Two Incredible Plays
I admit to bailing a little early last night. Stuff came up. I watched the mlb.com replays this morning and was blown away by Perez’ throw out at third base and Venable’s catch in CF.
I know Perez was in short CF when he made that throw, so the fact that he threw it on the fly wasn’t unusual but the location he threw it to was absolutely perfect. It literally carried just over Forsythe into the glove of Arias who was in perfect position to let the momentum of the glove lead right into the diving base runner. Incredible. Forsythe is fast, he couldn’t believe that Perez made a play on him.
And when Venable makes a catch like that you just shake your head and go “not our night.”
Tough loss though, no matter how you cut it, after two bummer L’s in Atlanta and a long flight back that didn’t have them touch down in SF until 4:30am.
Hope they got their Z’s last night, go get ’em tonight…….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
You’re not the lone ranger Flav. I just told MacDog in the other thread, that I bailed early because I couldn’t keep my eyes open after the 9th inning (long story involving the weekend. Grin). Anywho, there were two unbelievable plays last night: 1. “The Throw” by Woo Hoo Perez (my new name for him); and 2. The catch by Venable of Woo Hoo’s shot to center. I just looked at the replay of that 3 times and still the same result. Ha.
In the immortal words of Private Hudson, “Game over man!”
Damn.
Belt had a couple hits vs. Braves in last game and a couple more last night. Each came when they were trying to go inside on him and he grounded or lined it into RF. Next step, I want to see him elevate one and yank it out, right down the line being a great spot for an HR at ATT. Without looking it up, I don’t think he has too many here this season, tho he does have a few walk offs.
Ground attack had one good inning, wasn’t quite enough. Poor Perez crushed that one, which was last I saw. Kid is off to a great start; loved the hustle to beat out the IF hit, range glove and arm look great. Hmmmn….
Ted, Mongo Santamaria is one of my heroes. I saw him play live at the old Keystone Berkeley, and one of my fav CDs is one he played on with Cal Tjader recorded live at Blackhawk in SF.
Yeah that had the makings of a tough night.Long flight home,didn’t bother with batting practice,Great play by Veneable to save the game on Perez.
Not to mention Bochy pulls a Donny 2 step and totally brain cramps a double switch with Posey and Dunning .And Crawford batting 3rd? Asked later about that Boch said:”Must of drank to much wine on the flight home from Atlanta.”
Kinda sucks to wake up this morning and find us in 4th place.Still its wide open only 1 1/2 out with are injuries and all,not feeling to bad..Get them tonight Boys,cause the Pads are playing their best ball right now.
The Crawford comment was a joke.
Home late last night from my agility class. Went in paused the game while I got the dog out and emptied my truck. I stuck with the entire game (for me, with a couple of pauses here and there, it was damned near midnight by the time it was over).
I had a bad feeling when the Pads kept getting the lead-off runner on, RISP, and the Giants couldn’t get that key hit that it wasn’t going to be our night.
Yes, spectacular plays, wrong result. The good…it is only one game and the Snakes and Rox lost, too. Only 1.5 back…and lots of ball to play. Cainer and Madison up next two games. Not tripping on this one…but damn it hurt.
Steve – other thread?
Last night . . . Flav initiated 2 threads yesterday, the last one being “Game Time Thread,” with the awesome, epic content of “Zito.” š
Correction on pitcher to pitcher numbers( BF pointed it out)
Zito- 5 for 24 .208 3 doubles
MadBum-4 for 22 .182 1 double
Cain- 2 for 29 .069 1 double 1 HR
Lincecum- 3 for 21 .143
Gaudin- 0 for 8
Sorry, I included non-pitchers batting ninth.
I went to youtube to listen to first track on CD I mentioned earlier, which was “Viva Cepeda” recorded 1958 in SF. One of the musicians in the band was timablero Willie bobo. He wrote and recorded a funky slow cut called “Fried Neckbones and Some Home Fries” which I always liked. I listened to that and looked for the Santana version, which was first track on “Santana” from 1969. One guy(doeye offend is his name) put the entire LP on y/t, so when I went to listen to it, on the widget at the right among a bunch of other Santana stuff is: OneFlapDown video of penguins taken by our own CV 2010.
Not sure how this happened, but all roads lead back here.
that’s awesome.
Two games in a row the Giants were done in by outstanding catches, J. Upton on Sunday and Venable last night, and it’s only added to the big-time funk on offense — 25 of their last 26 innings they haven’t scored a run. As a few of you suggested, I’m sure the red-eye flight from Atlanta didn’t help, so let’s see them shake it off, get Buster back in there and have Matty stop this losing streak.
Good thing the Giants are in a crap division. Looks like 87 wins could take this thing…
I went back to my predictions and this is what I said then, “Giants win the Division with 92 wins. San Diego, Diamondbacks, Los Angeles, and Rockies follow. San Diego and Atlanta take wild card spots.” That still has a chance to happen.
I picked Diego second, too. After a horrible start, they’re looking for real…
I think so. Personally, I think something “shakes out” by the All Star break of shortly afterwards (Giants have 3 games with AZ immediately following the All Star Game).
Some thoughts . . . Rockies have a major road trip as we speak; Giants have quite a few inter-division games; San Diego has now won 7 straight; Arizona is the only division team with a winning road record; and the Dodgers are the only team that might be considered hopeless right now, albeit, only 7 games out of first.
The City of San Jose is going to file a lawsuit against MLB re: the A’s Stadium. They had it in the can, probably waiting for good timing — like the sewage overflow. MLB does not want to have the Budster and the “committee” deposed on the thumb twidling and whittling they’ve been doing the last 4 years on this. This could get really interesting…
A’s should move away. I hate white shoes.
Wow…we agree on something, Nip (never on the DH, though). I too think the white shoes are gay as hell.
Go A’s…and take the Rayduhs with you!
When Pagan gets back, Perez has to be in the mix to platoon somewhere in the OF, probably LF. The guy’s defense is stellar…
Agree snarkk. I am hoping he “Wally Pipps” someone. Woo Hoo is the man!
I also like his hustle. His dive into 1st base (never a good idea, but . . . ) showed me this kid wants to play.
Yeah that Perez throw, I LIKE IT! Lets have more like that one.
Definitely think Perez needs to be in the mix. So, if you carry five OFers…you have Pagan, Reverernd, Blanco, Perez, and Torres. Right now they have four on the active roster, with Pagan on the 15 day DL.
IF they went with four after Pagan comes back, who is the short man out? Unfortunately, it is probably Perez.
Torres is shitting bullets right now. If Perez plays anywhere near the level he has played in the 6 games he has played since being called up, they will keep him on the roster IMO.
I don’t particularly need to see a lot more of Perez to make a call. Unless he falls flat on his face over the next few games, his defense is sorely needed…
First I’ll kind of use a quote from K&K: everything about that game was big leagues.
It was a terrific game. It would have gone our way if Venable didn’t make that amazing catch. A catch that looks even more amazing because of the way all that dirt flies up on the warning track. And Perez’s great throw was so unexpected that Kuiper had already given up on the play. His call was something like: “Base-hit to centerfield; the baserunner will get to thirdbase…………….GOT HIM!”
But having said that- we lose an extra inning game in 13 innings, and Bochy can’t find a way to get Posey, the reigning league MVP, an AB, a guy that can win the game in extras with one swing of the bat? That’s a screw up, IMO. Bochy needed to be a little more creative there. And not worry so much about using all the catchers. It seems like Bochy is still a little traumatized by that game where Feliz had to catch several years ago, or that game where Whitey pinch-ran for Posey. You can’t manage worrying about using up all the catchers in extra innings.
I’m a big Bochy fan; I just think he flubbed there. We had a weapon in our arsenal that was never used.
I agree on the Posey piece, Zume. Bochy did a double-switch…seems he would have made a switch where it ensured Posey batted in the bottom of the 13th…maybe that was the “too much wine” taking effect. š
Bochy did acknowledge he blew it with Posey …he was protesting a call and just forgot to make the switch.
http://blog.sfgate.com/giants/2013/06/18/why-buster-posey-never-batted-in-giants-13-inning-loss-to-padres/
The “buck” stops with Bochy, but what the fuck does Wotus get paid for? Or for that matter, his other coaches? All of them should be a “relief valve” so to speak when Bochy is managing the game. In my mind, Wotus gets a tongue lashing in private by Bochy.
How do we know Wotus hasn’t “saved” Bochy from some or tons of Bochy fuckups in the past?…
No idea. My point is that Bochy’s excuse of having forgot to make the move is altogether different from him intentionally not using Posey. Get my drift? I can forgive him forgetting something . . . However, his coaches should have reminded him of what the situation was. Otherwise, get rid of them (i.e., Meulens and Wotus).
3 popular sports DJs in Atlanta were recently fired for making fun of the New Orleans Saints player that was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease a few years ago.
It kind of reminded me of Larry Kreuger and the trouble he got into on the air when he got fired. KNBR eventually brought him back after a few years, and teamed him up with Gary Radnich. I was surprised they took a chance on him again. KNBR must have had some ratings issues with Radnich’s show. I have to admit, I’ve never really understood what Radnich’s show is. He would ask drivers what kind of car they’re driving, and junk like that. Whatever.
I don’t mind Krueger. He actually is pretty knowledgeable about football and baseball. He was constantly ripping the Giants when they sucked during the “dark period”, hence had no capital to protect him from the Giants demand that he get fired after his statements about Caribbean players. I think a suspension would have been enough, and it probably would have been, but Felipe Alou went crazy on him and called him the “devil” or similar without even knowing who we was and after Krueger personally apologized to him. After that Felipe rant, the KNBR morning show made fun of Alou and his remarks, which fanned the flames. So KNBR had to fire Krueger (who had zero to do with the morning show send up of Felipe) and the station manager to quell the PR firestorm. Krueger settled a lawsuit against KNBR for wrongful termination, but scumbag Cumulus is the new KNBR owner now, so that’s water under the bridge. From what I read/hear, Radnich rarely even goes to sporting events, he’s an entertainer, nothing more…
OF will sort itself out. Slumps injuries…I think Perez will get a good look. He’ll have to go through that “the book is still being assembled” stage. Teams will find what gets him out and exploit it and he’ll have to make the adjustments. He’s always been considered a *plus* defender and has shown some power in the minors.
He’s intriguing prospect because he didn’t play baseball after HS for 2 yrs–then went to a junior college to hone his skills, so he may have more upside than the average 26 yr old.
Good point Salty.
Yeah for sure the book around the league on Perez is far from complete,and Boch needs to ride the “Hot Hand” with him for now,cause their is little options. Kid shows great moxie and motivation. Keep playing him Bruce.
Giants signed Arroyo today. So they got both their high schooler’s signed– high risk high reward.
Flav, was that the kid that they interviewed during the game? I think he turned down Stanford.
No that was out 2nd round pick who signed before Arroyo (out first rd pick ) signed today
Arroyo had signed to go to U of Florida…
Yeah problem is both these picks are projected as SS
WTF happened going after Outfielders?
SOME SAY Arroyo may turn into a catcher. And Ryder Jones is a 3rd baseman. Either way, curious picks indeed. Neither were projected as highly as they went (especially Arroyo). If the Giants wanted him, why not take him with their 2nd or 3rd round pick? He woulda probably still been there……..
As I said the other night, Bleacher Report now gives SF the frightful ranking of 28th out of 30 in quality of minor league organizations, and called this Giants draft “baffling”. I’m not saying BReport is the be all, end all, but that’s pretty much the low end of the range of other rankings, usually in the 25 or so area. They can’t all be wrong, can they? I’d blow off Gatorland too if I were picked about 80 spots sooner than I had been projected, and about $1.7+ million more coin…
“Iād blow off Gatorland too if I were picked about 80 spots sooner than I had been projected, and about $1.7+ million more coinā¦”
Good point. Even the guy that decided against Stanford probably got much, much more than he was expecting and decided to reconsider his original choice of going to college.
If the Giants had picked Arroyo around #100 or, he probably would have gotten around a $500K bonus, so he got well over one $million more than was probably expected. Here’s last year’s draft order and money, this year’s was similar, most likely…
http://ht.ly/aYdTS
There were 6 OFers picked up in the first round Kat. Out of 33, I think. Maybe the pickens were slim, but Giants took only ONE OFer in their first 10 picks, TWO in their first 15…
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/team/draft.jsp?c_id=sf
Off topic . . . I am going to be switching back and forth between the Giants game and Heat/Spurs game six . . . I would love to see the Spurs close it out against the Heat, whom I really dislike.
Me as well. Though I ain’t about to stay up till 2-3am. I’ll leave that to Macdog and Eddddddd.
Indubitably.
Dodgers visiting Yankees stadium for first time in 32 years according to Pardon the Interruption. That’s weird because the stadium is new. š
For what it’s worth, here is Schulman’s take on Perez/Torres:
“Lot of folks are asking me if the #sfgiants will keep Juan Perez when Pagan is reactivated. I actually think that depends on Marco Scutaro’s health. If Scutaro is OK, the team might feel it needs Perez more than both Noonan and Abreu, and send Noonan down to get ABs. And, no, the Giants are not going to DFA Andres Torres. As I just noted on Twitter, Torres is hitting .324/.372/.437(Slg) right-handed. When Pagan returns, Torres should resume his role as a platoon outfielder vs. lefties”
Tonight:
1. Gregor Blanco (L) LF
2. Marco Scutaro (R) 2B
3. Buster Posey (R) C
4. Hunter Pence (R) RF
5. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
6. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
7. Joaquin Arias (R) 3B
8. Juan Perez (R) CF
9. Matt Cain (R) P
Link to actual lawsuit filed today by SJose against MLB.
Click to access 551-139_2013-06-18_COMPLAINT__WITH%20EXHIBITS_.pdf
I saw that. Strange approach. The state law claims are up front, the Sherman Act section 1 claim, which is the real challenge to the A/T exemption (territorial division of competition being the crux), is pleaded last, and I don’t think San Jose has standing or antitrust injury to pursue it. But the state law claims all attach to the A/T allegations, especially the interf. w/ econ advantage (claim 1) — which asserts A/T violation as the independently wrongful conduct. Still, I predict the federal claims get dismissed on Rule 12 motions and the judge declines to exercise jurisdiction over the state law claims. The A/T issues then may simmer in the background in superior court. Of course, there is that sec. 17200 claim, which I guess San Jose’s city attorney can assert for injunctive relief. That could get interesting.
Meanwhile, however, mlb may jump into action and broker a deal to let the A’s move — just to avoid the circus.
The 17200 claim is always a toss in. This suit is nothing but a negotiating ploy. The A’s had no leverage, the 4-year-long “committee” meeting shows that. So, when Bud ignored SJ’s Mayor Reed in April and told him to pound sand for a meeting, the filing had to happen, just a question of when, in order to get MLB to pay attention and start some negotiations. Cotchett knows his way around anti-trust, he was on the losing end of the Al Davis v. NFL suit in moving to LA. I’m no antitrust guy, so I have no idea if there’s any traction there. But, no way does MLB want a trial on anti-trust issues. This will go away via summary judgment for MLB or if not, they’ll give up SJose to the A’s first, they will not risk getting an adverse anti-trust decision in district court, and then set up an appeals process in the 9th Circuit. And, no way MLB wants Bud and the “committee” to be deposed on what they’ve been doing for 4 years (lots of lunches, probably, in addition to nothing else)…
also, minor detail — the “wheel” system has assigned this case of worldwide interest to Magistrate Judge Lloyd, in the San Jose courthouse. Magistrates, good as some are, are the second tier trial judges in the federal system. I’ll bet Lloyd’s hoping neither side decides to excuse him. Fat chance.
Hungry, starved for a win. Need it like a drug, like insulin or cortisone or metaphysical steroids. Need it. May it be so.
“I used to have a drug problemā¦..now I make enough money. ā¦ David Lee Roth”
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that’s hilarious, I’ve never heard that quote from him
Well, here’s one more baseball related . . . “I donāt know. I never smoked AstroTurf. ā¦ Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or artificial turf, 1974”
Maholm and Wheeler in scoreless duel going to bottom of 6th.
Wheeler 5 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 4 BB 6 K 84 pitches 44 strikes
Just info, like that for other notable rookies posted here.
Snarkk (and others interested in this topic): Arroyo signed for 1.86mil and I agree, it makes sense that he took that considering where he was ranked. But the Giants didn’t have to offer him that, they could have low balled him, he could have said “screw it” I’m going to college and we would have gotten a compensation pick next year. So by giving him the slot amount that tells me the Giants really wanted this kid and, as you said, it’s obvious why he bailed on college if they’re willing to throw the entire slot at him.
Still, to me, it doesn’t make a lot of sense unless they know something others don’t know about him. But really, what could they “know”.? High school players, all of them, are a shot in the dark…….
I had a lot of shots in the dark in high school.
Thinking that they knew something that other teams didn’t was a never a very succesful draft strategy here. I wouldn’t expect to change with Arroyo, who already seems to be a guy without a position.
yeah, I didn’t like the pick either.
I missed it- did Scutaro actually move Blanco to third with a BUNT?
swinging accidental bunt
I feel better now, thanks.
Crawford’s injury did not look good.
oh no; I won’t ask, so don’t tell.
Baggs: Sprained middle and index finger on Crawford’s right hand, Giants say.
So, if we go by Pagan’s injury, he’ll be out day to day for a month…
Noonan has hit better since he was brought up again, 5 for 13. He seems to like getting yanked back and forth. Maybe they can send him for coffee every day, or a burger run.
Spurs about to upset the Heat. Ohhhhh yeah! Back to your regular broadcast. š
Addendum – Refs did get the Stern memo, i.e., game 7 will be scheduled. š
Well, Cain’s back to his blow up inning thing again with the dingers…
Another great throw and an ump right on top of the call for a change.
I’m generally a gun control guy, but not now. Let this kid Perez throw!
I don’t need to see any more from Perez. 3 great assists from CF in a week is no fluke. This kid can play the OF, he needs to be in the platoon rotation for sure…
They’ll need to figure out how to get him starts against RHers,
Who says our farm system can’t produce a good outfielder. (grin)
Clutch Blanco!
Stay hot, White Shark.
Heck of a lot of good games between these teams in the Bochy/Black Era. When Bochy steps down one day, they could do worse than Black were he available.
I’ve thought the same thing myself–I think Black is terrific.
Man, they really miss Casilla.
That pretty much sucks..
Padres have something magical going on. Giants on the other hand….
Well, if Hundley, Forsythe, and Guzman can hit it out, one of Posey, Pence, Belt shoulld be able to do it.
Well, Belt durn near did it.
Yeah…..he just didn’t enough of it. Must have caught it off the end of the bat or something.
Close, Twin, oh-so-close.
Missed yours,Mac. Man, I thought it was out.
Juan does it all!
Wow, this Perez kid is making himself darn near indispensable.
Belt with the clutch hit. Seems he has really good nights every so often, with a good amount of inaction in-between. Need more consistency…
I don’t see that he’s any more inconsistent that most. He’s 15 for 38 in his last 10 games, BTW.
Allllllllllright!
The Prez makes a statement!
Gnight, girls. Big win.
Probably see Torres and Perez tomorrow. In fact, I’d book it.
Swell game, night all.
Hey Flavor, what do you really think of Amy G.?