After scoring 3 runs in each of the prior 2 games and losing all 3, the Giants tried something different: Scoring 2 runs. They still lost. Key Lines:
Tyler Mahle RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 5.31. Mahle pitched better than the line looks. He got through 5 innings allowing just a solo HR by Carter Jensen C but then came out for the 6'th inning and walked the leadoff batter and hit the second. That brought in Sam Hentges LHP to face the lefty batting Vinnie Pasquantino 1B who tied the game with a single. Hentges then hit another batter to put runners at first and third with no outs. Hentges struck out the next batter, then gave way to Keaton Winn RHP who gave up a single to drive in the go-ahead run. Both of those runs were charged to Mahle.
Meanwhile, the Giants scored their only 2 runs in the 5'th inning on a 2-out double by Jesus Rodriguez C, an RBI single by Drew Gilbert CF, a single by Christian Koss 2B to put runners at the corners. The second run scored on a throwing error on a fielder's choice by Tyler Tolbert SS which was probably caused by Koss' speed and hustle forcing Tolbert to hurry his throw.
While it probably did not affect the outcome of the game, the 7'th inning saw another apparent managing error by Tony Vitello. With a runner at 2B and 1 out, the Royals brought in Matt Strahm LHP to face Drew Gilbert. A quick check of Drew Gilbert's splits shows he was 1 for 28 against LHP's and Vitello had the RH batting Daniel Susac on the bench and also Luis Arraez who is batting .316 against LHP's. He also had Grant McCray on the bench who could take over for Gilbert in CF and he had Drew Cavanaugh who could catch if something happened to Jesus Rodriguez later in the game. So, with all scenario's accounted for, instead of pinch-hitting one of those two batters for Gilbert, Tony let Gilbert bat with predictable results.
The Giants are now 1-4 since the All-Star Break. They have lost 4 games in a row in which they scored 3 runs or less in all 4 losses. The have lost the first two series after the break. Was Luis Arraez held out of the game because of a possible impending trade?
Landen Roupp RHP tries to be the stopper in a day game facing Seth Lugo RHP who comes in with an ERA of 4.39 and is historically tough on the Giants.
Oh, and one more thing: I don't think it's fair that the Giants have to face a Cy Young Award contender every single game.
Is it your point that every pitcher who faces the Giants is a Cy Young contender (or pitches like one)?
ReplyDeleteHa, good point!
I still do not see why the Giants keep running Drew Gilbert out there. According to Baseball-Reference:
ReplyDelete2026 WAR: 0.2
Games: 77
Slash line: .232/.314/.364
OPS+: 93 (slightly below league average)
Position: Primarily center field, with time in both corner outfield spots.
For context:
The best MLB outfielders are already in the 4–6+ WAR range by this point in the season.
An average everyday outfielder is often around 1.5–3 WAR over a full season.
Gilbert's 0.2 WAR places him well below the top tier and likely in the lower half of regular major league outfielders, though still above replacement level.
He's been quite good against RHP's but that 1 for 29 against lefties is dragging him way down.
DeleteHopefully Bericoto will be close to a rehab assignment soon. Gilbert is best in a platoon role and McCray can't hit the broad side of a barn. I wouldn't mind Jesus getting more reps in the outfield.
ReplyDeleteThe guys on the post game wrap show said the Gilbert at bat was not a mistake but rather a shift to a search for “Development opportunities.“ That is, they wanted to get Gilbert some high pressure at bats against left-handers to see if he could develop. It was noted, however, that Dan Susac also needs Development opportunities.
ReplyDeleteThe San Francisco Giants Baseball Organization. bless its heart. that's all i can say at this point. -es
ReplyDelete