Game Wrap 5/22/2021: Dodgers 6 Giants 3

Once again the Giants lineup was not competitive against an elite SP and a late comeback attempt was too little, too late.  Game Notes:

Scott Kazmir LHP had a successful return to a major league mound after a nearly 5 year absence.   He allowed a splash hit HR to Max Muncy 1B (yeah him) but was otherwise solid through 4 innings.  His FB topped out at a bit over 93 MPH which I think is a tick faster than in spring training when he got knocked around a bit.  

The Dodgers kept chipping away at the bullpen and some bad OF defense.  By that time, I wasn't really watching closely.  Was it a sun issue?  I hate TV driven start times!

Dodgers SP Walker Buehler RHP shut down the Giants offense for 6 innings before giving up a run in the 7'th.  The Giants lineup has managed just 7 hits in 13.1 IP against Trevor Bauer RHP and Buehler.  That weak production has come with 16 K's and 5 BB's.  If you boil the first two games of the series down into one factor it's this:  The Giants lineup is not competitive against elite SP's.  That is true around the league and lots of teams have not been competitive against the Giants SP's either.  It's just that the Dodgers have more and better SP's than anyone else in MLB right now.

*************************************************************************************

The Loss dropped the Giants a game behind the Padres in the NL West and into a second place tie with the Dodgers.  

*************************************************************************************

Anthony DeSclafani RHP tries to stave off a sweep against Julio Urias LHP this afternoon.

*************************************************************************************

Churn Update:  The Giants DFA'd Braden Bishop OF, who they acquired just a few days ago, to make room for Kazmir on the 40-man roster.  They also optioned Sam Selman LHP to AAA Sacramento.  The Giants will now keep their fingers crossed and hope Bishop and Trevor Hildenberger RHP clear waivers.  If not, churn on!  

*************************************************************************************

Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Shun Yamaguchi RHP- 6.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 5.65.

Jimmie Sherfy RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, W(1-0).  ERA= 0.00.

Thairo Estrada SS- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(3).  BA= .362.

Joe McCarthy RF- 2 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .262.

Mitchell Tolman 2B(3) and Jason Krizan 1B(2) added solo HR's.  I have a feeling we'll see both Yamaguchi and Sherfy in Giants uniforms by the end of the season.

AA:

Sam Long LHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Ronnie Williams RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.77.

High A:

Caleb Kilian RHP- 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K's.  ERA= 1.25.

Kilian didn't give up his first baserunner until after 2 outs in the 7'th inning. He's allowed 32 K's and just 1 BB in 21.2 IP so far this season.

*************************************************************************************

Low A:

Abdiel Layer SS- 1 for 4, HR(5), BB.  BA= .355.

Garrett Frechette 1B- 2 for 4.  BA= .171.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

Abdiel Layer continues to show impressive power while playing all over the infield.  Ragsdale has 23 K's and just 4 BB's in 14 IP on the season.