AAA Salt Lake City Bees stung the Fresno Grizzlies 5-3:
Francisco Peguero(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .237.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 1 for 4, HR(5). BA= .287.
Brock Bond(2B)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .286.
Nick Noonan(3B)- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SB(3). BA= .314.
Peggy's line over his last 10 games: .316/.372/.579. Culby is showing some power. 4 of his HR have come in his last 10 games for a SLG% of .605 against a .263 BA. Brock Bond seems to be back in the picture after missing most of last year with injury.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels downed the Bowie Baysox 6-2:
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 2 for 4. BA= .333.
Joel Weeks(C)- 3 for 3, 2B. BA= .304.
Craig Westcott(RHP)- 6 IP, 6 H 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 10/1. ERA= 4.78.
Austin Fleet(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.42.
High A San Jose Giants edged the Stockton Ports 3-2 in 10 innings:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 5. BA= .225
Carter Jurica(2B)- 1 for 5, HR(2)- .280.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .279.
Taylor Rogers(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.87.
Low A Kannapolis Intimidators crushed the Augusta Greenjackets 11-1:
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.85.
Steven Neff(LHP)- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.11.
Keith Bilodeau(RHP)- 2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 6.59.
A tough start for Blackburn. Another strong outing for Neff who has 13 K and just 3 BB in his last 10.2 IP.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Game Wrap 5/3/2012
The Giants got swept for the second series this season. They lost all 6 games of those two series by 1 run each. Today it was a familiar pattern of falling behind early, battling back in the late innings only to ultimately fall short. Unlike the opening series against the D'Backs, this series saw wasted solid pitching performances as the winning Marlins scored a total of just 7 runs in the 3 games. Key Lines:
Gregor Blanco- 3 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .300. OK, I am now solidly on the Gregor Blanco bandwagon. The guy was born to be a leadoff hitter. His ability to get on base and disrupt with his speed(even though he was CS today) is more valuable than the occasional power they get out of Nate Schierholtz. He gets on base and comes around to score runs.
Conor Gillaspie- 1 for 3. BA= .333. I don't expect Conor to hit for power like Pablo, but hopefully he can deliver the combination of high BA and OBP he showed in the PCL.
Melky Cabrera- 2 for 4. BA= .301. Melky seems to be warming up again.
Brandon Belt- 2 for 4. BA= .292. It might not be pretty, but Belt has his second 2 hit game in a row. Keep putting him out there and let him build his confidence. He'll start driving the ball soon enough.
Ryan Vogelsong- 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 10/4. ERA= 3.42. Vogey hung in there to pitch a QS after a shaky start giving up a run in each of the first 2 innings.
With the loss, the Giants fell below .500 at 12-13 and dropped to 5 games behind the idle NL West leading Dodgers. The D'Backs lost to the Nationals 2-1 to drop to 4.5 games behind tied for second place with the idle Rockies. The Padres were also idle and stayed at 8.5 games behind.
The Giants open a 3 game series at home against the BrewCrew with Tim Lincecum facing Zach Grienke in what promises to be another tight pitching duel.
Gregor Blanco- 3 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .300. OK, I am now solidly on the Gregor Blanco bandwagon. The guy was born to be a leadoff hitter. His ability to get on base and disrupt with his speed(even though he was CS today) is more valuable than the occasional power they get out of Nate Schierholtz. He gets on base and comes around to score runs.
Conor Gillaspie- 1 for 3. BA= .333. I don't expect Conor to hit for power like Pablo, but hopefully he can deliver the combination of high BA and OBP he showed in the PCL.
Melky Cabrera- 2 for 4. BA= .301. Melky seems to be warming up again.
Brandon Belt- 2 for 4. BA= .292. It might not be pretty, but Belt has his second 2 hit game in a row. Keep putting him out there and let him build his confidence. He'll start driving the ball soon enough.
Ryan Vogelsong- 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 10/4. ERA= 3.42. Vogey hung in there to pitch a QS after a shaky start giving up a run in each of the first 2 innings.
With the loss, the Giants fell below .500 at 12-13 and dropped to 5 games behind the idle NL West leading Dodgers. The D'Backs lost to the Nationals 2-1 to drop to 4.5 games behind tied for second place with the idle Rockies. The Padres were also idle and stayed at 8.5 games behind.
The Giants open a 3 game series at home against the BrewCrew with Tim Lincecum facing Zach Grienke in what promises to be another tight pitching duel.
Down on the Farm: 5/2/2012
AAA Fresno Grizzlies edged the Salt Lake City Bees 5-4:
Conor Gillaspie(3B)- 2 for 4, HR(3). BA= .362.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4, HR(4). BA= .288.
Eric Hacker(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.12.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(7). ERA= 1.64.
Gillaspie has even shown some power this spring. He could be getting a chance to show what he can do at the MLB level real soon. Hembree would seem to be ready for a callup any time.
AA Bowie Baysox scored 4 runs in the ninth to defeat the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-3:
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Young Mr. Bochy seems to be too good for AA. Looks like the Giants should not have to spend a lot of $$$ on the bullpen in future years.
High A San Jose Giants downed the Stockton Ports 5-1:
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .272.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 3 for 4, SB(1). BA= .619.
Shawn Sanford(RHP)- 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO- 9/3. ERA= 4.09.
Ricky is a patient hitter. As we all know, the Giants don't necessarily think that is a good thing.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets out hit the Kannapolis Intimidators 9-6:
Brett Krill(DH)- 2 for 5. BA= .217.
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .215.
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.33.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, Save(6). ERA= 2.70.
Conor Gillaspie(3B)- 2 for 4, HR(3). BA= .362.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4, HR(4). BA= .288.
Eric Hacker(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.12.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(7). ERA= 1.64.
Gillaspie has even shown some power this spring. He could be getting a chance to show what he can do at the MLB level real soon. Hembree would seem to be ready for a callup any time.
AA Bowie Baysox scored 4 runs in the ninth to defeat the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-3:
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Young Mr. Bochy seems to be too good for AA. Looks like the Giants should not have to spend a lot of $$$ on the bullpen in future years.
High A San Jose Giants downed the Stockton Ports 5-1:
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .272.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 3 for 4, SB(1). BA= .619.
Shawn Sanford(RHP)- 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO- 9/3. ERA= 4.09.
Ricky is a patient hitter. As we all know, the Giants don't necessarily think that is a good thing.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets out hit the Kannapolis Intimidators 9-6:
Brett Krill(DH)- 2 for 5. BA= .217.
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .215.
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.33.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, Save(6). ERA= 2.70.
Game Wrap 5/2/2012: Marlins 3 Giants 2
The Giants suffered another frustrating, disheartening loss in extra innings, but may have lost a lot more than a game as Pablo Sandoval came up with a painful left wrist apparently caused by a swing of the bat. If you recall, the last time that happened, he suffered a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist and was out for 6 weeks last year. As for the game, the Giants left 5 runners on base in the first two innings, then mounted a 2 run rally in the ninth inning to tie it, only to lose it in the 10'th on yet another laser beam HR by Giancarlo Stanton. Key Lines:
Gregor Blanco- 1 for 4, BB. BA= .222. Count me as being in favor of an extended trial of Blanco playing the OF in place of Nate and leading off. He does things leadoff hitters are supposed to do, like dragging squeeze bunts for basehits to tie the game in the ninth inning. That, and drawing walks too.
Hector Sanchez- 0 for 5. BA= .241. Bochy might want to think twice about batting Sanchez 5'th again any time soon. The Hector's inexperience may be getting overexposed. The PB in the first inning probably cost the Giants the game.
Brandon Belt- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .273. Belt started the ninth inning rally with a double to CF. I have to say I was long since in bed when this one ended, so I didn't see how hard he hit it. The other hit was a bounder up th middle that Zambrano deflected with his pitching hand. Ouch! In any event, the final box score line is a sight for sore Giants fans eyes. Maybe something to build on?
Joaquin Arias- 2 for 4. BA= .375. Arias has definitely played himself into a bigger role.
Barry Zito- 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 BB, 1 K. ERA= 1.76. Zito was wild. I have no idea how he managed to keep it to just 2 runs allowed, and it would have been none were it not for the PB and an error by Arias.
Travis Blackley- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00. A big welcome to Travis Blackley who might have started a very belated MLB career tonight.
Carlos Zambrano(Marlins)- 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.53. What is it with Marlins players and the Giants? Zambrano started every pitch with this odd, creepy looking smile on his face. Kruk noticed it too and commented that it might be a distraction to hitters and not make them too happy. Unfortunately, the Giants hitters don't seem to be in any condition to make a guy like that pay.
Now we'll await word on Pablo Sandoval. From the descriptions I've read, a stay on the DL is almost a certainty and an identical fracture/surgery to the opposite wrist as last year seems to be a very realistic possibility. Sandoval is a huge part of the Giants offense which is struggling even with him in the lineup. There is not obvious replacement on the active roster, although Burriss, Arias, Theriot and even Brett Pill are possibilities. Conor Gillaspie is on the 40 man roster and is tearing it up in Fresno. He'll be out of options next spring, so this would seem to be a perfect time for the Giants to see what he can do at the MLB level.
The Giants did not lose ground to the Dodgers as the NL West leaders lost to the Rockies 8-5. The Giants remain 4.5 games behind but fell into a 3'rd place tie with the Rocks at an even .500, 12-12. The D'Backs lost to the Nats 5-4 to stay in second place, 4 games behind the leaders. The Pesky Padres got their second shutout in a row over the BrewCrew 5-0 to gain a game on the leaders at 8.5 games behind. In the Padres game, Jeff Suppan, remember him? Well, he pitched 5 shutout innings for the Pesky Ones. I don't think there is a pitcher alive who Petco Park can't make look good! I mean, Jeff Suppan!
Ryan Vogelsong tries to put a stop to the Giants skid facing Anibal Sanchez, another guy who is always tough on the Giants and who had 14 K's in his last start.
Gregor Blanco- 1 for 4, BB. BA= .222. Count me as being in favor of an extended trial of Blanco playing the OF in place of Nate and leading off. He does things leadoff hitters are supposed to do, like dragging squeeze bunts for basehits to tie the game in the ninth inning. That, and drawing walks too.
Hector Sanchez- 0 for 5. BA= .241. Bochy might want to think twice about batting Sanchez 5'th again any time soon. The Hector's inexperience may be getting overexposed. The PB in the first inning probably cost the Giants the game.
Brandon Belt- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .273. Belt started the ninth inning rally with a double to CF. I have to say I was long since in bed when this one ended, so I didn't see how hard he hit it. The other hit was a bounder up th middle that Zambrano deflected with his pitching hand. Ouch! In any event, the final box score line is a sight for sore Giants fans eyes. Maybe something to build on?
Joaquin Arias- 2 for 4. BA= .375. Arias has definitely played himself into a bigger role.
Barry Zito- 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 BB, 1 K. ERA= 1.76. Zito was wild. I have no idea how he managed to keep it to just 2 runs allowed, and it would have been none were it not for the PB and an error by Arias.
Travis Blackley- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00. A big welcome to Travis Blackley who might have started a very belated MLB career tonight.
Carlos Zambrano(Marlins)- 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.53. What is it with Marlins players and the Giants? Zambrano started every pitch with this odd, creepy looking smile on his face. Kruk noticed it too and commented that it might be a distraction to hitters and not make them too happy. Unfortunately, the Giants hitters don't seem to be in any condition to make a guy like that pay.
Now we'll await word on Pablo Sandoval. From the descriptions I've read, a stay on the DL is almost a certainty and an identical fracture/surgery to the opposite wrist as last year seems to be a very realistic possibility. Sandoval is a huge part of the Giants offense which is struggling even with him in the lineup. There is not obvious replacement on the active roster, although Burriss, Arias, Theriot and even Brett Pill are possibilities. Conor Gillaspie is on the 40 man roster and is tearing it up in Fresno. He'll be out of options next spring, so this would seem to be a perfect time for the Giants to see what he can do at the MLB level.
The Giants did not lose ground to the Dodgers as the NL West leaders lost to the Rockies 8-5. The Giants remain 4.5 games behind but fell into a 3'rd place tie with the Rocks at an even .500, 12-12. The D'Backs lost to the Nats 5-4 to stay in second place, 4 games behind the leaders. The Pesky Padres got their second shutout in a row over the BrewCrew 5-0 to gain a game on the leaders at 8.5 games behind. In the Padres game, Jeff Suppan, remember him? Well, he pitched 5 shutout innings for the Pesky Ones. I don't think there is a pitcher alive who Petco Park can't make look good! I mean, Jeff Suppan!
Ryan Vogelsong tries to put a stop to the Giants skid facing Anibal Sanchez, another guy who is always tough on the Giants and who had 14 K's in his last start.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Down on the Farm: 5/1/2012
AAA Fresno Grizzlies defeated the Salt Lake City Bees 9-7:
Conor Gillaspie(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .356.
Nick Noonan(3B)- 4 for 5, 2B. BA= .344.
Brock Bond(DH)- 3 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .237.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(6). ERA= 1.80.
Conor Gillaspie is finally starting to hit like the guy I thought the Giants drafted back in 2008. Yeah, that's the same year Buster was drafted. Is Nick Noonan turning himself back into a prospect? Hello Brock Bond! Where have you been?
AA Bowie Baysox blanked the Richmond Flying Squirrels 2-0:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, CS(3). BA= .239.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.00.
Brown is warming up, hitting .282 over his last 10 games and .312 over his last 8. Kickham still has control issues.
High A San Jose Giants topped the Stockton Ports 4-1:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 5. BA= .211.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .227.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 3 for 3, 2 2B. BA= .588.
Carter Jurica(2B)- 1 for 4, 3B. BA= .306.
Jack Snodgrass(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 1.23.
Seth Rosin(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(3). ERA= 2.08.
Low A SAL was Idle
Conor Gillaspie(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .356.
Nick Noonan(3B)- 4 for 5, 2B. BA= .344.
Brock Bond(DH)- 3 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .237.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(6). ERA= 1.80.
Conor Gillaspie is finally starting to hit like the guy I thought the Giants drafted back in 2008. Yeah, that's the same year Buster was drafted. Is Nick Noonan turning himself back into a prospect? Hello Brock Bond! Where have you been?
AA Bowie Baysox blanked the Richmond Flying Squirrels 2-0:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, CS(3). BA= .239.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.00.
Brown is warming up, hitting .282 over his last 10 games and .312 over his last 8. Kickham still has control issues.
High A San Jose Giants topped the Stockton Ports 4-1:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 5. BA= .211.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .227.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 3 for 3, 2 2B. BA= .588.
Carter Jurica(2B)- 1 for 4, 3B. BA= .306.
Jack Snodgrass(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 1.23.
Seth Rosin(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(3). ERA= 2.08.
Low A SAL was Idle
Game Wrap 5/1/2012: Marlins 2 Giants 1
The Giants futility in driving in baserunners reached a point of dark comedy tonight as they failed to cash in on what seemed like a certain big inning in the bottom of the 8'th inning and go on to lose the game by one run. Here's how it played out: Pinch hitter Gregor Blanco led off with a liner into the RF corner for a double. Pagan laid down a terrible bunt way too close to the plate, but the Marlins catcher became distracted by Blanco's speed going to third, coudn't quite decide what to do and finally pulled the first baseman off the bag to put runners at first and third with no outs. Melky Cabrera then hit a soft tapper to a shallow first basemen and was tagged out with Pagan advancing to second, but Blanco having to hold at 3B. Pablo Sandoval was intentionally walked. Ozzie then brought in sinkerballer Edward Mujica to face Buster Posey. Now, Buster Posey is as fine a hitter as there is, but he does tend to hit a lot of ground ball singles and ground ball outs. The problem with runners on base is he also tends to hit into DP's. Well, that's exactly what happened here. End of inning with nothing to show for it. OK, team. Don't anybody come on here talking about "situational hitting." Whatthehell were Melky and Posey supposed to do in those "situations" except hit the darn ball as hard and as far as they could? Was Melky supposed to lay down a squeeze bunt? I'm pretty sure Buster knew he was supposed to elevate one on Mujica and was trying. Yeah, the situation called for the ball to be hit hard and far. It just didn't happen as it hasn't happened on a ridiculous level for a ridiculous amount of time. Key Lines:
Angel Pagan- 1 for 3, S. BA= .253. Pagan has now hit in 15 straight.
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(5), BB. BA= .323. Pablo now has a two game hit streak after taking one game to end his 20 game hit streak. If it weren't for Matt Kemp, I'd say Sandoval is headed for a MVP season.
Brandon Belt- 0 for 4. BA= .250. 3 weak grounders to 1B and a weak flyball out. He didn't strike out. He needs to keep playing, but could sit tomorrow with Zito on the mound and Hector Sanchez catching. Buster could play 1B.
Matt Cain- 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.35. Cain was a bit shaky in this one. He gave up a lot of long flyball outs. If felt like a matter of time until one left the park. Stanton's bomb was a liner off a hanging curve that left the yard in a hurry and curved around the LF foul pole. It's a testament to Cain's acumen as a pitcher that despite appearing to not have his best stuff, he ended up with a QS and some to spare. Shame that once again the Giants offense could not get their runners home.
The Dodger held off the Colorado Rockies to gain a game on the Giants who are now 4.5 games behind and in 3'rd place in the NL West. The D'Backs topped the Nats again to move a half game ahead of the Giants. The Pathetic Padres shut out the Brew Crew 2-0 to stay 9.5 games back in last place.
Barry Zito tries to keep his magical season going facing another pitcher with a checkered past in Carlos Zambrano tomorrow night at AT&T Park.
Angel Pagan- 1 for 3, S. BA= .253. Pagan has now hit in 15 straight.
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(5), BB. BA= .323. Pablo now has a two game hit streak after taking one game to end his 20 game hit streak. If it weren't for Matt Kemp, I'd say Sandoval is headed for a MVP season.
Brandon Belt- 0 for 4. BA= .250. 3 weak grounders to 1B and a weak flyball out. He didn't strike out. He needs to keep playing, but could sit tomorrow with Zito on the mound and Hector Sanchez catching. Buster could play 1B.
Matt Cain- 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.35. Cain was a bit shaky in this one. He gave up a lot of long flyball outs. If felt like a matter of time until one left the park. Stanton's bomb was a liner off a hanging curve that left the yard in a hurry and curved around the LF foul pole. It's a testament to Cain's acumen as a pitcher that despite appearing to not have his best stuff, he ended up with a QS and some to spare. Shame that once again the Giants offense could not get their runners home.
The Dodger held off the Colorado Rockies to gain a game on the Giants who are now 4.5 games behind and in 3'rd place in the NL West. The D'Backs topped the Nats again to move a half game ahead of the Giants. The Pathetic Padres shut out the Brew Crew 2-0 to stay 9.5 games back in last place.
Barry Zito tries to keep his magical season going facing another pitcher with a checkered past in Carlos Zambrano tomorrow night at AT&T Park.
Armchair Manager: Hector Sanchez Steals Food From Baby Giraffe!
A couple of days ago, Amy G, that's right, Amy G, broke a story about Hector Sanchez taking groundballs at first base. Now, I'm guessing lots of players do lots of things during pre-game warmups, but this one got the attention of the Free Belt crowd and the reaction was almost immediately incendiary. How dare Bruce Bochy find yet another reason to keep Belt on the bench? For his part, Bochy was asked about it and, probably unwittingly, poured nitromethane on the fire by saying it might give him additional options late in a game, or something to that effect. See? He is actually planning on playing him there!
One of the favorite pastimes at another, more well known, Giants oriented website is the full on freakout over things they think Sabes or Bochy MIGHT do at some point in the future. Amy G's Hector story was no exception. A sub-headline in a post entitled On Hector Sanchez Taking Grounders at First, read, "Playing Hector Sanchez at first over Brandon Belt IS negligent."(upper case IS is mine). It concluded with "....and now he'll get playing time at the expense of better hitters."
Whoa Nellie! Hold your horses there, pardner! When, exactly has Hector Sanchez played first base at the expense of Brandon Belt. When has he played first base at all, for that matter? If you all will remember, Nate Schierholtz took some grounders at first base a couple of years ago. He might have even played first base for an inning or two, but I can't remember. Conor Gillaspie took grounders at 2B last year. Brett Pill PLAYED 2B many games last year in Fresno. What became of those stories? OK, let's just assume that Bochy is serious and he fully intends to play Sanchez at first base at some point. Now, I have to admit that if I turn on the TV tonight and find Hector Sanchez standing at first base, I will start to wonder if Brandon Belt might have made pass at Mrs. Bochy or some other egregious personal affront to the manager, but I really don't expect to see that. I have, however, thought of a couple of scenarios where it would actually make some sense.
First, you have to understand the dynamics of having only two catchers on the roster, but with both catchers having useful bats. 1. You can't take your starting catcher out of a game except in an emergency or you risk being left with no catcher if the backup gets injured. 2. You can't use your backup catcher as a PH because then you are in the same boat as if you took the starting catcher out. So, here's the scenarios:
1. Buster is the starting catcher and is working well with the pitcher. Bochy wants to use Hector as a pinch-hitter, but doesn't want to move Buster to 1B in order to keep Hector in the game. If Hector has taken some GB's at first, and done OK with it, he can put Hector at 1B and keep both catchers available.
2. Hector is the starting catcher and Buster is at first. Bochy wants to bring in a reliever who tends to throw balls in the dirt. Bochy thinks Buster is better at blocking balls in the dirt and wants to move him behind the plate without taking Hector out of the game completely. Bingo! Problem solved if Hector can play a passable 1B.
Before we all go and a full on freakout pitchfork hunt for Bruce Bochy, just consider these two scenarios, relax and enjoy the ride!
One of the favorite pastimes at another, more well known, Giants oriented website is the full on freakout over things they think Sabes or Bochy MIGHT do at some point in the future. Amy G's Hector story was no exception. A sub-headline in a post entitled On Hector Sanchez Taking Grounders at First, read, "Playing Hector Sanchez at first over Brandon Belt IS negligent."(upper case IS is mine). It concluded with "....and now he'll get playing time at the expense of better hitters."
Whoa Nellie! Hold your horses there, pardner! When, exactly has Hector Sanchez played first base at the expense of Brandon Belt. When has he played first base at all, for that matter? If you all will remember, Nate Schierholtz took some grounders at first base a couple of years ago. He might have even played first base for an inning or two, but I can't remember. Conor Gillaspie took grounders at 2B last year. Brett Pill PLAYED 2B many games last year in Fresno. What became of those stories? OK, let's just assume that Bochy is serious and he fully intends to play Sanchez at first base at some point. Now, I have to admit that if I turn on the TV tonight and find Hector Sanchez standing at first base, I will start to wonder if Brandon Belt might have made pass at Mrs. Bochy or some other egregious personal affront to the manager, but I really don't expect to see that. I have, however, thought of a couple of scenarios where it would actually make some sense.
First, you have to understand the dynamics of having only two catchers on the roster, but with both catchers having useful bats. 1. You can't take your starting catcher out of a game except in an emergency or you risk being left with no catcher if the backup gets injured. 2. You can't use your backup catcher as a PH because then you are in the same boat as if you took the starting catcher out. So, here's the scenarios:
1. Buster is the starting catcher and is working well with the pitcher. Bochy wants to use Hector as a pinch-hitter, but doesn't want to move Buster to 1B in order to keep Hector in the game. If Hector has taken some GB's at first, and done OK with it, he can put Hector at 1B and keep both catchers available.
2. Hector is the starting catcher and Buster is at first. Bochy wants to bring in a reliever who tends to throw balls in the dirt. Bochy thinks Buster is better at blocking balls in the dirt and wants to move him behind the plate without taking Hector out of the game completely. Bingo! Problem solved if Hector can play a passable 1B.
Before we all go and a full on freakout pitchfork hunt for Bruce Bochy, just consider these two scenarios, relax and enjoy the ride!
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