Game Wrap 9/3/2023: Padres 4 Giants 0

I have to confess, sometime around the 5'th inning of this game I decided the Giants and this game needed less of my involvement and turned it off to attend to some family responsibilities.   After their embarrassing loss in the first game of the series the Padres must have decided to get serious and smacked down the Giants in the next three in which they dominated every phase of the game.  Again, this game was not as close as the score looks.  It was all but over after the first inning.  Key Lines:

Alex Cobb RHP- 3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 3 K, GO/AO= 6/0.  ERA= 3.74.  Hard to not think the extra pitches he threw in his no-hit bid last start played a role in this subpar start, but Kap doesn't think so.  

Keaton Winn RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 7/3.  ERA= 3.33.  The lone bright spot in the game for the Giants.  Winn comes back from a lengthy IL stay and rehab assignment apparently healthy and effective.  A possible future building block?

After the loss, the Giants are somehow still in a tie for the final Wild Card playoff spot but now with 3 other teams, Marlins, D'Backs and Reds. 

The Giants move on to Chicago for a series against the Cubs who are sitting in the second Wild Card spot with a 3 game lead over the above 4 teams.

Logan Webb RHP opens the series tomorrow facing Justin Steele LHP who is having a sensational season and might be in the conversation for NL Cy Young Award.

Down on the Farm: 9/2/2023

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes 6-3.

Luis Matos LF- 1 for 3, HR(8), 2 BB.  BA= .359.

Trenton Brooks 1B- 3 for 5.  BA= .292.

Joey Bart C- 3 for 4, BB.  BA= .249.

Heliot Ramos CF- 2 for 4, HR(12), BB.  BA= .315.

Johan Camargo 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .296.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 5.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 10/0.  ERA= 6.06.  

Much better start for Hjelle after a couple of crushers.  Joey Bart's slash line for August:  .265/.351/.456 after a .263/.382/.421 in July.   Does he get traded this offseason?

AA:  Richmond Flyhing Squirrels pounded the Hartford Yard Goats 10-3.

Ismael Munguia CF- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(12).  BA= .289.

Victor Bericoto LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .236.

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .275.

John Bertrand LHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.68.

A+:  Tri-City Dust Devils crushed the Eugene Emeralds 11-4.

Carter Howell RF- 1 for 3, HR(6), BB.  BA= .277.

Zach Morgan C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .329.

Eric Silva RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.25.

Jimmy Glowenke has been flying under the radar but after a slow start in AA he hit .303 in July and .359 in August.

A:  Lake Elsinore Storm beat the San Jose Giants 4-2.

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .286.

Cole Foster SS- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .193.

Joe Whitman LHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.91.

Esmerlin Vinicio LHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.93.

McDaniel and Foster solo shots both came in 7'th inning.

Game Wrap 9/2/2023: Padres 6 Giants 1

 I was feeling bad about attending Friday's game and missing Kyle Harrison's start but the Padres HR barrage was unabated and Young Kyle was torched for 4 in a loss that was not as close as the score looks.  Key Lines:

Kyle Harrison LHP- 5.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.70.  I had a bad headache from the drive up from San Diego and caffeine deficiency so was having trouble concentrating on the game but Harrison's command was just a little off from his last start and the Padres, despite all their underachieving, still have an elite lineup with 9 hitters who can go deep at any time.  The 3 solo shots in the first 2 innings could be overcome but the 3-run bomb by Garrett Cooper in the 6'th was the crusher.  

Add in the 2 HR's Tristan Beck RHP gave up on Friday and the Padres hit 6 dingers in 2 games.  How is a lineup like that not running up neck and neck with the Dodgers?

The Giants are somehow still tied for the last Wild Card playoff spot with the D'Backs and Reds.  

Alex Cobb RHP tries for a split of the 4-game series today against Seth Lugo RHP.

Churn Watch(Sept 1):  Brandon Crawford SS was activated from the IL and Keaton Winn RHP was recalled from AAA Sacramento.  Winn previously spent some time on the AAA IL with elbow soreness, a scare since he is post-TJ surgery but he seems to be fine now after no structural damage found.  No corresponding moves due to roster expansion.

Down on the Farm: 8/31/2023

 AAA:  Albuquerque Isotopes blanked the Sacramento River Cats 2-0.

Parker Dunshee RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 4.91.

Drew Strotman RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 5/1.  ERA= 6.12.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels outslugged the Hartford Yard Goats 17-10.

Ismael Munguia LF- 2 for 5, HR(4), BB.  BA= .292.

Will Wilson SS- 2 for 6, HR(3).  BA= .205.

Sean Roby 3B- 2 for 6, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .179.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4, HR(8), BB.  BA= .230.

Carter Aldrete DH- 3 for 5, 3 HR(12).  BA= .217.

Logan Wyatt 1B- 1 for 5, HR(9).  BA= .243.

Jimmy Glowenke 2B- 3 for 3, 2B, BB, HBP.  BA= .269.

Carson Seymour RHP- 5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, GO/AO= 6/2.  ERA= 4.07.

Squirrels hit 8 HR in the game.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Tri-City Dust Devils 6-1(6 innings).

Grant McCray CF- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .258.

Seth Lonsway LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.67.

A:  San Jose Giants pounded the Lake Elsinore Storm 10-4.

Cole Foster SS- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .197.

Bryce Eldridge RF- 1 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .269.

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 2 for 4, BB, SB(1).  BA= .400.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 3, 3B, BB.  BA= 286.

Javier Francisco 1B- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .333.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 2 for 4, SF.  BA= .333.

Nomar Medina LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 5.48.

We will definitely do a 2023 draft review this offseason and see how Bryce Eldridge's start to his pro career stacks up.  This was his 6'th HR over 2 levels.  Pretty impressive!

Game Wrap 8/31/2023: Giants 7 Padres 2

The Giants started their Labor Day Weekend series against the Padres a day early making it a crucial 4 gamer and took advantage of the opportunity for a resounding first game win.  A 6-spot in the third inning and terrific pitching from Jakob Junis and Sean Manaea made it look easy.  Key Lines:

Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 5.  BA= .275.  Thairo has scuffled over the past week but rapped out 2 hits in this one including a key hit in the pivotal third inning.  

Mitch Haniger LF/RF- 1 for 4, 3B, BB.  BA= .224.  A healthy Mitch Haniger producing at career average would be a huge boost to the Giants playoff chances and beyond.  

Joc Pederson DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .246.  Joc had a key hit in the third inning.  He's looked better at the plate lately batting .294 over his last 7 games and .333 over his last 15.

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 2 for 4, HR(12), BB.  BA= .236.  Giants need YtY to stay healthy down the stretch and have games like this.

Blake Sabol C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .246.  Sabol hasn't been playing much and will likely play less with Haniger and YtY back.  He'll continue to back up Patrick Bailey at catcher the ROS.  Once he makes it through this season on the active roster the Giants can keep him through 3 option years so he could be making a lot of trips between Sacramento and SF over the next 3 seasons.

Jakob Junis RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.87.  Junis is on a roll with a 1.65 ERA in 16.1 IP over his last 7 appearances.  The Padres are obviously in a huge funk right now but still a very potent lineup.  Junis held them hitless over the first 4 innings.  He'll be a free agent this offseason.  

Sean Manaea LHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.96.  Manaea's ERA over his last 7 appearances and 19.1 IP is 3.26.  

The Win leaves the Giants in sole possession of the the 3'rd Wild Card playoff spot.  

Tristan Beck RHP tries to build off his last strong start tonight facing Michael Wacha RHP.  We plan to attend this game with friends who live down in SD.

Down on the Farm: 8/30/2023

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the El Paso Chihuahuas 6-2.

Heliot Ramos RF- 1 for 3, HR(10), 2 BB.  ERA= .308.

Joey Bart C- 2 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .242.

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.99.

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

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 6.14.

Erik Miller LHP-1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.70.

Crystal ball time:  What's going to become of Heliot and Joey?  Kai-Wei for that matter?  After posting a 9.28 ERA in July, Randy Rodriguez is at 1.26 in 14.1 IP with 20 K's in August.  What does his future hold?  And what about Erik Miller who in 10 August appearances over 9.1 IP has a 0.00 ERA and 13 K's?

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Hartford Yard Goats 5-4.

Victor Bericoto RF- 1 for 4, HR(7).  BA= .221.

Logan Wyatt 1B- 1 for 4, HR(8).  BA= .244.

Ryan Murphy RHP-  5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 8/1.  ERA= 4.32.

Sam Delaplane RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

Tyler Myrick RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(4).  ERA= 1.45.

Per a tweet from Roger Munter, this was Victor Bericto's 23'rd HR of the season across two levels which leads the organization.  Speaking of crystal balls, Bericoto will be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason.

A+:  Tri-City Dust Devils outlasted the Eugene Emeralds 9-4(12 innings).

Brett Auerbach 3B- 2 for 2, HR(4), BB. BA= .227.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K's, GO/AO= 6/0.  ERA= 0.62.

Trevor McDonald is also Rule 5 Draft eligible after this season.

A:  San Jose Giants survived the Lake Elsinore Storm 4-3.

Alexander Suarez RF- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(20).  BA= .256.

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 2 for 3, 3B, BB.  BA= .375.

Dylan Cumming RHP- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.75.

Luis Moreno RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, Save(3).  ERA= 4.47.

Game Wrap 8/30/2023: Reds 4 Giants 1

 The euphoria from the sensational pitching in the last two games didn't hang around long as the Giants lineup went back into their shell leaving Logan Webb with another hard-luck loss.  Key Lines:

Casey Schmitt 3B/SS- 2 for 3, 2 2B.  BA= .201.  Schmitt's slash line over his last 7 games is .250/.333/.563.  That's a welcome trend we hope will continue.  Maybe he's finally starting to make the secondary adjustment all young players have to make after the league figures out their weakness.

Logan Webb RHP- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.49.  Quality Start after two non-quality starts but it still wasn't good enough.

The Loss left the Giants tied with the D'Backs for the final Wild Card playoff spot.

The Giants get a day off then start a road trip in Petco Park Friday night with TBD facing Pedro Avila RHP.  I'll be in attendance with some friends.

Churn Watch:  Mike Yastrzemski OF was activated from the IL and Luis Matos OF was optioned to AAA Sacramento.  Not sure I'm thrilled with this move as Matos is batting .294 with a SLG% of .529 over his last 7 games.  YtY may be a better option ROS but he generally takes awhile to find traction after a IL stint then gets it going just in time to get injured again.