Sunday, May 24, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/23/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats shut out the Sugarland Space Cowboys 6-0.

Buddy Kennedy 1B/3B- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(6), BB.  BA= .331.
Drew Cavanaugh C- 3 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .400.
Spencer Bivens RHP- 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.04.
Jason Foley RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.
Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.
Tristan Beck RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 4.58.
Wilkin Ramos RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 2.16.  

Drew Cavanaugh started last season in A San Jose. He's hit at ever level.  Can he catch well enough to carry the strong side of a L-R platoon?  There are at least 3 pitchers in this game who I would rather have in the Giants bullpen than Ryan BoruckiFoley should be ready soon.  The Giants probably want to see him pitch on consecutive days first.

AA: Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Binghampton Rumble Ponies 5-1.

Jonah Cox RF- 4 for 4, BB, 3 SB(24).  BA= .417.
Parks Harber LF- 0 for 2, 3 BB.  BA= .340.
Bo Davidson CF- 0 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .277.
Zane Zielinski 2B- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .158.
Logan Martin RHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.25.
Will Bednar RHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.11.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds outscored the Hillsboro Hops 9-8.

Dakota Jordan CF- 0 for 3, 2 BB, SB(9).  BA= .279.
Gavin Kilen SS- 3 for 5.  BA= .316.
Carlos Gutierrez LF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(11).  BA= .258.
Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 2 for 4, HBP.  BA= .368.
Walker Martin 3B- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .219.
Lisbel Diaz RF- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(7).  BA= .252.
Cole Hillier RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.91.
Liam Simon RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, Save(3).  ERA= 4.50.

A: Stockton Ports topped the San Jose Giants 4-3.

Isaiah Barkett DH- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .358.
Jhonny Level SS- 0 for 3, BB, SF.  BA= .331.
Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .272.
Dario Reynoso 3B- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(5).  BA= .301.
Andy Polanco CF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 2 SB(17).  BA= .277.
Ben Bybee RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.73.
Cooper McGrath RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 8.82.

ACL:  Giants beat the Cubs 7-5.

Josuar Gonzalez SS- 1 for 1, 3B.  BA= .421.
Yosneiker Rivas PR/3B- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .412.
Yohendry Sanchez C- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .444.
Alexander Fuentes RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.86.

Josuar Gonzalez came out of the game for a pinch runner immediately after running out the triple to lead off the game.  The first thing I think of when I see that is a hammy.  

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Game Wrap 5/23/2026: Giants 10 White Sox 3

Turnabout is fair play and this time it was the Giants who got a grand slam home run from Harrison Bader in a 6-run 5'th inning in a runaway win.  Key Lines:  

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 5, HR(6), R, RBI.  BA= .233.  Believe it or not, Adames has a .286 BA over his last 7 games and .323 over his last 15.  Sure doesn't feel like it.  He's only .213 over his last 30 games which tells you how bad he was for the first half of that.  

Luis Arraez 2B- 2 for 5, 3B, 2 R.  BA= .323.  We should start calling him Luis Two Hits.  Out of 49 games he has 13 2-hit games, 5 3-hit games and one 4-hit game.  Been a long time since the Giants had a hitter like that.

Casey Schmitt LF- 2 for 4, HR(10), SF, R, 3 RBI.  BA= .291.  Seems like Casey might have found a home in LF, at least until Ramos gets back but that may be awhile.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .234.  Since coming out of his 7 for 70 or whatever funk, Chapman is batting .346 over his last 7 games.

Bryce Eldridge DH- 2 for 3, BB, R.  BA= .179.  Eldridge is 5 for 15 over his last 4 games.

Harrison Bader CF- 2 for 4, HR(5), R, 4 RBI.  BA= .178.  I remarked to my daughter that Bader may not be much of a hitter but he does run into one once in awhile.  The great part of the grand slam is he would have made an out but the 3B, Vargas, wasn't wearing sunglasses and dropped a foul pop.  

Adrian Houser RHP- 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.30.  Giants SP's have struggled to pitch even 5 innings let alone 6 or 7.  

Matt Gage LHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.74.
Sam Hentges LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.
Joel Peguero RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.00.  Put these three with Keaton Winn RHP and Caleb Kilian RHP you start to have the makings of a 5 man bullpen.  Add Brubaker for long relief and you just need a couple more.  Erik Miller LHP can probably stay.  Ryan Borucki LHP needs to go.  Jason Foley RHP is rehabbing in Sacramento.

Robbie Ray LHP will try to bounce back from his last start and win the series facing the fireballing Noah Schultz LHP.

Down on the Farm: 5/22/2026

AAA:  Sugarland Space Cowboys outscored the Sacramento River Cats 7-6.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .325.
Christian Koss SS- 2 for 5, SB(1).  BA= .444.
Grant McCray LF- 2 for 3, BB, SB(9).  BA= .235.
Logan Webb RHP- 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K's, 5/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.
Carson Seymour RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 K, 7/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.30.

Logan Webb makes a rehab start after receiving an injection for knee bursitis.  Grant McCray is 6 for 8 over his last 3 games and 12 for 28 over his last 8 games.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels doubled the score on the Binghampton Rumble Ponies 10-5.

Jonah Cox RF- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .400.
Bo Davidson CF- 2 for 5, HR(6), SB(2).  BA= .284.
Charlie Szykowny 3B- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(3).  BA= .289.
Diego Velasquez 2B- 1 for 2, 2B, BB, HBP, SB(8).  BA= .248.
Greg Farone LHP- 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 7.49.
Tyler Vogel RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, Save(6).  ERA= 2.08.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds beat the Hillsboro Hops 7-3.

Trevor Cohen RF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .270.
Gavin Kilen SS- 2 for 4.  BA= .307.
Jancel Villaroel C- 2 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .268.
Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .353.
Jacob Bresnahan LHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.93.
Ryan Vanderhei RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.99.
Esmerlin Vinicio LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 0.44.

A: San Jose Giants destroyed the Stockton Ports 12-0.

Isaiah Barkett 2B- 3 for 4, HBP.  BA= .356.
Jhonny Level DH- 1 for 5, 2B.  BA= .338.
Hayden Jatczak 3B- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .313.
Junior Barajas C- 0 for 2, 3 BB.  BA= .290.
Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 5.  BA= . 286.
Lorenzo Meola SS- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .238.
Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 3, 2 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .263.
Jorge Polanco CF- 1 for 4, 2B, SF, SB(15).  BA= .276.
Jose Astudillo RF- 0 for 3, SF, Sac.  BA= .340.
Braydon Risley LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 7/3 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.20.
Alix Hernandez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.42.
Evan Gray RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA 9.00.

The whole team got in on the act in this game.

ACL:  Guardians topped the Giants 6-5. 

Josuar Gonzalez SS- 1 for 2, 3 BB, SB(4).  BA= .405.
Santiago Camacho C- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .348.
Carlos Concepcion 1B- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .226.
Yosneiker Rivas LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .357.
Carlos De La Rosa LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.30.
Luke Mensik RHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.54.

Game Wrap 5/22/2026: White Sox 9 Giants 4

Trevor McDonald was perfect through 3 innings then inexplicably fell apart in the 4'th inning allowing 7 runs in what was ultimately a 9-run inning, a disaster inning if there ever was one.  Key Lines:

The lineup managed 7 hits and 3 walks with Luis Arraez 2B the only Giant with 2 hits.  

Trevor McDonald RHP- 3.2 IP, 3 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.76.  The 4'th inning was one of the strangest I've ever seen.  How does a team score 7 runs 3 hits and a walk?  The inning goes HBP, HBP(challenged, upheld), fly out, infield single(bases now loaded), walk, double, fielder's choice(run scored, no outs recorded), Strike Out, groundball single, pitching change(Ryan Borucki LHP replaces Trevor McDonald), HBP, Double, infield single/error(Adames), Strikeout.  That's how.  

It seemed like a mistake at the time but in retrospect, Arraez' decision to try for an out at home on a play he could have easily gotten an out at first looms large.  The next batter struck out and that would have ended the inning at 4-0 an the Giants still in the game.  Instead, it led to 5 more runs and an insurmountable 9-0 White Sox lead.  

As to what caused McDonald's meltdown, we've seen several minor league pitchers fall apart when having to pitch out of the stretch after a strong start to a game.  Is that what happened here?  

As it stands, there are only 3 MLB teams with worse records than the Giants as we close in on the 1/3 mark of the season. They have lost 4 games in a row.

Adrian Houser RHP tries to stop the latest skid this afternoon facing Bryan Hudson LHP who comes in with a 1.57 ERA. Hudson might be an Opener.


Friday, May 22, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/21/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats beat the Sugarland Space Cowboys 8-2.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .346.
Christian Koss SS- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .500.
Grant McCray LF- 2 for 3, 2 2B, BB.  BA= .226.
Turner Hill RF- 1 for 3, BB, SB(6).  BA= .325.
Aeverson Arteaga 3B- 1 for 2, SF.  BA= .375.
Blade Tidwell RHP- 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 5.63.
Trent Harris RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 5.40.
Gregory Santos RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.57.

Interesting that Arteaga moves over to 3B with Christian Koss at SS.  

AA:  Binghampton Rumble Ponies stomped the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-2.

Parks Harber LF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .362.
Maui Ahuna DH- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .238.
Cesar Perdomo LHP- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.42.
Shane Rademacher RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

A+:  Hillsboro Hops defeated the Eugene Emeralds 6-1.

Jancel Villaroel DH- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .250.  
Robert Hipwell 1B- 1 for 1, 3 BB. BA= .127.

A:  San Jose Giants outscored the Stockton Ports 9-7.

Jhonny Level SS- 4 for 5, 2 HR(9).  BA= .342.
Cam Maldonado CF- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .300.
Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 3, HR(6), 2 BB.  BA= .303.
Damian Bravo LF/CF- 3 for 5.  BA= .281.
Jeremiah Jenkins DH- 2 for 5, HR(4).  BA= .250.
Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .300.
Argenis Cayama RHP- 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 7/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.91.

Jhonny Level started the season red hot with his BA peaking at .538 on April 7, then had a bit of a dip with a nadir of .319 on May 16.  He's had a couple of big games since to boost his BA up to .342.  He might be a candidate for early promotion to A+ but Gavin Kilen is playing SS there.  Both look more like future 2B on defense.

ACL:  Giants topped the Mariners 3-2(7 innings).

Josuar Gonzalez SS- 1 for 3, SB(3).  BA= .400.
Luis Hernandez 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, 3B.  BA= .352.

The two bonus babies continue to play up to their pedigree.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/20/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats blasted the Sugarland Space Cowboys 13-1.

Scott Bandura LF- 1 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .200.
Buddy Kennedy 3B- 3 for 4, BB, SB(4).  BA= .329. 
Osleivis Basabe 2B- 1 for 4, HR(4), BB.  BA= .269.
Drew Cavanaugh DH- 3 for 5, 2B, 2 HR(2).  BA= .318.
Jake Holton 1B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .238.
Grant McCray CF- 2 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, HBP.  BA= .217.
Logan Porter C- 3 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .269.
Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .364.
Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.35.
Jason Foley RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.
Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

A lot going on here.  Scott Bandura moves up to AAA.  Huge game for Drew Cavanaugh.  To my eye he was the best hitter for A San Jose early last year and has hit at every level.  Whiz now has 5 strong starts in a row with a composite line of 1.59, 28.1 IP, 7 BB, 27 K.   The peripherals don't jump out at you but aren't terrible either.  He may be close to ready for another shot in MLB.  Jason Foley continues he rehab assignment.  He's never been a big strikeout pitcher which makes me wonder if he's really Closer material.  If Ryan Walker continues to pitch well in AAA I expect to see him get another shot in SF.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Binghampton Rumble Ponies 7-6.

Parks Harber LF- 4 for 5, HR(6).  BA= .352.
Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .263.
Ty Hanchey RF- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(1).  BA= .438.
Jack Payton DH- 1 for 2, BB, SF.  BA= .158.
Will Bednar RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.85.
Ben Peterson RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.
Tyler Vogel RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Parks Harber is raking AA Eastern League as we hoped he would.  Giants seem to have a lot of catchers playing non-catcher positions throughout the organization.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsboro Hops 8-3.

Trevor Cohen CF- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .264.
Dakota Jordan DH- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .288.
Carlos Gutierrez LF- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .252.
Luis De La Torre LHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.88.
Cade Vernon RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 5/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.67.
Liam Simon RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.25.

A:  San Jose Giants outscored the Stockton Ports 7-6.

Isaiah Barkett 2B- 2 for 3, 2 BB, SB(5).  BA= .342.
Jhonny Level SS- 1 for 3, HBP, SF.  BA= .327.
Hayden Jatczak 1B- 3 for 4, HR(5).  BA= .296.
Lorenzo Meola DH- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .239.
Broedy Poppell RF- 1 for 1, HR(2), 2 BB, SB(6).  BA= .239.
Cooper McGrath RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 10.05.

As someone noted in a comment a day or two ago, this year's San Jose lineup hits like gangbusters but the pitching is dramatically less effective than in past seasons.

ACL:  White Sox beat the Giants 4-1(7 innings).

Josuar Gonzalez SS= 1 for 3.
Leandro Rodriguez RHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.79.

Giants had just one hit in the game.

Game Wrap 5/20/2026: D'Backs 6 Giants 3

This was a close, interesting game until Geraldo Perdomo's 2-run double off Tyler Mahle in the 5'th inning sealed the Giants fate in losing the game and the series sweep.  Key Lines:

Casey Schmitt LF- 1 for 4, HR(9), R, RBI.  BA= .293.  Schmitt gave the Giants an early lead with a solo HR in the first inning.  Significant he started the game in LF.  That's where he should play every day, at least until Heliot Ramos gets back from the IL while Bryce Eldridge DH's every day(more on that later). 

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 4, 2 R.  BA= .226.  If you are looking for rays of hope, Chapman is 6 for 20 over his last 5 games.

Bryce Eldridge 1 for 4, 2B, RBI.  BA= .156.  Eldridge doubled in the Giants second run. He hit two other balls that left the bat at over 100 MPH.  He did not strike out.  This on the heels of a 2-hit game on Monday and bafflingly sitting on the bench on Tuesday.  IMO, Eldridge just took away any excuses for not playing him every day.  Remember the Belt Wars?  We now have the Eldridge Wars and isn't it interesting how similar Eldridge looks like The Captain when he's standing at home plate?  This time the war is not between different factions of the fanbase. It's between the fanbase and Giants management as each excuse for him not playing regularly rolls out.  First it was Tony Vitello saying the strategy was to use Eldridge as a "threat" off the bench and his willingness to accept a more limited role made his(Vitello's) job easier.  Sorry for bringing up this name, but that reminds me of when the coach of the Buffalo Bills used OJ Simpson as a "decoy".  The fan and analyst outrage reached the national news media and Eldridge started the next game but then sat the game after his 2-hit game. Then Mike Krukow waded into the controversy by saying he understood why Eldridge wasn't playing because he just didn't look ready to his eye.  Once again the reaction was swift with fans wondering why, if he isn't ready, he is not playing every day in AAA?  Now with 3 hits in his last two game, I am sure fans are locked and loaded waiting to see if he starts Friday night.  Stay tuned for the next battle of the Eldridge Wars! At this point, this team has absolutely nothing to lose by letting him play and learn at the MLB level.

Tyler Mahle RHP- 5 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 6.10.  It's not unusual for good starting pitchers to be slow out of the gate, but veteran SP's are supposed to be able to right the ship and limit the damage enough to give their team a chance to win in the middle and later innings.  This is doubly true if they get some early run support. Giving up runs at a rate of 6 per 9 innings is not getting that done.  Mahle may survive in the rotation until Logan Webb RHP gets back from the IL but if Trevor McDonald RHP is the odd man out then, the fanbase reaction may look the Eldridge Wars look like a skirmish by comparison.

Keaton Winn RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.11.
Sam Hentges LHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.
Joel Peguero RHP- 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.29.  Another bit of a baffler is why would you use and overworked Keaton Winn in this game and why weren't Hentges and/or Peguero used in Tuesday's game?  

The Loss drops the Giants 10 games below .500 with 4 games to go before the 1/3 mark of the season.  Willy Adames thinks the Giants have a playoff-caliber roster and if they keep grinding, there is plenty of time left to make it.  I looked up on Google AI how many times teams made the postseason after falling 10 game below .500. It's actually happened a surprising number of times so Adames may be right, but at this point the Giants show no signs of turning this around.  

The White Sox are up next and they are coming in hot with three players with double-digit home runs.  Trevor McDonald RHP gets the start for the Giants facing Davis Martin RHP who comes in with a a 6-1 record and a 1.61 ERA.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/19/2026

Sacramento River Cats outscored the Sugarland Space Cowboys 11-6.

Nate Furman 2B- 2 for 4, HR(3), Sac.  BA= .264.
Buddy Kennedy 3B- 1 for 3, HR(5), BB, HBP.  BA= .317.
Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 5, 2 HR(6).  BA= .302.
Jake Holton 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(4).  BA= .230.
Reiver Sanmartin LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.
Tristan Beck RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.82.
Wilkin Ramos RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Free Victor BericotoSanmartin is on a rehab assignment.  Tristan Beck made two solid appearances in a brief MLB call up, admittedly in lower leverage situations.  He has 5 consecutive scoreless appearances totaling 9 innings between AAA and MLB.  Wilkin Ramos having a strong AAA season.

AA:  Binghampton Rumble Ponies out hit the Richmond Flying Squirrels 10-7.

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 5, HR(6), SB(21).  BA= .419.
Parks Harber LF- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .326.
Charlie Szykowny 1B- 3 for 4, 3B, HR(4).  BA= .297.

How long does Jonah Cox need to keep this up before we decide he is too good for AA?  Note Parks Harber playing LF.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds edged out the Hillsboro Hops 2-1.

Zander Darby 2B- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .355.
Jean Carlos Sio SS- 1 for 3.  BA= .417.
Tyler Switalski LHP- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, 6/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.25.
Niko Mazza RHP- 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.08.

A:  San Jose Giants destroyed the Stockton Ports 17-4.

Jhonny Level SS- 3 for 6, 2 HR(7).  BA= .327.
Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .283.
Junior Barajas C- 3 for 5.  BA= .298.
Cam Maldonado RF- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SB(13).  BA= .292.
Lorenzo Meola 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(4), BB.  BA= .232.
Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA- .297.
Andy Polanco CF- 3 for 5, SB(14).  BA= .277.
Jose Astudillo LF- 1 for 5.  BA= .362.
Keyner Martinez RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K's, 6/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.34.
Mauricio Estrella RHP- 2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.52.

Jhonny Level's bat had cooled off a bit but he came roaring back with 2 HR's in this game.

ACL:  Giants were idle.  

Game Wrap 5/19/2026: D'Backs 5 Giants 3

The Giants were one out away from winning a very well-played game when another old nemesis, Ketel Marte, hit a walk-off, 3-run home run in another bullpen failure.  Key Lines:

Rafael Devers 1B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(6), R, RBI.  BA= .246.  Devers bat is officially alive.  He hit the first of back-to-back HR's in the Giants 3-run 2'nd inning.  He also made several outstanding defensive plays at 1B and looked like he was having fun out there.

Willy Adames 1 for 3, HR(5), BB, R, RBI.  BA= .240.  Adames shook off the hand injury from Monday's game to hit the back side of B2B home runs.  He also made some sparkling defensive plays.  I did see him shaking his right hand during an AB though.  

Daniel Susac C- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, RBI.  BA= .412.  Susac continues to hit while using all fields.  His catcher's interference call put the go-ahead run on base ahead of Marte's walk-off HR, but he also threw out a base-stealer on a strike out/throw out double play in the 2'nd inning.    

Landen Roupp RHP- 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, 9/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.27.  Nice bounce back start for Roupp after a couple of subpar outings.  He was helped by strong defense and 3 double plays, one on the aforementioned strikeout/throw out and another with Keaton Winn, who inherited two runners from Roupp in the 7'th.  

Keaton Winn RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.21.  Winn did a great job of getting over to cover 1B on an outstanding GIDP including a classic first baseman's stretch.  The play started with the bases loaded and it looked like Arraez was going to be lucky to get a force out, but Adames unloaded a strong throw and Winn's stretch completed the inning ending out on the back end.

Caleb Killian RHP- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.53.  Not sure where to start on this one.  After getting the last out of the 8'th inning, Kilian came back out for the 9'th to try for a 4-out Save.  Ildemaro Vargas dug out a knuckle curve at the shoe tops for a lead off single.  On the broadcast, Krukow said Kilian should have bounced the pitch.  Kilian got two outs but Vargas advanced to 2B on catcher indifference, a play I hate in that situation.  Ryan Waldeschmidt then reached on a catcher's interference on what should have been strike two.  

Tony Vitello then decided to bring in Matt Gage LHP to face the switch-hitting Marte, except that Marte is historically a better hitter from the right side.  Marte also dug out a low pitch that maybe was intended to be a back-foot slider that caught too much air?  It also seems curious to me that Gage's first two pitches were changeup-slider.  

So many questions here:  Was it bad luck, poor execution or poor decision making?  Were the pitches called by Susac or from the dugout?  What was the thought process in bringing in a lefty to face an extremely dangerous hitter who is historically better from the right side?  

The Giants season from hell marches on.  It's now up to Tyler Mahle RHP to salvage one win out of the series and a split of the 10-game road trip facing another long time Giants nemesis, Merrill Kelly RHP in an afternoon game.

Monday, May 18, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/18/2026

Full season leagues were all idle.

ACL:  Giants defeated the Cubs 5-3(8 innings).

Josuar Gonzalez SS- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .414.
Luis Hernandez 3B- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .347.
Dayson Croes 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(1).  BA= .333.
Rayner Arias RF- 1 for 3, 2B, HBP, SB(1).  BA= .071.
Alexander Fuentes RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 4.91.
Marlon Franco RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.45. 

Gotta confess Dayson Croes disappeared from the boxscores and I completely forgot about him until he shows up for a rehab assignment.

Game Wrap 5/18/2026: D'Backs 12 Giants 2

Terrible pitching, sloppy fielding and not much hitting is a losing formula we've seen too often this season.  Tonight it all came together in a harmonic convergence which ended in a blowout loss to the D'Backs.  Key Lines:

Robbie Ray LHP- 4.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.28.  Ray gave up line-drive singles to the first two batters in the first inning then Matt Chapman's error loaded them up for long time Giants nemesis, Nolan ArenadoArenado hit a grand slam home run and for all practical purposes the game was over before an out was recorded.  In Tony Vitello's world, if you are a starting pitcher and get blasted early, you are going to wear it, and wear it Ray did, for 4.1 awful innings that were not fun for anyone to watch and I sure not fun to play.  In the TV close ups I saw, Ray did not look happy and I got the feeling he was not just angry at himself.  The thought occurred to me that approach is going to either toughen up the starting pitchers or it's going to spark an open rebellion in the clubhouse.  

Maaaybe two bright spots were Bryce Eldridge getting two hits and Harrison Bader getting two doubles.  Beyond that it was a thoroughly demoralizing game to watch or write about.

So once again we see the familiar pattern of faceplants after an encouraging stretch.  

Landen Roupp RHP, whose longest start out of his last 3 is 5.1 innings, goes tomorrow facing Ryne Nelson RHP who comes in with a 5.40 ERA.

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/17/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats scored 6 runs in the 9'th inning to top the Round Rock Express 7-5.

Nate Furman 2B- 2 for 5.  BA= .257.
Osleivis Basabe 3B- 3 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .270.
Braxton Roxby RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.60.

AA:  Erie Seawolves outscored the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-5(7 innings, Game 1 of doubleheader).

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 4, HR(5), SB(20).  BA= .422.
Parks Harber 3B- 2 for 4, 2 HR(5).  BA= .333.
Charlie Szykowny DH- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .290.
Maui Ahuna SS- 1 for 3, 3B, BB.  BA= .235.
Logan Martin RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.33.

A+:  Richmond Flying Squirrels blanked the Erie Seawolves 2-0(7 innings, Game 2 of doubleheader).

Scott Bandura RF- 2 for 3.  BA= .324.
Joe Whitman LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.52.
Mitch White RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(4).  ERA= 2.30.

Joe Whitman now has 3 consecutive scoreless starts.  His composite pitching line for those 3 starts:  16 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 20 K's.  

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Tri-Cities Dust Devils 8-3.

Trevor Cohen DH- 1 for 3, 3 BB.  BA= .257.
Jean Carlos Sio SS- 2 ofr 5, 2B, SB(1).  Ba= .428.
Zander Darby 2B- 2 for 2, 2 2B, 2 BB, HBP.  BA= .355.
Juan Perez C- 2 for 5.  BA= .174.
Charlie McDaniel LHP- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.01.
Gerelmi Maldonado RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.72.

A:  Ontario Tower Buzzers whipped the San Jose Giants 11-5.

Isaiah Barkett 2B- 3 for 4, BB.  BA= .340.
Jose Astudillo DH- 2 for 5.  BA= .357.
Cody Delvecchio RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.00.

ACL:  Giants were idle.

Game Wrap 5/17/2026: Giants 10 A's 1

 It was like Candlestick Park East today in Sacramento as the Giants and A's played in gale force winds blowing from left to right.  Adrian Houser pitched a Quality Start and the lineup broke open a 2-1 game with an 8-run 8'th inning to win a game that was a lot closer than the final score looked.  Key Lines:

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 4, HR(4), BB, 2 R, 4 RBI.  BA= .153.  Bader bounced back from a tough last night and capped off the scoring with a wind-aided grand slam home run to RF.  Bader is batting .250 since coming off the IL but has hit 3 HR's in his last 4 games and just missed one last night.

Luis Arraez 2B- 3 for 4, HR(2), BB.  BA= .328.  Arraez started the Giants scoring with a wind-aided fly down the RF line that cleared the fence in the third inning.

Casey Schmitt DH- 2 for 5, R.  BA= .297.  Schmitt continues to show consistency in his hitting with two singles after a huge night at the plate.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB, R, RBI.  BA= .223.  Two hard-hit doubles for Chapman so maybe he is finally breaking out of his slump?

Adrian Houser RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 3 K's, 8/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.25.  The walks are ugly but Houser made up for it by keeping the ball on the ground and getting a couple of GIDP's.  Houser now has 2 QS out of his last 3 starts with the other falling 1 out short of a third QS in a row.  That's the pitcher the Giants hoped they were signing this offseason. Can he keep it going?

Sam Hentges LHP, Keaton Winn RHP and Joel Peguero RHP pitched a scoreless inning each.

The Giants finish this odd road trip with a 3-game series against the D'Backs in Arizona.  Robbie Ray LHP starts Game 1 tomorrow evening facing Zac Gallen RHP who comes in with a 5.02 ERA.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/16/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats edged out the Round Rock Express 3-2.

Grant McCray CF- 2 for 4, HR(4), SB(7).  BA= .218.
Drew Cavanaugh C- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .308.
Carson Seymour RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.62.
Jason Foley RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

That's the kind of line we like to see from Seymour who has a similar pitching profile as Trevor McDonaldGrant McCray is 6 for 12 over his last 3 games.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Erie Seawolves postponed.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds destroyed the Tri-Cities Dust Devils 15-8.

Trevor Cohen CF- 2 for 5, SF.  BA= .255.
Gavin Kilen SS- 2 for 3.  BA= .309.
Zander Darby 2B- 4 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .345.
Jancel Villaroel C- 3 for 6.  BA= .282.
Carlos Gutierrez LF- 3 for 5.  BA= .248.
Jean Carlos Sio DH- 2 for 4, 2 HR(2), BB.  BA= .438.
Walker Martin 3B/SS- 1 for 5, HR(5).  BA= .241.

Gavin Kilen came out of the game early.  Significance unknown at this time.

A:  Ontario Tower Buzzers defeated the San Jose Giants 9-5.

Cam Maldonado CF- 3 for 4.  BA= .309.
Hayden Jatczak 1B- 1 for 3, HR(4), SF.  BA= .280.
Lorenzo Meola 2B- 2 for 4, 2 HR(3).  BA= .220.
Jose Astudillo LF- 2 for 4, 3B.  BA= .351.
Ricardo Estrada LHP- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K's, 4/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 6.65.

ACL:  Giants beat the Rockies 5-1.

Santiago Camacho C- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(1).  BA= .375.
Evan Estevez 1B- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .263.
Luis Frias DH- 1 for 3, 2 SB(6).  BA= .345.
Luke Mensik RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, 7/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.40.
Reiver Sanmartin LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.
Carlos De La Rosa LHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.22.

Camacho is 19 yo switch-hitting catching prospect to keep an eye on.  Mensik was drafted last year out of high school and got an above-slot bonus of $482.5 K in round 17.  Carlos De La Rosa as acquired in the Camilo Doval trade.

Game Wrap 5/16/2026: Giants 6 A's 4

Casey Schmitt homered twice  and Trevor McDonald turned in a Quality Start and the bullpen survived a 3-run home run to hold on for a much-needed win.  Key lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R.  BA= .318.  Arraez keeps purring along.  .345 over his last 7 games, .323 over his last 15.  Don't forget he is on a 1-year contract.  Do the Giants have a sell-high opportunity here?

Casey Schmitt DH- 4 for 5, 2 HR(8), 2 R, 3 RBI.  BA= .293.  Schmitt had been in a bit of a slump but broke out bigly tonight.  Maybe having a day off here and there is good for him?  He has been the Giants best all-around hitter up to almost the 1/3 mark of the season.  

Rafael Devers 1B- 2 for 5, 2B, R.  BA= .247.  Devers is batting .370 over his last 7 games, .340 over his last 15.

Willy Adames SS- 3 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI.  BA= .235.  Adames is batting .419 over his last 7 games, .311 over his last 15.

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 5, 2B, RBI.  BA= .216.  2 of the "big three" of Devers, Adames and Chapman have come around and are finally hitting.  Chapman had one solid hit today.  Can he break out of his very deep slump?

Drew Gilbert LF- 2 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .234.  With Heliot Ramos looking at an extended IL stay, Gilbert gets a chance to find some serious traction on his career.  He looked good tonight with 2 XBH.  Not his fault they did not figure into the scoring.  Hate to say it, but to my eye Gilbert has a Lenny Dykstra vibe to him.  That's a good thing from a pure baseball perspective.  Not so much on a personal level.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, 9/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.37.  McDonald has a swagger about him on the mound. He is looking confident.  The extreme groundball tendency stood him in good stead on a night when there was a lot of wind-carry to RF.  

Matt Gage LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/AO, Save(1).  ERA= 1.40.  Gage for Closer?

Adrian Houser RHP tries for a series win tomorrow afternoon facing Jeffrey Springs LHP who comes in with a 4.22 ERA.  Houser has allowed 3 R in 11.2 IP over his last two starts.

Just throwing an idea out there:  Casey Schmitt needs a regular position.  The Giants have an opportunity to sell high on Luis Arraez who is on a one year contract.  This year's draft is shaping up to be very deep in the 20-40 range.  Could the Giants get another prospect and a pick if they move before the draft?  Can they get a better prospect or two closer to the deadline?

Down on the Farm: 5/15/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the Round Rock Express 8-4.

Osleivis Basabe 2B- 2 for 3, 2 2B, 2 BB, SB(4).  BA= .262.
Grant McCray RF- 3 for 5, SB(6).  BA= .209.
Logan Porter C- 2 for 4, SF.  BA= .209.
Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 5.  BA= .500.
John Bertrand LHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.25.
Michael Fulmer RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.38.
Wilkin Ramos RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.45.

AA:  Erie Seawolves outscored the Richmond Flying Squirrels 8-6.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .324.
Maui Ahuna DH- 2 for 4, 3B.  BA= .232.
Diego Velasquez 2B- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .256.
Ty Hanchey RF- 3 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .571.
Ben Peterson RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.
Tyler Vogel RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.40.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Tri-Cities Dust Devils 5-4.

Trevor Cohen RF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(14).  BA= .250.
Gavin Kilen SS- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .301.
Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .417.
Yunior Marte RHP- 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.73.
Hunter Dryden RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.73.

A:  San Jose Giants defeated the Ontario Tower Buzzers 12-7.

Jhonny Level DH- 1 for 3, 2 HBP, SF.  BA= .324.
Cam Maldonado CF- 3 for 5, SB(12).  BA= .294.
Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .279.
Jose Astudillo PR/LF- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .333.
Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 5, SB(4).  BA= .301.
Broedy Poppell RF- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .247.
Braydon Risley LHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 2.60.

ACL:  Giants beat the Reds 9-4.

Josuar Gonzalez 2B- 1 for 4, BB, Sac, SB(2).  BA= .440.
Jose Ramos LF- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(1).  BA= 429.
Yulian Barreto DH- 1 for 2, 2 SB(4).  BA= .355.
Yohendry Sanchez 2 for 3, 2 BB, SB(1).  BA= .529.
Luis Frias CF- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(4).  BA= .346.
Melvin Pineda RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= .415.
Marlon Franco RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, Save(1).  ERA= 3.38.

Another reminder that with all the excitement around Jhonny Level, Josuar Gonzalez and Luis Hernandez, don't sleep on Yohendry Sanchez who got the Giants highest bonus from the 2024 international signing cycle.

Game Wrap: A's 5 Giants 2

The Giants did some good things in this game:  Luis Arraez 2B went 4 for 5, they hit two home runs, Tyler Mahle RHP took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 5'th inning.  Unfortunately, they did not do enough good things:  They went 0 for 7 with RISP and left 10 runners on base, Mahle fell apart in the 5'th inning including allowing a 3-run HR to Nick Kurtz, Matt Chapman went 0 for 5 with 2 K's batting third in the order.  The end result was another loss, their 3'rd in a row after a 3-win run to begin the week.  On top of that, one of their steadier hitters, Heliot Ramos LF came out of the game what was described as quad tightness.  

What do you do with a team that repeatedly completely spins out as soon as it looks like they might be finding traction?  We are nearing the end of the 7'th week of the season.  in one more week we will be almost 1/3 of the way through the season.  And what do you do when the core of the team that is locked into expensive contracts for many years is not just not playing up to their expectations, they are not producing ANYTHING!?

It's time for Greg Johnson, Buster Posey, Zach Minasian and Tony Vitello to sit down and ask themselves some very hard questions about how they got here and how they might dig themselves out of this....ahem....giant hole they find themselves in.  And please do not say ownership needs to spend more.  Spending more on this team is throwing good money after bad, simple as that.

Friday, May 15, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/14/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats stopped the Round Rock Express 12-1.

Buddy Kennedy DH- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(3).  BA= .328.
Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .303.
Grant McCray CF- 1 for 3, BB, SF, SB(5).  BA= .194.
Drew Cavanaugh C- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(1).  BA= .375.
Aeverson Arteaga SS- 3 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .600.
Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.83.

Cavanaugh and Arteaga making an immediate impact after promotion to AAA.

AA:  Erie Seawolves beat the Richmond Flying Squirrels 14-7.

Jonah Cox CF- 3 for 5, 3B.  BA= .426.
Parks Harber 3B- 1 for 5, HR(3).  BA= .333.
Charlie Szykowny 1B- 3 for 5.  BA= .285.
Zane Zielinski SS- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .250.

Is Jonah Cox the Giants CF of the future?

A+:  Tri-Cities Dust Devils edged out the Eugene Emeralds 2-1.

Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 4, SB(7).  BA= .291.
Jancel Villaroel DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .241.
Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .375.
Luis De La Torre LHP- 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.94.

Is Dakota Jordan the Giants CF of the future?

A: Ontario Tower Buzzers defeated the San Jose Giants 8-4.

Isaiah Barkett 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(4).  BA= .333.
Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .295.
Fernando Gonzalez C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .323.
Argenis Cayama RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 3 R, BB, 10 K's.  ERA= 5.79.
Ubert Mejias RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.36.

I attended this game specifically to see Cayama pitch.  He was perfect through the first 11 batters he faced and with 9 K's,  then went HBP, BB, HR before striking out the final batter he faced.  His fastball topped out at 94 MPH but he mixed it well with secondary stuff with excellent command and a good feel for pitching.  Not sure if he was upset at hitting the batter and losing his perfect game or if he is just inexperienced pitching out of the stretch but he did seem to temporarily lose command after the HBP.  He looks noticeably bigger on the mound than Keyner Martinez and is 2 years younger, although Martinez throws up to 5 MPH harder now.

ACL:  Angels outscored the Giants 9-7.

Josuar Gonzalez 2B- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(1). BA= .476.
Luis Hernandez SS- 3 for 4, 2B.  BA= .444.
Yulian Barreto 3B- 2 for 4, SB(2).  BA= .345.
Luis Frias CF- 2 for 3, BB, SB(3).  BA= .348.

Wow! Gonzalez and Hernandez were already doing well then kicked it into orbit the last two games.   Gonzalez:  6 for 7, 2 2B, HR, 3 BB, SB.  Hernandez:  8 for 9, 4 2B, HR.  


Game Wrap 5/14/2026: Dodgers 5 Giants 2

If you are a struggling MLB pitcher, facing the Giants is like finding Salvation.  No matter how bad you've been...... Emmett Sheehan RHP came into this one with a 4.79 ERA and shut down the Giants on 2 hits giving up runs only because of a fluke inside-the-park home run by Jung-Hoo Lee.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 1 for 3, HR(3), HBP, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .267.  This went down in the 5'th inning:  Drew Gilbert challenged a strike call which was overturned giving him a walk, Eric Haase C popped into a force out, then Lee hit a spinner down the LF line that caromed away from Teoscar Hernandez LF long enough to allow him to circle the bases.  The Giants managed just one other hit in the game.  

Landen Roupp RHP- 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 7 K's, 7/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.49.  You don't have to look any further than this line to see the yawning talent gap between the Giants and Dodgers.  Roupp has been the Giants best pitcher, he pitched well, at least by advanced metrics, and still gave up too many runs to win against an opposing pitcher who came in with a more than 1 run higher.  

So the Giants end up with a split of the 4-game series in LA which is a positive but the way the lineup laid down and died over the last two games is disappointing.  

The Giants come north to Sacramento to play the A's over the weekend with Tyler Mahle RHP getting the start tonight facing Aaron Civale RHP who comes in with a 2.59 ERA.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/13/2026

 AAA:  Round Rock Express came back to beat the Sacramento River Cats 6-5.

Daniel Susac C- 1 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .529.
Drew Cavanaugh DH- 1 for 3, 2B, SF.  BA= .333.
Jake Holton 1B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .225.
Osleivis Basabe SS- 2 for 4.  BA= .250.
Seth Lonsway LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.96.
Jason Foley RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Susac must be close to ready to be activated off the IL.  Cavanaugh moves up from AA.  Is it a promotion or a fill-in?  Jason Foley begins a rehab assignment.  Expect this one to take the full allotted time as he's been out long time.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Erie Seawolves 6-5.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .331.
Parks Harber DH- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .343.
Diego Velasquez 2B- 1 for 3, HR(3), BB.  BA= .253.
Jonah Cox RF/CF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .417.
Matt Wilkinson LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.35.

Parks Harber is raking the EL.  Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson's first game with the Giants organization is a big success.  

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Tri-City Dust Devils 4-2.

Trevor Cohen RF- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .242.
Gavin Kilen SS- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .313.
Lisbel Diaz LF- 2 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .245.
Zander Darby 3B- 2 for 4, 3B.  BA= .327.
Tyler Switalski LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, 6/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.45.
Niko Mazza RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.42.

A:  San Jose Giants blanked the Ontario Tower Buzzers 1-0.

Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 4, SB(2).  BA= .275.
Andy Polanco CF- 1 for 3, 2 SB(13).  BA= .270.
Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.
Jordan Gottesman LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.40.
Mauricio Estrella RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.86.
Garrett Langrell RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(6).  ERA= 3.18.

Erik Miller begins a rehab assignment.  Jordan Gottesman's ERA reached a peak of 5.06 on April 16 when I saw him pitch in Ranch Cucamonga.  Since then, 3 of 4 starts have been scoreless and his composite pitching line is 19.1 IP, 15 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 19 K's.  

ACL:  Giants crushed the Dodgers 29-2(7 innings).

Josuar Gonzalez 2B- 3 for 3, 2B, 3 BB, SB(1).  BA= 412.
Luis Hernandez SS- 5 for 5, 3 2B, HR(4), BB.  BA= .406.
Jose Ramos DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .500.
Yohendry Sanchez C- 3 for 5, BB.  BA= .533.
Anthony Marquez 3B- 1 for 4, 2B, 2 BB, HBP, SB(1).  BA= .313.
Evan Estevez 1B- 4 for 5, HR(1), HBP.  BA= .308.
Oliver Tejada RF- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .385.
Luis Frias LF- 2 for 4, 2 BB, SB(2).  BA= .300.
Reiver Sanmartin LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.
Alexander Fuentes RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.86.
Chen-Hsun Lee RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.57.

Those two eye-popping lines from Josuar Gonzalez and Luis Hernandez are garnering national attention.  We couls see both in San Jose before the end of the season.  

Game Wrap 5/13/2026: Dodgers 4 Giants 0

 The Giants were shut down by Shohei Ohtani RHP and a baserunning blunder by Willy Adames SS erased their last, best chance to stage a comeback rally.  

Luis Arraez 2B and Rafael Devers 1B had 2 hits each and 4 of the Giants total of 6 hits.  Adames and Matt Chapman 3B led off 7'th with singles.  Drew Gilbert CF sent one into the gap that looked like a double but Andy Pages CF tracked it down and doubled up Adames who was trying to score on what he thought was a double.  Probably didn't affect the outcome of the game but still........

Bryce Eldridge started the game at DH and went 0 for 4 while striking out 3 times including once with runners at first and third and 2 outs.  At the start of the series, Tony Vitello seemed to say Eldridge would be used in limited situations such as pinch-hitting and starting against a tough RHP.  A day later he seemed to reverse course after an uproar from the more vocal segments of the fanbase.  Look, I don't agree with the limited role thing.  Eldridge needs to be batting every day either with the Giants or in AAA.  This team was figuratively on life support when he was called up but circumstances change.  Devers started hitting and Casey Schmitt remains the most consistent hitter on the team.  There isn't room for Devers, Schmitt and Eldridge right now and Eldridge has a very high learning curve ahead of him.  He needs to go down to AAA and play every day there.  There may come a time in the near future where it's worth just putting Eldridge out there to make his strikeouts and learn and several scenarios in which that might happen.  But that time is not now.  All too often over the past several years, Giants management appears to make significant course changes based on fanbase reaction.  Whether the fanbase is right or not is almost beside the point.  A team that allows the fanbase to dictate baseball decisions is a failing team.  

Landen Roupp RHP tries for a series win tonight facing Emmitt Sheehan RHP.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/12/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats derailed the Round Rock Express 9-2.

Nate Furman 2B-  1 for 2, 2 BB, Sac.  BA= .279.
Daniel Susac C- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .615.
Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .328.
Victor Bericoto DH- 1 for 5, HR(4).  BA= .304.
Osleivis Basabe SS- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .240.
Turner Hill LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .351.
Spencer Bivens RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.91.
Wilkin Ramos RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.14.

I've always thought Spencer Bivens pitch mix might work better as a SP than RP.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Erie Seawolves 7-1.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .328.
Bo Davidson CF- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .291.
Diego Velasquez 2B- 0 for 2, 2 BB, 2 SB(7).  BA= .250.
Trystan Vrieling RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.38.
Will Bednar RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.48.
Ben Peterson RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Ben Peterson gets the promotion from A+ to AA.  Bo Davidson is batting .381/.422/.485 so far in the month of May.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds blew away the Tri-City Dust Devils 17-4.

Dakota Jordan CF- 3 for 6, SB(6).  BA= .296.
Jakob Christian 1B- 2 for 5, HR(2), BB.  BA= .407.
Jancel Villarroel C- 4 for 6, HR(1).   BA= .238.
Carlos Gutierrez LF- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(3), SB(9).  BA= .229.
Walker Martin 3B- 2 for 4, 2 BB, SB(9).  BA= .242.
Zander Darby 2B- 4 for 6, 2B.  BA= .321.
Lisbel Diaz RF- 2 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .234.
Liam Simon RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 5.73.

A:  Ontario Tower Buzzers defeated the San Jose Giants 9-2.

Junior Barajas C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .299.
Lorenzo Meola 2B- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .217.
Keyner Martinez RHP- 3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.70.

I attended this game with a couple of friends I have known since childhood.  Not much in the game to write about but we had a great time catching up.  Keyner Martinez registered 99 MPH on the stadium radar gun a couple of times but ran out of gas in the third inning.  Junior Barajas does not have a typical catcher's build but has a sweet looking lefthanded swing.

ACL:  Giants were idle.

Game Wrap 5/12/2026: Giants 6 Dodgers 2

The Giants got a strong start from Adrian Houser and run support from the bottom of the lineup carrying them to their second win in a row over the Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.  What the.....?  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI.  Lee's 2-out, 2-run double in the 7'th drove in two insurance runs to give the Giants a 6-2 lead.  He has a 5-game hit streak, 10 for 25, after a 2 for 22 start to the month.

Willy Adames SS- 2 for 4, R.  BA= .222.  Adames is 7 for 15 over his last 3 games.

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 2, HR(2), R, RBI.  BA= .136.  Bader's last HR came on March 31 in San Diego.  Bader and Eric Haase went B2B with solo HR's in the 5'th inning.  

Eric Haase C- 2 for 4, 2 HR(2), 2 R, 2 RBI.  BA= .333.  Once upon a time Haase was one of hte better power-hitting catchers in MLB.  This was a great game for that power to show up again.

Drew Gilbert PH/CF- 1 for 2, R, RBI.  BA= .239.  Gilbert came in as a PH for Bader in the 7'th with runners on first and third, apparently for the express purpose of putting down a squeeze bunt which worked.  Gilbert then came around to score on Lee's double.

Adrian Houser RHP- 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.79.  Houser fell one out short of a Quality Start.  His composite line over his last 2 starts is 11.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K's.  

Caleb Kilian RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/AO, Save(2).  ERA= 1.40.  Kilian got credit for a Save coming in with a 4-run lead because he entered the game with the bases-loaded and two out in the 8'th inning.  Andy Pages lined out to end that inning then Kilian breezed through the 9'th. 

Robbie Ray LHP tries to clinch a series win tonight against Shohei Ohtani RHP.  

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/11/2026

Full season leagues were idle.

ACL:  Dodgers beat the Giants 9-4.

Josuar Gonzalez 2B- 1 for 3,  2 BB.  BA= .286.
Luis Hernandez SS- 1 for 3, BB, HBP.  BA= .296.
Yulian Barreto 3B- 2 for 5.  BA= .320.
Jean Carlos Sio LF- 2 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .211.
Santiago Camacho C- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .250.
Carlos De La Rosa LHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 5.40.
Jose T Perez RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

I am bullish on Carlos De La Rosa, another prospect who came over from the Yankees in the Camilo Doval trade.

Game Wrap 5/11/2026: Giants 9 Dodgers 3

What was that team that beat the Dodgers last night?  Never heard of them....wait, what?  The Giants kept the pressure on the Dodgers behind another scintillating pitching performance by Trevor McDonald and pulled away in the later innings for an easy win.  Key Lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 2 for 6, R.  BA= .311.  This was Arraez' 14'th multi-hit game of the season.  He's been held hitless in 9 games.  He's been remarkably steady batting .323 in April and .333 so far in May.  

Casey Schmitt 1B- 2 for 3, BB, HBP, SB(3), 3 R.  BA= .294.  Schmitt has also been remarkably steady batting .269 over his last 7 games, .309 over his last 15 and .307 over his last 30.

Rafael Devers DH- 2 for 3, HR(5), 2 BB, 3 R, 2 RBI.  BA= .240.  Devers got the Giants their first run with a solo HR in the second inning.  He is batting .364 in May after batting just .196 in April.  

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .278.  Speaking of steady, Ramos is batting .310 over his last 7 games, .295 over his last 15 and .304 over his last 30.  

Willy Adames SS- 2 for 5, 3 RBI.  BA= .215.  Adames came up with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the 7'th inning.  I thought to myself, this would be a great time for him to step up and hit a grand slam home run.  Adames did something smarter.  He stayed within himself, went the other way and lined a 2-run single to RF.  He came up with the bases loaded again in the 9'th and singled to left driving in another run.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 5.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K's, 9/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.92.  This line falls short of a Quality Start but McDonald got out of a no-out, bases-loaded, a run in jam in the 4'th with a GIDP and K.  Tony Vitello let him go out for the 6'th despite a soaring pitch count.  He allowed a lead off HR to the much-hated Max Muncy, got a ground out but gave up a single to Teoscar Hernandez.  With the pitch count at 101, Vitello brought in Matt Gage who got out of the inning and pitched another scoreless frame in the 7'th. 

Adrian Houser RHP tries to keep the winning going this evening facing Yoshinobu Yamamoto RHP.  

Monday, May 11, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/10/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the Reno Aces 9-7.

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 1, HR(2), 2 BB, HBP, SB(1).  BA= .222.
Daniel Susac C- 2 for 3, HBP.  BA= .636.
Victor Bericoto 1B/RF- 3 for 5.  BA= .308.
Will Brennan DH- 2 for 4, SF.  BA= .368.
Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.
Braxton Roxby RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 8.74.
Trent Harris RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 6.75.

Bader and Susac must be nearing the end of their rehab assignments.  Susac is creating impossible expectations for himself.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels shut out the Akron Rubber Ducks 6-0.

Scott Bandura LF- 1 for 2, 2 BB, SB(1).  BA= .319.
Bo Davidson CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .286.
Parks Harber DH- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .328.
Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(2).  BA= .318.
Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .283.
Jonah Cox RF/CF- 1 for 4, 3B.  BA= .421.
Joe Whitman LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.05.
Jack Choate LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.96.
Dale Stanovich LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Has Joe Whitman finally unlocked something?  His pitching line over his last two starts is 11 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 15 K's.   

A+:  Eugene Emeralds buried the Vancouver Canadians 13-8.

Dakota Jordan DH- 3 for 4, SF.  BA= .286.
Gavin Kilen SS- 4 for 5, HR(4).  BA= .314.
Zander Darby 1B- 2 for 4, HR(5), BB.  BA= .300.
Carlos Gutierrez LF- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .209.
Zane Zielinski 2B- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .315.
Jacob Bresnahan LHP- 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.09.
Ryan Vanderhei RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.00.

Gavin Kilen has a 6-game hit streak in which he is 13 for 23 with 2 2B, 2 HR.  

A:  Fresno Grizzlies mauled the San Jose Giants 8-2.

Isaiah Barkett 3B- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .341.
Jose Astudillo LF- 1 for 2, BB, 3 SB(3).  BA= .360.  
Cody Delvecchio RHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.09.
Sam Bower RHP- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.58.

ACL:  Giants were idle.

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Game Wrap 5/10/2026: Giants 7 Pirates 6(12 Innings).

It as a struggle but the Giants kept pace with the Pirates into extra-innings and finally pulled out a win behind the clutch-pitching of none other than Ryan Borucki.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 6, R.  BA= .280.  Lee is batting just .200 over his last 7 games and .189 on the month but went 5 for 15 in this series.

Luis Arraez 2B- 1 for 4, 2 BB, R, RBI.  BA= .310.  Arraez was charge with an error on a ball that hopped over his glove.  He made some other good defensive plays.  The 2 walks is notable because Arraez does not walk often.

Rafael Devers DH- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB, R.  BA= .232. Devers snapped an 8 game hit streak yesterday but started a new one today.

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 6, 2B, HR(4), 3 R, 2 RBI.  BA= .272.  Ramos went 6 for 13 for the series.  He has been one of the more consistent Giants hitters so far:  .276 over his last 7 games, .283 over his last 15 and .295 over his last 30.

Willy Adames SS- 3 for 6, 2B, 2 RBI.  BA= .209. Adames went hitless yesterday but had 2 hits Friday for 5 for 16 on the series.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 5, 2 2B, RBI.  BA= .235.  Chapman broke a 7-game hitless streak yesterday and added the two doubles today.

Tyler Mahle RHP- 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 5.18.  Not quite a Quality Start but Mahle kept his team in the game.  

Joel Peguero RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.70.  Peguero looks to me like he's added some muscle mass from last season.  He pitched a scoreless 9'th inning to send it to extra-innings but gave up a walk and a double in the 10'th to put the Giants behind by 2-runs.  He had only one effective pitch but that was a fastball that topped out at 102 MPH and enabled him to challenge hitters with pitches in the middle of the strike zone.  That approach is fine in regulation innings but results in too much contact to keep those designated runners from scoring.  I like Closers who throw hundos, though.  Thinking back to how Bruce Bochy brought order out of chaos in the bullpen, he went with his highest velocity pitcher, Brian Wilson, and stuck with him.  So I ask, WWBD, What Would Boch Do with the current bullpen mess?

Ryan Borucki LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.14.  I guess Tony Vitello just ran out of pitchers and had no choice but to put Borucki out there in extra innings, desigated runners and all.  A funny thing happened.  There were a couple of lucky line outs but Borucki hung tough and held the line until the Giants could score a walk-off run.  He made some darn good pitches in the process.

The Win gives the Giants a much-needed series win. They head out to start a 4-game series in Los Angeles with Trevor McDonald RHP facing Roki Sasaki RHP in Game 1 tomorrow evening.

Down on the Farm: 5/9/2026

AAA:  Reno Aces beat the Sacramento River Cats 4-2.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .322.
Blade Tidwell RHP- 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's, 4/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 7.04.
Tristan Beck RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 5.40.
Marques Johnson RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.68.

AA:  Akron Rubber Ducks buried the Richmond Flying Squirrels 12-5.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .316.
Parks Harber 3B- 2 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .333.
Charlie Szykowny DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .290.
Diego Velasquez 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .267.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds got the best of the Vancouver Canadians 7-5(7 innings, Game 1 of doubleheader).

Trevor  Cohen RF- 2 for 3, BB, SB(13).  BA= .234.
Gavin Kilen SS- 3 for 4, 2 2B, HR(3).  BA= .289.
Ty Hanchey C- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .289.
Carlos Gutierrez LF- 0 for 0, 3 BB, 2 SB(8).  BA= .205.
Cole Hillier RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.25.

Strange season so far for Gavin Kilen.  He has these huge games but a lot of 0-fers in between.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Vancouver Canadians 5-1(7 innings, Game 2 of doubleheader).

Trevor Cohen RF- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .245.
Gavin Kilen SS- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .293.
Lisbel Diaz LF- 2 for 3.  BA= .224.
Walker Martin 3B- 1 for 3, HR(4).  BA= .233.
Esmerlin Vinicio LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.
Cade Vernon RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.74.
Liam Simon RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 7.00.

A: Fresno Grizzlies outscored the San Jose Giants 8-7.

Isaiah Barkett 2B- 2 for 5, BB.  BA= .337.
Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 4, 2B, 3B, BB.  BA= .293.
Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB.  BA= .299.
Lorenzo Meola SS- 3 for 5, SB(5).  BA= .221.

ACL:  Rockies topped the Giants 6-1(7 ininngs).  

Oliver Tejada RF- 2 for 3.  BA= .375.
Luke Mensik RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K's, 5/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 9.00.

Game Wrap 5/9/2026: Pirates 13 Giants 3

A bullpen collapse and a continued failure to hit turned a game that was scoreless after 4 innings into an embarrassing route to spoil Bryce Eldridge's first MLB home run.  Key Lines:

Bryce Eldridge CH/1B- 1 for 4, HR(1), R, RBI.  BA= .154.  Eldridge's first MLB home run came on an inside fastball which is often Kryptonite for tall hitters.  He pulled his arms in close, spun on it and sent it over the RF wall.  I don't think it was technically a splash hit because it looked like it bounced into the water but it was an impressive shot and an encouraging sign for his future.  

Landen Roupp RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 3.09.  Roupp pitched scoreless ball for 4 innings but ran up his pitch count in the process.  Joey Bart led off the 5'th with an infield hit after winning a pitch challenge and that was it for Roupp after 94 pitches.  What ensued was nothing short of a humiliation for the entire organization.  With a couple of lefthanded batters coming up, Tony Vitello went with Ryan Borucki LHP who gave up a ground ball single to Oneil Cruz and a sac fly to Brandon Lowe.  Switch-hitter, Bryan Reynolds then singled through the left side to drive in Cruz.  

Ryan Walker RHP got out of the inning on a CS by Eric Haase C, but Walker came back out for the 6'th inning.  After getting the leadoff batter on a K, he went Walk, Wild Pitch, RBI single, Single(Joey Bart again).  Walker was lifted for Matt Gage LHP who gave up a single to.....Oneil Cruz, but then got out of the inning on a K and GO.  JT Brubaker came in to start the 7'th inning which ended with the Pirates holding a 10-1 lead.  

Look, I get Tony Vitello has to work with the roster he is given and he can't run his top 3 relievers out there in the 5'th inning so this is on Buster.  Why is Borucki still on the team?  And Ryan Walker needs to have the same questions asked about him.  

Christian Koss RHP- 1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 13.50.  Poor Christian Koss was called upon to throw slow-pitch softballs up there in the 9'th amid all but catcalls from Kruk and Kuip.  He was helped out by a GIDP to keep the score from ballooning to something in the high teens.  To top all that off, Koss replaced Rafael Devers in the line up with Eldridge moving from DH to 1B(I didn't know that was allowed), so Koss batted in the bottom of the 9'th and got beaned on the helmet flap.  Was that a purpose pitch?  Kruk and Kuip seemed to think it might have been.  Kuip's immediate reaction was "well, that makes tomorrow's game interesting."  

Tyler Mahle RHP tries to salvage a series win this afternoon facing Bubba Chandler RHP, a top prospect who has struggled in his early MLB career and we know what that means for the Giants. His FB averages 98.7 MPH per Fangraphs.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Down on the Farm: 5/8/2026

 AAA:  Reno Aces edged out the Sacramento River Cats 2-1.

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 3.  BA= .231.
Daniel Susac DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .625.
Jake Holton 1B- 2 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .240.
Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.25.
Trent Harris RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 7.71.
Sam Hentges LHP- 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.16.
Wilkin Ramos RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.29.

Carson Whisenhunt has allowed 2 runs or fewer while pitching at least 5 innings in his last 3 starts.  That comes with 21 K's and 4 BB's in 16 IP.  Susac continues to tear it up in his rehab assignment.  A disappointing game for those looking for bullpen help for the Giants.

AA:  Richmond Flyhing Squirrels outscored the Akron Rubber Ducks 9-6.

Bo Davidson DH- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .286.
Diego Velasquez 2B- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .254.
Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(18).  BA= .429.
Mitch White RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, Save(3).  ERA= 2.63.

Big games for Diego Velasquez and Jonah Cox.  I keep waiting for Velasquez' power potential to show up.  Maybe this is a start?  Jonah Cox is still batting over .400 almost 6 weeks into the season.  

A+:  Vancouver Canadians topped the Eugene Emeralds 4-2.

Jakob Christian 1B- 2 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .529.
Lisbel Diaz LF- 1 for 3, HR(5).  BA= .207.
Luis De La Torre LHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 5.68.

A:  San Jose Giants escaped the Fresno Grizzlies 4-3.

Jhonny Level SS- 2 for 3, BB, 2 SB(10).  BA= .353.
Isaiah Barkett 2B- 2 for 3, 3B.  BA= .333.
Braydon Risley LHP- 5.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.18.
Alix Hernandez RHP- 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.65.
Garrett Langrell RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(5).  ERA= 3.38.

ACL:  Mariners beat the Giants 2-1(7 innings).

Nien-Hsi Yang RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.00.
Brayan Narvaez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.00.
Melvin Pineda RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 5/8/2026: Giants 5 Pirates 2

Robbie Ray recorded a Quality Start and the Giants lineup converted 12 hits into 5 runs for their second win in their last 10 games.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .270.  Lee hit another ball hard(98.8 MPH) in the first inning but it held up and was caught by the RF.  He did not figure into the scoring despite getting on base twice out of the leadoff spot.

Luis Arraez 2B- 1 for 4, 2 RBI.  BA= .314.  Contact cuts two ways.  Arraez GIDP'd to end the third inning but his bases-loaded single in the 7'th inning capped the scoring.  

Rafael Devers 1B- 2 for 4, HR(4), 2 R, RBI.  BA= .229.  Devers extends his hit streak to 8 games in which he is batting .346.  This was the first multi-hit game of that run.  The HR was the second in two games.  

Willy Adames SS- 2 for 4, R.  BA= .203.  Adames just missed a 3-run HR in the 4'th inning that Bryan Reynolds caught just above the top of the LF wall.  He generally looked more comfortable at the plate than he has for awhile.  This was his first multi-hit game since 4/17 which capped a 14 for 40(.350) run.  From 4/18-5/7 he went just 7 for 66(.106).  

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 4, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .261.  Ramos has a multi-hit game after going just 3 for 24 to start the month.

Drew Gilbert CF- 1 for 4, R, RBI.  BA= .259.  Gilbert has 2 hits in 7 AB over his last two game for 2 R and 2 RBI after going 1 for 8 to start the month.  I'd like to see him stick around and at least platoon with Bader in CF after Bader comes off the IL.

Jesus Rodriguez C- 1 for 2.  BA= .455.  It looks like Rodriguez is the starting catcher at least until Susac gets back.  He seems to be a decent receiver but the throwing arm might be lacking.  He threw what Kuip described as a ground ball to 2B trying to catch a runner stealing and Bailey came in as a defensive replacement after he was hit on the right arm with a pitch.  How will all this shake out when Susac gets back?  My guess is Eldridge goes back to AAA and Rodriguez becomes the primary DH. 

Robbie Ray LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.76.  Ray allowed 6 baserunners in the 2'nd and 3'rd innings but only gave up one run on a solo HR by Marcell Ozuna.  

Caleb Kilian RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 1.59.  Non-Save situation.  Giants are still looking for that guy who can close out a game with one run lead.

Landen Roupp RHP tries to keep the winning going today facing Braxton Ashcraft RHP.