The Giants went up against Zach Wheeler and the Phillies with a bullpen game and a failed former Phillies prospect as the bulk ininngs guy.....and won a 1-0 shutout.....in extra innings! As Vin Scully would say, "go figure!" Key Lines:
The Giants managed just 4 hits in the game, all singles, two each by Thairo Estrada 2B and Matt Chapman 3B. The winning run scored without the benefit of a hit. Wilmer Flores PH/1B advanced the Designated Runner, Tyler Fitzgerald PH/SS to 3B on flyball out to CF(you only get credit for a sac fly if a run scores). Luis Matos CF then drove in the winner with a Sac Fly to LF.
Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.21. Still not sure exactly what the advantage to using an Opener followed by a bulk-inning guy vs just letting the bulk guy start but Miller seeems to be a go-to guy for the Opener role and he got it done tonight.
Taylor Rogers LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. ERA= 2.91. Gotta admit. I am not a big Taylor Rogers fan but he was great tonight. Maybe he's more suited for a 2-inning role earlier in the game?
Spencer Howard RHP- 4 IP, 5 H 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00. A lot going on here: 1. I have just one question: How many of you all would have had Spencer Howard on your radar screen if you didn't read this blog. Woo Hoo! 2. Howard is a former Phillies 2'nd round draft pick who matched goose eggs with former Giants first round draft pick, Zach Wheeler RHP. Howard had a hopping hard mid-90's FB and a sharp downward slider. The Phillies have a great lineup and he did not flinch even with runners on base. I think he earned himself another bulk-inning or starting appearance with this performance.
Tyler Rogers RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 3.12. My heart sank when I saw Tyler Rogers come in. Memories of Sunday's debacle were too fresh in my mind. He was a different pitcher today and made Bryce Harper look bad.
Sean Hjelle RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. ERA= 2.95. Great job by Hjelle, especially pitching around the Designated Runner without allowing a run in the 10'th.
The Giants remain percentage points ahead of the Padres for the second Wild Card playoff spot, 5.5 games behind the Dodgers.
Kyle Harrison LHP goes for the sweep tomorrow afternoon against Cristopher Sanchez LHP.
Churn Watch: FZ was in Churn Heaven today. Here's the breakdown:
LaMonte Wade Jr was placed on the 10 day IL with a grade 2 hammy strain. He is projected to miss 1 month.
Benefit of an opener vs. "just starting the bulk innings guy"? Not sure I am a big fan of the tactic, either, but I think this game illustrates it. With Schwarber and Harper 1 and 3 in the lineup -- 2 very dangerous LH bats, Howard avoids them both for 1 AB during his tenure. There's no "3rd time around" exposure. I seem to recall that Rays debuted this tactic with Forever Giant Sergio Romo, using him as opener vs, teams with RH bats at the top.
ReplyDeleteGreat job by Hjelle! Did anyone know Drew Pomeranz was on the roster? LOL!
ReplyDeletei wouldn't mind seeing howard start in the next go around and then keaton winn should be nearing a return. robbie ray is also getting close to starting a rehab assignment. reinforcements are on their way, i would have randy rodriguez be my 7th inning guy, ryan walker as the setup man and of course doval as the closer.
ReplyDeleteGotta love what the Bullpen has been doing..In the last 12 games (10-2), they have pitched over 60 innings with a 2.67 ERA...Throw away the silly Tyler Rogers save attempt implosion and the little Mason Black experiment and it's around 57 IP with a 1.74 ERA. I know, that's a little cherry picking, and there will be some regression but with Walker, Hjelle, Rodrigues and Miller hitting their stride to go along with Ty Rogrs and Doval (and, who knows, maybe Taylor Rogers), the bullpen is looking a lot stronger. Gonna need another lefty though!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree that Howard deserves another shot at starting or Big Bulk, given the injuries too Winn and Roup and the inconsistencies of Black. Need a 5th to provide a decent option until one of Cobb or Ray comes back.
SteveVA
was not a huge "Jelly" fan....but man, he has been soooooo good this year. I am not believing in him
ReplyDeleteJust for fun-- what do you think it would take to sign Brandon Belt? I would like to see a LH bat for DH/1B
ReplyDeleteI advocated for signing Belt to be DH over the winter. Belt's comments sound like he is shocked he hasn't gotten so much as an offer so I have to think it wouldn't take too much to sign him. Enough so he's not embarrassed so probably something like $1.5 M with an option/buyout for next season?
DeleteHoward was doing bad in AAA regardless of whether it’s a hitting league or not. He would mix good performances just like the one he had this game with many horrible performances.
ReplyDelete