Blogger's Note

 Sorry team, I think I'm going to have to take a step back for a few days.  I'm back in a rut of feeling like I have to do this rather than doing it for fun.  

In the meantime, I laughed out loud at the Pavs article about the verbal dustup between YtY and Cardinals pitcher, John Oveido.   Check it out!

Blogger's Note

Sorry team.  A crunch of other commitments caused me to run out of time for a post today.  You are welcome to post comments if you want to put in your 2 cents worth.

What's on your mind?  Is Johnny Cueto done?  Did Tyler Beede do enough in his rehab assignment to justify the callup?  Is the Giants magical season crumbling before our eyes? 

Game Wrap 7/5/2021: Cardinals 5 Giants 3

Kevin Gausman RHP took a no-hitter into the 7'th inning but got no run support before surrendering a 2-out, 2-run triple to longtime Giants nemesis, Matt Carpenter 3B.  Still, the Giants could have won this game with better bullpen support, but a late rally fell short after the Cards too a 5-1 lead into the 9'th inning.  Game Notes:

Gausman was again masterful and dominant through 6 innings.  His final line of 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K's should have been enough to win the game.

Thairo Estrada LF, whose minor league experience is mainly IF, made a very difficult catch against the LF wall to rob Nolan Arenado 3B of an XBH.

Kwang Kim LHP pounded the bottom of the strike zone for a 12/4 GO/AO and pitched 7 shutout innings to nullify Kevin Gausmans's no-hit bid.

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Despite the Loss, the Giants maintained their 0.5 game lead over the Dodgers and 4.5 games over the Padres as both their division rivals lost.  The Giants also maintained their best record in MLB.

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Johnny Cueto RHP tries to get back on the winning track for himself and the Giants tonight facing Adam Wainwright RHP.

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With Buster Posey C's thumb still hurting, the Giants needed an additional catcher on the roster and called up Chadwick Tromp C.  They place Sammy Long LHP on the IL with a stiff lower back.  The Giants may not need Long's rotation spot before the All-Star Break.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Braden Bishop RF- 1 for 3, BB, SB(3).  BA= .343.

Joey Bart C- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .344.

Kervin Castro RHP- 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.22.

Jay Jackson RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 7/4/2021: Giants 5 D'Backs 2

Anthony DeSclafani RHP came within one out of his third CG of the season and the Giants cruised to a win to take the 4 game series from the D'Backs.  Game Notes:

As he has done throughout most of the season, DeSclafani kept his pitch count down and took it deep into the game.  He ended up throwing 107 pitches in 8.2 IP.  A 2-out RBI single by Christian Walker 1B which narrowed the margin to 3 runs brought the hook with Tyler Rogers RHP getting the final out and his 10'th Save of the season.

Austin Slater CF/LF went 2 for 3 with a HR(9) at the top of the order against Caleb Smith LHP to build on his breakthrough HR from the night before.

Darin Ruf 1B also had a big game with a 2B and HR(7) to drive in 3 runs.

Buster Posey C took a foul tip off his left thumb and had to come out.  X-rays are reportedly negative for fracture and it's being called a contusion which is essentially a bruise.  Hopefully it's not also a sprain which would take longer to heal.  He won't start today, but Kap seemed to think he might be available if necessary.  I say make sure that bad boy is not going to be a lingering problem.  It's not too late to be still playing the long game here.

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The Win kept the Giants 0.5 games ahead of the Dodgers who won their 9'th in a row in the NL West and 4.5 games ahead of the Padres who also won big in Philly. The Giants also maintained the best record in MLB.  I still have my doubts about the Giants hanging with the Dodgers through the second half but the pennant race we're seeing right now is a breathtaking.  The two teams with the best record in MLB battling it out every day with both refusing to lose.

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The Giants come home to face the Cardinals in a mid-afternoon start with Kevin Gausman RHP facing Kwang Kim LHP.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Bryce Johnson CF- 2 for 5, 2 BB, 2 SB(13).  BA= .283.

Arismendy Alcantara SS- 2 for 6, 2 HR(8).  BA= .315.

Jason Vosler DH- 3 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .278.

Game was played in Las Vegas and the final score was 15-14.  Great day for hitters to pad their stat lines while pitchers have to suffer.

AA:

Simon Whiteman SS- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .254.

Heliot Ramos CF- 2 for 5, HR(4).  BA= .226.

Frankie Tostado 1B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .295.

Brandon Martorano C- 2 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .222.

Jason Heyward LF- 3 for 5, 2 2B, HR(7).  BA= .231.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.11.

Hopefully this is a slump-breaker game for Heliot Ramos.

Low A:

Wil Jensen RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.81.

Game Wrap 7/3/2021: Giants 6 D'Backs 5

 Austin Slater PH/LF/CF broke out of a 4 for 41 slump with a monster 461 foot, 2-run HR in the 8'th inning to a blown lead and 3 Giants errors.  Game Notes:

This is what makes baseball so great.  No matter how much you've stunk it up, every AB offers a chance at redemption.  Both teams get the same number of outs.  You can't run out the clock.  Slater was probably the last player Giants fans wanted up there in that situation.  If you were like me, you were already mentally looking ahead to the 9'th inning.  Instead, Slater hit the longest HR of his career. Was it also the longest Giants HR of the season?  That was a long tater! 

Slater would not have even been up there were it not for Mike Yastrzemski RF drawing a 2-out walk to extend the inning after Thairo Estrada 3B got picked off 1B.    YtY also hit his 12'th HR of the season and had two more balls that left the field of play but hooked foul down the RF line for long strikes.

Speaking of breaking out of slumps, YtY his hitting just .192 over his last 7 games but is 4 for 12 with 2 HR's over his last 3. 

And speaking of Estrada, the rook reached base 4 times out of 5 PA and is showing an ability to grind out AB's and work counts.  Now, don't get picked off!  

Brandon Crawford SS also reached base 4 times for the second game in a row.

Donovan Solano 2B added 3 hits.

Sammy Long LHP struggled with inconsistent command, especially of his curveball which was breathtaking at times and scudding in the dirt at others.  His 6 K's against 1 BB may be encouraging for the future.

Once Slater got the lead back, the Giants were still 6 outs away from a win, but Tyler Rogers RHP got his 14'th Hold and Jake McGee LHP recorded his 16'th Save to finish it off.

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The Win kept the Giants 0.5 games ahead of the Dodgers, who won their 8'th straight, in the NL West and maintained the best record in MLB.

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Anthony DeSclafani RHP tries for the 4-game series win this evening against Caleb Smith LHP.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Braden Bishop CF- 2 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .352.

Mauricio Dubon SS- 3 for 5, BB.  BA= .600.

Jason Vosler 1B- 2 for 4, HR(7), BB.  BA= .261.

AA:

Caleb Kilian RHP- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K's, GO/AO= 8/1.  ERA= 2.45.

Ronnie Williams RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.08.

High A:

Will Wilson SS- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(7).  BA= .257.

Franklin Labour CF- 2 for 4, 3B.  BA= .234.

Low A:

Carter Williams LF- 2 for 5, 2 HR(4).  BA= .317.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .225.

Marco Luciano DH- 2 for 4, HR(14), BB.  BA= .278.

Alexander Canario CF- 2 for 4, HR(7), SB(13).  BA= .227.

Ryan Murphy RHP- 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K's.  ERA= 3.29.

Rookie:

Tyler Wyatt RF(24 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(1).   BA= .308.

Trevor McDonald RHP(20 yo)- 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.00.

Freddery Paulino RHP(20 yo)- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's ERA= 3.60.

Game Wrap 7/2/2021: Giants 11 D'Backs 4

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B and Thairo Estrada 2B were the hitting stars as the Giants offense carried the day.  Game Notes:

Wade Jr broke a 2-game 0 for 8 skid with a double, HR(7) and 3 RBI's with a BB and SF added in for good measure. Wow! Where would the Giants be without Lamonte Wade Jr?

Estrada showed tenacity at the plate hitting out of the 8-hole working counts and making solid contact.  Huge night as he fell a triple short of a cycle with 5 RBI's including 4 on a 9'th inning grand slam that put the game away.  Estrada is looking like a another savvy FZ find in the Churn.

Brandon Crawford SS had a night reaching base 4 times in 5 PA's with a SB(6).  He scored a couple of runs.

Alex Wood LHP got in his expected 5 IP with 2 runs allowed.  Although the command issue was still there with 3 BB's, the stuff was also with 8 K's. 

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The Win kept the Giants in first place in the NL West by 0.5 games over the Dodgers as well as maintaining the best record in MLB at the exact halfway point of the season.  The Giants first half record is 51-30.

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Sammy Long LHP tries to get the second half off to a strong start tonight facing Jake Faria RHP.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Braden Bishop LF- 3 for 6, HR(4).  BA= .358.

Mauricio Dubon CF- 4 for 5, 2B, BB.  BA= .600.

Tyler Beede RHP- 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 6.56.

Jay Jackson RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Joey Bart C left the game after a HBP in the first inning.

AA:

Simon Whiteman SS- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB.  BA= .222.

Frankie Tostado 1B- 1 for 3, HR(6).  BA= .286.

Sandro Fabian RF- 1 for 3, HR(6).  BA= .258.

Michael Plassmeyer LHP- 5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.29.

Norwith Gudino RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.44.

Low A:

Jairo Pomares DH- 2 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .321.

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .184.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.21.

Rookie:

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .400.

Rayner Santana DH- 3 for 3, 2B.  BA= .500.

Sonny Vargas LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K's. 

Game Wrap 7/1/2021: D'Backs 5 Giants 3

Three runs was not enough for the Giants to ovecome a subpar Start for Johnny Cueto  RHP.  Game Notes:

Mike Yastrzemski RF returned to the lineup and got the Giants on the board first with a solo HR in the first inning(11).  If the Giants are going to make a second half run at the postseason, they need YtY to be healthy and productive.  This is an encouraging start.

Wilmer Flores 3B gave the Giants a short-lived lead in the 4'th inning with a 2-run blast(8).  After a slow start to the season, Flores is on an extended tear slashing .337/.381/607 over his last 30 games.

Johnny Cueto's line speaks for itself:  5 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HR.  ERA= 4.00.

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This was the Giants 4'th loss in a row and cut their lead over the Dodgers in the NL West to 0.5 games.  They do still own the best record in MLB.

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Alex Wood LHP will try to be the stopper tonight facing Zac Gallen RHP.

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Injury/Churn Update:

Mike Tauchman OF went on the IL with a knee sprain suffered while make a great catch in LA.  Jaylin Davis OF gets the callup.

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Down on the Farm:

AAA:

Braden Bishop RF- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .351.

Mauricio Dubon SS- 2 for 5.  BA= .400.

Joey Bart C- 3 for 4, HR(8), BB.  BA= .344.

Jason Vosler LF- 1 for 4, HR(6), BB.  BA= .247.

Arismendy Alcantara 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, 3B.  BA= .309.

Logan Webb RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 4/0.  ERA= 4.50.

Kervin Castro RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.60.

Sam Selman LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.84.

Trevor Gott RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.05.

Logan Webb starts his rehab assignment.  Giants ideal scenario for Joey Bart is probably to keep him in AAA until Sept, but he seems to be about as ready as he'll ever be if needed before then.  He does need to be in a situation where he's hitting every day.

High A:

Ismael Munguia CF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .264.

Armani Smith DH- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .333.

Aaron Phillips RHP- 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.91.

Low A:

Carter Williams LF- 1 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .306.

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 3, BB, SB(15).  BA= .303.

Prelander Berroa RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.38.

Rookie:

Adrian Sugasty C(19 yo)- 3 for 5.  BA= .417.

George Bell LF(23 yo)- 2 for 4, BB, SB(1).  BA= .400.

PJ Hilson CF(20 yo)- 2 for 4.  BA= .250.

Luis Moreno RHP(22 yo)- 7 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 12 K's.  ERA= 5.14.

Jorge Garcia RHP(20 yo)- 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 1.29.