Shut Out, Predictably, Again
Last night in the 4th inning I almost posted something about this feeling like another shutout coming but I thought that was a little too obvious at that point. I did make a point to mock the 2nd half of our line up before the game. The final 4 triple A guys we had hitting went 2-11. That’s better than I thought they’d do. That was better than the supposed major league guys in front of them who went 2-15.
James Shields threw his first complete game since 2012 and you had the feeling all along that he wasn’t the only one who could have gone the distance last night. If I am a pitcher I throw nothing but sliders to Pence and Morse and I bet I strike them out 80% of the time…..
After the game there was lots of positive talk about still being in the race and just needing to play better. That was just words for the beat guys to print. I’d love to hear what Huddy thinks about the line ups he’s had hitting for him in his last couple of starts. If you go back and look at those starting line ups they’re littered with guys who shouldn’t be playing at this level or who aren’t ready to play at this level.
I get it. There’s no help coming from the farm system. Pagan is back but Belt is a total wild card right now. Sabean HAS to go find another outfielder and stick Morse and his ground ball hitting ways at first base–or the bench where he belongs. And this isn’t a push for Rios necessarily. I’m talking about any outfielder who can be considered a major league player—I’d even take Ben Revere if his health checks out. And if he doesn’t go get an outfielder he has to go get a second baseman. He should go get both. Deals can and will get done before September 1st.
But he can’t wait that long. We have four minor leaguers in today’s line up (Panic, Duvall, Duffy and Susac). —and they are ALL hitting next to each other, lol. Go try to find a team even remotely in contention with four, unproven minor league hitters in today’s line up, hitting next to each other or otherwise. You just can’t win consistently at this level at this time of year with that kind of nonsense in your daily line up……
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fun facts from yesterday: Bad Penny, whoops I mean “Brad Penny”, started for the Marlins yesterday and won. And Heath Hembree was the rock from the Boston bullpen in last night’s 19 inning win going 4 innings and giving up no runs.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Couple others…Surkamp got a W last night by getting last 2 outs in 9th and then ChiSox (who are in town next) beat Mariners in the 10th.
And now LA has picked up Correia from the Twins with Beckett on DL.
I saw Hembree’s line, impressive. I also wanted to see if that 19 inning game lasted longer than Sox Yanks regular 9 inning games, but no.
It’s painful to watch the club lately. Who am I kidding? It’s been painful for quite a while. Sure, the Bowker gang bottom of the lineups aren’t inspiring but there just doesn’t seem to be much fire or fight or whatever the heck you want to call it. A rudderless ship. Lost at sea, springing leaks and taking on water. Sabean should have grabbed a bucket a month ago.
i was wrong, we have FOUR minor leaguers filling out the bottom of the order today. Jesus, at the very least break them up a little. What it likely means is that even if one of the top four guys get on base they’re doomed to die there. Come on, FOUR IN A ROW?
Well guys: It’s not looking so well, is it? Something is missing from this team. The spirit, the effervescence, the will to win simply is not there. Bumgarner’s game was instructive. Plenty of Giants got hits. But where were the runs. Few enough to drive a class pitcher crazy. Last night our swords could not cope with their Shields. It’s getting old. Somewhat of a re-run of ’11 with the turd taking down Posey at the plate. Team coped for awhile but then ran out of steam. Same scenario only this time its Belt and Pagan who have been MIA for long, too long. That and Sabean not getting the budget to stock a potent bench of $2-3M/year guys who certainly were available.
This one’s on the cheapskate owners always concerned about topping out their investments. As if those bass turds actually needed more money. Sickening.
and sure, Duffy or Duvall could pop one. That’s not the point. Four freaking minor leaguers in a row (and you could argue that Morse is playing like one making it FIVE in a row) is a recipe for a losing season. If the Giants keep this up it wouldn’t surprise me at all if we finished .500 this year.
Initial story about Tony Stewart running over and killing another racer (that got out of his car and was going to confront Stewart before he was run over), indicated that, “it’s business as usual and Tony will be racing on Sunday.” WTF????? I am not certain, but I think the person that said this was Mike Arning, a spokesperson for Stewart. However, it could have been someone else on Stewart’s team.
Fast forward a few minutes ago, this ESPN article has been deleted and a new one says that Stewart wont be racing. Someone either got their story wrong or someone on Stewart’s race team came to their senses and canceled Stewart’s participation in today’s race.
Car racing is stoopid. Not really a sport. Something more like Roman gladiatorial events. Something is really weird in the psyches of so many people, celebrating gas-guzzling, carbon-polluting nonsense when all this crap is eating up our poor planet.
Interesting comments on Pav’s blog from Twin and others about what Giants should/might do next year.
Not a lot about right now.
Outside Lands in SF, San Jose Jazz fest downtown. I’ve been to that one before, lot of good performers nice venue, very walkable to catch different stages.
Years ago buddies/gals from work went downtown Jose to see Pete Escovedo big band play in grassy area opposite Fairmont and other hotels. One gal and I went to get food btw bands. She’s in line, and I’m crowd watching and hear a guy near me yell out, “Man, that snake is phony.” Which it wasn’t, a very thick bodied boa wrapped around this dude’s shoulder.
Needless to say, when I pointed him out to the gal, we moved quickly and quietly elsewhere.
Morse just got scratched with an ingrown toe nail. Yikes. Arias to first?
This will only affect the 2-3 people nation wide that have Morse on their Fantasy teams today. 🙂
Watching yesterday’s game, I was trying to figure out the expression on Bochy’s face whenever the camera would pan to him. Overall, I saw two alternating looks… one was a look of quasi-disgust, which I’d never really seen before from him, and the other one was sort of bewilderment.. like, “how the hell did I end up with this kind of lineup, in August, trying to compete?” I’ve said it before; while he sometimes makes some head-scratching moves, he’s been a rock of patience and steadiness. I’m guessing this has been a frustrating season for him in the sense that he might feel a bit helpless; afterall, it’s up to these players to do their jobs, and for the most part the past 2 months and trending downward, they haven’t. Only so much he can do. Sabean, on the other hand, could’ve done a lot more…. and hopefully still will. They’re still in it. But that “trending downward” needs to stop. Soon.
If you’re looking for blame, Stick nailed it at 9:08.
The message is be happy with your 2 titles (I am), and go bang a chick wearing a Panda hat (my dream)…
well, being happy with the 2 titles is probably why ownership is capping the salary. RIght? They’ve got 2 in the bank, they sell a shitload of merchandise, and ATT is filled to the brim with 40K who really don’t complain much at all.
There is simply no urgency for ownership to increase payroll even to pick up cheapies like Rios. And considering the financial state of the Giants, Rios IS a cheapie.
with Morse out, 5-9 goes like this: Duvall, Duffy, Panik, Susac, Blanco.
WOW!
could be a “pray for rainout” day.
It seems crystal clear to me that upper management has mailed it in. Rich creeps don’t wanna mess with their profit margins. Too bad for us fans. Yes, no doubt Bochy has good reason to look disgusted. Unless a transplanted second Miracle of Coogan’s Bluff occurs and unless the moneybags go all in on medium cost Free Agents; it would not surprise me a bit if BB15 hangs em up before April.
Maybe we could call today’s lower lineup a Susac squad after Japan’s WWII Kamikazes.
I still do believe that a late arrival (ala Ross) could provide a spark, some offense, something to get everyone moving again and “doing their jobs”. We’ve seen how the team can win if everyone is healthy and “doing their jobs”. But it does need to come soon. And if it doesn’t, then I guess I would have to agree that management kind of gave up. I really didn’t think they would do that this year, and still have hopes they’re not done.
Giants didn’t get Cody till 8/23 when they were in 2nd place – 5.5 back. He started his Giant career 5 for 35 till he got it going. Looked all this up…
There was a game in the late 80’s, I think, when the Giants were getting clobbered – took out all their starters – and the scrubs rallied from way behind to win. Anyone remember it?
I think Ownership would happily have paid if there was a reasonable deal out there for a guy who could have an impact.. There just weren’t many players *avail* unless you wanted to get screwed trading your best prospects or pay 20m for a guy like Utley.
Zobrist? Rays weren’t selling unless they got Crick and Susac +.
Rangers were probably asking for too much for Rios, a 33 yr old who has hit .238 the past month, shown zero power in a hitter’s park this year, and has a bum ankle.
Who else?
Dodgers have settled for Hernandez and Correia. Wow!…Yankees haven’t made any acquisitions worth a damn. And both teams have money to burn.
Jesus
PGA and house chores….
Makes little sense to me with the way the offense is going that Bochy keeps Pence second. ..wtf? I have had enough already of today’s game…
Agreed, batting Pence second in this lineup array is simply stoopid.
They are a complete unwatchable product unless you like watching farce
Lincecm looked uncomfortable as soon as Aoki got on.
Thank god there’s the PGA going on today.
Has it started back up after the rain delay? Can’t happen soon enough.
So we’re going to see Frank Duffy pitch to himself this inning?
It will be interesting to see how long the sell out streak lasts. The thing about this team right now is they are boring as hell. They have no hitters in the lineup worth watching and the same can be said of the pitching staff. At least when Lincecum and Cain were in their prime, they were fun as hell to watch. Mad bum is about as close we get and he is far from dominant. I think it’s going to take some really creative manuerving for Sabean to put a competitive team on the field next year. I for one would be okay with a complete rebuild, similar to what the Red Sox did two years ago and are doing again this year…Maybe reload is a better term.
Problem is, I have zero confidence in Sabean’s ability to do just that.
There’s so many leaks on this boat Sabean must be praying for the Coast Guard to bail him out. He should start his vacation now and let his assistant take the heat that surely will follow.
Kruk is pretty obsessed with release time and he fires of the number a nano-second after the play ends. Do you think he’s sitting there with a stopwatch timing it himself? How else could he get the number that quickly?
Lincecum with another shitty start. Fits this season to a tee.
Look on the positive, Morse ain’t playing. What a loser!
and how about a quick Morse Rant: an ingrown toenail? Shit dude, stop admiring your biceps for 5 minutes and cut your disgusting toenails every 2-3 weeks. Trust me, it’ll pay off!
agreed….
Thoughtful of Timmeh to give the ‘pen some much needed work. Defensive brilliance behind the plate also contributed.
Put the whole team on waivers.
Kruk just dropped a “for all you young catchers out there…” and now I know the season is over.
That line is about as relevant as “if you’re scoring at home”
Royals beating the pine tar out of the Giants.
It’s over. All on the cheapskate owners. Time for Bay Area boycotts and picketing to begin ~ particularly of firms associated with that bunch of too rich to failures.
These pro’s (and I don’t mean the Giants) are just tearing up this course, the rain they’ve had makes them all go green at the flagsticks as balls just stick (no pun intended)🏁
Damn rally Bust-er.
Watching that 7th inning reminded me of earlier this season, when the G’s would be a few runs back in the later innings and would often come back to win it. I just remember a feeling in those games that yeah, 2 or 3 run deficit, no problem, this team can do it, and they seemingly often did. I almost had that same feeling in that 7th inning. A glimmer of hope. Would love to see them get back to doing that again…
I’m remembering BF’s jokes to James about having to cover the inside of James’ house in plastic because Belt was hitting so well. It’s amazing how long ago that seems. Like an entirely different baseball season. Who would have thought Belt’s season would turn into such a nightmare?
I read on the internets that if (and/or when) the Giants get shut-out again, they will tie the number of shut-outs the ’85 Giants had. Those 100-loss ’85 Giants.
Holland REALLY falls off to the left when he throws.
As the Royals announcer said, very, very little from the Giants’ Big 3 all weekend.
Mac, help me out here . . . Umm, who are the “Big 3” again????
The 3 P’s: Pence, Posey, Pablo.
Otherwise known as the 3 F’s and 3 T’s . . . as in pppfffttt!
🙂
Well, Zum, similar to last year, the team’s 2nd 2 months of the season were nothing like the 1st 2 months. You’re right, it is almost like 2 completely different seasons…
And, funny how those “Big 3” really started the season very slowly, not contributing much at all in those 1st 2 months, and yet the “supporting cast” was good enough to keep the team winning. Now, with that line-up today and beyond, it’ll be ugly if those Big 3 don’t do much.
Quite a rodeo in Valhalla….8-9 guys with a shot. Gotta pull for the American Fowler sporting the cool orange shirt.
Zumie– your POTD cracked me up the way you matter of factly described my “plastic wrap of the inside of James house” post…..
I’m watching the PGA and the one thing that always amazes me about these guys, and I am a decent golfer so I can appreciate this, is how skillful their sand shots are. Incredible. And I agree Salty, QUITE a rodeo. I hope Fowler wins. Or Stenson. I followed him around at Harding Park about 10 years ago–seemed like a super cool dude…..
I don’t hear it quite so much anymore, but announcers always used to act like the golfers were in big trouble any time they went into a greenside bunker. Seriously? These guys would much rather hit from a trap than some of that rough around the green.
Ah, a thrilling finish to a major golf event will always soothe the sting of another Giants loss… 🙂 Hey, Flappers, I know that losing puts many of us in a bad mood, but I just wanted to once again bring up the possibility of a very mini-Flapalooza sometime in the next week and a half, wherein whoever is within a one-or-two-hour radius of SF could meet some evening (or afternoon, I guess, as the case may be) at a local watering hole, to be determined, to watch a game. I’m in Sonoma, obviously would come down to the city… getting too far down the Peninsula means a longer drive back north after some beers, but near the city would be ok…. Anytime from now until the 18th or so. Those are my specs. Would be great to meet up with some of you.
thanks Paul. Great idea. Let me get back to you.
It was a moral victory, at least.
Coming down to Fowler& Mickelson in my book. Pulling for Rickie to get that 1 st major though. He looks really focused to do it.
And back comes McElroy with an eagle!
Great stuff to the finish line!!
that 40 ft save-par putt by Phil was outrageous. His air-punch celebration was so forceful I thought he was going to punch himself in the face, lol
Just some outrageous great golf.!
Fowler from the other fairway,with a duck hook over tall trees, on to the green, incredible.
Such great golf, then a very disappointing finish, the officials should have never leave allowed McElroy group to play through, bad sunlight or not that was BS. Phil & and I’m sure Rickie are steamed right now,
Rickie and Phil were asked. Rory thanked them for there sportsmanship during post round interview on the 18th green
Conclusion to the Giants road trip: BLEEP!