McCovey Chronicles - All Posts

Giants avoid sweep, drop last game to Nats

2013-05-23T00:19:17Z

In the bottom of the ninth, with a runner in scoring position and a tie game, two different Giants hit the ball hard. It didn't work out. It's hard to get too violent about a game like that.

There is something like a spectrum of disgust when it comes to losses. Compare this game with anything from the recent road trip. Those games were gross. This game was frustrating. There's a big difference, and it's kind of nice to watch the Giants lose like a normal team, for once. This was a well-pitched game, There was a late-inning rally. Madison Bumgarner was pretty good. There weren't any errors. The guy the Giants couldn't hit was Gio Gonzalez, not Brandon Backe or something. The Nationals' best hitter got the big homer and scored the winning run. I can respect this kind of loss.

That doesn't mean it was without frustrations. The Giants had a runner on third and one out in the first, only to strike out twice. The 0-1 pitch to Pence wasn't a strike, by the way, and it's worth wondering what would have happened if he were 1-1 instead of 0-2, but that's a minor grumble. The bigger frustrations were Pence and Belt lacing line drives that should have scored the winning run each time. I guess that was instant karma for Buster Posey's 18-hopper through the infield to tie the game.

If the Giants have to lose 62 games or so every year, it's probably for the best that they look like this. Good job, good effort, bad results. The at-bats with runners in scoring position:

1. Buster Posey in the first
It was the first pitch, and it might have been the most hittable fastball thrown by Gonzalez all day. I saw some folks on Twitter complain that Posey should have been more patient after Marco Scutaro worked out a walk on eight pitches in the prior plate appearance. But it's probably not a good idea to think you know more about how Posey should hit than Posey does himself. He got the pitch he was looking for, but he was late. Happens.

2. Hunter Pence in the first
Again, see the above link for the graph. It's not as the Giants lost because of a missed call on an 0-1 count. But it makes it a little harder to blame Pence for chasing the 0-2 curve out of the zone.

3. Brett Pill in the first
Turns out he can hit fastballs and only fastballs. Possible interior monologue on the way back to the dugout: Wait, Gonzalez throws a curveball now?

4. Brandon Crawford in the second
It was a hittable curve up in the zone, but it also followed a 94-m.p.h. fastball. Crawford's timing was off.

5. Madison Bumgarner in the second
He doesn't count. It's nice that he still has all of his original fingers, and that makes the at-bat a success.

6. Angel Pagan in the sixth
They gave him a Pablo across the letters, and he popped it up. It was a pretty good at-bat up until then.

7. Crawford in the seventh
It was a 2-2 fastball down the middle. Super-serum Crawford from April would have hit a triple. If we're complaining about the called strike against Pence that wasnt, it's worth noting that Gonzalez should have had Crawford out with the 1-2 pitch.

8. Buster Posey in the eighth
He's sort of the best. Though, to be far, this was a double play if Ryan Zimmerman was a foot over to his left.

9. Hunter Pence in the eighth
He smoked the ball. It was an inside sinker, so I'm not sure how he hit it so hard the other way, but it's hard to blame Pence for that one.

10. Brandon Belt in the eighth.
Again, this was crushed. Should have been a single, at least.

There you go. Was it worth cataloging that? Now that it's finished, I don't think it was! But it's proof that a game can still be frustrating without being meaningful or offensive. The only at-bat I hated was the Pill AB, but I had forgotten about it by the second inning.

Really, my biggest regret is that Scutaro didn't extend his hitting streak on a liner off Rafael Soriano's dingus.

I had other notes, but you don't want to read about them, and I don't really want to flesh them out. Long game short: Good team played well, beating other good team. Save the vitriol for one of those Coors Field specials in which the Giants give up 39 runs in three games. In this game? Eh. Happens. Better luck against the Rockies, fellas. Better luck against the Rockies..

ExtraInningThread

2013-05-22T22:56:12Z

Bonus baseball for all!

DayThread 2

2013-05-22T21:02:22Z

Will the Giants avoid the sweep? Will someone commit an error? Whom will Rafael Soriano blame next? Stay tuned...

Open GameThread, 5/22

2013-05-22T20:57:07Z

Current Series

Giants lead the series 2-0

Mon 05/20	WP: Ryan Vogelsong (2 - 4) LP: Zach Duke (0 - 1)	8 - 0 win
Tue 05/21	WP: Jeremy Affeldt (1 - 0) LP: Yunesky Maya (0 - 1)	4 - 2 win
Washington Nationals Federal Baseball @ San Francisco Giants McCovey Chronicles Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 12:45 PM PDT AT&T Park Gio Gonzalez vs Madison Bumgarner Sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 60. Complete Coverage >

1. Angel Pagan CF
2. Marco Scutaro 2B
3. Buster Posey C
4. Hunter Pence RF
5. Brett Pill 1B
6. Joaquin Arias 3B
7. Andres Torres LF
8. Brandon Crawford SS
9. Madison Bumgarner LHP

(Belt has a back issue and Pablo is sick. Still, it's probably worth freaking out.)

Washington sequester fails to account for San Francisco animal menagerie, Giants win late

2013-05-22T08:38:30Z

If you're me, then "settling in" means making sure I've got a tall, cold drink and an open box of Red Vines before the movie starts. If you're a baseball player, then "settling in" means acclimating yourself to the competitive rhythm and flow of a sporting event staged before thousands and sometimes millions of people. To "settle in" after your team has just come off of one of its worst weeks in recent history and in a season where your arm slot is dropping and after you've already surrendered two runs when the opposing pitcher is Stephen Strasburg makes what Matt Cain did on the mound tonight all the more impressive.

This start went a long way to quell fears about the rotation. If Matt Cain Matt Cains and Tim Lincecum stays not terrible, and Barry Zito remains dominant at AT&T Park but figures out how to be passable on the road, and if Madison Bumgarner continues to do his thing, then maybe, maybe -- especially with the offense being the team's de facto strength (still hilarious to type that) -- that fifth starter situation will, as with every other team in baseball, not really be a huge deal. Mainly, though, it's just a lot of fun watching Matt Cain do his thing. In an uncertain world during turbulent times, it's nice to know there's always Matt Cain.

And he wasn't the only one to settle in tonight. Sure, Strasburg was shaky in the first couple of innings before settling in, but after a shaky April, Marco Scutaro sure has settled in to a 19-game hit streak. Now, it's not so much that Scutaro should be expected to do what he did in September 2012 and the postseason. That's absurd. It's simply that the Giants really are counting on him to, oh I don't know, put up, like, 80% of that out-of-this-world performance. That's still plenty absurd, but the fact that he's able to come through at his age and while playing a demanding position in the field really does underscore his value.

Gregor Blanco's value to the team is pretty clearly measurable (0.4 fWAR heading into tonight), but the way that he's settled in has been awesome to see. He's one of those guys who's always going to be an "extra" player, but he's proven himself worthy of a major league roster spot. Yes, we all waxed poetic last Spring Training about his marvelous OBP potential. His speed, defense, and timely hitting are what have truly brought him into the fold. Plus, White Shark is a cool nickname. Gregor Blanco didn't win tonight's game, but he saved tonight's game.

It was Pablo Sandoval who won tonight's game. It was Pablo Sandoval who stepped into the batter's box and did this:

(h/t @gidget)

I mean, look at that. LOOK AT IT.

Pablo obliterated that poor baseball. He made Yunesky look Yuniesky. I'm pretty sure he did damage to the bleachers. Years later, graphic novelists will use the onomatopoeia of that home run to illustrate Batwoman knocking out Lady Joker. SPWAP! ... or GRRRRRAT! ... or BAHWHOOM!

And Pablo hit that suffering from the flu. He had an IV drip in the morning and then an HR rip for a nightcap. Just what every doctor advises in the treatment of a flu. That was Pablo Sandoval's day. Can you imagine Yunesky Maya's day?

Great win against a team I assumed would walk through the Giants this year, given that the Giants were 4-9 against the Nationals the past two seasons. Now they've won a series against them with a chance to sweep tomorrow afternoon. So this post had to be a kudosfest.

minor lines, 5/21/13

2013-05-22T06:37:18Z

Tuesday highlight from the Giants' farm: Ty Blach had 11 K in 8.0 scoreless IP. Also notable, Carlos Teller had 5.0 scoreless IP.

AAA: Fresno lost to Oklahoma City 15-2
(after allowing five runs in the 1st inning and ten runs in the 8th inning)

Fresno: DH Hector Sanchez: 3 for 4, 2 2B
Fresno: LF Cole Gillespie: 1 for 3, BB
Oklahoma City: 3B Brett Wallace: 2 for 6, HR, 2B, 3 SO

Fresno: SP Chris Heston: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Fresno: RP Jake Dunning: 1.1 IP, 1 K
Oklahoma City: SP Brett Oberholtzer: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

With his 2nd and 3rd doubles plus a single, Sanchez had half of the Grizzlies' six hits. He has hit .308 in 26 AB since being optioned to the minors. Gillespie was the only other Grizzly to reach base twice. Wallace, whom the Astros optioned to hee minors after beginning the season with just 1 H in 24 AB, connected for his 7th HR and 8th double. He has hit .298/.355/.570 in 114 AB in the PCL this year.

Heston allowed 5 ER in the 1st inning but combined with Dunning not to allow another run through the 7th inning. His ERA rose back above 5.50. Dunning has a 1.63 ERA in fifteen appearances with solid component stats (27 H, 5 BB and 21 K in 27.2 IP). Oberholtzer, one of the Astros' top 30 prospects whom they acquired from the Braves a couple years in a trade for Michael Bourn, had his best start of the year with 7.0 scoreless IP.

AA: Richmond lost to Trenton 3-0
(with all three runs coming in the 8th inning)

Richmond: CF Ryan Lollis: 1 for 2, HBP, CS

Richmond: SP Carlos Teller: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K--1 HB

With one of the Flying Squirrels' four hits (all singles) and one of their three free passes, Lollis was the lone Squirrel to reach base twice. While he enjoyed a breakout season last year with an OPS close to .800 in the more hitter-friendly California and Pacific Coast Leagues, this year he has a sub-.700 OPS through 146 AB.

From a statistical point of view, Teller's two starts have been rather similar with 0 R, 3 BB and 5 K in both starts.

A+: San Jose defeated Inland Empire 8-0

San Jose: CF Jeff Arnold: 1 for 4, HR, 2 SO
San Jose: LF Chris Lofton: 3 for 4, 3B, SO

San Jose: SP Ty Blach: 8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K
San Jose: RP Bryce Bandilla: 1.0 IP, 3 K

While every hitter in the Giants' lineup had a hit, Lofton's three hits, including his 4th triple, paced the Giants' twelve-hit attack. He raised his AVG to .270. Arnold hit his 7th HR. His .541 SLG is second best among San Jose hitters.

After a career-high 9 K in his last start, Blach had a new career high with 11 K in his eighth pro start. The 8.0 scoreless IP brought his ERA back below 2.00. He and Bandilla combined to strike out 14 of 32 batters.

A-: Augusta defeated Rome 7-4

Augusta: CF Jesus Galindo: 3 for 5, 2B, SO, SB
Augusta: LF Andrew Cain: 3 for 4, 2B, SO, 2 SB

Augusta: SP Chris Stratton: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Rome: SP Mauricio Cabrera: 6.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 K--2 WP

Galindo and Cain each had three of the GreenJackets' thirteen hits, raising their AVGs to .309 and .225.

Stratton allowed nearly half (10 of 22) his batters to reach base. Making his eighth start, he had a season-high 4 BB and a season-low 2 K, causing his K/BB ratio to slip below 3.00. Cabrera, whom Baseball America ranked as the Braves' #6 prospect, had 9 K and 1 ER six days ago against the GreenJackets, but today the GreenJackets hitters reversed fortunes as Cabrera allowed a season-high 6 ER on a season-high 10 H while striking out just one batter.

Place Holder Thread

2013-05-22T05:24:43Z

~~Just a typical Ha-Ha-Ha-Cain'ing~~

PABLO!!!!!!

Dodgers considering managerial change?

2013-05-21T20:26:34Z

The Los Angeles Dodgers, after winning the division on Opening Day, have fallen on tough times. They're 18-25, and they've lost key contributors to injury. Juan Uribe is outhitting Matt Kemp. Luis Cruz has a -37 OPS+. Nick Punto leads the team in on-base percentage.

This is causing concern in Dodger-land. And it's also causing speculation that manager Don Mattingly might not be around for a long time. From Ken Rosenthal

Watching Sunday’s meltdown on television, I thought, "Mattingly might be gone tomorrow." And then I got a text from a rival scout, one who has no particular insight into the Dodgers, but is attuned — like so many in the sport — to the game’s day-to-day rhythms.

"Making the call — Donnie Ballgame will get the axe tomorrow," the scout said.

When I asked the scout why he thought that, he replied, "Gut feeling. The way they’ve been losing.

Donnie Ballgame did not get the axe. On the contrary, the Dodgers gave him a vote of quasi-confidence on Monday, saying they have "no plans" to fire him. I have no plans to eat a slice of cheesecake in the next week. I might eat a slice of cheesecake in the next week. That's kind of the same definition of "no plans."

Regardless, we have to spring into action. We need to let the Dodgers know just how much we respect Don Mattingly's ability to lead a clubhouse, and how terrified we are of his bear trap of a mind. If they only knew how excited Giants fans would be if Mattingly were fired, why, they would wonder if they're doing the right thing. Maybe they would keep him around. My plan:

Hire people around Los Angeles to follow owners and executives around

The idea: hire people to wear Giants hats and follow Stan Kasten and Magic Johnson around while saying things like …

Boy, I can't believe the Dodgers would be stupid enough to fire Don Mattingly

and

I wasn't sure if the Giants could win the division this year, but now that the Dodgers are going to fire Mattingly … I don't know, they have a shot.

The only problem with this plan is that I'm not sure we could find locals who a) have a lot of free time on their hands and b) feel comfortable pretending to say things as if they were completely different people. That kind of manhunt might be beyond our resources.

Write letters filled with reverse psychology

This one is something we can all do. Just pick up some stationary, a pen, an envelope, and a stamp, and you can help out, too.

Here's a sample. Feel free to reshape this into your own words:

Dear Dodgers,

As a Giants fan, I am absolutely thrilled that you are going to fire Don Mattingly. Because I root for a rival team, I was originally worried that you would keep Don Mattingly around, where he would bond with his ragtag band of superstars and help them forge a unified team identity. This is probably the best news possible.

So, please, go about your business. I just wanted to let you know that you guys are on the right track … if you want to help the Giants?

Sincerely, (Name)

P.S. Why would I tell you this? That was a horrible decision! Forget I wrote anything!

Forge Rob Neyer's name on an article lauding Mattingly's brilliance

I got this one.

Why Don Mattingly is Great
by Rob Neyer
Opening! Interesting historical reference. Recap of Ken Rosenthal's article.

Statistical study with important numbers pointing to something you didn't realize.

Conclusion suggesting the Dodgers are fools if they let Don Mattingly go.

Draft a fake memo on Dodgers letterhead

This one will be the trickiest of all, but it should be effective. A little Photoshop and research should give us something that looks as if it came from Ned Colletti's desk, and it should read like this:

After thorough research, I've concluded that these are the only managerial candidates on the market. Like, this is it. I've looked and looked and looked, but these are the only realistic alternatives to Don Mattingly:

Ozzie Guillen

Jim Tracy

Bobby Valentine

Jose Canseco

Please advise which direction we should turn.

Thanks,

Ned Colletti

Other suggestions are welcome, of course. This is a group effort, and we owe it to the Dodgers to make sure Don Mattingly keeps his job. Haven't the big corporations taken enough jobs from hard-smirking Americans?

Keep Mattingly employed! Keep Mattingly employed! Keep Mattingly employed! Please help. I have an e-mail out to Sarah McLachlan to see if she can shoot something within the week. We can do this, people.