.  Thanks to Around the Foghorn for noting that Kruk thinks the ABS Challenge System has caused trouble with sinkerballers by giving batters a point of reference for laying off low pitches and forcing the pitchers to elevate into the strike zone.  This was in reference to Logan Webb's early season struggles.

The Loss drops the Giants record to 11-15. They fall 6.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 4 games out of the Wild Card race.

Robbie Ray LHP tries to be the Stopper this afternoon facing Eury Perez RHP.  

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Down on the Farm: 4/23/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the Albuquerque Isotopes 12-10.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 3 for 4, 3B, BB.  BA= .358.
Thomas Gavello SS- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .190.
Osleivis Basabe 2B- 2 for 4, 2B,  HR(1).  BA= .214.
Turner Hill CF- 3 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .333.
Carson Seymour RHP- 1.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.15.
Wilkin Ramos RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.77.

....and just like that, Carson Seymour blows up the next guy up narrative.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Somerset Patriots 5-2.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 2, BB, HBP, SB(5).  BA= .352.
Maui Ahuna DH- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(4).  BA= .283.
Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 3, HR(2), SB(11).  
Joe Whitman LHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.68.
Shane Rademacher RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.89.
Mitch White RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.32.

Bo Davidson seems to have disappeared from the Squirrels lineup again. He last appeared in a game on 4/18.  He is not listed on the 7-day IL.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Hillsboro Hops 3-1.

Trevor Cohen RF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .235.
Gavin Kilen SS- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .260.
Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .338.
Niko Mazza RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 4.40.
Austin Strickland RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.52.
Ryan Vanderhei RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(2).  ERA= 2.89.

A:  San Jose Giants beat the Ontario Tower Buzzers 9-6.

Lorenzo Meola 2B- 2 for 4, BB, 2 SB(3).  BA= .242.
Junior Barajas C- 2 for 2, 2B, 3 BB.  BA= .302.
Cam Maldonado CF- 2 for 3, HR(7), 2 BB.  BA= .355.
Jeremiah Jenkins DH- 3 for 5.  BA= .364.
Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .302.
Argenis Cayama RHP- 5 IP, 6 h, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.06.
Garrett Langrell RHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.08.
Dylan Carter RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Save(1).  ERA= 4.00.

Argenis Cayama's composite line over his last 3 starts is 1-0, 1.29, 14 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 18 K.

Game Wrap 4/23/2026: Dodgers 3 Giants 0

Logan Webb RHP pitched a Quality Start but the Giants lineup was completely shut down by Tyler Glasnow RHP who limited the Giants to one hit and one walk(Luis Arraez had both).  There really isn't anything else to say about this game.  Oh, Dalton Rushing C is trying hard to become the latest in a long line of Dodger villains with Logan Webb deciding to play the role of straight man for no other reason than why-the-heck not?

This was the 5'th time the Giants lineup was shut out on the season.  The Giants have pitched 4 shutouts so it's not totally a one way street.

Down on the Farm: 4/22/2026

 AAA:  Albuquerque Isotopes blanked the Sacramento River Cats 6-0.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.
Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .284.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP gave up 6 runs in 4.2 IP.  Sam Hentges LHP, Joel Peguero RHP, Tristan Beck RHP, Michael Fulmer RHP all threw a scoreless frame.

AA:  Somerset Patriots topped the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-8.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .333.
Sabin Ceballos 3B- 1 for 4, HR(4), BB.  BA= .269.
Drew Cavanaugh DH- 1 for 3, BB, 2 SB(2).  BA= .333.
Jonah Cox CF- 1 for 2, 2 BB, SB(10).  BA= .404.
Maui Ahuna SS- 1 for 4, BB, SF, SB(3).  BA= .268.
Will Bednar RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.70.
Marco Luciano 2B(Patriots)- 2 for 3, HR(4), 2 BB, E(5).  BA= .346.

Patriots scored 6 runs over the final 3 innings to overcome an 8-3 Squirrels lead.  Marco Luciano is hitting well for the Patriots but continues to have defensive struggles.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsoboro Hops 6-3.

Dakota Jordan DH- 1 for 3, BB, SB(5).  BA= .328.
Lisbel Diaz RF- 1 for 3, SF.  BA= .214.
Zander Darby 1B- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .315.
Walker Martin 3B- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(3), 2 BB, SB(6).  BA= .280.
Tyler Switalski LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.00.
Ryan Slater RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.15.
Gerelmi Maldonado RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(1).  ERA= 3.60.

Will this be Walker Martin's breakout season?  Is Gerelmi Maldonado on the Closer track now?

A:  San Jose Giants quieted the Ontario Tower Buzzers 4-2.

Jhonny Level SS- 1 for 4, BB, SB(5).  BA= .383.
Junior Barajas DH- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .275.
Hayden Jatczak 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.
Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(1).  BA= .262.
Jordan Gottesman LHP- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.52.
Sam Bower RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.76.
Alix Hernandez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 4/22/2026: Giants 3 Dodgers 0

 The Giants got a great game from the unlikeliest sectors of their roster:  An absolute ****s to the wall pitching performance by Tyler Mahle, a 3-run home run by Patrick Bailey and multiple great defensive plays.  Key Lines:

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 3, HR(1), R, 3 RBI.  BA= .155.  After Drew Gilbert CF sacrificed Jung Hoo Lee RF and Heliot Ramos LF to third and second bases respectively, I texted my friend and said, "what's the point of sacrificing the runners over when Patrick Bailey is due up?" Left unspoken was why after doing that would you not pinch-hit for Bailey?  Boom!  No sooner did I hit "Send" and Bailey made me look stupid.  A very wise manager named Earl Weaver once said baseball games are won by 3-run home runs and great pitching.  There was still work to be done but you had to feel pretty good about the game at that point.

Tyler Mahle RHP- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 10/5 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.26.  Mahle outpitched perhaps the best all-around player to ever play the game, he is at least in the conversation, on two levels:  He matched zeros for 6 innings then did him one better by pitching a scoreless 7'th and he held The Great One hitless in 3 AB's at the top of the batting order.  There are a handful of random players in Giants history who will never be forgotten due to legendary performances against the Dodgers.  Brian Johnson immediately comes to mind.  Tyler Mahle may have joined that rank with this performance.  And I will take a small piece of credit for writing yesterday that this game looked like a mismatch.

Willy Adames SS, Luis Arraez 2B and Rafael Devers 1B made great stops on smoked baseballs to back up Mahle's pitching on the defensive side.

Devers had two hits and is batting .290 over his last 7 games.  Jung Hoo Lee had two hits and is batting .385 over his last 7 games, .308 over his last 15.  Ryan Walker RHP earned his second Save in as many games and the Giants may finally have a true Closer.

With the Win, the Giants gained a game on both the first place Dodgers and the Wild Card race, now trailing by 5 and 3 games respectively.  They are one game over .500 since the opening series of the season and 5-1 over their last 6 games.

Logan Webb RHP goes for the sweep this afternoon against Tyler Glasnow RHP.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Down on the Farm: 4/21/2026

AAA:  Albuquerque Isotopes at Sacramento River Cats Postponed.  

This was the 4'th postponement or cancellation of a River Cats game already this season.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Somerset Patriots 8-5.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(4).  BA= .328.
Sabin Ceballos 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .271.
Diego Velasquez 2B- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB, Sac, SB(3).  BA= .257.
Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4.  BA= .241.
Tyler Vogel RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(5).  ERA= 0.00. 
Jacob Lombard Jr SS(Patriots)- 2 for 3, HR(4), BB.  BA= .382.

We're not used to seeing the Squirrels win games by outhitting and outscoring opponenents.  George Lombard Jr is a former first round draft pick by the Yankees.  His younger brother, Jacob is a potential first round pick by the Giants at #4 overall in the upcoming draft.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Hillsboro Hops 5-3.

Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .328.
Trevor Cohen DH- 1 for 4, BB, SB(10).  BA= .233.
Lisbel Diaz RF- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .205.
Charlie McDaniel LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, 5/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.82.
Cade Vernon RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.27.
Ben Peterson RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.25.

For people who have high hopes for Dakota Jordan, he is not disappointing so far.

A:  San Jose Giants blasted the Ontario Tower Buzzers 12-2.

Cam Maldonado RF- 3 for 4, 2B, SF, 2 SB(6).  BA= .345.
Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 3, HR(2), 2 BB.  BA= .321.
Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .246.
Jeremiah Jenkins DH- 2 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .343.
Andy Polanco CF- 1 for 4, BB, SB(6).  BA= .327.
Keyner Martinez RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 5.40.
Jose T. Perez RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 6.14.

Cam Maldonado is suddenly the hottest player in the Giants farm system.  7'th round draft pick last year.  Reminder A ball is a conservative placement for a draft pick out of college ball.

Game Wrap 4/21/2026: Giants 3 Dodgers 1

The Giants hung a 3-spot on Yoshinobu Yamamoto RHP in the first inning.  Landen Roupp and the bullpen made it stand up for a wire-to-wire win.  Key Lines:

Rafael Devers 1B- 1 for 4, RBI.  BA= .226.  Willy Adames SS and Luis Arraez 2B led off the Giants first inning with base hits and Matt Chapman 3B drew a walk to load to the bases.  This was the place where Devers has started to kill too many rallies this season but he laced a single to RF to drive in the critical first run and everybody moved up a base.  

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 3, RBI.  BA= .259.  After a Sac Fly by Casey Schmitt DH, Lee lined the Giants 4'th single of the inning and the game to RF to drive in the Giants third and last run of the game.  4 of the Giants 6 hits in the game came in the critical first inning.  Lee is batting .407 over his last 7 games and .315 over his last 15.

Landen Roupp RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.28.  Roupp was cruising along until the 4'th inning when he inexplicably walked 4 batters and looked like he was on the ropes.  No problem.  He gets out of the inning on a GIDP then came back out to retire the side in order in the 5'th.  Gutsy call by Manager Tony Vitello to bring him back out and a gutsy performance by RouppRouppRouppRoupp!  BTW, 2 of those 4 walks came on challenges:  One by Dodgers Catcher, Dalton Rushing,  that was overturned and one by Patrick Bailey C that was upheld.  

Ryan Borucki LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.87.  So let me get this straight:  Tony Vitello brought Ryan Borucki into a game to face the Dodgers with a 3-1 lead?  You gotta be......!  And he lived to tell about it?  Talk about a gutsy call.  I am quite sure if that move went the way most fans expected, there would be very loud calls for the manager to be fired.  The move did make some sense.  3 of the first 4 batters scheduled to hit batted left.  The lone RH batter, Teoscar Hernandez LF , doubled.  What if he hit a home run?  

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(2).  ERA= 3.60.  Another gutsy call but Walker retired the side on order and struck out two batters in the process.  

With the Win, the Giants record improved to 10-13. They stayed in 4'th place in the NL West 6 games behind the Dodgers and 4 games behind in the Wild Card race.

Tonight's game might be a mismatch with Shohei Ohtani RHP facing Tyler Mahle RHP.