They Beat Us, We Lose
Sometimes this is an incredibly simple game. They pitch better, they hit better, they win.
It’s like, “we score, we win” only much, much lamer.
Or just say, “Cliff Lee and Kyle Kendrick were better than MadBum and Lincecum”.
It’s frustrating, I don’t think the Phillies are a very good team. They’re old. Their hitters are largely underwhelming. And they haven’t pitched up to expectations this year.
At least, until this series.
At least we miss Hamels. I know next to nothing about Pettibone other than he’s a pitcher…..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
I’m going to the game!
Stephen King, of all people, wrote that being at a baseball game is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
enjoy it my man.
You have a very good win record on games you attend (I think).
SPs definitely out dueled ours. Phils have dumped a lot of hitters from 2010 but kept most of the pitching (and pay handsomely for it); they must be encouraged to see Utley and Howard go deep last night.
I’d be surprised Philly dealt off a talent like Lee unless they really like what they have coming up to replace him; esp since they would probably have to pay a decent part of Lee’s salary anyway in a deal, and I think they’d demand more than what they got for Pence.
Funny but on Baggs thread comments there was a guy blasting the Pence for Nate deal. Cult of Nate refuses to die.
Pettibone is a righty. He’s been effective so far. Gigantes will probably be up against it early.
So it seems I know even less than I initially believed
🙂
Thanks
How much more up-and-down can the Giants get (rhetorical question). I mean really…they get swept by Dago, then return the favor to the Snakes (in their house) and subsequently sweep the Bums at home. Now they are on the verge of getting swept by the Phils. But on the flip-side, they have the fourth best record in the NL. I’ll take it, but it would be sweet if they can stop the sweep today.
Tidbits on the preview. This in reference to Zito: “The Giants left-hander has been stuck with no-decisions in each of his past two starts, but is coming off a strong start. Against the Dodgers, Zito pitched five innings and allowed just one run.” Okay, one run over five…that’s cool, but when is going five innings a “strong start?”
The Phils are expected to provide an update on Halladay today. While he is on the 15 day DL, they’re not sure he will even pitch again this year.
xoot made a comment last night about Tim’s problems being a carry-over from last year (whereas Vogey’s is more all about this year). I hate to be the pessimist, but I really don’t see Tim coming out of this funk, and certainly not approaching anything like he was in his back-to-back Cy years. And for that reason, I truly feel the Giants will be beating the bushes hard for a starter before the deadline (whether it be Lee or someone else).
On a positive note, how about those Sharks. First ever playoff series sweep. This is the best hockey I have seen this club play in a long time…hell, perhaps ever.
Dubs need to steal one tonight.
Listening to Kruk on the way into work this morning, it was the first time I’ve ever heard him not go into robotic-mechanics talk about Tim’s struggles. He finally started to talk about how Tim has never had any command with his FB and that now that he’s no longer throwing 96 he’s at the mercy of the location of his specialty pitches since the FB either gets thrown out of the zone (and taken for a ball) or swung on when it does cross into the zone (and usually hit).
This is so true, I think I heard Kuip say this a while back. and yeah this is the first time Kruk talk straight about Tim. so is Tim unwilling to change? has Rags approached him? His dad? These are just some of the questions that should be addressed. and what is the consensus here, Can Tim learn to be a control pitcher with the fast ball? So far he has not shown he can, second year of not being about to throw the FB where he wants. Lets hope he figures it out. Oh and was last year just putting on a happy face while in the BP? or could he thrive there?
I like Krukow, but he can be a bit too much of a homer at times (and yes, he had become that way in his discussions about Tim). After last year through 33 starts (highest ERA of qualifying pitchers) and now seven starts into this year, no way in hell I see him regaining his form, and for that reason, he is as good as gone.
Blade mentioned that Tim will be shopped this year. For what? I don’t see the Giants getting much in return. It is a sad state of affairs, but it is what it is. I will always have grand memories for what Tim did provide in helping the Giants win two WS (I have a copy of the “Chronicle” front page with Tim hoisted on the shoulder of the team and his finger raised…love that shot), and even last year as “The Assassin” in the WS.
Maybe we need to bring Anna back.
She had a good track record going…
Last month Lincecum had one game with some control of the FB and the change, vs. the Padres at home. He threw those pitches over the plate at the knees and they moved like hell. He induced a bunch of ground balls and struck out 8, almost made it out of the 7th inning. Giants won 2-0. wtf can’t he consistently keep the ball down like that?
Tim’s FB looks to be straight as a string. Don’t know if he’s throwing 2 or 4 seam, as they seem to move pretty much the same, as in not move. Maybe he needs to develop the “cutter” like everybody else seems to throw. It’s not looking good, for sure…
I think we are just seeing what many thought from the beginning- that Timmy would break down due to a violent motion and small frame. His weight gain and loss and gain again hasn’t helped. I think for him to ever to be a top notch starter again, they’ll need to rework his delivery and he’ll to rework his mindset-he’s throwing more fastballs this year ( 58%) than any year since 2008 (66%).But he’s throwing 90.5 average, vs. 94 in 2008. Last night he began the game throwing 93 and even a couple 94. By the seventh he was at 88/89 ( as per the gun that MLB.COM uses). Like last year he simply can’t maintain his velocity. But he can be successful throwing 88 to 90, he needs to dial it down from the beginning. Also, his change up velocity is the same now (83) as it was in 2008 when he was throwing 94. That’s not good.
But he’sa tough little cookie, he can do it. But he might need some pen time and help from Rags and Gardner to streamline his delivery and full realization that he’s not going to be successful trying to pitch like did 5 years ago.
Well, that’s my take. My *latest* take.
I agree Michael and have said that for him to be consistently successful, I believe he will need to “re-invent” himself. After so many years of that delivery and tutelage from his pops, will he do that? Can he do that? Time will tell. But for now, it is a stretch to imagine a long-term future with the Giants.
Good news on Happ.
Good news: Happ has been released from the hospital.
1. Gregor Blanco (L) CF
2. Marco Scutaro (R) 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
4. Hunter Pence (R) RF
5. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
6. Francisco Peguero (R) LF
7. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
8. Guillermo Quiroz (R) C
9. Barry Zito (L) P
Pagan was grimacing last night…any word on his condition?
From the Merc blog:
“Angel Pagan’s strain is actually an abductor in his groin, not a hamstring. Pagan had an MRI this morning and he was cleared to play by team doctors, but Bochy wanted to be cautious”
Thanks.
Frandsen at 1st . . .
One of the Merc bloggers referred to this as a “white flag” LU. Which reminded me of this:
One of the great white flag days was a very memorable one: 2007 in Colorado. We won 15-2, Fred Lewis hit for the cycle, Frandsen had 4 hits, Ort-Rod, Sweeney, Eliezer Alfonzo also got starts. It was a fun game and a day to remember for “Mr. Electricity”…
Fred, BTW, is playing for Hiroshima and hitting .229.
Phillies playing their travel day lineup.
Howard and Brown are sitting.
Wasn’t Pettibone in that TV show?
Oh shit that was Petticoat Juction.
Well the 3 ladies were hot…
Hence the Pettibone
A lead!
WTG Hunter.
The Reverend with some old time long ball!
He’s been puling the ball more and that could bode well for him staying here.
Flying squirrel catch, speaking of Frandsen.
VanGough’s numbers will be their in the end…Always gets his ribbies and bombs.1st full year in the park, not worried about him at all.Anybody but Constipation boy Rowand works for me…
You should be concerned about his HR numbers here. If he doesn’t hit his fair share at ATT, he ain’t staying.
Shit Twin, Who really hits their share of HR’s here? They were dead last hitting HR last year in baseball.This park doesn’t supply it share of big flies for our players.
Kat- you have an incredibly short memory. Therre’s a long of RH pull hitters who do have done VERY well here.
Jeff Kent, Rich Aurilla, to name a few that put their fair share into the LF bleachers….
Scott Garrelts is the answer.
Fucking figures Frandsen would go deep on the Giants…
Gary Matthews on the Phils’ telecast ripped Belt every which way on that strange baserunning play. Really, what the hell was Belt doing?
He thought he was out of the baseline and gave up. Bochy straightened him out.
Bloop. Now the blast.
Solid base hit for Marco. Blanco in to take back the lead.
Come on Pence.
Jesus Christ. The strikes were balls and the balls were strikes.
Wow. Quiroz is green, but not a smart play there my the Phillies.
Thank you, Rollins.
I only heard the play on the radio, but Miller skewered Belt for his base running blunder. He went off on him. Never heard him like that before.
Was it that bad?
See above. Belt gave up on the play because he avoided the tag and assumed he’d be called out for leaving the baseline. When the 2nd baseman missed tha tag, Belt jogged toward 2nd and got thrown out when Frandsen threw the ball to 2nd and Belt was tagged out. Belt should have made it easily. Dumb play, sure. Bochy talked to him when he got back to the dugout.
Did Mathews rip Rollins for getting caught trying to steal 3rd?
Re Rollins: Not really, more about how he got a bad jump. But the disappointment dripping from the announcers’ voices said enough.
He quit running to avoid getting tagged out on a DP, but when the throw to first was late, he didn’t run hard to second, wrongly thinking he had been called out for running out of the baseline. Bad mistake but he sure gets the weird ones.
I didn’t see Chuck’s comment. He actually got it mostly right.
Quiroz has been around awhile. Dude is solid defensively.
Wow. Zito turned on one.
Way to make ’em pay, Barry!
Buzzkill
Oh well, sets it up nicely for another walk off
ROMO may have an inning with a walk, 2 hits, 2 runs and 0 SOs, but at least it is not 4:30am
love me some Giants, who were looking ahead to Atl and got caught by the lowly phils
What type of work hours do you have, Edd? It’s near midnight there and you’re acting like its supper time, lol
Rats.
damn
Not Romo’s best, obviously, but the Giants blew a bunch of chances to bust this game open.
Adams out, surprised they did not PH Howard
If my last name was Revere all my kids would be named Paul.
Gold
Come on Quiroz!
Phinally!
Vungo!!!! Sweet!
fantastic. Torres!
twinfan1 strokes his beard and gives a knowing dude nod.
torres the game winner
sweet
Another thriller. Personal note: put in a prayer for my Mickey. He got the shit kicked him out of by a feral tomcat. At first we thoight he wouldn’t make it, then he seemed to rally, now he’s taken a downturn. Nothing to be done but try to keep him eating and drinking and hope.
that’s awful, I’m sorry to hear that. Wrong place, wrong time? Or did the feral cat get into your yard?
Well, there’s no way to keep other cats out. Mickey doesn’t go anywhere but his usual resting spots in in our yard.But he always comes in for the night. The night it happened I was having face spasms and took some Ativan and another med and fell asleep early, I thought he was already in. Merna woke me about 2 and asked me where was because she heard a big catfight outside. I said it couldn’t be Mickey because he was in, Well, he wasn’t. I went out by the pond and he looked like he’d been broken like a rag doll. I thought he was a goner then. I took him in and just let him lay in bed. I couldn’t find any wounds, it was like he’d been thrown around more than anything else. In the morning the vet found a punture wound but X-rays didn’t show anything and there no signs of internal bleeding. Rest, antibiotics, and hope was the treatment. It’s been about ten days. He’s still eating but I have to bring it to him, he’s having a tough time walking. He had been getting around a bit and even wanting out. But he’s a tough boy, he survived FIP, that’s almost always fatal.
glad he’s hangin’ in there, thanks for the details. He sounds like you, he’ll bounce out of this. 🙂
If I get a chance later (unlikely) I’m gonna go through and see how many games Torres has participated in the game winning run— feels like at least 4, maybe more?
this is hilarious. Too bad they’re Giants fans. Watch around the 55 second mark:
Looks like the Grizz mascot was trying to pick her up…
Nice game today. Too bad Romo blew the win for Zito, he deserved the win. Zito’s continued good performance at home cannot be ignored. Something has clicked for him, whatever it is, at least at ATT. He had one blip inning of some wildness, then got it together again. One thing I’ve noticed markedly is that when Zito was crap, he’d get to around 75 to 80 pitches, and was usually just done at that point — he’d invariably get smoked at that point, and Bochy was eventually clued in so that he had the Pen ready then in Zito’s pitch count, regardless of what went on before in the game. Now, Zito regularly is blowing through 90 and 100 pitch counts. I think he’s done something to get himself in better shape…
I said it then and I’ll say it now. He’s off the pussy patrol. His marriage saved his career. In the words of Gen. Jack D. Ripper, he’s saving his bodily essences.
So deep!
If the Dubs can keep their turnovers to around 15 or 16, I think they win. Over 20, forget it…
well, they can bust off 10-15 turnovers in any given quarter if they’re really *trying* so let’s not read too much (or too little) into any given Q. I actually think they get beaten pretty good this game–a little bounce off the epic 58 min game from Curry.
But obviously we can hang with this team. Kill ’em in (R)Oracle and take back the momentum (if not the series)
And another thing about the Dubs, I think that if anything the refs are now in their corner. The Warriors are proving their worth to the networks with their exciting play. The Spurs are boring as fuck.
If Stern is gonna prompt the refs it’s now probably towards the favor of Golden State– if that shit even goes down at all
If they win, I like them. If they lose well I don’t even know them.
Ask the Kings fans (Lakers 2002 playoff game 6) and Donaghy if “that shit” goes down at all, or just look at the 50-16 foul calls of Lakers v. Dubs at Staples a few weeks ago in that game where Kobe ripped his achilles…
Dubs up by 19 at half, and only 4 turnovers. Thompson on fire.
They need to put the pedal to the metal in the second half, and keep Bogut in there for a lot of the time. They can TAKE the Spurs, just keep playing your game, don’t sit on it. Anybody else have an inkling that this team is BETTER without David Lee?…
Losing Thompson really hurt them the other day. Without Thompson, Curry doesn’t get good looks and the offwnaw suffers. They’d better go ahead and win this one/
The real good news is Curry’s on the bench for a lot of this. He’s rested and ready.
Not sure what that 1st foul on Bogut was.
Dubs need to push push push this offense. Screw walking it up and into a set. Move and make these Spurs foul you…
Oh boy. They stop going inside and they aren’t getting boards w/o Bogut.
Wow. 8 against 5 now.
You can count on no luv from the refs in Q4. Push the offense, make these old dudes tired. No standing around for 20 seconds and then taking a shot…
Sheezus, Bogut missed the entire iron on that free throw…
Alright Dubs, untighten your sphincters, and just play your game. Move the ball, don’t dribble, and take good shots, and take it to the hoop strong so they HAVE to call a foul…
Money for Klay.
Nice to close out a quarter right for a change…
No kidding, I’d move move move. Keep the pace up. The Dubs shoot better from the outside, and SA’s plodding inside game can be stopped.
Fuck. They can’t go into turnover mode,
Freekin’ PUSH the damn ball every time you get a defensive rebound. Dubs are better with the open floor, I don’t get this walk it up crap, it makes no freekin’ sense, and let’s these old geezers rest…
This is what they need to do. Get Curry to the line.
Take the Ball TO THE HOOP. Make them foul you. WTF are they doing? Have they not learned anything from these last two games? Now Jackson is down to only one time out. Can we get a lifeline here for the coach?…
I would put Bogut in for about 2 minutes, clog the middle, stop runs to the bucket. Then take him out when it’s time where they’re going to Bang Bogut to force his foul shots…
There it is! Bogut clogs and stops Genobili! Yes…
Spurs went feet up this time. Great win. They’re better than the Spurs.If they can keep their heads about them, they can win this series…
Gutty goddamn game by the Dubs. I think they realize they can win this. GS is much younger and faster and athletic than SA. They need to keep that pressure up next game.
Hey, my POTD also can apply to the Dubs at long last winning in San Antonio. Very impressive bounce-back from that tough loss. And they got it done on D: After the Spurs got to within 6 on a Ginobili 3, off the same play as the game-winner in Game 1, they didn’t score for the next four minutes. Curry made a couple shots to push it to 10, including that crazy one in the paint, and that was ballgame.
Only TEN turnovers by the Dubs. TEN. And they win. That is the KEY statistic for them. Limit the turnovers every game, and they WIN…
Dodgers lose again, 3-2 to the D-Backs. Goldschmidt homered twice, including one off Kershaw, so at least he seems to terrorize the rest of the division and not just the Giants. Rox also lost, 3-2 to the Yanks, who had Vernon Wells playing at third in the 9th. Sure enough, he had to field a grounder, which he did for the 2nd out.