A 3-run home run from Luis Matos in the 4'th inning was enough for Hayden Birdsong and a shaky bullpen to come away with a series win and finish the road trip with a respectable record. Key Lines:
Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 4, BB, 2 SB(5). BA= .295. Ramos sustaining last year's breakthrough might be the most positive development of the season for the Giants future.
Luis Matos CF- 2 for 4, HR(4), SB(2). BA= .167. Matos sure looks like there is a star player in there somewhere. Can the Giants afford to give him regular playing time to find out?
Hayden Birdsong RHP- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, 8/2 GO/AO. ERA= 2.37. Birdsong was in complete command into the 6'th inning when he gave up three straight 1-out singles to lost the shutout. Ryan Walker came in and got 2 outs to escape further damage.
Camilo Doval RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, Save(7). ERA= 1.04. It wasn't clean but Doval recorded his second 4-out Save of the series, both with his mother in attendance. Doval and the Giants might have to figure out how to make sure she attends every game. Some of the hitters look like they are starting to hit again and the pitching remains stellar.
This was not a great road trip by any stretch, especially considering two of the three teams were the Nationals and Marlins, but 4-5 is not the end of the world.
The Giants return home to start a 4-game series against the Padres tomorrow evening with Logan Webb RHP facing TBD. Maybe instead of a June Swoon they will have a June Boon?
Matos is a true "What If" story if was able to get more playing time. If they do option him when Jerar returns, they need to give him everyday playing time in Sacramento.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is Casey Schmitt gets sent down or LMWJ gets DFA'd to make room for Jerar.
DeleteI hope they shaved the mustaches. Maybe that will enliven the bats.
ReplyDeleteLuis Matos: Can the Giants afford to give him regular playing time?
ReplyDeleteWell, YtY has all but stopped hitting since May 21: 3 for 38. Don't bother to divide it out: it's about ⅓ of the Mendoza Line.
The first question to answer is who gets sent to Sacramento tomorrow when Jerar Encarnación is added? He played RF twice (including today), DH twice and 1B twice.
And what to do about the 3 LH bats who are hitting so poorly but the Giants need them.
See response to Rob above.
DeleteMary Laurie on his podcast today said “there’s no way” they’re going to cast aside LMWJ … maybe it’s ‘cause they really feel like he’ll come around … also, I think someone said his $5 million salary is guaranteed this season.
ReplyDeleteMarty Lurie? I think Buster Posey already pretty much moved on from LMWJ with this week's comments on KNBR.
DeleteI'm wondering how high the Giants are on Matos potential, a future starting MLB outfielder or just a 4th or 5th outfielder? They haven't given him enough playing time to see what he can do yet. I believe he has only 1 option left. So sending him down now would be like giving up on him. Correct me if I'm wrong. Birdsong pitched well today. He said he's still in the process of ramping up. He has a bright future.
ReplyDeleteThat is the big question with Matos. He passes my eye test for potential star but what about the Giants coaching and management staff? Yes, I believe Birdsong, Harrison and Whisenhunt all have bright futures. You have to trade quality to get quality. I would be OK with including any one of those pitchers in a trade for a frontline lefty hitter with multiple years of team control.
DeleteSo Encarnacion is the 4th OFer and Matos HR heroics earns him a trip to Sacramento!
DeleteWhat a week: 4-game series Giants-Padres & Dodgers Mets — 4 of the top 6 teams in the National League squaring off with 2 division leaders and 2 in the Playoff mix.
ReplyDeleteWould the Giants be happy with a split? Their 2 best are starting games.
Odds makers have Giants fairly heavy favorites today with Webb pitching.
Gotta like Game 4 with Ray — just have to hope to score!
Again, they were lucky this game. 4 runs scored is nice. But 3 came on one swing by a guy who's not been hitting. Look at how many hits they had. 8. They were 1-6 with RISP. And that was Matos. Fortunately, the Marlins were more inept. But without the homerun, they lose again. I think Wade needs to be DFA when Encarnacion comes back. But what if it's more of the same with him? This team takes years off your life. Burrell should make them take batting practice and give them the Willie Mays Hays punishment when it looks like they're trying to hit a homerun. Just my opinion.
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