Giants Win. Maintain 7.5 Game Lead
It wasn’t the prettiest game to watch last night but the club walked away with a win to maintain a 7.5 game lead. How sweet is that? At this point the only remaining games are within the NL West where the Giants have gone 33-21 so far this season. It’s hard not to get too excited but Bochy will start to rest players soon. The starting staff, Cain and Bumgarner in particular, can use a blow. I like box scores so here is the game summary for your visual pleasure.
FINAL
Chase Field
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Giants (82-62) |
0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 1 |
 |
Diamondbacks (71-73) |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
HR: SF – Pence (21)
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Magic Number :11 Photo
PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE GOLD, BIG FLAVOR !!!
thanks
I’m way past worrying about the division and have set my concerns on who we play in the NLDS— since the team with the best record gets to play the WC we will be playing either Washington or Cinn— right now, that would be the Reds. And I don’t want to play the Reds. The first 2 games would be at our house with the last 3 at their house. And you can pretty much guarantee that we’d see that fuck Latos in one of the first 2 games at ATT. And I don’t want to have to chalk up a guaranteed loss at home to him.
So root for the Reds, hard, to end up with a better record than the Nats………
uh, is this the guy who gave up a triple to Jonathan Sanchez and took the L that knocked his team completely out of the playoffs 2010?
if you never saw the movie you won’t get the magic number reference.
http://youtu.be/EbVKWCpNFhY
HAHA, If someone doesn’t get the reference you should strongly consider banishment.
Yup.
Those who miss the reference, shalt be smoted
Latos? Didn’t he pitch game 162 in 2010? He’ll fold like a cheap suit when the pressure is on.
What you said. And that goes for your 8:19, too.
Well, I hope he’d put forth a “cheap suit” effort. Too often though, he’s fitting our team in one…
Didn’t watch any of last night but was listening on radio when Pence homered and then after the goldschmidt play and the argument by Gibson, Flems and Kuiper went something like this:
F: Irony of it all is they got the call right, he was out anyway.
K: Well you need to go down to the dugout and explain that to Gibson.
F: I’m sure he’d be glad to see me.
K: Hey I’ve had him barrelling into me at 2b after he got hit in the neck by a pitch.
F: Not good.
K: NO, that’s not good.
…
Classic. The vodka bottle in the pocket just adds more class
Halfway update on how the position players are faring in September:
(BA,R, HR, RBI, OPS)
Posey ,333 11 2 8 .931
Belt .316 4 2 12 .918
Scutaro .377 10 0 10 .851
Panda .283 5 0 4 .666
Crawford .300 9 0 3 .883
Blanco .280 4 0 0 .748
Pagan .264 8 0 5 .706
Pence .231 7 2 12 .849
I had picked Panda and Pence as the guys to lead the charge. Pence shares the RBI lead with Belt and nice to see Panda have a good night, maybe he’ll get hot… but I have to say it’s Buster and Scooter so far. Good to see the blogging buddies stepping up, as well.
Giants now averaging 4.42+ rpg for the season.
5.41 rpg for August, 2nd in MLB. 5.67 rpg in Sept, 3rd in NL.
When you get those numbers, you’re going to win games, even with tired arm pitchers…
I’d rather face the Reds than Nats first. And hope Atlanta gets through, and can beat the Nats. I think we can beat the Braves, the Nats, not so much. I think SF can beat Latos out here. Either Reds or Nats, the Giants are gonna be challenged. The starters need to get their act together, regardless of who they face…
I am with Snarkk on rather playing the Reds before the Nats/
The Nats have yet to go in a Dodger-like slump; although they did lose five in a row about two weeks ago. I’m waiting for Dusty to overtax his bullpen like he normally does.
Not really sure at this point who I would like to see the Giants play in the NLDS. One thing is for sure: Nats Park and Great American are offense oriented parks, even the Petaluma LL team could probably hit some out.
The Giants pitching staff is really going to have to buckle down, keep the walks to a minimum and don’t allow two out, two strike rallies.
If you’d rather face the Reds then you’re saying you’re cool with almost certainly splitting the first two games, at best, with a real chance of being down 2-0 going to Cincy for 3 and having to sweep them. Latos is 2 and 2 (6 starts) at ATT in his career, but most of those starts were with the shitty Padre offense. In 43 innings, he’s got a 1.67ERA, a 0.72 WHIP and batters hit .169 off of him.
I don’t want to hand over a loss in our park to that fuck Latos.
I think you’re misreading or I am- preferring the Nats means we don’t get Latos. We’d probably get Gio and Zimmerman. Gio is no bargain but without Stasburg, I like our chances better with the Nats as well.
I changed it, I meant to say “if you’d rather face the Reds”
I’m not worried about Latos. Law of averages. Bochy can out manage Dusty, if we’re not bludgeoned by an onslaught of runs first. I just don’t like how SF matches up against the Nats. They crushed us, essentially, this season. They have a tough starting staff, even without Strasburg. I’d take the Reds here first and hope for the home sweep. If we don’t sweep the first two, I don’t like the Giants odds of winning it…
According to Bruce Jenkins today:
“Forget the talk of a “feud” between Buster Posey and Tim Lincecum. They genuinely like each other – off the field. But Lincecum doesn’t respect Posey’s play-calling, and Posey finds him difficult to work with, both physically (balls bounced in the dirt) and in pitch selection. And thus, the dilemma: When it comes down to a crucial playoff game, Posey is the Giants’ catcher, and Brandon Belt is the first baseman. Period. Any other scenario weakens the team.” I have no clue whether Jenkins is pulling this out of his ass or actually has a source. He doesn’t say…
BTW, Cal is giving Ohio State a scare, late. Of course, Cal’s kicking game is atrocious, as usual, missing 3 makable field goals. And, Tedford made his usual choke job call late and instead of going for the 4th and one deep in OSU territory, he asks the FG kicker who is already a deer in the headlights to make a 41 yarder. Miss…
Agree. That was ugly. Is Tedford suffering from burn out?
That quirk in the divisional playoff schedule this season of the team with the worst record hosting the first two games could really work to the Giants benefit. We saw what an advantage it was for the Giants to have those first two games against Texas being played at AT&T in the ’10 World Series. Texas got off to a rocky start, didn’t look particularly comfortable in the ballpark, and never recovered in that series. I think I prefer the Nats in that round, because of no Strasburg; but the Nats have been trouble for the Giants this season, so it’s a tough series no matter who the Giants play, which is OK. No one said it has to be easy. (grin)
Valentine further endearing himself to everyone by calling his Red Sox roster “the worst in team history.”
I think we can say with 100% certainty that Valentine will be fired the day after the regular season is over.
Yes, I agree. (no grin)
The guy is a clown. You can’t have clown in Red Sox land. Although maybe Bozo would do well there?…
Recently at my local library I checked out a new baseball book called “Summer of ’68,” and a couple of Flapper-recommended books: “Driving Mr. Yogi,” and a Bernard Cromwell historical novel “The Last Kingdom.”
Lots of cool stuff to read. The only downside is…..when will I ever get through all the discs of Season 2 of “Fringe”?? (grin)
I’d like to read that “Mr. Yogi” book, I will see if I have it at my local library.
Angel Pagan CF, Marco Scutaro 2B, Pablo Sandoval 3B, Buster Posey 1B, Hunter Pence RF, Joaquin Arias SS, Hector Sanchez C, Gregor Blanco LF, (Barry Zito P
snarkk, if you attended Cal, I can understand why you watched the game. If you didn’t attend Cal, then why watch that atrocious team? They lost to Nevada-Reno. Tedford should have been fired about two years ago.
It’s the former.
They actually played well today, totally outplayed Ohio State, but coaching was the difference. And, they’ve had a bad kicking game the past few years, with today no exception. You cannot miss 3 out of 3 field goals against a top 25 team. Nor can you ask your deer in the headlights kicker to make a 41 yarder with 4 minutes to go, instead of just going for it on 4th and one with a fairly good second half offense going. Although, I think Ohio State is overrated at #12 or whatever they are. They have a good QB, but aren’t top 20 IMO. Watching the games in Berkeley is a good Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere is great, despite the poor coaching. I’m thinking they’ll go 6-6 again. Other Bear fans are taking today’s effort as an indication of maybe something improving. I don’t think so. Barkley will carve up the Cal secondary next week. The Pac12 quality is up this year, overall. I think it’s 3-4 wins tops in the league play, and another Toilet Bowl appearance, at best…
I hear you snarkk. My Longhorns play Ole Miss at 6:15 tonight. Texas has had a problem at QB since McCoy left. Their running game is sound, but I think OU will roll them this year.
I do expect them to improve on their 7-5 mark of a year ago, and their Holiday Bowl win…over Cal.
Demp, did you go to UT? I thought I was the only TexasEx on the flap.
Kershaw might be out for season.
http://tinyurl.com/8fw5fkq
Wow. They’re done now, likely even for the WC. They can’t survive that many starters going down…
Move over Sey Hey!
By the way, I won’t be able to make it out for the Flapalooza, but I will be in the Bay Area the week of Thanksgiving…Looks like the Niners are playing a Monday night game at home against Da Bears…I think I will be staying in the City that night, so you local gents keep in that in mind…. Maybe we can do a Flap/whatever the fuck Chuck’s blog is called (grin) viewing party….Will remind everyone as the date nears.
Hell yeah Joe, you say the word and I’m there. I want to shake the hand of the man I consider to be the best Giant’s fan in the world. I mean that dude, what you cobble together in the short window of time you have each year in Houston is pretty cool. I’ve been to three games this year and I live 40 minutes away from the park. You see the same number of games that I do and mix in pics with the owner, trips to the field and an interview of the beat writer. You’re catching bags of chips from Kruk and Kuip, making the video page at mlb.com, taking your work crew with you, taking your gamer son and bailing mid-game when he’s done—-and that’s just the shit I’m remembering off the top of my head!
I was going to say “west of the Mississippi,” but hell, I have no problem with Joe garnering that honor, For Texas. I mean, it’s a huge state
Big props to Cal for hanging with Ohio St today. They could have easily beaten them. I hope Stanford hangs as well v USC. –gave up my season tickets this year and low and behold I don’t get to watch them on tv this year either with this stupid ass cable dispute.
Whatever, I’d rather watch baseball anyway. 🙂 :0 🙂
Usually plenty of seats at Stanford games… 😉
it’s not really worth it anymore. The group I started going with back in the mid 90’s was a lot of fun and more than half of that fun was spent before and after the game. But the ticket holders in the group have turned over to the point of me asking myself “why am I hanging out with these people?” And I just don’t have the time to carve out for the games like I used to. But, like you said, if I ever do want to go to a game this year it won’t be too hard to find tickets………..
Lots of well hit balls with nuttin to show for ’em…
Just to show you how little stock I put into jinxes, I feel the need to note that the much maligned Barry Zito has now pitched 9.1 straight innings of no run ball. Not bad………
kinda glad Denny isn’t here to give it to me…..
That dude has some serious power. It makes you wonder if he could hit 30-40 if he just did nothing but swing for bombs like Barajas or Rosario.
Pagan surpasses Willie Mays in triples and Buster Posey burnishes his MVP credentials. Good things on a Saturday night.
…and Barry Zito pitching as good or better than any of our other starters.
Unless Posey goes Oh for the next fifty, he better get MVP. Braun hits in a bandbox, and is coming off a Melky moment last year. No way a lot of those writers are going to vote for him…
Not a good throw from Panda but Buster must have seen two balls cuz the one he tried to scoop was the wrong one..
But I agree he’s the MVP..
Wilcojoe, I was actually stationed at Ft. Hood in the mid 80’s. Austin was a 45 minute drive south. The first Longhorn game I saw was Texas against Bo Jackson and Auburn. Tthe Horns won, I partied on Sixth Street, and fell in love with the Burnt Orange.
Perhaps I can be an honorary member of the TexasEx’s.
I’ve spent some time on 6th Street. Some decent blues bars, among other things. I even once got some UT kids to believe I was a visiting professor, and got bought a bunch of free drinks for the ruse. Long story, but fun. Caution, though, too many kamikazes can cause headaches…
Ah yes, those were the days. I used to go to Speedy’s, a dueling piano bar, and Madison Square Garden sports bar; both on Sixth Street. A friend of mine at the time had a Jeep and we went cruising down Sixth. That Jeep was a chick magnet.
Upton taking an 86 mph inside fastball for a called K from Zito is amusing, and pretty cool, actually…
z looks pretty good tonite (gulp) and has made a few other hitters in the LU look bad.
I tried to get jazzed up about the Pagan triples record but it just didn’t happen. I think it’s nice but unless he blows it out of the water by 5-6+, I’m not that impressed.
Zito’s September so far? Yeah, I’m impressed. He’s had a great year and looks to be finishing it off in *first ever* fashion. Good on him……..
Night all.
Two ABs I don’t like to miss lately: Buster and Pagan.
for the first time in my life, I’m rooting for the A’s. It’s actually pretty fun to do. What they’re doing is unexpected and impressive.
Now, I can’t tolerate the thought of the Giants losing to the A’s in the WS this year—the shit I’d have to take from The Boney One would be too great.
But it’s fun to watch them bring it night in and night out. The Orioles, too…….
I watched most of that game last night–place was pretty full and rockin. A’s turned 4 DPs and won by a run, good game. Put a decent product on the field and those fans will come out.
No idea how they continue to win tho–no one in the LU besides Cespedes is hitting over .260, including reddick. The IF guys (except 1b) are all awful every single one of them–Rosales, Pennington, weeks, sogard, donaldson inge, drew–are all .220 hiiters at best.
Texas guys, who has the best college team in the state? I’ve been impressed with Horned Frogs for a while….and they have the coolest mascot. No idea on their fanbase. Coached a guy’s daughter who regaled us with stories of Texas college fans, aggies tech, baylor smu…
coaching side bar—we lost today (soccer) 6-2. My girls were faster and better athletes but the other team was bigger, more aggressive and the refs didn’t call shit (and I’m waiting to find out if they lodged a complaint to the league office about how I talked to them, after the game and away from the girls. I let them have it. )
As a coach of girls sports your whole life, I’m wondering what you think about girls who face aggression in a game and, unlike boys, tend to wilt to it and stop playing their game.
I’ll take your answer off air if you like. 🙂
I’m not a coach, but my daughter is playing JV soccer (first-timer) for a tough urban city school (actually, a combination of schools). They have yet to score a goal. They never give up. They have not played together for very long as a team. Owing to budget cuts, there are fewer teams. On Thursday, I traveled to rural Mexico, NY, which happens to be not all very far from Canada, the country. Our girls — a diverse group, including some girls with Muslim dress restrictions — fought real hard but lost. Today in the car, after a morning fund raiser, two girls in the back and my daughter in front had this conversation:
Those girls (Mexico) were rough. Toward each other.
Yeah, they were yelling all kinds of shit at each other, their own team.
Man, they wouldn’t last for a minute in our school if they pulled that.
Our girls matched the opponents’ aggressiveness. They just need more skills acquisition. What I like about this coach is she tends to teach things and not just “run an extra lap because you weren’t good.” I might even weep if we ever win, never mind score a goal.
Tough one Flav. I coached a game like that last year. I gave ref a bad time when he didn’t call a jump ball and the other team (in their gym) wrestled the ball away and scored. The guy ran all the way down the floor and stopped play to snipe back at me, so I had to listen and stfu or get a T. Then in the 3rd q, team fouls against us were 7-1, and we were the smaller and less aggressive team. One of our parents actually did ask the guy if he was aware of that. I left without saying anything to them after we lost by 10 or so, but I was pissed.
I saw the same team two weeks later on the road, and team fouls were 9-3 against them second half, even tho they were winning easily. They were playing the same way and refs were calling them on it.
Kids have to adjust to how a game is being officiated–if stuff is not being called you have to prepare for that and play accordingly without getting out of line. Being “strong with the ball” is a b-ball thing to, hanging onto it when someone is hassling you and making strong passes. Usually the retaliative stuff is the one most often seen, so get your licks in first, and if you drop someone, just help them up and smile.
In b-ball one of the hardest things to get across to girls is to welcome contact and not be afraid to initiate it, whether it is driving to the hoop and drawing fouls or blocking out for a rebound. As they get older refs are going to allow more contact based on the skill of the players, so they have to adjust and get used to it.
I think every coach does something like what my old buddy mentor used to do–3 kids in the lane, throw the ball up for a rebound, and whoever gets it has to try and score, with NO dribbling. I call it animal drill (start with 3 smallest or biggest kids and go from there), and kids love it, even the girls. You score you come out, next kid comes in and you start over. You don’t go get the ball and score, you stay in.
I really appreciate both of you answering. It didn’t help me, but the posts were both epic :). I need a drill like Willie’s *animal* drill, but for soccer. And I’m not allowed to send 2 girls *animal style* on a dead sprint to the ball with the first one to kick it declared the winner (I think that would help get them used to anticipated contact).
I’ll keep playing around with it. Thanks though
No question. It’s UT all the way. Fuck A&M. Their silly asses left for the SEC. TCU, in Ft. Worth has a small stadium. Texas Tech is pretty quiet.
If the Giants got to the WS, I would not want to face the A’s. Not because I’d be afraid of ’em, but because I just don’t care to see that. Even though I’d probably be able to get seats more easily at the Coliseum, if Sweet Lew opens up the upper deck, that is. For a WS, I’d want to see an eastern team, the Yanks or the Orioles, hell, even Detroit or the White Sox. A’s again just wouldn’t do much for me. Nor the Rangers again…
I agree with everything you said. I just think that what the A’s have done this year is super cool. I like to rag on Beane but he nailed everything this year. And with so many teams simply not caring about how much they spend on payroll, it’s great to see smart baseball decisions impact the outcome of the season……
I dunno, is Casilla any less likely to give up a dinger here than Zito? I’m not talking stats, I’m talking just for tonight’s performance. I would have let Zito try to close out the inning here…
A little drama, but Casilla got it done. I’m just getting a little concerned that Bochy may be burning our Pen guys on both ends of the candle. I get that he wants to cash in on the wins and clinch this thing ASAP, then give rest as much as possible. But, he’s really using the top Pen arms seemingly every game…
Gotta give Zito some love tonight. He gave up one run in 13 innings over his last two, count ’em, last two starts.
No gettin’ around it, Zito is doing more than OK. Does he still scare me if he starts a playoff game? Absolutely…
I’m down with a Giants “World Series Revenge Tour.” First, I want the Dodgers to either be eliminated from Wild Card contention by us or be the Wild card and the Giants eliminate them in the playoffs; albeit, with this new WC format, I am not even certain that the “car salesman” has structured it this way.
Continuing on, I want the Giants to either face the Yankees or A’s in the World Series, as this will undoubtedly give us an opportunity to avenge our losses against the former in 1962 and the latter in 1989.
I don’t believe in jinxes, worry beads, or cutting off chicken heads for luck or wishing bad luck to an opponent. So bring it Dodgers, Yankees and A’s – were locked and loaded for ya. 😉
I’d welcome the Yanks even the Rangers, not the A’s, for personal reasons, purely personal. That whole ’89 WS was a depressing affair for me, inside and out, and nothing whatever to do with geological phenomena. [Magnus, commented on coaching and soccer, sort of, above.]
Might turn in for the night.
10am church is the goal, not always met.
G’night, girls.
I vividly recall the 1989 World Series. It had been a long, long day at the office and I was looking forward to getting home with the future wife (now ex wife), to watch the World Series. After arriving at our condo, I quickly go out of my suit and tie . . . when the earthquake hit. In my underwear, I got under the door jamb – between the hallway and the living room. Both my fiance and I had smiles on our face – she was even laughing . . . at first, until it got to about the 20 second mark, then tears appeared on her face around the 25 second mark. Amazingly, nothing had fallen down yet, except some pictures and knick knacks. The chandelier in the kitchen was moving back and forth at a pretty good clip, threatening to hit the dining room wall on the back swing . . . At second 45-50, I think the quake finally stopped and both of us ran out of the condo, where . . . umm, everyone was looking at me. Whoops! I forgot to put on some pants . . . hehehe . . . So, exit stage right back into our home were I quickly grabbed a shirt and put on some blue jeans.
As many of you are aware, it was hours before we knew that the SF bay area wasn’t destroyed, because everyone – at least in Mountain View – was only getting reports via AM radio. We heard snippets about the bay bridge collapsing and SF being on fire near Fisherman’s Wharf, but all of it was incomplete information. Quite frankly, I had no idea if Candlestick had survived.
Flav, you may wanta grab one of those empty seats down on the farm….14 all going to the 4th qtr….or at least get to a sports bar.
In the words of the great Keith Jackson, “should be a dandy.”
I would enjoy a Stanfoo win over the U$C’s Lane Kiffen. Of course, then the Trojenz would be pissed, and beat the crap out of Cal next week in LA…
i thought USC was going to hammer them so I didn’t even consider going. I hate USC. And now, I’m reduced to following this epic game on Yahoo. Sad.
Geez, Flav, we’re even getting the game in Jersey.
maybe USC should’ve started worrying when SU gave them a surprisingly tough time, at least according to *expectations*
um, do you want to hear about what an idiot I am? I just read your post and decided to see if it was a nationally televised game that wasn’t blacked out and you’re right, it’s on—right there on Fox. Haha, that is fucking hilarious. I’ve been watching the Giants game and following the football game on Yahoo.
Hey Mac I’d like to thank you for cuing me into the “IQ World above 60.”……..
Holding that guy to an RBI single with a 2-run lead is like a victory.
And Stanford takes the lead!
Stanfoo up on SC 21-14 early in the 4thQ.
The enemy of my Enemy is my friend…
excellent way to put it.
Hec yeah!
That was an amazing throw by Hector.
Fucking great game……..
And another amazing one by Crawdad!
Whoa. OUTstanding play by Crawfish to end the tilt!…
Number at 10 now. LA apparently down 3-2 mid game to the Redbirds. So, maybe 9? Giants getting it done. Hope Romo’s elbow doesn’t unhinge. NoMo RoMo 2MoRo. Give him a break…
I absolutely trust Bochy to handle it right. He probably *will* rest Romo..incredible play by Mudbug…
The guy Hector threw out was “our” Tyler Graham.We released him in May and the DBacks picked him up. He played in AAA for them and hit .115…. He stole 60 in Fresno last year..
He’s no Darren Ford.
Ford is 26 for 40 in Tacoma, BTW.
We’re happy tonight! Giants keep rolling along.
Loving this Cardinal game but I never thought USC was the #2 team in the country and in September it’s just not as cool to knock off a #2 as it is to knock off a #2 at the end of the season.
That said, there really is no bad time to knock off USC……..
Roger that.
Years ago, I was offered a full ride + fellowship into the MBA program at USC.
I went to Cal MBA instead paying full-boat tuition myself. One of my best decisions…
watching barkley under pressure, he has a lot to make up to get any heisman votes. Furd was better and more physical in trenches, quite a W. Last drive that ran the clock down was a classic, led by the new kid (!) and coaching staff calling the plays.
Co-PsOTG:
Zito (gasp) and Buster…
Haha, Barkley, faced with a hail mary pass and with no one in his face and perfect balance, ends up heaving one of the lamest, weakest, floaty passes that didn’t even stay in bounds–not something you want the scouts to see……
Dude should have rode his hot streak last year to the draft (the same way Sanchez did),
Fantastic win for the Cardinal………
Goodnight again- real good ballgame. I have to add Hector as a tri-POTD with Zits and Buster just for the throws.
Another road series clinched, haven’t lost one since those last two games in Steeltown in what seems like an eternity ago.
My shirt is itchy
that shouldn’t come out of your twitter account.
Those damn fucking Bums beat the Cardinals 4-3. Magic Number now Johnnie Lee LeMaster’s number.
Oh snarkk, Longhorns rolled Ole Miss 66-31.
Ole Miss — great looking co-eds, not so great on the gridiron…
Cockaroaches. Dodgers, not the co-eds…
LA wins one, now they know what it feels like for a hooker to gargle before her next trick.
It sure is nice to watch the WC race from this side of the coin.
Go Gigantes!
As making for a fantastic finish. They are 2 games over the yankmees. And over $100M less in salary.
Not a fan, but we do owe them one for the earthquake series.
and it would be a nice “in your face” ESPN with 3 California teams in the playoffs. hehe
freakin’ Baggs took my next topic!
Just finished watching the game and My Man Zito had the big curve working followed by a 86mph FB.
It also appeared we saw why Romo is not a closer first class. He had his stuff moving and out of the zone and there were still some hits. He has to have some of the most torturous calls. Great pitches and no swing and the umps saying ‘ball’.
The great mystery of Zito. How has he’s been able to do as well this year despite having numbers (as twinfan as pointed out a couple of times) that are no better than previous years? Better run support hasn’t hurt.perhaps. One thing is he’s seemingly better in the early part of the game, thus allowing the offense to get going and not press behind 3 or 4 runs. The other is he pitches better when in trouble. He’s allowing the hits and walks, but he’s getting that big out to avoid the really big inning. I remember a hit, a walk an error and he’d give up a half dozen. Now he seems more relaxed and gets out of it with minimal damage. Anyway, it’s an interesting topic, imho.
test
Several of us are here, awaiting a new topic as game time fast approaches. But today is a football day so maybe y’all will head on over to unca’s 49er blog?
My comments above were posted when I woke up and watched last night’s game and it was still early so I post_edd. Then I read the rest of the blog posts from when I went to bed.