Game Wrap 6/9/2021: Rangers 4 Giants 3(11 Innings)

 This game followed the script FZ and Kap laid out to a T....until the bullpen couldn't close it out.  Game Notes:

Openers have not exactly worked out well for the Giants since they started occasionally using them.  That was not the case her as Zach Littell RHP worked a scoreless first inning to get the game to Sammy Long LHP who dominated his MLB debut as the bulk-inning pitcher throwing 4+ innings allowing just 1 walk and 1 hit while striking out 7.

Conner Menez LHP worked 2 scoreless frames allowing 1 hit with 3 K's.  Menez seems ready to take on a more prominent role of one kind or another.  He could be another bulk-innings guy or a starter or a setup man.  Probably not quite ready for Closer role just yet.

 The Giants took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 9'th inning after B2B HR's from Jason Vosler 3B and Chadwick Tromp C in the 5'th inning.  Tyler Rogers RHP blew his 4'th Save although the tying run scored on a Texas League single by Adolis Garcia to drive in a runner from 3B.  Of course, once the game got past the 9'th inning and and the designated runners showed up, it's all a crapshoot and the Giants came out on the losing end.  So, after breaking down the sequences, I'm going to say probably premature to replace the 8'th and 9'th inning guys on the basis of this game alone but 6 Blown Saves and 2 Losses between them is tough to swallow.

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

The Giants lead in the NL West shrank to 2.0 games over the Dodgers who won and jumped over the Padres who lost and are 2.5 games behind.

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

Alex Dickerson OF goes to the IL with a bad back while Matt Wisler RHP was DFA'd.  In addition to Sammy Long, Jimmie Sherfy RHP was called up.  The Wisler move seems like a bit of a surprise as he has a 3.45 ERA over his last 15 appearances and a 3.38 ERA over his last 7, but Kap never seemed to gain confidence in him and never seemed to find a role for him.  The Churn churns on!

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

The Giants start a 4-game series against the Nationals tomorrow with Anthony DeSclafani RHP facing Max Scherzer RHP.

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

Down on the Farm:

High A:

Tyler Fitzgerald 3B- 4 for 5, SB(4).  BA= .243.

Israel Munguia CF- 2 for 2, BB, SF.  BA= .319.

Munguia comes off he Temporarily Inactive List and picks up where he left off with his 4'th multi-hit game out of his last 5(he last played on 5/27).  Tyler Fitzgerald is hitting .324 for the month of June after hitting .205 in May.  He has a 5-game hit streak going.

Low A:

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(8).  BA= .294.

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 5, HR(6).  BA= .270.

Alexander Canario RF- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .212.

Casey Schmitt DH- 2 for 4, HR(5), BB.  BA= .169.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 3.72.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.35.

Ivan Armstrong RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.50.

Casey Schmitt is hitting .304 in June after hitting just .121 in May.