Remember "Torture", the term Kuip coined to describe the cliffhanging finishes the Giants gave fans in 2010? Yeah, well, it's back. And BTW, is it just me or have the Giants played a lot of extra-inning games lately? They were at it again last night with Pablo Sandoval finally putting the Giants ahead to stay with a HR out of the RH batter's box in the 11'th inning. Key Lines:
Pablo Sandoval PH/3B- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(11). BA= .264. With lefty Joey Lucchesi on the mound for the Padres, Bochy sent out a RH heavy lineup to start the game with Zach Green at 3B. When Lucchesi came out, he took out several RH hitters including Green with Pabs taking over at 3B. By the time the 11'th inning rolled around another LHP was out there so Pabs was hitting RH, his weaker side. No matter, I don't know if there is any hitter in baseball better at getting on top of a high pitch, and Pablo definitely did, sending it out into the LF stands for the game winner.
Jeff Samardzija RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K's, GO/AO= 8/0. ERA= 3.95. Shark had his FB command going to both sides of the plate and down in the zone from the get-go and turned in a strong QS.
Bullpen- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. Another command performance by the bullpen after on off day. Moronta, Dyson, Watson, Melancon, Smith. That's the Big Five with Drew Pomeranz and Trevor Gott backing up. Ideally you want to only use 2-3 per game to keep them fresh, but Boch has had to turn to all 5 several times which is why Pomeranz and Gott have been lifesavers for this pen. Oh yeah, Will Smith recorded his 25'th Save.
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The Win left the Giants 2.5 games behind both the Nationals and Cubs who are currently tied for first in the Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the surging Cardinals came from behind to beat the Astros and take over first place in the NL Central.
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Shaun Anderson gets the chance to keep it all going tonight against Cal Quantrill who is coming off 2 scoreless Starts.
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Where would the Giants be without the Panda this year. He has not only filled in for Longoria during his long absence his pinch hitting has been off of the charts. He might not have quite the average he did in his younger days but his clutch hitting is still on board. Considering how everyone had written him off(including myself) after his rough stretch he is making a lot of us eat crow.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great story on twitter about Dutch Holland's secret sauce and why the Cubs bought his contract but don't plan to use him!
ReplyDeleteSee @MikeGianella -- it's a terrific exposé of an elixir that comports with MLB stringent rules and leads to increased health, higher velocities and - most importantly - better in-game results.
Doc, you gotta read this!