The Giants, who haven been known to leave a lot of men on base, parlayed just 3 hits into 4 runs, all scored in the first two innings, then held on for the win with the help of an overturned call at the plate. Key Lines:
Angel Pagan- 1 for 4. BA= .356. It wasn't much of a hit, but Pagan's blooper in the second inning with the bases loaded drove in 2 runs and was the difference in the game.
Buster Posey- 1 for 4, HR(4). BA= .238. Robbie Erlin seems like the type of pitcher you have to get early in the game and early in the count. Buster did just that after Hunter Pence had drawn a walk in the first inning, driving the ball out to left-center which is a prodigious blast in Petco Park.
Brandon Crawford- 1 for 2, BB. BA= .283. Crawford continues to be productive out of the bottom third of the lineup and against LHP's. He batted 8'th today.
Tim Lincecum- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 6.43. A QS for Timmy. The ump was squeezing both pitchers, so the 3 BB's is a bit deceiving. Erlin probably actually paid the higher price for the ump's strike zone in this one.
Umpires- The home plate ump had a rough day. His strike zone was probably not regulation, but at least he called it evenly. The key play of the game came in the bottom of the 3'rd inning. With the bases loaded and two out, Chase Headley drove one into the RF corner easily scoring the two lead runners. The Padres sent Xavier Nady to try to score the 3'rd run and the ump initially called him safe bringing the Padres within a run at 4-3 and leaving Headley in scoring position. Bochy challenged the call and the replays clearly showed Posey tagging Nady out before his hand touched the plate. The Safe call was overturned and the Giants were out of the inning with a 2 run lead.
The Win improves the Giants record to 11-8, 1 game behind the NL West leading Dodgers who topped the reeling D'Backs 4-1. The Rockies lost to the Phillies 10-9 and are 2.5 games behind the leaders at 10-10. The Padres are in 4'th place at 9-10, 3 games behind while the hapless D'Backs bring up the rear at 5-16, 8 games behind.
The Giants now proceed to Coors Field in Colorado for a set against the Rockies with Ryan Vogelsong facing Jorge De La Rosa in game 1 tomorrow evening.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
In my opinion, Instant Replays paid their entire dues this afternoon. The play at the plate wasn't even close, and if that missed call had wound up seriously changing the game (as it seems it would have), that's a useless part of the game.
ReplyDeleteSo you've got that one for the Giants, and then you've got little stuff like Utley tagging the guy at 2B, whose foot was just slightly off the bag. Bey HEY! That's baseball, that guy should have been out, and there's an instance where even the best ump is likely to miss that momentary detail.
Lastly - my hope in Timmy and Matt Cain is RENEWED. Timmy brought back out the 'ol hook, and it was a beauty. Much sharper with less hump than his college curve (a devastating pitch in its own time), that will play much better as it is now than the original. Timmy is reinventing his wheel....let's see how well he can roll with it!
Great to hear about the humpless curves. I was impressed with the action Cain had on his ball. I didn't get to see Timmy in action. I was hiking in the forest and rubbing a Giant Sequoia for good luck for the Giants. It worked. 4/20 was auspicious for Lincecum as well.
DeleteYeah, that play at the plate was huge and while I would have been disappointed if it had showed the runner was safe, at least I would know it was the right call. No system is going to perfect, but so far I have been very happy with how instant replay is working out.
DeleteAgree that Timmy looked like a new man out there yesterday. Unlike a couple of starts ago when he appeared to have no plan out there whatsoever, he was pitching with a plan and executing it very nicely yesterday. He needs to lose that 'stache though. Maybe his GF can get him to drink a glass of milk then turn the cat loose to lick it off?
Hey Doc, do you think Boch should put Crawford in the 2 hole? I remember him doing pretty well there last year (I think), and I think he profiles there a lot better than either Pence or Belt.
ReplyDeleteHe'll never do it against LHP's but yeah, I really like Crawford batting second against RHP's.
DeleteI'll just add that Buster really seems to have elevated his defensive game. Hosing Everth Cabrera on the CS was really sweet and maybe more impressive than the sweep tag at the plate. I believe Buster is leading the league in CS's so far.
ReplyDeleteThat was a totally impressive CS for Posey, and with Lincecum pitching, too! You're right Dr B, Gerald I think was not satisfied being a league average SB% catcher, because he's a totally different man back there right now.
ReplyDeleteAs much of a proponent I've been and still am for eventually shifting Posey to third base or second, he's really making that potentiality a hard one to envision....