Game 55: Timely hitting gets Timmy out of a jam, Giants in 7-5

I like it when Timmy has tough luck and the boys get him out of a jam.

Despite an 0 for 6 from their back up 3rd baseman Miggy, the Giants answered all 5 runs that the Cardinals put up with a 9th inning, 2 out, game tying Nate Schierholtz single after Manny Burriss stole second to put himself in scoring position.

Then, Nate the Great knocks in Fred with an 11th inning single to put the Giants up for good.

Timmy looked pretty good, he had a few tough innings and coughed up a lead int he 7th, but he deserves an off night.  The Giants made it a point to pull him out of the fire, and got to the Cards' perfect closer in the 9th.

When Sandoval comes back, and hoping that Nate can pull off a .270 avg with 15 ding dongs this year, the Giants might have a shot.

The boys have at least a split in a big series and keep pace with the first place WTF D-Backs.

Game 45: Timmy kicks ass and takes names, Giants win 3-0

Timmy pitched the best damn game I've ever seen him toss, and he only had 6 K's.



Complete game, 133 pitches, 3 hits, 0 BB.  At one point, he retired 21 straight.

It was a 1-0 game all the way until the B8 when they opened up a can of ass whoop with a 2 run splurge.

The Giants are the only team that can make a 1-0 lead feel like a 7-0 lead -- especially at home. 

Not top shit on anything, b ut 10 hits only led to 3 runs, and a 1 for 10 with RISP.  But, I mean jeez, they're 2.5 games up (Rockies lost again), 3rd best record in the NL, and the least amount of runs scored.



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Upcoming: 3 vs Oakland

The A's are going to throw 3 sub-3.5 ERAs at the Giants this weekend.
The Giants are goinmg to be throwing 3 sub 3.75 ERAs at the A's.

This series will more than likely be 3 low scoring, tight games.  When nboth teams are good, the advantages go to the home team.

If the Giants go 5-1 over the 6 cross-Bay games, that would even the all-time series at 43-43.

I'd like to see that.

But for now, I'll settle for 2 wins in SF.  I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with Vogelsong, as well as Cahill.  But, never let it be said that the Giants will be the first team to get to a 1.8 ERA pitcher.  So, unless the Giants c an scratch 1 run out of Cahill (unlikely) and Vogelsong can hold the A's to 1 or 2 (maybe) and the Giants can get to the bullpen, Cahill will probably shut them down.

A win in game 1 will be nice, but not expected.

Considering Timmy is under .500 and pitching at home,I give him the edge in game 2 vs. Brett Anderson.

That should make Sanchie's start the rubber match.  Oooh, not a fun place for Sanchez to be, but he's been showing better of late.  Unless he's pitching a 2 hit shut out or better, I'd be surprised if Boche let's him star the 8th again, but who knows?

The Giants and the A's are totally light hitting, numbers-wise, but the Giants have been scoring runs lately and Buster is starting to put a little stank on the ball.  Plus, they're good at home, so hopefully they can get to Gio Gonzalez a bit on Sunday and get to the bullpen.

Game 40: Stink lines eminate from Coors Field, Giants lose 7-4

4 double plays, a 5 run 6th inning, 0 for 5 RISP -- but at least they were 10 for 31 which is like a .330 Avg.

Giants had an off night.  No one to blame.  Timmy wasn't crisp, defensively and all.  When they're good, they seem to be timely.  When they're bad, they're all kiinds of bad.

DeRo and Miggy -- ugh.  I can't figure which is worse.  They're both a gaping, festering toilet bowl, and when they start together, it's like someone parked a pile of crap on the left side of the infield and said "Sure, the throws to first are off and the pile has no range, but anything hit right to it sticks."

At least Miggy scored a run last night.

Controversy is that Bochy left Timmy in too long.  I'm not worried.  He was due up in the T7, and he's better than any other option you have coming out except maybe Wilson if Timmy's worked 8.

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Game 35: Lincecum gets a no decision because Mark DeRosa Sucks, but Giants win 1-0

Lincecum gets a no decision because Mark DeRosa sucks (0 for 3, GDP, 5 LOB)

But, my man Rossi stays clutch-- he so is, walk off win.

Timmy looked no-no good.

Weezy has 3 of their 4 wins on the homestand (haha)

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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?

Game 30: Lincecum Rocks! Shuts down Mets, Giants clinch at least a .500 roadie and the series, win 2-0

Tim Lincecum took the entirity of the Giants organizaition last night, heaved them all onto his back and carried them across a mental, theoretical thresh hold.

An explosive outburst against a knuckleballer is one thing; but a win in a fashion that is befitting of the Giants (scrimp for a couple runs and let your Ace K 12 in 7 IP, throw in a few decent plays) is exactly the thing to right the train. 

Propers to the boys.

Timmy, BTW, in a bout 400 less games pitched, passed Christy Mathewson for most 10+ K outings by a Giant.

Uh, ha ha ha

Game 25: Frustration mounting as Giants drop a quality Lincecum start 3-0

5 hits off the bats of 4 guys.  Cody Ross hit into a double play.  Miggy played a shoddy shortstop.  Not a game goes by lately that Giants don't disappoint.  0 for 3 with RISP.

Panda Bear beat out another double play with some quick digging down to first base.

Jason Marquis looked like a damn all-star.

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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

Upcoming: 3 vs Atlanta

The 2010 NLDS's first rematch will happen in San Francisco as the Braves head west for a 3 game weekend series.

Last year, the Braves were the team I afeared going into October.  For good reason.  Aside from the help of a subpar defenseman in the middle of the diamond, that series could have been vastly different than what we ended up with.

The Braves haven't been exactly setting the world on fire out of the gate, which I sort of expected considering that Bobby Cox is not at the helm.  Cox was outstanding at not only evaluating talent, but figuring out how it fit in to whatever he was doing.  His lineups and his in-game management probably gave the Braves an extra 10-15 wins every year.

This year, so far, they're 8-11, 4-6 away from home.  Their catcher, McCann, is still their best hitter: which means they are having issues.  But their best pitcher just got off the DL and he's going tonight, which means the Giants won't have to face him this weekend.

Game 1, the Giants skip over DL'd pitcher Z's spot in the ro-ro and go right to Bumgarner against Tommy Hanson.  Hanson hasn't given up more than 3 runs in any start, but he still will come in with a 1-3 record: and that one win was his last start.  Historically, against the Giants, he's been very good. 

Conversely, Maddy has been scuffling a bit lately.  However, in his last start, the D-Backs tuched him up early, but when the Giants came back and took the lead, Maddy suddlenly pitched very good.  PErhaps he's shaking the April butterflies.  Either way, the Giants will have to score early and give Maddy a bit of breath.  I'd like to see Code-Man get a batting average (he's 0 for 4) and I hope Panda Bear's back.

Game 2 may have the makings of a very good game.  Lincecum vs Tim Hudson.  Hudson has always pitched well against the Giants, but Timmy is -- well you know.  The key will be to make Huddy throw a lot of pitches, work the count, get as much as you can, and se eif you can get him out by the 5th or 6th.  Timmy will just have to pitch well.  Considering that the Braves are hitting in the .230's as a team: that shouldn't be difficult.

This should be the game that Bochy rests some guys in lieu of a fella or two who can work a count.  Schierholtz would be a good option, and Fontenot always gives good at bats, even if they don't always end well.

Game 3 will be Brandon Beachy against Jonathan Sanchez, this week coined as the moody artists of the Giants by Brian Murphy.


Sanchez has been great, and last year was wonderful against the Braves.  And while Beachy is another one of those high-losses vs low-ERA guys, the Giants have a knack for turning those guys' ERAs inside out (see D-Backs series). 

So, for this upcoming series, and mini-homestand, the Giants should get 2 out of 3.  I'd expect Sanchie to win his game, and more than likely Timmy.  That makes Maddy's game (game 1) the gravy game.

Game 16: Lincecum dazzles, Shierholtz hits a ball to "Kansas", Giants win opener 8-1

Timmy goes no-no into the 7th.  He struck out 10.

Huff his a double in the first that scored Fred, Buster strikes out, then Rock pitcher Esmil Rogers walks Panda Bear to get to Pat the Bat.

We all know what's coming right?  Pat the Bat smacks a ding dong.  No surprise.  But then Nate the Great comes up and emphatically hits a ball into the 3rd deck of Coors' Field.  Bondsian in distance, magnitude, and sheer just-for-the-helluvitness.

Jon Miller said it was out towards Kansas.

My father-in-law came into town, and I feared that I had to watch a no-no out the corner of my eye.  Timmy sounded good.  I saw one inning (the 5th) and he look fabulous, making Tulowitski (Eater of mortals, shirker from Gods) look silly on low snapper that struck him out.

In fact, Timmy finished with 10 punchouts.

Schierholtz went 3 for 4 and really demanded time in the starting lineup for the time being.  I'd be surprised if we see Belt play much more in this first half of the season.

Oh well, send him down to Fresno and let him get his batting average back.

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.

Road Trip Preview

Now that the season has "officially" begun, and now that there will be very few occasions for pre-game ceremonies or Sammy Hagar-worthy National Anthems, we can look at the Giants first legitimate road trip.

In-division road trips are never anything to scoff at, even if one of the locations is Phoenix versus the hapless D-Backs. 

Their first destination, Phoenix, will be a decent test for the back end of the ro-ro.  Whilst we all have enormous confidence in Cainer, Z and Bummy have been less-than-adequate in their first two starts.  And the Diamondbacks love to take all of nothing swings.  Cut down on the location mistakes, give 6 and let your lively bullpen arms blow hard cheese past the yuckadoos from Zona, the Giants should still take 2 out of 3.

The Rockies are another story.  Whereas the Dodgers came out of the gate looking to show everyone that they are actually a quality team, especially now that they're Manny-free; the Rockies have no need to prove their worth.  With a best-in-MLB 10-2 start, a 6 game winning streak, and home field advantage on their side, the Rocks are laying claim to the NL West throne.

Even with their best pitcher out for a bit, their hitting has pretty much cashed them in versus all opponents.  Tulo's got 7 dingers, this Herrerra kid's hitting .458 and the team has scored 68 runs in 12 games.

The only condolence is that their current 7-1 streak (6-0 in the last 6) comprises itself on 2 4-game series vs the Mets and the Pirates.  But, all 8 games were on the road.

The Giants will send Timmy, Sanchie, and Cainer against the Colorados, so we'll be praying for 2 ou of 3, and I foresee Cain pitching the rubber match.

Offensively, the boys are waking up, and the trip to the hot air and the thin air ought to spark Belt.  If he scuffles ont his trip, he's definitely headed back to AAA.

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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Wild Thing Timmy

At 9:17, I sent this.

At 9:17 and 2 seconds Timmy hit Uribe

At 9:17 and 5 seconds I sent this

I have no issues whatsoever in plunking Uribe. 

Bochy came out and gave Timmy one more batter, Timmy got Uribe to go 0-2 right away, but the next two pitches Uribe destroyed foul, and 2 pitches after that, Timmy could nip at the corners -- gassed.  So, he took a piece of Uribe.  Either that or walk him. 

He chose to plunk him.

Timmy is destined to be a badass in the "pitches that sail" department: I for one applaud him.  Timmy's got to eventually shed this happy-go-lucky kid thing, a surly, quasi-wild thing headhunter image may get him through the next five years.  After all, he's lost a few MPH's on his fastball already, a 93 MPH fastball looks a lot faster when you think it might be coming at your batting gloves.

Oh yeah, and way to go on celebrating a Dodger at AT&T Park -- I so don't think that's cool.  I don't care if it's Willie Mays: we do not approve of Dodgers being celebrated on our field.

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 6: Buster goes womp ass and the Giants save a split with the Padres, 8-4

B-Weezy made a debut, went 25-ish pitches and (with a little help from Jeremy Affeldt) turned a route into a save situation.

That's all right, in an 8-1 game, one can accept a little imperfection.

It was the path to the ninth inning that shone brightly today.  Buster was 3-5, 4 RBI's and a ding dong.  Timmy threw 7 with 13 K's and only allowed 3 hits.

Huffy also came out of his shell a bit, going 3-5 with 3 RBI's and a couple doubles.

All in all, the fellas that we want to see hit hit.

Burrell was o'fer in 3 AB's, that included a K and double play.  Tejada hit into the Giants' other double play.

I hate double plays, especially early in the game, more than anything.  That is something that needs to be fixed, it was the most torturous thing about last season.

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Game 4:Two big innings blow the game/series, Giants lose 7-5

Zito is always so effin' unstable in the first inning of every start.
And, come on -- isn't it time to pull the plug on Dan Runzler?  That Marc Kroon had a like 1.8 ERA.
Also, not sure Huff is working out in right.

Giants lose the series 1-3.  Got two in San Diego, who just took 2 out of 3 from St. Louis.  Of course, they dropped the last one, and that might slow them a bit.  I'd really like to take both games in San Diego.  With Bumgarner and Timmy pitching, it should be possible.

Good points, Bad points

Without beating a dead horse, and after digesting a bit, here's some of my major points of discussion from Game 1.

• Lincecum pitched well.  And it was nice to see him take a piece of Uribe with him.  Listen, 1 unearned run, 5 h, 3 BB and 5 k's in 7 is a decent game.  He was humping the ball into 94-95 territory, and he is notoriously terrible in adrenaline games.  Except Game 5 on 11/1 and now we can add 2011 opening day.
• Tejada -- o'fer with an error -- not going to cut it bro, you best pick it up.
• Burrell ding dong was nice, but he fouled out with a runner on in one pitch with a runne ron int he 6th.  Would like to see him execise patience, but nothing breaks a 5 month-long slump like going yard.
• I heard today from John Shea on Twitter:
  

  Stat o' the night: Dodgers threw 135 pitches, 29 to Belt. That's 21 percent to one guy. Great plate discipline by the kid.

  
  Absolutely flabbergasted.  Belt's got much need discipline in an unruly lineup and he's got poise in the field.  BTW, this was his first game in a very hostile environment.
• Andres Torres, epic 12 pitch AB.  Apparently he swung at a pitch after Kuo threw 6 balls in a row.  Lead off man's got to be more patient, but Torres is an aggressive guy -- game 1, we'll cut him slack
• Same goes for Posey.  The error was not mental, you take chances and you get burned sometimes.  Seemed like he had nerves
• In fact, nerves is the word of the night.  2 first timers for opening day, and everyone but Burrell is new to title defense.  Tonight things should be more calm
  ('course, Sanchez is tossing, so maybe not)