Game Wrap 4/17/2022: Giants 8 Guardians 1

 Instead of a ballgame, the Giants took a c-c-colllld Easter afternoon stroll around the ballpark with opportunistic hitting a suffocating pitching to swweeeep the Guardians in their home crib.  

Brandon Belt 1B- 1 for 5, HR(3).  BA= .345.  Good things come to those who keep hitting the ball hard.  The Belter was patient and finally connected with a two-run blast for add-on runs in the 7'th inning.  For those of you keeping track of such things, that's a 60 HR pace for The Captain.

Joc Pederson LF- 2 for 4, SB(1), Assist(2B).  BA= .364.  Joc was all bundled up in the OF and the extra layers seemed to do him good as he had a nice little game with 2 knocks, a SB and an assist at 2B throwing out Jose Ramirez on an ill-advised try to stretch a single that kind of set the tone of the game in the first inning. 

Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .242.  Estrada was in the middle of most of the Giants scoring, starting with his 2-out, 2-run HR in the second inning.  He then came up in the 4'th inning with the bases loaded on one out.  He hit what looked like an inning ending GIDP but beat the relay throw at 1B to drive in one run.  The throw skipped past the first baseman allowing another run to score.  Estrada then doubled to left in the 6'th inning to drive in Joc Pederson and later scored on Steven Duggar's single.  Estrada is playing 2B every day with Tommy La Stella still rehabing.  He's not setting the league on fire yet but 4 of his 8 hits have been XBH's and his speed and defense are contributing.  He leads the Giants in RBI's for those of you who still keep track of that much maligned stat.

Alex Wood LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 1.93.  Wood looked sharp in his second start.  He went just 5 IP, but I'm pretty sure the Giants prefer 5 shutout innings out of a SP than 7 innings giving up 3 runs, which is a QS while the 5 shutout IP is not.

Zack Littell RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.  Littell came in with 2-on, no-outs and quickly put out the fire.  

Tyler Beede RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 2.25.  Beede walked the first batter he faced but then settled down and threw 21 of 35 pitches for strikes.  Still a work in progress but maybe some hope he'll find the handle enough to stay on the 26 man roster come May or make another team want him in trade.

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The Giants complete the sweep as the visiting team and extend their record to 7-2.  They have yet to face a top team but the Marlins, Padres and Guardians are not bottom-dwellers either.  

Giants road trip now moves on to New York for a 4-gamer against the Mighty Mets with Alex Cobb RHP getting the first start tomorrow evening facing Tylor Megill RHP who has a 0.00 ERA in two starts.

Down on the Farm: 4/16/2022

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats pounded the Reno Aces 18-8:

Luis Gonzalez DH- 2 for 6, 2 HR(2), BB.  BA= .278. 

Heliot Ramos CF- 2 for 7.  BA= .250.

Jaylin Davis RF- 3 for 6, 2B, SB(2). BA= .278.

David Villar 3B- 4 for 6, 2 HR(5).  BA= .303.

Ricardo Genoves C- 4 for 6, 2B.  BA= .258.

Obviously a game to pad the old stat line.  Every member of the starting lineup got at least 2 hits except Jason Krizan 1B and he reached base 4 times.   

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AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Altoona Curve 8-4:

Brett Auerbach CF- 2 for 3, HR(2), 2 BB.  BA= .333.

Sean Roby 1B- 3 for 3, 2 HR(6), BB.  BA= .400.

Blake Rivera RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 6/0.  ERA= 4.50.

Chris Wright LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

Sean Roby stays red hot with his 5'th HR in his last 3 games.  He hit 19 HR's for Eugene last year.  Brett Auerbach continues to prep for a future super-utility role including the ability to play catcher which is way valuable.

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A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Spokane Indians 3-1 in Game 1 of a doubleheader:

Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .333.

Armani Smith RF- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .333.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.93.

Wil Jensen RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

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A+:  Eugene Emeralds swept the Spokane Indians with a 4-2 Win in Game 2 of a doubleheader:

Luis Toribio 1B- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .083.

Jake Wong RHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 9.64.

Brooks Crawford RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.15.

Cole Waites RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, Save(1).  ERA= 15.00.

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

Vaun Brown CF- 4 for 4.  BA= .273.

Dilan Rosario 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .350.

Jose Cruz RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 12.00.

Landon Roupp RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 4/16/2022: Giants 4 Guardians 2

 The Giants scored the go-ahead run on blown double play by the Guardians then added an insurance run on a wild pitch in the 8'th inning.  The bullpen was not torture free, but held on for 6 more outs for the win.

Brandon Belt 1B- 2 for 5.  BA= .375.  Belt drove in the Giants first two runs with a hard groundball single up the middle in the 5'th inning.  He also led off the 8'th inning with an infield single on a squibber to 3B and came around to score on the force out/blown DP ball for the go-ahead run in the 8'th inning.  

Austin Slater PH/LF- 1 for 1, BB.  BA= .133.  After his walkoff double on Opening Day, Slater was 0 for 11 before his single and eventual score today.  He has contributed on defense with some nice catches.

Anthony DeSclafani RHP- 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.32.  Similar results to his first start but went an additional IP.  Not a problem for the bullpen due to both Webb and Rodon going deep into the last two games plus a day off in between.  Ideally I am sure the Giants want their SP's to go at least 5 IP, but if DeSclafani does this every start, I am also sure the Giants would be happy with that. 

Leone, Rogers and McGee pitched scoreless frames in innings 7, 8, 9.   McGee got the Save, but not before coming out wild and putting two runners on base.

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The Win extends the Giants record to 6-2.  They've given up just 3 runs in 2 games to the hottest hitting team in MLB coming in.  Alex Wood LHP goes for the sweeeeep tomorrow against Aaron Civale RHP in a 10:40 AM PDT start.

Down on the Farm: 4/15/2022

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats topped the Reno Aces 4-3:

Wyatt Mathisen 3B- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .143.

Austin Dean RF- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .179.

Raynel Espinal RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Taylor Williams RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 9.64.

Mathisen and Dean are reclamation projects who have struggled in opening week.  Espinal has 13 K's in 7.1 IP in two starts.  I think he will help the Giants as some point.  Williams recovers from a disaster appearance on 4/10. 

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AA:  Altoona Curve downed the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-1:

Will Wilson 3B- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .304.  

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.86.  

Frank Rubio RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 1.69.

Wilson's HR came in the 9'th inning of a game that was out of reach.  Reports on Twitter that Teng had some trouble with pitch clock rules, but so did Curve batter Nick Gonzalez.  

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A+:  Eugene Emeralds blanked the Spokane Indians 1-0:

Ghordy Santos CF/3B- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .400.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Santos HR was a walk-off in the 9'th inning.  It was just the 3'rd hit of the game for the Ems.  Kyle Harrison is on fire!  Second straight scoreless start with 16 K's in 9 IP with just 1 BB.  

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A:  Fresno Grizzlies shut down the San Jose Giants 3-0:

Will Bednar RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.35.

Seth Lonsway LHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Twitter reports Bednar looked much better in his second start.  FB 93-95 with excellent slider and much better command of his pitches.

Game Wrap 4/15/2022: Giants 4 Guardians 1

 The Giants played this one just like FZ and Kap drew it up as Carlos Rodon LHP shut down the hottest hitting team in MLB while the lineup popped three HR's in a game that was not as close as the score.

Joc Pederson LF- 2 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .375.  Pederson hit his second HR of the season for the Giants second run of the game, but it was his first HR against a real pitcher this one coming off Zach Plesac RHP in the 6'th inning.

Brandon Crawford SS- 1 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .190.  This was a no-doubter pulled to RF, landing way back in the bleachers to drive in the Giants first run to lead off the second inning.  

Joey Bart C- 2 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .333.  Bart is still striking out a lot, 10 K's in 22 PA, but when he makes contact, he's barreling up the ball.  His 2-run blast in the 8'th inning reportedly went out at 109 MPH. It hit off railing above the LF wall, the replay upheld the call.  The pitch looked like a hanging breaking ball, but hey!  If he can just barrel up mistake pitches like that, he'll probably have a better than decent season.

Carlos Rodon LHP- 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 K's.  ERA- 1.50.  Rodon came in facing the #1 offense in MLB and by a pretty fair margin.  The Guardians stood #1 in BA, OBP and SLG%.  Rodon shut them down and required just 90 pitches to do it over 7 IP.  Rodon now leads MLB in K's with 21.  Casual reminder he was one of my Bold Predictions to win the NL Cy Young Award.  

Tyler Rogers RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, GO/AO= 2/0.  Rogers returns from paternity leave and gets the job done in the 8'th inning, made easier by Bart's add-on 2-run blast in the top of the inning. 

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(2).  ERA= 5.06.  Good for Doval to get a Save Opp with a 3 run lead.  That should help calm his nerves a bit although from Gameday it looked like he was still throwing mostly cutters and sliders.  

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The Win puts the Giants record at 5-2 tied for first place in the NL West with the Dodgers and Rockies.  Anthony DeSclafani RHP makes his second start of the season tomorrow evening facing Cal Quantrill RHP.  

Down on the Farm: 4/14/2022

 AAA:  Reno Aces downed the Sacramento River Cats 6-2:

Emmanuel DeJesus LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 7.11.

Kervin Castro RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Castro has 6 K's and 3 BB in 3 IP early in the season.

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AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels edged the Altoona Curve 5-4:

Sean Roby 1B- 1 for 2, HR(4), 2 BB.  BA= .318.

Frankie Tostado LF- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .333.

Brandon Martorano C- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .294.

Patrick Ruotolo RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

Ruotolo has 7 K's in 3 IP with 0 BB's over 2 appearances on the season so far.

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A+:  Eugene Emeralds beat the Spokane Indians 7-3:

Marco Luciano SS- 2 for 3, 2 2B, SF.  BA= .375.

Armani Smith LF- 2 for 3, BB, SB(1).  BA= .357.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .462.

Prelander Berroa RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Abel Adames RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Marco Luciano is having the best start to the season out of the "big 3" international guys.

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A:  Fresno Grizzlies mauled the San Jose Giants 9-5:

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 3 for 5.  BA= .278.

Garrett Frechette 1B- 3 for 4.  BA= .350.

Keaton Winn RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 12.00.

Down on the Farm: 4/13/2022

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats pounded the Reno Aces 9-3:

Bryce Johnson CF- 3 for 6, 3 SB(5).  BA= .294.

Jaylin Davis RF- 2 for 4, HR(1), BB, SB(1).  BA= .231.

Ka'ai Tom DH- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .450.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 12/2.  ERA= 1.04.

Mauricio Llovera RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA = 0.00.

8 K's and 1 BB(IBB) in 6 IP over 3 appearances so far for Llovera.  

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AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels outscored the Altoona Curve 10-6:

Sean Roby 3B- 3 for 5, 2 HR(3).  BA= .300.

Jacob Heyward CF- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .333. 

Brandon Martorano DH- 1 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .308.

Shane Matheny 2B- 3 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .500.

Gray Fenter RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

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A+:  Spokane Indians beat the Eugene Emeralds 5-2:

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .100.

Seth Corry LHP- 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.86.

 

Game was played in rainy conditions.

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A:  San Jose Giants defeated the Fresno Grizzlies 7-3:

Vaun Brown RF- 2 for 4, HR(1), BB.  BA= .150.

Adrian Sugasty C- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(1), BB.  BA= .333.

Dilan Rosario SS- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .357.

Alexander Suarez DH- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .091.

Eric Silva RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 B, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Jose Cruz RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 21.60.

Silva, McDonald and Cruz are all at age appropriate level.  SJ Giants have won 4 in a row after dropping opener.  McDonald now has 7 K's and 2 BB's in 3.2 IP over 2 appearances.