Game Thread Open Day! 4/9

by Grant on Apr 9, 2005 10:48 AM PDT in News Comment 120 comments

Jerome Williams is one heck of a #5 starter. Of course, the only way Kirk Rueter is a #2 starter is if you are discussing the pitcher most likely to pitch like crap.

I'll be at the game, sans laptop, so have fun!

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evening sports fan

The dominant giants' offense once again makes an appearence

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here comes our monster cleanup hitter...

...Pedro Feliz.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey!!

He is a 280 25 homerun guy <wink> <wink>

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Despite the small sample size caveats...

I have been extremely impressed with Omar Vizquel. Not only has his flashy defense and sharp off-field dressing kindled a fire in my heart but also he represents one of the few giants not named Barry Bonds willing to take a walk

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Manufacturing runs...

Vizquel endears himself to morgan by stealing 2 bases through 3

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Omar Fu

I'm not sure about stealing third with two outs, but I like the hustle.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

stealing third

JoeMo would remind us that there are nine ways to score from third (but not from second) with two outs. So far, though, Wright hasn't helped us out by balking Omar home.

by lyricalkiller on Apr 9, 2005 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You forget lyrical....

Stealing 3rd with 2 outs increases our marginal run production from .5 to point .53. The additional .03 runs definately warrent the 30% chance of ending the inning ;-)

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

An excellent play by...

the relatively anonymous Rockies 3rd bagger robs the giants of a run and Feliz of an RBI

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How has...

Williams looked so far humm?

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Williams

looks pretty good. He seems to be keeping the Rockies off balance well, and his command is good.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Velocity?

Around 91 on the fastball?

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

More like

high 80s so far.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty solid

I just tuned in but he looks good so far. Appears to have command of the breaking pitch, which is good news.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nasty stuff

But just wait till the bullpen!

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Do not Wake me!

I have dreams of Lowry, Williams, Cain and Foppert anchoring our rotation throughout the next decade

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice dream

Don't forget Tyler Walker as our 40 save closer...

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dreams

Or David Aardsma. With Merkin Valdez as the 5th starter.

by achiappanza on Apr 10, 2005 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

David Aardsma

There was a note in the Fresno Bee that Aardsma has been sent to AA Norwich to try starting.

by DrBGiantsfan on Apr 10, 2005 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aardsma starting

Yeah, saw that in the Chronicle today. Said it wasn't to switch his role, but rather to give him a setting in which he can work on his offspeed pitches. I think it's a good idea. Certainly that's one of the explanations for why so-so former starters like Gagne perform well as closers - better quality #2 and #3 pitches.

by achiappanza on Apr 10, 2005 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dang

These guys are working quick today. It'd be nice if the Giants would at least make Wright throw a few pitches before grounding out weakly.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That...

would require patient hitters with OBP above .330 ;-)

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm definitely digging on Omar...

...but there one thing he does that keeps kneeing me in the groin: Sliding into first base. Who are these people who still think sliding into first is heads-up hustle? Is it like the flat-earth society, being all contrarian just for giggles? Straight through the bag, Omar. Straight through the bag.

by lyricalkiller on Apr 9, 2005 2:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

I don't think the people who have "proven" that it's faster to run through must have really proved it in a way that's convincing enough. Too many players do the slide, making me think it may be a false conclusion.

by achiappanza on Apr 10, 2005 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ummm...

I'd like to see a study; I'd imagine one has been done. The line you always hear, "You don't see sprinters dive across the finish line" sort of ignores the fact that sprinters would be diving face first onto concrete after running at world-class speed. But if it makes little difference either way (which I am guessing is the case), you're weighing two things against each other: the probability that the throw will be off the bag and the first baseman won't be able to tag you because you're down low, and the probability that you'll get spiked or jam a finger or otherwise injure yourself.

"Robb Nen is going to get you" - Benito Santiago to Chipper Jones, 10/7/02

by Pants Man on Apr 10, 2005 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sprinters

It also ignores the salient fact that sprinters don't get finish line credit for touching the tape with their finger. They have to cross the finish line with their chests.

The injury possiblility definitely must be considered. However, it's intuitively feasible that the extra reach distance from jumping and diving the last 8 feet gets you there faster than the push of one extra step.

by achiappanza on Apr 10, 2005 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Extra Innings

is more awesome than I could have imagined. I can't believe the free trial is ending tomorrow and I'll have to go back to huddling around my computer watching gamecast on espn.com. Damn.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I find...

gamecast next to worthless. Horrible load times coupled with incorrect info make it useless

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mash that reload button

I prefer MLB's Gameday to ESPN's gamecast. More info, more interactive, less delay. And Extra Innings is definitely drool-worthy, if somewhat expensive. But you just gotta love that Cubs-Brewers action!

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Williams...

looks extremely nasty!! His first pitch to holliday was simply unfair (of course he singles after I finish my post)

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I of course...

jinx Williams. He starts to labor

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crap

2 weak singles and we are in trouble

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

That could have been worse.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bad part...

Williams has hit the hardest ball off of Wright so far today. I miss Moises.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

With Moises out of the lineup...

...who's going to leave all those men on base?

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

With Bonds out of the lineup...

...who's going to even be on base?

by lyricalkiller on Apr 9, 2005 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Minor's update

Valdez pitched in Norwich today and it looks like he threw okay but got burned by the defense.

6 IP's 2 BB 6 K 1 ER but 3 unearned.

Freddie Lewis is lighting it up.

by slcgiant on Apr 9, 2005 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Which of the following is more improbable?

A. Mike Matheny maintains his BA (.333) and power (roughly 70 home run pace)
B. The giants bullpen manages consecutive games without allowing a run

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't hate the pen...

...i don't love it, and I think we could have saved some scrill, and I'd like to send Chistrianson and Fassero to Lefty Lake, but we'll have plenty of scoreless 7-8-9's, don't you think? No reason to doubt Brower or Eyre, not yet.

by lyricalkiller on Apr 9, 2005 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only way...

Matheny could keep up those numbers is if he faced the Giants bullpen every game.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Time...

for the giants to break this game open

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We need to exploit these walks

Kenshin--What a paradox.

I'll take Matheny with the current bullpen.

by slcgiant on Apr 9, 2005 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll go with B

But it's close. I figure at some point we'll have back to back games where the starter goes eight and the only one allowed out of the pen is Armando.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a really bad feeling about this inning

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Question # 2

Which team is fielding the worse lineup today (when healthy the giants possess the obviously better lineup?)

I think that despite our attrition we still field the superior team

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Two spectacular plays in one!

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOOT

Trimspa baby!

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take it

by slcgiant on Apr 9, 2005 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

Heads up play from Snow. For all the bitching I've done about the Giants' inability to find a legit first baseman, I still love that guy.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Pitching

Are we going to see the bullpen next inning?

by slcgiant on Apr 9, 2005 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dear God

I hope not. Williams has only thrown 76 pitches, so I can't imagine they'd pull him yet.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of which...

Your SF Giants Bullpen Box Score of the Day

Eyre -
0 IP
2H
3 R
3 ER
ERA 27.00

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking at the replay...

...I think Wilson beat the tag from Snow. But I'll take it.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It looks to me...

that Snow got him

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking at the replay...

...I didn't realize the ball hit the 3rd base bag, making Fonzie's play even more spectacular.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fonzie

might actually end up earning our respect this year.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Call

It could've gone either way but the ump should call him out for making a little league mistake.

by slcgiant on Apr 9, 2005 2:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Very true

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Offense

Can you believe we only have one hit. It seems like Wright has always owned the Giants.

by slcgiant on Apr 9, 2005 2:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I thought I heard somebody say that he was 2-5 against us lifetime earlier.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harry Doyle:

"One god damn hit, that's all we got?!"

Rod Beck and Brian Johnson beating the Dodgers at the Stick, nothing will ever beat that.

by SF Pete on Apr 10, 2005 4:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To our relief...

Williams starts the 7th

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Random

But I was over at the Norwich Navigators website, and they have a poll that asks "Of the Giants off-season acquisitions, who will have the biggest impact in 2005?" What do you think?

Oh and Mike Matheny is currently 3rd, ahead of Vizquel.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 2:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If it's not Moises...

...then we're in a lot of trouble.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice recovery...

by williams against holliday

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice play...

by my new favorite short stop

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure you're right Tom

I saw him pitch against last year in September and I remember being very frustrated similar to today.

by slcgiant on Apr 9, 2005 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

To quote FSN Rockie mountains...

"Royce clayton and the revamped D-backs ty to turn up the heat against the Rockies" Why headline the clayton signing (kinda like highlighting matheny)

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ugly bunt

At least it wasn't a double play.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Signing off

I got a barbeque to get to. Plus, I don't want to be around when the bullpen door opens. Good afternoon, gents.

by Tom S on Apr 9, 2005 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

have...

a good one

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hasta

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I absolutely despise the...

0 out bunt. Why not just surrender the out ;-)

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 3:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

UGGGHHHH

Terrible play

by kenshin1 on Apr 9, 2005 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

Its not like Yorvit is a monster. It is a one run game. And you remove the double play. Unless you think the pitcher is struggling location wise, then I think its a good call.

Of course, It helps if you actually MAKE a good bunt.

by humm baby on Apr 9, 2005 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs