AAA Sacramento River Cats edged the Fresno Grizzlies 3-2:
Ydwin Villegas(SS)- 2 for 3. BA= .433.
What is Ydwin Villegas doing in Fresno and howtheheck is he hitting .433? Hey, you know who has not been in the Fresno boxscores for awhile? Frankie Pegs! I must have missed something.
AA Richmond Flyhing Squirrels pounded the Akron Aeros 15-7:
Javier Herrera(LF)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .310.
Adam Duvall(DH)- 2 for 3, HR(8), 2 BB. BA= .256.
Angel Villalona(1B)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .200.
Joe Panik(2B)- 2 for 4, 2B, Sac. BA= .255.
Mark Wagner(C)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .190.
Ryan Lollis(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .281.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 2 for 5, SB(10). BA= .241.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, SF. BA= .239.
Drew Bowlin(RHP)- 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.93.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Bowlin seems to have found a place he can thrive in Richmond, but his K/BB is 16/12 in 23.1 IP. Nice game for the hitters to pad their stat lines.
High A San Jose Giants blanked the Lake Elsinore Storm 2-0:
Mac Williamson(RF)- 3 for 4. BA= .270.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .467
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.89.
That's a mighty fine trio of lefties the Giants have in Blach, Escobar and Mejia.
Low Augusta Greenjackets vs Charleston River Dogs was suspended after 3 innings with the 'Jackets leading 2-0:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 1 for 2, SB(38). BA= .274.
Matt Duffy(SS)- 1 for 1, BB, SB(17). BA= .311.
Chris Stratton(RHP)- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.67.
Short Season Everett Aquasox topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6-1:
Nothing to see here.
Rookie AZL Giants crushed the Royals 9-0:
Christian Arroyo(SS)- 2 for 5. BA= .240.
Brett Kay(2B-SS)- 2 for 5, BB, SB(1). BA= .290.
Ryder Jones(3B)- 1 for 2, BB. BA= .375.
Hector Mercedes(RF)- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .346.
Drew Stiner(C)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SF. BA= .538.
Johneshwy Fargas(CF)- 3 for 5. BA= .333.
Luis Ysla(LHP)- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.18.
DSL Giants beat the Twins 5-4 in 10 innings:
Kleiber Rivas(C, 18 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .273.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Game Wrap 7/7/2013: Dodgers 4 Giants 1
In the future, when we look back on this Giants baseball season, it may well be that we will say the moment that sealed the Giants fate was the hanging slider that Sergio Romo threw to AJ Ellis with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 9'th inning of today's game. The Giants had battled their arch-nemesis, Clayton Kershaw to a draw for 8 innings. Last year, Romo would have struck Ellis out to get out of the inning and the Giants would have scratched out the winning run in the bottom of the 9'th. This year, he gives up the winning run plus 2 insurance runs, and let the opportunity to take down Kershaw slip away. That is a microcosm of the season so far. Key Lines:
Giants Offense- 4 hits, 1 walk. Lone run scored on double by Quiroz and eventual SF by Torres.
Chad Gaudin- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 2.44. What an effort by Gaudin! Right now, he might be the #2 starter on the staff! Another dumpster dive success story for Brian Sabean. Too bad it's probably not going to be enough to turn this season around, but hey, stick around next year like Vogie did after 2011 and you might get to win a postseason game or 2, Chad!
The Loss drops the Giants deeper into 4'th place, 6.5 games behind the NL West leading Dangerous D'Backs who, once again, clobbered the Reeling Rockies 6-1. The Dodgers remain 4.5 games back but took over sole possession of 2'nd place as the Rockies slipped to 3'rd, 5.5 games behind. The Pathetic Padres dropped 7.5 games behind with an 11-7 loss to the Nationals.
The Mets now come to AT&T Park with Matt Harvey facing Tim Lincecum. Anyone think I should keep Harvey on my fantasy team bench for this one?
The Dodgers go to Arizona for a showdown at high noon at the OK Corral with the Dangerous Ones.
Giants Offense- 4 hits, 1 walk. Lone run scored on double by Quiroz and eventual SF by Torres.
Chad Gaudin- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 2.44. What an effort by Gaudin! Right now, he might be the #2 starter on the staff! Another dumpster dive success story for Brian Sabean. Too bad it's probably not going to be enough to turn this season around, but hey, stick around next year like Vogie did after 2011 and you might get to win a postseason game or 2, Chad!
The Loss drops the Giants deeper into 4'th place, 6.5 games behind the NL West leading Dangerous D'Backs who, once again, clobbered the Reeling Rockies 6-1. The Dodgers remain 4.5 games back but took over sole possession of 2'nd place as the Rockies slipped to 3'rd, 5.5 games behind. The Pathetic Padres dropped 7.5 games behind with an 11-7 loss to the Nationals.
The Mets now come to AT&T Park with Matt Harvey facing Tim Lincecum. Anyone think I should keep Harvey on my fantasy team bench for this one?
The Dodgers go to Arizona for a showdown at high noon at the OK Corral with the Dangerous Ones.
Down on the Farm: 7/6/2013
AAA Fresno Grizzlies defeated the Sacramento River Cats 5-2:
Juan Perez(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(13). BA= .303.
Pill(.344), Kieschnick(.268), Dominguez(.299)- 2 hits each.
Eric Surkamp(LHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.45.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.62.
By all accounts, Juan Perez took getting sent back down a bit hard, but he picked up where he left off with this fine effort. Not a dominant start by Surkamp, but we'll take it, right? Runzler is now unscored upon in his last 7 appearances with just 1 BB allowed in his last 6.
AA Akron Aeros scored all their runs in the 7'th and 8'th innings to pound the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-3:
Javier Herrera(LF)- 0 for 5. BA= .305.
Mark Minicozzi(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA- .331.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 3 for 4. BA= .238.
Craig Westcott(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.88.
Josh Osich(LHP)- 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 21.60.
Herrera's BABIP regresses. Minicozzi's does not.
High A San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 5-1:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 4, 2B, 2 SB(16). BA= .257.
Bobby Haney(2B)- 1 for 3, HR(2). BA= .239.
Ty Blach(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 2.61.
Blach continues his dominance of Cal League batters. His K/IP is 81/89.2, but he has increased his ratio to 63/61 over his last 10 starts.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets vs Charleston River Dogs postponed.
Short Season Everett Aquasox outslugged the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 14-8:
Brandon Bednar(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(1), BB. BA= .292.
Sam Eberle(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B, SF. BA= .318.
Shilo McCall(LF)- 1 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .282.
Cristian Otero(2B)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .235.
Rookie AZL Giants vs Mariners suspended in the 7'th inning with the Giants leading 7-4:
Christian Arroyo(SS)- 1 for 3, SF. BA= .200.
Brett Kay(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(1). BA= .269.
Ryan Cavan(3B)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .750.
Craig Massoni(1B)- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB. BA= .400.
Hector Mercedes(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .333.
Chase Johnson(RHP)- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.69.
Cavan is obviously rehabbing.
DSL Giants edged the Padres 4-3:
Nicol Parra(DH)- 2 for 5, SB(8). BA= .286.
Carlos Valdez(LF)- 2 for 3, 3B, BB. BA= .247.
Hengerber Medina(SS)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .167.
Juan Perez(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(13). BA= .303.
Pill(.344), Kieschnick(.268), Dominguez(.299)- 2 hits each.
Eric Surkamp(LHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.45.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.62.
By all accounts, Juan Perez took getting sent back down a bit hard, but he picked up where he left off with this fine effort. Not a dominant start by Surkamp, but we'll take it, right? Runzler is now unscored upon in his last 7 appearances with just 1 BB allowed in his last 6.
AA Akron Aeros scored all their runs in the 7'th and 8'th innings to pound the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-3:
Javier Herrera(LF)- 0 for 5. BA= .305.
Mark Minicozzi(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA- .331.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 3 for 4. BA= .238.
Craig Westcott(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.88.
Josh Osich(LHP)- 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 21.60.
Herrera's BABIP regresses. Minicozzi's does not.
High A San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 5-1:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 4, 2B, 2 SB(16). BA= .257.
Bobby Haney(2B)- 1 for 3, HR(2). BA= .239.
Ty Blach(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 2.61.
Blach continues his dominance of Cal League batters. His K/IP is 81/89.2, but he has increased his ratio to 63/61 over his last 10 starts.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets vs Charleston River Dogs postponed.
Short Season Everett Aquasox outslugged the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 14-8:
Brandon Bednar(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(1), BB. BA= .292.
Sam Eberle(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B, SF. BA= .318.
Shilo McCall(LF)- 1 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .282.
Cristian Otero(2B)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .235.
Rookie AZL Giants vs Mariners suspended in the 7'th inning with the Giants leading 7-4:
Christian Arroyo(SS)- 1 for 3, SF. BA= .200.
Brett Kay(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(1). BA= .269.
Ryan Cavan(3B)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .750.
Craig Massoni(1B)- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB. BA= .400.
Hector Mercedes(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .333.
Chase Johnson(RHP)- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.69.
Cavan is obviously rehabbing.
DSL Giants edged the Padres 4-3:
Nicol Parra(DH)- 2 for 5, SB(8). BA= .286.
Carlos Valdez(LF)- 2 for 3, 3B, BB. BA= .247.
Hengerber Medina(SS)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .167.
Game Wrap 7/6/2013: Giants 4 Dodgers 2
Madison Bumgarner put a stop(at least temporarily) to the Giants slide in the standings with an outstanding effort against the archrival Dodgers. I think that is why they call pitchers like him Stoppers. Key Lines:
Gregor Blanco- 3 for 3, 2 2B, BB. BA= .279. Blanco had been 0 for his last 7 games in which his BA dropped more than .020. Problem is, even when he does his job as a leadoff batter, the Giants are not getting him around to score. 1 RBI was all he had to show for this fine effort.
Madison Bumgarner- 0 for 1, BB, SF. BA= .152. You might have guessed Bummy would drive in 2 of the Giants 4 runs. He did it with a bases-loaded walk in the 2'nd and a SF in the 4'th. When you watch Bumgarner at the plate, there is little doubt that he could have been a fierce hitter had he chosen to go that route. He kind of is anyway!
Madison Bumgarner- 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 3.05. Dominant performance by Bummy marred only by a 2 run dinger by FedEx.
Sergio Romo- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.25. When you are on a skid like the Giants, it becomes critical and not a given that your closer shut it down and preserve the W. Romo got the job done in this one.
With the Win, the Giants remained 5.5 games behind the NL West leading D'Backs but took over sole possession of 4'th place as the Pathetic Padres lost to the Nationals 5-4. The Dodgers slipped to 4.5 games back tied for 2'nd place with the Rockies who got blasted by the D'Backs 11-1.
Chad Gaudin returns from the DL for the unenviable task of taking on Clayton Kershaw in the series finale.
Gregor Blanco- 3 for 3, 2 2B, BB. BA= .279. Blanco had been 0 for his last 7 games in which his BA dropped more than .020. Problem is, even when he does his job as a leadoff batter, the Giants are not getting him around to score. 1 RBI was all he had to show for this fine effort.
Madison Bumgarner- 0 for 1, BB, SF. BA= .152. You might have guessed Bummy would drive in 2 of the Giants 4 runs. He did it with a bases-loaded walk in the 2'nd and a SF in the 4'th. When you watch Bumgarner at the plate, there is little doubt that he could have been a fierce hitter had he chosen to go that route. He kind of is anyway!
Madison Bumgarner- 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 3.05. Dominant performance by Bummy marred only by a 2 run dinger by FedEx.
Sergio Romo- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.25. When you are on a skid like the Giants, it becomes critical and not a given that your closer shut it down and preserve the W. Romo got the job done in this one.
With the Win, the Giants remained 5.5 games behind the NL West leading D'Backs but took over sole possession of 4'th place as the Pathetic Padres lost to the Nationals 5-4. The Dodgers slipped to 4.5 games back tied for 2'nd place with the Rockies who got blasted by the D'Backs 11-1.
Chad Gaudin returns from the DL for the unenviable task of taking on Clayton Kershaw in the series finale.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Down on the Farm: 7/5/2013
AAA Fresno Grizzlies out hit the Sacramento River Cats 8-7:
Kensuke Tanaka(DH)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .331.
Brett Pill(1B)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .340.
Ydwin Villegas(SS)- 3 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .435.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 5.73.
Fabio Castillo(RHP)- 2.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 7.36.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.79.
Why is Ydwin Villegas playing in Fresno and what is he doing hitting .435? Tough start for Hesto Presto. Heath Hembree continues to pitch better.
AA Akron Aeros defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-2:
Nothing to see here.
High A San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 6-3:
Brock Bond(DH)- 2 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .253.
Mac Williamson(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .266.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 2 for 5. BA= .500.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 4, SB(14). BA= .250.
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 9/2. ERA= 4.55.
Mac stays hot. He got an honorable mention in BA's hot sheet today. QS for Blackburn.
Low A Charleston River Dogs blanked the Augusta Greenjackets 2-0:
Antonio Robles(2B)- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .258.
Martin Agosta(RHP)- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.18.
Jorge Bucardo(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.08.
'Jackets got just one hit in the game. Good to see Agosta back, but gotta wonder if he's really OK with those numbers.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes defeated the Everett Aquasox 4-1:
Randy Ortiz(CF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .258.
Sam Eberle(DH)- 1 for 5, HR(4). BA= .309.
Shilo McCall(LF)- 0 for 3, BB, SB(2). BA= . 284.
Elliott Blair(1B)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .333.
Andrew Leenhouts(LHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.59.
Eberle continues to show off his power stroke. Where did that come from? Leenhouts has been solid, but his K/BB's are not exciting.
Rookie AZL Giants edged the Mariners 5-4:
Brian Ragira(1B)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .357.
Luis Pino(RHP)- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.00.
Pino is just 18 yo and has 13 K's in 9 IP.
Kensuke Tanaka(DH)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .331.
Brett Pill(1B)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .340.
Ydwin Villegas(SS)- 3 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .435.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 5.73.
Fabio Castillo(RHP)- 2.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 7.36.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.79.
Why is Ydwin Villegas playing in Fresno and what is he doing hitting .435? Tough start for Hesto Presto. Heath Hembree continues to pitch better.
AA Akron Aeros defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-2:
Nothing to see here.
High A San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 6-3:
Brock Bond(DH)- 2 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .253.
Mac Williamson(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .266.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 2 for 5. BA= .500.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 4, SB(14). BA= .250.
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 9/2. ERA= 4.55.
Mac stays hot. He got an honorable mention in BA's hot sheet today. QS for Blackburn.
Low A Charleston River Dogs blanked the Augusta Greenjackets 2-0:
Antonio Robles(2B)- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .258.
Martin Agosta(RHP)- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.18.
Jorge Bucardo(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.08.
'Jackets got just one hit in the game. Good to see Agosta back, but gotta wonder if he's really OK with those numbers.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes defeated the Everett Aquasox 4-1:
Randy Ortiz(CF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .258.
Sam Eberle(DH)- 1 for 5, HR(4). BA= .309.
Shilo McCall(LF)- 0 for 3, BB, SB(2). BA= . 284.
Elliott Blair(1B)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .333.
Andrew Leenhouts(LHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.59.
Eberle continues to show off his power stroke. Where did that come from? Leenhouts has been solid, but his K/BB's are not exciting.
Rookie AZL Giants edged the Mariners 5-4:
Brian Ragira(1B)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .357.
Luis Pino(RHP)- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.00.
Pino is just 18 yo and has 13 K's in 9 IP.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Game Wrap 7/5/2013: Dodgers 10 Giants 2
Matt Cain and the Giants got blown out early in this one. Key Lines:
Matt Cain- 2.1 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 4 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.85. That's the ballgame right there. The Giants were coming off a road trip that saw them reach a seemingly new low almost every day. They caught a break yesterday when they getaway game was rained out in Cincinnati allowing them to return home a couple hours early and preserve Matt Cain's rotation spot for the opening of the Dodger series, then proceeded to hit a new low! Yup, when your ace starter gets blown out early at home against your most hated division rivals, THAT is a new low!
The Loss dropped the Giants further behind the NL West Division leading D'Backs to a 5.5 game deficit as the D'Backs blanked the Rockies 5-0. The Rockies dropped into a second place tie with the Dodgers 3.5 games behind the leaders. The Pathetic Padres lost to the Nationals and are tied with the Giants for 4'th and last place.
Madison Bumgarner will take the mound facing Stephen Fife who has lowered his ERA from 7.71 to 2.83 over 6 subsequent starts from April 21.
When you are the defending champions coming off a tough road trip with a chance to get a re-set on the season and your ace gets blown out by your division rivals, well, it might be time to start thinking a repeat might not happen. Right now, a trade for 1 or even 2 players is not going to make enough of a difference to turn this around. The Giants are not going to win this division if Matt Cain is getting blown out of games like this. Until, or unless this team finds a floor and starts scratching back, there is no point in throwing away prospects, no matter how expendable they are, to try to turn it around. I"m not saying they can't turn it around, but it's starting to not look good at all and at some point you have to be realistic. No trades unless/until this team finds a floor!
I would make an exception if the player being acquired is controlled for several years and the move is more for next year than this.
So, why is all this happening? Probably multifactorial: 1. The physical and mental strain of two championship runs in 3 seasons. There is a reason why only 3 teams not named the Yankees have done it since something like 1930. There is the tangible stress on the pitchers of going an extra month with a month less time off in 2 of the last 3 seasons. Plus, there is always an inevitable emotional letdown after a period of prolonged intensity. 2. Accumulated injuries: Pagan is both a sparkplug in the lineup and an emotional leader. Scutaro is clearly not right and probably won't be until next year at the earliest and he's a key cog at the top of the lineup. Pablo is clearly not right after playing in pain for several weeks and then a stay on the DL. There's Vogie and Casilla, then Gaudin. Arias looks like he's getting hot as a replacement for Pablo then HE gets hurt! 3. Downward momentum. Once a losing streak sets in, it can be very hard to turn it around. Breaks go the other way. That leads to discouragement and more mistakes and it can quickly become a death spiral. The Giants have come to the brink of these over the last several years but have almost always managed to pull out of it in the nick of time. This time it may not happen.
Matt Cain- 2.1 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 4 BB, 1 K. ERA= 4.85. That's the ballgame right there. The Giants were coming off a road trip that saw them reach a seemingly new low almost every day. They caught a break yesterday when they getaway game was rained out in Cincinnati allowing them to return home a couple hours early and preserve Matt Cain's rotation spot for the opening of the Dodger series, then proceeded to hit a new low! Yup, when your ace starter gets blown out early at home against your most hated division rivals, THAT is a new low!
The Loss dropped the Giants further behind the NL West Division leading D'Backs to a 5.5 game deficit as the D'Backs blanked the Rockies 5-0. The Rockies dropped into a second place tie with the Dodgers 3.5 games behind the leaders. The Pathetic Padres lost to the Nationals and are tied with the Giants for 4'th and last place.
Madison Bumgarner will take the mound facing Stephen Fife who has lowered his ERA from 7.71 to 2.83 over 6 subsequent starts from April 21.
When you are the defending champions coming off a tough road trip with a chance to get a re-set on the season and your ace gets blown out by your division rivals, well, it might be time to start thinking a repeat might not happen. Right now, a trade for 1 or even 2 players is not going to make enough of a difference to turn this around. The Giants are not going to win this division if Matt Cain is getting blown out of games like this. Until, or unless this team finds a floor and starts scratching back, there is no point in throwing away prospects, no matter how expendable they are, to try to turn it around. I"m not saying they can't turn it around, but it's starting to not look good at all and at some point you have to be realistic. No trades unless/until this team finds a floor!
I would make an exception if the player being acquired is controlled for several years and the move is more for next year than this.
So, why is all this happening? Probably multifactorial: 1. The physical and mental strain of two championship runs in 3 seasons. There is a reason why only 3 teams not named the Yankees have done it since something like 1930. There is the tangible stress on the pitchers of going an extra month with a month less time off in 2 of the last 3 seasons. Plus, there is always an inevitable emotional letdown after a period of prolonged intensity. 2. Accumulated injuries: Pagan is both a sparkplug in the lineup and an emotional leader. Scutaro is clearly not right and probably won't be until next year at the earliest and he's a key cog at the top of the lineup. Pablo is clearly not right after playing in pain for several weeks and then a stay on the DL. There's Vogie and Casilla, then Gaudin. Arias looks like he's getting hot as a replacement for Pablo then HE gets hurt! 3. Downward momentum. Once a losing streak sets in, it can be very hard to turn it around. Breaks go the other way. That leads to discouragement and more mistakes and it can quickly become a death spiral. The Giants have come to the brink of these over the last several years but have almost always managed to pull out of it in the nick of time. This time it may not happen.
Down on the Farm: 7/4/2013
AAA Sacramento River Cats scored the only run of the game with the Fresno Grizzlies in the top of the first inning:
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .246.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .265.
Mitch Lively(RHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 5.87.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.00.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.93.
Young Boch has been scored on in just 1 of his last 7 appearances. This was Hembree's 4'th consecutive scoreless appearance. While his ERA is high, he has terrific peripherals with 42 K's against just 11 BB's in 34.2 IP.
AA Akron Aeros out hit the Richmond Flying Squirrels 11-8:
Javier Herrera(LF)- 4 for 5, HR(12), BB, SB(17). BA= .312.
Angel Villalona(1B.)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .200.
High A Visalia Rawhide defeated the San Jose Giants 4-2:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, Sac. BA= .242.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 3 for 4. BA= .529.
Adalberto Mejia(LHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.63.
Jason Forjet(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.01.
Strong start for Mejia despite being charged with the Loss. Take out his second start of the season in which he gave up 6 runs in 3.2 IP, Mejia's ERA is 2.25 with 33 K's against 10 BB's in 36 IP. He is having a successful transition to high A ball at age 20.
Low A Charleston River Dogs beat the Augusta Greenjackets 4-1:
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.78.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Everett Aquasox 8-5 in 12 innings:
Elliott Blair(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B, BB. BA= .286.
Ryan Honeycutt(DH)- 2 for 4, HR(1), BB. BA= .269.
Shilo McCall(PH-DH)- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .296.
Ryan Jones(2B)- 3 for 5, SB(2). BA= .457.
Chris Johnson(RHP)- 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.17.
Jake Shadle(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.88.
Raymundo Montero(RHP)- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.09.
Shilo McCall hit a bases-loaded, bases clearing pinch-hit double in the top of the 12'th to drive in the winning runs. Jake Shadle is 23 years old. He's pitched in the AZL for the past 3 seasons with good peripheral numbers. It looks like he may have been injured in 2011. He now has 15 K's against 3 BB's in 14.1 IP.
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL White Sox topped the Giants 6-3:
Raffi Vizcaino(RHP, 17 yo)- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.00.
Reymi Rodriguez(RHP, 18 yo)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.31.
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .246.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .265.
Mitch Lively(RHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 5.87.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.00.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.93.
Young Boch has been scored on in just 1 of his last 7 appearances. This was Hembree's 4'th consecutive scoreless appearance. While his ERA is high, he has terrific peripherals with 42 K's against just 11 BB's in 34.2 IP.
AA Akron Aeros out hit the Richmond Flying Squirrels 11-8:
Javier Herrera(LF)- 4 for 5, HR(12), BB, SB(17). BA= .312.
Angel Villalona(1B.)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .200.
High A Visalia Rawhide defeated the San Jose Giants 4-2:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, Sac. BA= .242.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 3 for 4. BA= .529.
Adalberto Mejia(LHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.63.
Jason Forjet(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.01.
Strong start for Mejia despite being charged with the Loss. Take out his second start of the season in which he gave up 6 runs in 3.2 IP, Mejia's ERA is 2.25 with 33 K's against 10 BB's in 36 IP. He is having a successful transition to high A ball at age 20.
Low A Charleston River Dogs beat the Augusta Greenjackets 4-1:
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.78.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Everett Aquasox 8-5 in 12 innings:
Elliott Blair(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B, BB. BA= .286.
Ryan Honeycutt(DH)- 2 for 4, HR(1), BB. BA= .269.
Shilo McCall(PH-DH)- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .296.
Ryan Jones(2B)- 3 for 5, SB(2). BA= .457.
Chris Johnson(RHP)- 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.17.
Jake Shadle(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.88.
Raymundo Montero(RHP)- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.09.
Shilo McCall hit a bases-loaded, bases clearing pinch-hit double in the top of the 12'th to drive in the winning runs. Jake Shadle is 23 years old. He's pitched in the AZL for the past 3 seasons with good peripheral numbers. It looks like he may have been injured in 2011. He now has 15 K's against 3 BB's in 14.1 IP.
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL White Sox topped the Giants 6-3:
Raffi Vizcaino(RHP, 17 yo)- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.00.
Reymi Rodriguez(RHP, 18 yo)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.31.
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