The Giants offense turned 5 hits into 6 runs with the help of 8 BB's issued by Marlins' pitching. Once again, they needed those runs to score another win on what is turning out to be a very nice road trip for them. Key Lines:
Brandon Belt- 0 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .278. One thing about Belt, and I think this is where Bochy may deserve some criticism, is that his walks and resulting OBP are more productive in the top 3'rd of the lineup than the bottom. The 3 hole is almost tailor made for him.
Pablo Sandoval- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .266. Pablo is now 10 for his last 21 AB's. He contributed to both Giants rallies in this one.
Gregor Blanco- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .249. Nice game for Blanco with the only XBH and 2 of the RBI's.
Matt Cain- 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.35. The 2 runs came on a dinger by Giancarlo. I personally think the Giants should trade Juan Perez, Eric Surkamp and Brett Bochy for Giancarlo Stanton. The Marlins would surely go for that, don't you think? Just kidding!
Sergio Romo- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(30). ERA= 2.78. Romo seems to have settled down from his mid-season shakiness.
With the Win, the Giants fell to 10'th in the race for the #1 overall draft pick in 2014.
Madison Bumgarner faces Thomas Kohler in the series finale tomorrow.
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I understand your point DrB, but given what we know now, it appears to me that Bochy did not want to reward Belt for not listening to their instructions. Also, given that Belt was very hot or cold with his bat, that would kill the offense a lot if he batted third while he still used his poor batting mechanics and be so inconsistent there. Panda, when healthy and not coming back from something, is very consistent. Unfortunately, he is not consistently healthy, so to your point, that is probably why Bochy now bats Belt third. May the best bat win!
ReplyDeleteNot saying Bochy should be fired over it or anything or that there weren't other options. Just saying that Belt has always tended to draw a lot of walks, maybe too many, and the walks are more productive coming at the top of the lineup. That's all.
DeleteYes, but I'm in agreement that - although the OBP would look great in the 3 hole - you're #3 hitter also has to do some damage with the bat and be comfortable in big situations. Belt had been tending to be very shy to those situations, though I think he is clearly breaking out of that. The 3-hole is tailor made for what he's turning into now.
DeleteChanging your words, but I disagree on the #3 hitter has to do THE damage. He can also draw a walk and move the line along. #3 is where you've got hammers coming up to drive in the nails. Batting later in the order you're relying on the worst hitters in the order to capitalize on that walk. If your hitting third you've got Buster and and SLG coming up behind you.
DeleteAnd Belt has always done some damage.
This countdown (countup?) to draft order is depressing me. I like it as a silver lining when they lose a series, but I hate it as a wet blanket when they win.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's kind of an ironic thing that the just can't win for losing or lose for winning or whatever this year. I enjoy contemplating the ironies of life.
DeleteGood bet that if we think of Belt's walk rate as ideal in the three-hole, Bochy does as well. But with Belt being so inconsistent, and Bochy preferring defined roles for his guys, Belt wasn't going to be allowed to hit there until he showed that he could get out of a funk in a reasonable number of games. I think the combo of Pablo being in a deep slump, the improvement Belt has shown with the new grip and box position, and the Giants playing for next year created the tipping point needed for Bochy change the order up.
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