W....TF?

So, I stepped into media blackout after the final A's game because my wife had a kid

 

my daughter Tyler

 

And I come back and all hell has broken loose.

• 3-6 since then
• Swept by Marlins at home
• Posey has a broken leg (clean or not, unnecessary hit)
• Belt came back and went down
• Crawford might be purty good
• The D-Backs are in first place and the Rockies are below .500?

As my son would say, "That's cwazy!"

Game 43: Maddy notches a win (finally), Giants sweep set @ LA, win 3-1

WAtched the game early on, then caught the dots on mlb.com in the last inning.

Maddy looked good.  Giants went up 1-0 on a Fontenot double after a Posey lead off double int he 2nd (it should be noted that Poset hit a lead off double, and 2 outs later Fontenot hit his RBI double).

After that I knew Maddy had the game and only cast glances towards the game and score.

Weezy made it interesting by comign in with 2 outs, one on, and walked the next 2 guys.  But, you know, while it makes me uncomforatable, I don't see these things as warning signs.  Mattingly, Dodgers skipper, threw two lefties @ Weezy (which he walked) and Weeze got the 3rd out on righty Jamie Carroll.  He akways does that.

Of course, Carroll hit a laser to right that Schierholtz only caught because he was playing shallow, but still.

Quietly, Miguel Tejada is pulling his average up.  Perhaps he's turning, but he's still on my list.

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Upcoming: 2 @ LA

2 game sets are a pain in the ass.  They're like built-in splits (the last set at Colorado, however, should not be overlooked as an exception).

So, on Monday morning, I would have called a 2-2 week for the Giants.  Now, after having been swept in Denver., that means that have to go up against Kershaw and Billingsley in LA and beat them both.  Oh BTW, Giants team BA is under .240.  Oh BTW, their teams leaders in homeruns are the back up left fielder and the third baseman that's been on the DL for 3 weeks.  Oh BTW, after the Dodgers, they've face quality pitching staffs (Oakland, Florida) and 23 games in 24 days vs the NL Central and the Rockies again.

So, the goal has to be taking two in LA.  And a maybe 14 wins over those next 23 games, just to hopefully stay relevant.

Kershaw is a pain in the ass, but everyone else seems to hit him, so WTF?  Billingsley usually puts in 5 untouchable innings and then he breaks down.  The Giants have to grind counts.  They [u][b][i]HAVE TO GET TO THE BULLPEN[/u][/i][/b].

Cainer should get you 7 strong, and Bumgarner is on the precipice of win #1 (gotta come some time).  Posey wants to hit for power (he's still hitting clean-up which is a mystery to me), and Torres came back on a terror.

No RBI's is their problem right now.  The lineup is top heavy with OBP and Avg, and when you get to the black hole that is the 7-8-9 hitters, you're lucky if you got one in before someone hits into a double play.

So, freeking, frustrating,

Game 39: Pre Game rain dance results in weather-shortened win for Vogelsong and G-Men, 3-0

It was a dark and stormy night in the middle of May on the Northside of Chicago.  And while most of the Cubbies were thrown off by the inclimate conditions, the Giants led by Voges seemed to be right at home.

And while the Giants were not perfect (2 errors,  both by Miggy -- a-fucking-gain), and voges was not nearly as crisp as his last start (7 hits and a walk in 6 IP), he K'd 7 and he got out of every jam.

Bust got the Giants only RBI on a puddle-skipping single, the other two runs scored via error.  And, when the blues called the game while Rowand rubbed a fat drop of rain from his eye, pretty much everyone this side of Oprah's condo knew that the ball game was over.

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Upcoming: 3 vs Arizona

Giants are hot suddenly.  A sweep vs Colorado will do that to you.  Unfortunately, 3 of their top 4 batting averages are on the DL and the 4th is a pitcher, but they've been piecing it together.  Let's not forget that if their pitching keeps it close, they just need to string together 4 or 5 hits in a 7 batter inning once a game to win.

When everyone is expected to hit .275, and everyone starts off hitting .220, you know that the hits will come in a bunch.

Giants took 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs in April, and the one that they dropped shouldn't have been dropped.

This week they send a pumped up Freak, a steady Cainer, and a temperamental pitcher to the mound.  I <3 it when the top three start a series.

2 our of 3 is not necessary but expected.  A sweep would officially make it a hard core win streak, which they could continue into this next weekend Chicago, and then only need to pull a .500 record when going to Colorado and LA before coming home next next weekend.

Rossi might be starting to hit (I hope), I think Buster's almost out of his slump.  He's really hitting the ball on the screws.  I'd like to see him go deep and get a couple extra base hits on top of that to avoid a double dip slump which comes sometimes when you quite bust through a slump (Miggy's in like a quadruple dip slump aka the career-ender).

Anyways, 2 out 0f 3, but if Sanchie pulls it together, a nice little streak maybe?

One Month Review: Infielders

The giants currently have the 13th most errors on the season with 17 and 18th best fielding percentage at .982. 
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Miguel Tejada is the glaring offender in the infield, as he sports 4 errors and a .954 fielding percentage.  That places him 20th and 21st for those stats respectively amongst regular MLB shortstops currently.  It's not just the errors, though.  Miguel Tejada is not playing crisply.  Playing in the wrong position on stolen bases, shifted in properly and not getting to balls.  All messed up.

Unfortunately, Panda  Bear will miss all of May, and it looks like Miggy's going to have to stay in the lineup as the closest thing to a back up 3rd baseman.  Not promising.

Fontenot, Whiteside, and Huffy are the only regular infielders that haven't commited an error yet this seaosn (including the Burriss and Belt).  Of course, Fontenot was util in April, Whiteside is off the bench and Huffy's only been playing first for like 10 games.

The weak spot right now is the infield and that's going to be an issue.  Since Burriss is up, hopefully he can offer a little late inning support.

Belt's hitting was a disappointment.  Thinking that it's best to bring rookies up midseason rather than from opening day.  Hopefully Belt's tough enough to mature and be a force at game 60 or 70-ish.  It could be like Matt Williams.

Of course he could be like Todd Linden.

Huffy's another story.  Ugh, .202 with only 2 homers, 18 K's in 90-something at bats..  Woof.  We've finished month one, now's the time to worry.

Fred has been pulling his weight,  I'd like to see him get really hot for about 2 or 3 weeks, but he's been pretty good so far, which makes me think he's going to slump soon.

Fontenot's been playing a very good defense, and when he starts, he hits like .300.  But he's o'fer 10 as a pinch hitter.  I'd like to see him get a little more time at SS.  After all, Miggy's not hitting, and I remember that Fontenot was a regular on the Cubs.


Panda Bear has been a truly bright sot for the Giants so far this year.  He's hustling, he's hitting, he's making plays he couldn't have last year.  2011 should be the year of the Panda Bear -- I really like a .300 Pablo with appropriate power and a bit of base stealing ability.  Today it was revealed that Panda's going to be out 4-6 weeks with wrist surgery.  Wrist surgery makes me think about DeRo, and DeRo was out a whole year.

Posey
My calls: No sophomore jinx ; .295/20/90, 140 games (batting 3rd)
Actuals at 4/30: .261/4/17 ; 24 games out of 26 ; primarily batting 4th ; back-up Whiteside is 3 for 14 with a GIDP

Belt
My calls: send him to Fresno if he struggles out the gate ; .285/15/70, 500 ABs (batting 8th)
Actuals at 4/30: .192/1/4, 52 ABs ; Fresno



Fred Sanchez
My call: .290/8/60, 80 R, 160 games, 6 errors (batting 2nd)
Actuals at 4/30: .273/2/9, 25 out of 26 (none missed due to injury), 1 error ; primarily batting 2nd ; back ups are Burriss and Fontenot

Sandoval
My calls: .310/25/90-95 ; 60 BB, 8 errors (batting 6th)
Actuals at 4/30:  .313/5/14 ; 8 BB ; 1 errors ; primarily batting 5th ; no real back-up ; DL



Tejada
My call: hope for .270 w/ 15 HRs ; .260/15/65, 12 errors (batting 7th)
Actuals at 4/30: .216/1/9, 4 errors ; primarily batting 7th or 8th ; back up is Fontenot .233/1/2 w/ 30 ABs and 0 errors in 18 games out of 26

DeRosa
My call: .270 <15 HRs
Actuals at 4/30: .333/0/3, 18 ABs, DL

Game 23: God Damn Fucking Hell!

God damn fucking hell!

2-0 (and it was almost 1-0).

Madison Bumgarner finally almost gets back on the horse, and the Giants go for 0 for 6 with runner in scoring position, hit into 2 double plays -- including one to end the game with 2 on and one out (TEJADAAAAAAA!!!!!)

This always freaking happens in Pittsburgh.  0 for 17 with RISP.  OH FOR EFFIN SEVENTEEN!  OH FOR SEVENTEEN!

I am so god damn frustrated.  TOMORROW!  Tomorrow they have to win (with Ryan Voglesong on the mound by the damn way).

Rowand's coming back down to Earth.  So is Sanchez.

Looks like Buster's going to be hitting around .275 this year too, which might be his Sophomore slump. 
Huffy goes 1 for 4.  Need him to start hitting.  He's under .220.

Fact is they went against a guy that has a 10 ERA and made him look like Cy damn Young.

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Upcoming: 3 @ Pittsburgh

The Giants need to get off of the hump.

Sounds like the perfect time for 3 games against Pittsburgh.

Of course, SF is notorious for dropping series in Pittsburgh.  Pittsburgh can finish a season 2-160, those 2 wins would be against the Giants in Pittsburgh.

Timmy and Cainer are pitching games 1 and 3 and are going up against the Pirates best pitchers, Charlie Morton and Jeff Karstens repetitively.  These are Pitt's only 2-game winners and they both have ERAs under 4.  Morton's got a lifetime ERA close to 6, so he's due to start climbing upwards.  And Karstens has a lifetime around 5, so the same can be said for him.

The key will be to get them out early.  If Huffy can start hitting, then some of Panda Bear's, Buster's, and PAt the Bat's ding dongs might be worth more than one run.


Maddy's pitching in the 2nd game.  There's no better person ffor him to face in his funk than James McDonald, who is 0-2 with an ERA somewhere around Pluto.  Maddy needs to pitch with the lead, it seems to be where he finds strength.  Hopefully the Giants can give him a big first inning and let him cruise. 

Because Vogelsong is now in the ro-ro, he's probably not available to go relief.  This series will be important to keep the bullpen fresh.  Hopefully Bumgarner can go 6 with very little drama.

My expectation is a sweep.  But I'll settle for 2 out of 3, with one of those 2 being a Maddy Bumgarnny winny.

Games19/20/21: Giants overmatched by Braves in 3 game home series; swept

Easter weekend, didn't get a chance to check in very often.

Friday's game, Maddy let it get out of hand early and once again the Giants had no ideas against Tommy Hanson.  Bumgarner gives up 4 in less than 3, walks 2 in the process.  The Giants mounted no ressure against the back end of the Braves' bullpen.  Giants lost 4-1.

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Saturday's game, I only heard the first few innings on the radio, but Timmy went 3-1 to maybe every batter I heard him face.  Sometimes, either because of some umps or because of his stuff, Timmy's pitches don't hit their mark.  I think the book on him is take pitches and hope that he doesn't get the calls.  Still, he went 6.1 and left with only 3 runs on the board (Lopez let a couple other score).

Huddy was as good as he always is, pitched 8.2 strong and it only took him 113 pitches to get that far.  Cody Ross got a batting average with a 2 for 4 day and an RBI.  Pat the Bat went 3 for 4 and scored both runs that the Boys posted.  Giants lost 5-2

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Sunday's game was a good one until the Giants lost.  Sanchie gave up 2 early, but Buster tied it up with a ding dong in 4th.  Then it got weird.

In the top of the 7th, Affeltd gave a 3 run jerk to Heyward (who woke up this series going 7 for 12), but the Giants rallied for 4 (the go ahead 2 off of a Rowand double) to go up 6-5.

In the top of 8, Romo threw a snapper that didn't snap to Uggla and the Braves tied it up with one swing.

Weezy came in for the 9th to hold the tie, but in the 10th, loaded the bases quickly.  Still, he got through 2 guys, and, though throwing 3 straight balls to Nate McClouth, got him to 3-2.  but McClouth punched a fast ball up the middle and that's all she wrote.

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Postivies: only 2 double plays, both vs Huddy (which you'd expect), also Panda Bear's still hitting well and Pat the Bat seems to be climbing out of the Bingo batting average territory (in fact, he's at .270).

The Giants are 0-4 without Brandon Belt

Game 18: Cainer gets shellacked; Giants drop game 3 vs Rocks 10-2

I watched the first couple innings yesterday, saw Buster get his first RBI (he had all 2).  Then I watched as far as Cainer all but collapsing the 2nd, an inning which saw Wiggington go yard for a 3 run shot, and still didn't end, though no one else scored.

Cainer didn't have it.  He's kind of spotty at Coors Field.  And the Rocks were getitng over hteir shellshock from the furst two games.  I'd have preferred a sweep, of course.  Because a 2-1 series win means the Giants are  three back of Colorado in the standings.  A sweep would've meant only one back.

Of course, i forgot that Jorge de la Rosa is freaking Sandy Koufax against the Giants.

Oh well, to early to care about standings, and truly I was hoping for a 4-2 road trip, but expecting 3-3.

For the record, it was 4-2.

So, here we are, 18 games in with a 10-8 record.  If they 10-4 over their next 14, they'll be on pace for 100 wins and should be #1 in the MLB.

But, again, too early.

Belt officially got demoted.  He's got a good head on his shoulders, he'll be fine and he'll be back.

Oh yeah, an Cody Ross came back -- which I like -- he batted clean up, which made me go all, huh?

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Upcoming: 3 @ Colorado

This is going to be the Giants first true test on the season, by which I mean that they are going up against a team not only expected to be their competition in the division, but also a team that could very easily dethrone them as National League and World champs.

The Rockies will host the Giants and flaunt a MLB-best 12-3 record.

Of course, they haven't had what I'd call stiff competition thusfar into the season.  A couple vs the Dodgers, a couple vs the D-Backs and Pittsburgh, New York, and Chicago.  They lead the league in saves, which suggests that the games have been close, but they're 22nd in runs allowed, which suggests that they've been outscoring opponents rather than holding them down.

Still, 1 out of 3 might be the most we can expect, however, Timmy goes in Game 1 and Cainer goes in game 3 of the series, I'd hope for two.

The Keys:

Game 3 is going to be the rubber match.  Cainer is nails versus the Rocks.  They're going to put Jhoulys Chacin, a man who is pitching out of his mind and is due for one rough go of it.  Buster's been hitting well, and Panda Bear has been stroking like a fluffer (oooh nasty).  Chacin is not much of a strike out pitcher, and that bodes well for the Giants.  But they HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE DOUBLE PLAYS!

Game 1 should belong to Timmy.  The Rocks are floating their fifth starter out there, but, like everyone in their ro ro, he's been pitching out of his mind too.  I'd be very surprised ifay of their guys will get off a hit versus Timmy.

Game 2 will see Sanchie go up against Ubaldo Jimenez, fresh off of the DL.  I don't hold out much hope.  A well rested Ubaldo seems to be a bad mark for the Giants.

But stranger things have happened.

I'd say this series is Brandon Belt's last shot to stay with the big club.  And even now it may be too late. The problem is that he's not driving the ball.  Short of 12 balls hit on line drives to the gap, Belt's got little chance to keep his roster spot when Ross gets back.  Too bad too, but even his base hits are dribblers and squirters.  I think he's got to get some training on hitting a nasty curve and slider before he comes back.

Also, I hope the Giants will start checking the Waiver Wires or Trading Blocks for decent SS.  It'd be one thing if Miggy could hit regularly, but a .224 avg from a guy that leads the team in at bats shows that A) you got a dud and B) he's the only one you got there.  3 errors, and at least another 4 or 5 "suspect" plays in 15 games is not boding well for Miggy.

He seems like a nice guy though.

Game 15: Poor defense coughs up lead, cool Giants' bats give D-Backs win in extras; 6-5

It's tough to win when you can only get 6 hits in 12 innings, and your starting pitcher gives up 8 hits and 4 runs in less than 7, but a Buster Posey game-tying blast and a Panda Bear following him directly with the go ahead gave the Giants ample opportunity to win.

Unfortunately, Miguel Tejada's spotty defense led to an extended 8th inning, and the D-Backs tied it up and then won in 12.

Miggy is not impressing me.  The guy's got a decent cluthc potential, but a lot of times that clutch is making up for runs or baserunners that he gives up.  Even in cases where defense extends the inning but doesn't lead to runs-scored: the extra pitches that a pitcher has to throw gives the other team that much more exposure to the pitcher.

Giants finish with 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs, their 3rd series win in a row.  Tonight they head into Denver to play 3 vs the Rocks.  This'll be where mettle is tested.

In other news: Zito'son the DL.  Vogelsong will take his place in the ro-ro.

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Game 14: Zito gets hurt just as he started making the game interesting, Giants win 5-3

Giants clinch the series with their 4th consecutive win Saturday night. 

Buster hit a 2 run ding dong in the 1st, and the Giants jumped out to an early lead.  But 2 runs is not a safe lead with Z on the mound and he promptly gave up 2 in the second (one on a Zito error).

2 batters after giving up the lead, Z lunged after a bunt back to the mound, came down funny on his right foot and sprained it.

Mota came in and pitched 1 run ball over the next 4.1.  His longest outting ever.

Offensively, the Buster dinger might have been the lone highlight, especially after they hit into 5 double play over the 5 innings that followed Buster's blast.

But Fred doubled in Rowand in the 6th to tie the game at 3, then singled in a couple runs the next inning to put the Boys up for good.

Rowand got 3 hits.  He seems to be hitting for average this year and might be making a claim to create more drama in the outfield.  (or perhaps increasing his trade value)  Rowand is 7 for his last 17 at bats in the last 4 games -- impressive enough, but then take into account that on Friday he was 0 for 5.  Thusfar, Row-Waaand is hitting .359.

Belt might be climbing out of his start-of-the-career funk.  A pinch hit last night put his average up to .217.  About 60 points higher than this time last week.

The Boys are starting to play well, get on base.  If only we could cut out the double plays -- Oh how frustrating.  I would have rather won today over yesterday, so I guess they're just going to have to sweep the D-backs in their own house.  Ha ha.

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Game 12: Giants take 2 of 3 from Dodgers, .500 on the season, win 4-3

What a fun game. Buster got plunked twice, Bochy came out barking.

So nice to see the rivalry in mid-season form this early in the season.

Panda Bear hit the game-tying ding dong from the right side on a pitch at his hands that he would've never gotten around on a year and fifty pounds ago.

Fontenot hits the game winner.

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Game 11: Long night for Lincecum, a spark from Buster and Belt, and the Giants even the series with a 5-4 comeback win

"And tonight the Giants got their closer back."

Kruk

The Dodgers'  book on Lincecum is to take pitches and work him deep into counts.  Lincecum was not crisp today, but he was effective most of the way.  Still he was at 50 pitches before the 3rd inning, labored through one of those annoying innings where everybody seemed to get a base hit.  (Belt had an error)  And the Dodgers scored three.

But the Boys battled back.  Timmy bonked Uribe and a nice little game showed up on CSN Bay Area.

Buster was 3 for 4 with a couple RBI's, Panda Bear doubled in a run, Belt got a hit, a walk, and scored a run.

Plus Brian Wilson closed out a uneventful 9th inning!

This actually looked like a sane, and well-groomed baseball team.  The first non-Opening Day-with-ceremony win.  Props.

On a lighter note, they found a new way to hit into a double play: Belt strikes out as Miggy gets thrown out trying to "steal" 2nd.

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Giants Pregame: 4-11-11 vs Dodgers

Game 1 of the first Dodgers @ SF series will be the Giants gravy game in the series.

Gravy Game: A game where the edge might be nudged against your team for various reasons, so if you lose, well, that might be int he cards.  But if you win: that's gravy.

Clayton Kershaw looked like damn Doc Gooden (pre-crack) on opening day vs the Giants.  His next start vs the rockies showed that he's fallible, at least on the road, as he took the loss giving up 3 runs in 6 IP (off of 2 homers).  But he still got 8 Ks.

The Giants, to win tonight, need a few things working for them:

1. Madison Bumgarner has to rebound off of a sloppy first start on Tuesday vs the Padres.  Kershaw is not going to give up a lot of runs, at least you can't expect him to, so Maddy's got to get rid of walks and he's got to play crisply.  I think he was a little nervous off of his first start -- Padres' home opener, 1st start of the season -- hopefully now his eyes are not so wide, and hopefully the lack of pageantry will keep him calm.
2. Double freaking Plays are absolutely killing the Giants.  9 double plays in 9 games is something that needs to be addressed and quickly. 
3. The Giants have left 73 runners on base in 9 games, which averages out to about 8.5 runners per game.  Their walk-off win on Saturday night, they left 17 runners on base.  In games as tight as they have been playing, situational hitting is so very important.  Some of their main guys are taking a bit to get going (Huff, Posey, Burrell has double play-itis, and Belt should be producing more).  They need more RBI's.
4. Brian Wilson -- he's not been right since coming off the DL.  It's time for him to step up again and be the crazy, unhittable bastard that we and he know he can be.

Upcoming: 3 vs LA @ SF

Goal: 2 out of 3

Game 2 of the series is Timmy vs Billingsley which should slide in Lincecum's favor.  That means the other 2 are the rubber matches.

Game 1 offers Maddy a chance to get back on the horse after a less-than-stellar 1st start vs the Padres.  He's going against Giant-killer Clayton Kershaw, though, so Maddy's got to pitch for a 2-1 win.  I'd call this one the gravy game (meaning if they can take game 1, so much the better, but if they drop it, games 2 and 3 are easier to win anyway).

Game 3 will be Sanchez vs Lilly.  Considering that the home team tends to have a major advantage in the rivalry, and Sanchez is nails at home: this should be the Giants' game to win.

If they can score the runs.

Double plays kill rallies and the Giants have been shooting their rallies in the head regularly.  Torres still out indefinitely, but Posey and Burrell should be back in.  These guys are due.

Fred Sanchez, Miggy, and Panda Bear have been lighting it up.  Hopefully they can get a bit more help throughout.

Game 8: Another walk off hit, Torres leaves the game with Achilles strain, Giants win 3-2

The Boys certainly have a flare for the dramatic. 

First in an hour long ring ceremony pregame where they literally ran aps around the ballpark, called out every player, trainer, coach, clubouse staff worker and concessionaire onto the field to get a ring.

Then, in a 2 1/2 hour game that I watched completely from My Floating Red Couch, I watched the giants squander almostevery single opportunity until the very last pitch of the game, a 3-2, 2-out slider that Ryan Franklin hung to Miguel Tejada that Tejada slapped to deep left center.  The score was 2-1 Cards, and the Gians had Posey on 2nd, Belt on 1st (pinch running for Burrell).

And even then it looked like Card centerfielder Ramus or leftfielder Johnny John "JJ" Jay might have had a beat on it.  Then the ball hit Rasmus' glove and slowly rolled out.

Ballgame (the home town official scorer called it a "double").

Cain did well.  He went 7, gave up his first two runs of the season in 6 and 7, but kept the chomping-at-the-bit Cardinals at bay.  No decision, but he didn'tdeserve a loss.

Cardspitcher Jaime Garcia was good, perfect the first time through the lineup.  9 Ks in 6 IP, pulled for offensive reasons.  Ryan Franklin is going to cost him wins this year, he might be an early new-guy-in-the-running-for-a-Cy-Young favorite.

Matt Holliday comes back today, Giants got Zito going.  But they've got two in their pocket, so a win today would be a little extra gravy.

Torres left early, hurt.  Rowand can fill in for him, but he's our only speed and  hope he's not out long.

Giants Pregame: 4-9-11 vs Cards

Giants used their whole pen in yesterday's 12 inning affair.  Once again Matt Cain's got to be the workshorse.  7-8 innings out ouf Baby Huey is essential. 

Tomorrow, Z's liable to be out early.  Bumgarner on Monday too.  So it'd be nice to get most of the pen to rest.

If Weez comes in, it should be for less than an inning's. 

Buster Buster Buster.... Gotta come out tonight.  Have to.

Win tonight avoids leaning on Zito for 2 out of 3.  Ideally, Giants go up in the middle of the game so Cain can be economic with his pitches early and relaxed in his last couple innings of work.

Game 7: That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Giants win in extras 5-4

Dude, 4:28 I thought the last batter was coming to the plate.  I thought I'd be able to leave work as soon as this last guy gets out and Giants would win 3-2.

Of course, Brian Wilson was pitching.  And he really tries to make things exciting.

2 runs scored, Cards primed to win 4-3.  2 quick outs in the bottom of the ninth and defensive sub Aaron Rowand (playing left field!) coming up.

Rowand singles, gets to second on a wild pitch, and Panda Bear knocks him in with a base hit.

PANDA freeeeking BEAR!

Larussa pulled some tricky crap in the 11th: 5 infielders.  And a lead off Torres double turned into a really weird inning.  Torres got out in a rundown, Larussa walked bases loaded, and DeRosa gets called out on what seemed to be a suspact call.

Meanwhile the bullpen is seriously shutting down Pujols and them.  Javi Lopez did a very decent job shutting down these guys.

Bottom 12, Giants load the bases (Pujols error started it) and Rowand smacks a ball off the fence to finish the game.

Extra innings are the best, aren't they?  They totally wash away the sins of the regulation period.  After all, we forget that Sanchie had some decent stuff, but walked too many early on and was at 94 pitches after 5 innings.

Burrell and Buster hit into double plays, but at least Burrell went yard.

I hate double plays.  They kill like three innings.  Even a home run doesn't wipe away a double play (maybe a 3 run homer, but Pat the Bat only hit a solo shot).  Burrell made a *ahem* nice play (tumbling over like a water buffalo) on the warning track.

SEVENTEEN RUNNERS LEFT ON BASE!  4 for 18 WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION.

You have got to do better than that.  They should've been up by 7.  So, once again they come close to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  And this time, it's the B-team that keeps them in line (that's 2 out of their 3 wins that belong to the B-team).

I like it; it's exciting baseball.  Not particularly good baseball, but exciting baseball.

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