Tanaka-mania!!

Posted in Uncategorized by zumiee on July 13, 2013

Well, maybe it’s too soon to call it that, but still…..he’s brought some spark to the offense when it was completely dead in the water. He’s given hope that leftfield for the Giants is no longer the biggest sucking cosmic black-hole of the universe. A feeling of hope has returned to Giants fans these last couple of days, for the 2013 season. Maybe it’s not a lost cause after all. And, heck, after all that’s happened, the Giants are still not all that far behind the division leaders. Sure, Tanaka-mania is nowhere near Puig-mania, but we’ll take what we can get. We’re feeling hope for the season again, and it’s a very nice feeling!

Oh, and of course, excellent starting pitching the last two games is pretty darned important, too. That will be key in the second half of the season to make any kind of run at the playoffs. Playoffs?!! As Jim Mora famously said, we’re just trying to win the next game! And that’s a very good goal. The Giants just need to focus on winning the next game. And only one thing can stop Tanaka-mania. Yes, it’s coming. The thing that we all dread now. The thing that Giants fans absolutely now in no way want to see. And that thing is…….

FRENCHY!! No, say it ain’t so! Please say that Bochy won’t be taking Tanaka out to give starts to Frenchy! It cannot be! Well, we can hope it cannot be. We’ll see. The original plan was to platoon Tanaka and Frenchy; but maybe that’s changed now. Surely Bochy won’t start platooning yet. Or will he? Here’s a sobering paragraph from an article: “Prior to his ouster from Kansas City, Francoeur was hitting .208 with a .571 OPS in 193 trips to the plate, hitting left-handers equally as poorly as he hit right-handers. Francoeur is only 29 years old, but not many are optimistic about his ability to play at the Major League level.”

The season is still full of possibilty. It ain’t over yet. The Dodgers looked very human last night. Kershaw lost, and Puig has a hitch in his get-along and had to leave in the middle of the game. The Giants have many players who have under-achieved this season so far, and can have much better performances in the second half. There is still time for the 2013 Giants to…..

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Nipper said, on July 13, 2013 at 2:52 am

That stove piped hat……..when did they become fashionable and why? Now that’s the history I want to know.
- Nipper said, on July 13, 2013 at 2:56 am
  
  Reference to that book with Lincoln standing with his generals. I can imagine him asking his generals, why can’t we fight and win like Lee?
  - chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:01 am
    
    As the Clown says…Lee, and the CSA got their asses handed to them by Abe and the Union Army.
Bozo said, on July 13, 2013 at 5:27 am

Abe was 1-0 against the CSA. Somebody get him warmed up, looks like we’ll be needing him again.
- Nipper said, on July 13, 2013 at 1:55 pm
  
  Sherman and his march into Atlanta sure changed Abe’s fortunes dramatically.
willedav said, on July 13, 2013 at 7:38 am

Hopefully Tanaka can be catalyst to get others going, as he was last night. Pence finally got a couple hits, blanco scored 4 times, Andres had rbi hit left handed, and once again everyone in LU contributed.
It’s nice to see SF score some runs and get nice contributions up and down the LU, but really it’s all about getting better pitching and defense.
I’m gonna go listen to a version on youtube of
“What a Difference a Day Makes….”
24 little hours…..
blade3colorado said, on July 13, 2013 at 7:41 am

Zumiee, excellent “pitch hit” for Flavor. Per his post yesterday, I thought I would wake up to the “wordsmith” Kokonuts pitch hitting for the Flavster, but you batted out of order and again, did an outstanding job. Here in Flapper land, we don’t have any stinkin’ rules about batting out of order, so all is good. 😉

I never doubted that the Giants would get on track (umm, yeah right blade . . . I was with snarkk leading people up the 100 flight of stairs to the roof and ledge). Anywho, it’s good to see a 2 game win streak and hopefully, it will continue.
Alleykat said, on July 13, 2013 at 7:57 am

Hard to believe but the Giants have the best record within the NL west at 26-19.
So keep playing strong within are division and we can jump back in this race in no time.
- blade3colorado said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:06 am
  
  Good post AK.
- chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:03 am
  
  Second that…good stuff. And I agree.
  
  WTF…was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!?
PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:45 am

Thanks, zumiee, for stepping into the batter’s box, digging in your cleats, swinging a few times for practice, adjusting your cup, spitting, tightening your writer’s gloves, and posting this fine Tanakatarian thread. Bipolar doomer-to-cheerleader fan that I am (without the pom-poms or skirt, thank you), I declare I shall be disappointed if we do not roll into the break riding Padres-imprinted brooms. Yes, we can.
PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:47 am

. . . and someone send our Anna a bouquet of flowers, or a case of Scotch, or carton of ciggies, a box of Oxycontin, a supply of condoms. WHATEVER SHE WANTS.
- chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:06 am
  
  WHATEVER SHE WANTS…and if she wants a little “Sumpin Sumpin” then I nominate Blade to lay some pipe for the ol’ girl!
PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:52 am

So, Posey gets 5 RBIs, the Giants win 10-1, put together consecutive wins for first time since June, and as of this moment, on my laptop, which via any tracking would show my Giants preferences, ESPN MLB headlines totally ignore us.

By the way, where’s Twin? Hope he’s okay. I was hiding for a while, so if there was any sort of announcement I missed it.
- Alleykat said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:04 am
  
  Pawlie, BF posted Twin was having some motor-skill issues affecting his typing ability.
  Sure pray it gets better for him soon,as I and other Flappers miss his baseball knowledge. Wishing the best for you Twin!!
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:09 am
    
    I second that.
    
    (Appreciate the update, AK.)
  - chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:09 am
    
    That is true. A number of Flappers sent Twin emails a few days back. I got a reply back on the 12th, and he had another seizure…MRI or CAT scan was a possibility. I sent him another email this morning, but have not heard back from him.
    
    Keep him and Merna in your thoughts and prayers. This place just isn’t the same without him.
  - Alleykat said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:39 am
    
    Yeah your so right about that Chi.
    Twin’s ornery scowl is missed by me.
    Like you and others have mentioned, him calling us Dickwads,FOS ,A-Holes,Pond scum,maggots of little intellect, is amusing to me at times.
    But then we I nail him once in awhile like the “Chris”Dominguez gaffe when I was talking about “Matt”Dominquez of the Astros in a trade(which i would still like to happen) he did “STEP” up to the plate and apologize to me after ragging on me for his own mistake and being caught by others on it.
- dowd said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:07 am
  
  Its two wins against the awful Padres, who have lost 12 of 14. They are still 8 under .500. Nice to see a sweep here, then they need to sweep AZ to warrant any notice.
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:12 am
    
    no question…but it’s come to this: these small pleasures fire us up. Speaking of fire, this will make you forget about the Giants, Tanaka, Frenchy, Puig, Anna, and your ATM [I was too scared even to finish reading]:
    
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/07/13/when-space-weather-attacks/?hpid=z3
  - chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:12 am
    
    Damn…I only read down about five or six paragraphs. That is depressing as hell to even think about. I’m cycling back to Anna and Tanaka…because all my worrying will not change a damned thing.
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:11 am

Yeah, all the talk of ‘they have to go 44-20 to reach x amount of games’ is all bullshit. It really is the stupid cliche of win the next one. Plenty of teams have overcome 6 game deficits in shorter amounts of time. Pitching and defense helps, but the hitting has to continue. Encouraging is all the opposite field hits yesterday.
- chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:13 am
  
  Uh, our boys came back from more of a deficit in 2010 (and later in the season). Six and a half ain’t shit, as long as they can get it together and start playing consistent winning ball.
James said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:50 am

As I face writing several performance reviews and filling a number of positions over the next month, I can only regard Bochy and Sabes with the utmost envy. Why aren’t a few simple, highly reliable, publicly available metrics, updated in real time, available to me?
- chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:14 am
  
  DOH! I feel for ya James. I was in management for years…and just got burned out it. Don’t miss it at all. Good luck.
chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:16 am

Nice post, Zumie. Thanks for filling in. So, I have been in and out of late. Is Flavor out on vacation or something?

AS I mentioned at the end of last night’s thread…if Zito can get a W today, our boys just may sail into the AS break riding a sweep of the Friars.

GO GIANTS!
- Nipper said, on July 13, 2013 at 2:12 pm
  
  Zito? What about Lincecum?
denniszu said, on July 13, 2013 at 11:56 am

Enjoyed the post… Yeah, 2 consecutive wins against a loser isn’t something to write home about. But under the covers Giant fans can see the chemistry might just be coming back… Pitching was crisp and hitting with RISP had a little more spark to it…A little more believing in themselves was apparent.
I can almost predict that if this is a sweep of the PODS, next Friday at home, the heads of the Snake will be
cut and this team will feel deja vu…..
GO GIANTS!
- Nipper said, on July 13, 2013 at 2:15 pm
  
  A couple of wins and some get giddy. They have to get back to .500. Anything less is just not good enough.
  - Dowd said, on July 13, 2013 at 3:21 pm
    
    You’re always the sensible one.
  - denniszu said, on July 13, 2013 at 4:48 pm
    
    Nip…..no issue there…. but they don’t need to press themselves….that will only result in a ton LOB….
    one game at a time and the chemistry will take over……..
zumiee said, on July 13, 2013 at 3:02 pm

Thanks for the kind words, folks. Flappers are the coolest folks around.
—–
Tim’s pitched well against the Padres this season:
“The 29-year-old righty is 4-9 with a 4.61 ERA in 18 starts this season, splitting two outings versus the Padres with a 1.32 ERA. Lincecum is 11-6 lifetime versus the Padres with a 2.34 ERA in 24 meetings, holding them to a pair of runs in 13 2/3 frames this year.”
zumiee said, on July 13, 2013 at 3:05 pm

The Braves are missing their entire starting outfield these days, due to injuries. The season is definitely a long haul. They’re one of many teams looking forward to the All-Star break.
Flavor said, on July 13, 2013 at 5:50 pm

Zumiee– thanks for stepping up today, great post. I was in Portland last night and now I’m in Central Oregon at a great little resort called Black Butte. Love it up here.
I was blasting some fairly monstrous drives today. It’s at altitude so I have to check myself but it still felt awesome. Nothing better than launching a perfect drive….
I’m coming back tomorrow night and all I’ve got is my ph up here so if someone else wants to launch another epic post like Zumiee, go for it….
Nipper said, on July 13, 2013 at 6:20 pm

I admit to being greedy, so Giants please win another one tonight. After all, these guys are the Padres and beating them is the thing to do.
snarkk said, on July 13, 2013 at 7:45 pm

I’m out more than in tonite, dudes. Grilling some chateaubriand and mahi mahi, the ol’ surf and turf action. Plenty of Napa red flowing, too, out on the deck. I’ll be listening out on the radio…
- zumiee said, on July 13, 2013 at 7:55 pm
  
  Channel 31 in the Central Valley has lost the connection. Just a blank screen. It seems the NBC broadcasts of the Giants games often have technical difficulties.
  - zumiee said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:02 pm
    
    And….it’s back on the air.
WilcoJoe said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:19 pm

BB!
WilcoJoe said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:22 pm

My dad is in town from CA…Watching the game at local “brestaraunt”, called Twin Peaks.
Flavor said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:33 pm

Following the gm a little on my ph. Looking good. What’s Anna working on, 16-0?
James said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:40 pm

When I saw Lincecum pitch in that 16 inning nightmare, despite his impressive performance, I couldn’t ignore the visible difference between his fastball and Harvey’s. The nostalgia bummed me out, because Timmy has had such a tough time adjusting. The split and the curve ball are good enough for him to be successful at 90-92 mph. Is it finally happening?
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:05 pm
  
  Lincecum’s FB was up and away in the 1st and 2nd too often. His pitch count got up. He adjusted, at least in this game. He’s still using the FB, but with a bit more control. As I’ve said before, maybe tiresomely but still–don’t ever give up on Lincecum, because he won’t.
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:08 pm
  
  Oh, yeah–Belt’s had a helluva game already. Slick fielding and some of his best swings in a long time.
Bozo said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:47 pm

Woot woot!
Macdog said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:48 pm

Clear the bases!
Bozo said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Hey Volquez, in this league, the bill of the cap is in the front.
manny said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:51 pm

A fucking plethora of runs, now these are the games I like to watch.
James said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:53 pm

One of the more surprising stats I’ve seen recently is Lincecum’s career walk totals. He has more, uh, plate discipline than some position players.
Alleykat said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:57 pm

Yeah fuck the Pads..
Keep them as bottom feeders as they deserve.Timmy dealing tonight,nice to see.
No hit these bums!!!
PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 8:58 pm

I wanted to go to bed for my 5-hour drive down to Finnerty’s early tomorrow. How can I now?
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:02 pm
  
  You can’t. Get someone to drive you and sleep on the way.
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:07 pm
    
    Can’t but ain’t going to bed either. Anybody got a pirate streaming feed of the game? MLB will have live look-ins.
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:07 pm

I smoke my own pole
- PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:08 pm
  
  stop
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:14 pm
  
  man, dodger trolls sure are predictable
- Bozo said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:35 pm
  
  Man Roooooster, how long was that dinner date, four years? I’m sure during that whole time you’ve been meaning to get over here and congratulate the Giants on their two Championships, no?
  - Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:50 pm
    
    Hey Bozo – I congratulated your Giants here a few times now – where ya been?
  - Bozo said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:22 pm
    
    Really Fowl Cholera? I don’t seem to recall any congrats. I do seem to recall you getting all pumped up over your big trade last year. Something about team chemistry didn’t matter or something.
xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:16 pm

This is a stange predicament for Bochy. Lincecum has trouble getting past the 6th inning this season; he’s coming up on 100 pitches. If you can pull Cain in the first inning with two outs and only one runner on base, I think you can pull Lincecum tonight, even if he gets out of this inning.
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:19 pm
  
  Well, with a huge lead, . . . . ???? I say no. The last great game Lincecum pitched was the 133-pitch complete game shuthout he threw against Oakland in the middle of 2011. There’s no reason to let him push that hard now.
  - Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:23 pm
    
    Yeah, he’s not built to hang past a little over 100 pitches. Yank him.
  - xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:24 pm
    
    He’s struggled for the past two seasons. We realize that, asshole.
twinfan1 said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:22 pm

Just a quick note, I’ll try to make a post on my blog in the next couple days. I’ve sent Emails to a few of you who have inquired. For now I’ll just say that my condition has deterioriated and it’s extremely difficult for me to post. I don’t anticipate any signigificant improvement so I don’t imagine that you’ll see much of me. Unlike my other “retirements”, this is about my health and also how it impacts my wife’s care, and not any dispute or argument here. I appreciate and respect everyone of you and wish you all the best.
- tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:27 pm
  
  Cool, twin. I was kinda hoping you would have ripped me a new one with a couple dumb posts I did last night but you just take care, my friend
- PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:31 pm
  
  Hard to respond to this, Mike. I know there have been other times when you have bounced back and resumed your jaunty ways here despite severe hardships. But I respect that there are larger issues in play, and I know I speak for many when I say we deeply feel the presence of your absence. You continue to be in our prayers. And we are grateful for what you have brought here.
- Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:31 pm
  
  Hey, twin – sorry to hear you are under the weather – have always respected your baseball acumen and hope you beat this latest hurdle just as you have all the previous ones in the past. Hang in there, twin – all the best.
- Macdog said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:37 pm
  
  Twin, I’m very sorry to hear this as your absence here is always missed. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:30 pm

PABLO!!!
xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:31 pm

Well, hell. Great play from Pablo, good play from Blanco. What the hell. The AS break is coming . . . .
tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:33 pm

DINGER AND 5TH RBI!!! PENCE
tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:35 pm

This is a little weird.
Is San Diego’s pitching really that bad?
- Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:39 pm
  
  Yes.
- James said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:41 pm
  
  It is as bad as the Giants’ has been this season . . . so far.
Macdog said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:38 pm

Quick inning, boy, was that needed.
tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:38 pm

Pence, even without the beard, still looks like a nutso Kirk Douglas in Lust For Life
Macdog said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:41 pm

Just walk away Rene.
Flavor said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:42 pm

Espn just picked this up so I’m watching
- PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:50 pm
  
  espn online or TV? MLB.com has been going live for the home innings.
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:43 pm

It’s official : Padres the worst team in MLB.
tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:47 pm

OH YEAH!!!!
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:47 pm

That was clutch.
PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:49 pm

Pence saves it!
Bozo said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:49 pm

The HP ump, Wegner (?) is doing his best to break it up.
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:54 pm
  
  I don’t know. All the umps in this game have been tough, on both sides.
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:50 pm

I taped this game and have been buzzing through it, and it wasn’t until JUST NOW I realized what was going on.
- Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:52 pm
  
  Figures you slow MF.
- Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:53 pm
  
  Figures, you slow MF.
  - Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:53 pm
    
    Weird
  - xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:55 pm
    
    dumb fuck
  - unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:55 pm
    
    Sez the dumbfuck that posts twice.
    
    HA ha
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:56 pm

130? Good thing the All-Star break comin’ up
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:57 pm

The pisser here is Timmy seems to be coming around, and now he’s gonna throw 145?
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:57 pm

That was fouled off
- unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:59 pm
  
  No it wasn’t Don’t be a dick Rooster. Hedley didn’t argue.
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:58 pm

uno
snarkk said, on July 13, 2013 at 9:58 pm

Wow…
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:00 pm

1 more out…
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:00 pm

dos
tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:01 pm

Oh fuck, can it be
- tedspe said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:02 pm
  
  NO HITTER MOTHER FUCKER
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:02 pm

Man, the Padres S U C K B A L L S, big time .
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:02 pm
  
  no, you suck balls, small time.
- chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:03 pm
  
  Almost as much as that other SoCal team that rocks blue…
xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:02 pm

holy fuck. what a gutsy pitching performance. the freak will never quit.
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:02 pm

TIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:02 pm

Damn. Was out with some of my Air Force first sergeant buds tonight to pick up my retirement saber and didn’t catch the game until the bottom of the 8th. Wow! Ballgame AND NO NO!
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:03 pm

This season could not be any weirder.
Macdog said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:03 pm

FREAK-IN’ AWESOME!!!
Bozo said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:03 pm

Hell Yeah.
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:03 pm

tres
Flavor said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:03 pm

Anna….
- unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:04 pm
  
  She’s beyond money. She’s fucking platinum.
- chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:06 pm
  
  Yeah Baby! Ana and Tanaka-San! Both of them must be serving up some damned good sushi…
snarkk said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:03 pm

Timmy, what a performance for this guy. The Freak!….
chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:04 pm

I agree Chuck. This season to date has been a Grateful Dead type of year…”What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been,,,”

Wow…sorry I missed it, but I did record it with an extra 30 minutes. I know what I’m doing tomorrow morning…
wswins said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:05 pm

That’s somethin
unca_chuck said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:06 pm

I thought if he was gonna do it, Timmy woulda done it 3 years ago. I didn’t think he had it in him at this point.

Unfuckingbelievable. BIg time Timmy Jim.
Rooster said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:06 pm

Take a rip in honor of the Freak! Good for him – a testament to all who partake in the sweet leaf!
- xoot said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:08 pm
  
  so that’s your excuse? you’re ripped?
  - chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:12 pm
    
    Baha…
PawlieKokonuts said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:07 pm

I am truly happy for this young man. And Buster almost gave him whiplash from a behind-the-back hug as Timmy watched the final out. Memorable scene. Wow. And wow.
snarkk said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:07 pm

Timmehhhhhhhhh!….
snarkk said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:08 pm

He better ice that damn arm down before it falls off. He does ice it now, right?…
James said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:10 pm

And he did it without Hector calling the game 🙂
chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:11 pm

Wow…I’m still tripping on this. Damn, what a gutsy-assed performance by The Freak. Un-Fucking-Real.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_07_13_sfnmlb_sdnmlb_1
Macdog said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:13 pm

What great plays by Panda and Pence to help make this such a memorable night for Timmy. Those fielders really must be dialed in on when a no-hitter is within reach.
snarkk said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:13 pm

And, he cut down the heart of their order 3-4-5 to finish it off. Tim’s got outsize balls tonight. I am so stoked for this guy, one of my favorite Giants of all time. Big Time Timmy Jim!…
chipower9 said, on July 13, 2013 at 10:14 pm

Another magical moment in New York/San Francisco Giant lore…