(Photo by Keith Allison/flickr)

Here’s probably my favorite thing about this trade, not in a “good trade” way but in a “baseball, maaaannn” way:

Nate Schierholtz, AAA 2007: .333/.365/.560, .393 wOBA
Hunter Pence, AAA 2007: .326/.387/.558, .409 wOBA

One of them got called up, played daily, and developed into a middle-of-the-order force that has two years in a row been traded for at least one of a contending team’s top prospects. The other one got called up, demoted, called back up, benched, injured, given a starting job, benched, given another starting job, benched again, injured again, asked to pick up a quarter that had been superglued to the locker-room floor, and finally given a leadoff spot for some reason before being traded. He’s basically a fourth outfielder. » Continue reading “Free-swinging Trade Analysis”

So. I can’t entirely explain what happened today in Philadelphia. I know that Matt Cain hit a home run off of Cole Hamels. Then Cole Hamels hit a home run off of Matt Cain. And the MLB on FOX broadcast was terrible, just terrible — Sergio Romo apparently uses a changeup as his go-to out pitch and what is a slider I don’t even.

And the game was tied in the later innings. It wasn’t exactly a pitchers’ duel, contrary to what FOX announcers kept saying. I mean, it was practically a homer fest at Citizen’s Bank Park today.

So the tied game went into extra innings and. They won on a bunt single. Hit by Gregor Blanco.

Clownshoes.

(Photo by SD Dirk/flickr)

In this game, it’s fair to say that Tim Lincecum had a pretty decent outing. Seven innings, five hits, two (earned) runs, two walks, six strikeouts.

And then there was Brandon Crawford, he of the five runs batted in and the grand slam. Apparently, on this road trip, Crawford is 5-for-13 with two home runs. He’s still not the best hitter around, but. It’s something, I guess. Hey, the more the Giants win, the better it’d be, right?

Eli Whiteside also drove in a run today. I don’t know what to make of it, either.

Buster Posey? Had yet another offday at first base. I smell more ridiculous logic here.

All in all, welp. It’s a win. A weird lineup with some odd narratives behind it, but a win.

Don't question it. Just accept it.

Matt Cain threw nine innings of shutout baseball. He also only gave up two hits. He threw a six pitch inning. He finished the game at 91 pitches.

Matt Cain. » Continue reading “Post-game Recap: Matt Cain + Brandon Belt + Ty Wigginton = Keyboard Smash”

(Photo by SD Dirk/flickr)

Bochy three hours ago: “I really believe when it’s all said and done, (the defense) is going to be better.” I wonder if he still believes.

— Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) April 18, 2012

The second game of the Phillies’ series started off with a great 91 mph pitch from Madison Bumgarner to Shane Victorino, followed promptly by an easy 6-3 grounder fielded beautifully by. . . Wait. Crap. Another E6 on Brandon Crawford. What? I’m starting to think that Crawford is going to be all bat and no glove.

Next batter, another easy 1-6 to start a double play. . . Wait. Bumgarner throws low to Crawford, resulting in a dropped ball and an E1 (although, really, Crawford should have been able to pick that one up and hang on to it).

This makes 8 games out of 11 so far this season with one or more errors by the Giants. Coming in to the game, the Giants had an MLB-leading 14 errors (thanks only to a retroactive correction of an error from last night’s game). After this game, they have an MLB-leading 16 errors. That includes 4 games with three errors in addition to tonight’s game with two. Read that tweet at the top again. The defense is going to be better than what? My 6 year old’s t-ball team? » Continue reading “Post-game Recap: The One Where The SS Is Really Bad Until At The Last Second When He Isn’t”

Just look at this guy. You'll feel better. (Photo: {photonista} Rachel Hamrick/flickr)

Welp. In case you needed or wanted (for some inexplicable reason) a reminder of the litany of fail that was late last season, tonight’s game was a sterling replay of the 2011 Giants’ greatest hits (or lack thereof), as the Giants were approximately 0-for-eleventy with RISP and Aubrey Huff continued his one man 4-3 ground out parade.

But we also had some new fun bits of more contemporary fail in Angel Pagan’s Elmon Young impression in center field and Brandon Crawford’s questionably scored error as he tried desperately to make up for Aubrey Huff’s less than stellar range in left field with an over the shoulder grab that bounced off his wrist. Melky Cabrera returning to earth after his explosive start also doesn’t really come as a huge surprise, but isn’t exactly fun to see, and Tim Lincecum looked decent but not stellar enough to calm the shrieking panic lurking around the edges of the fanbase.

The bright side, somewhat limited thought it may be, was that Buster Posey went 3-for-4, Angel Pagan had two hits, and Brandon Belt had a hit and a walk (and a truly ridiculous strike out thanks to a strike zone the width of Nevada) while continuing to flash some pretty slick leather at first base.

Newly extended Madison Bumgarner takes on Joe Blanton tomorrow.

(SD Dirk/flickr)

Tonight, the Giants are facing the Phillies at AT&T Park. Tim Lincecum faces Roy Halladay, which is going to be the EPSN pitching duel of the day.

Tomorrow, Joe Blanton faces Madison Bumgarner. This one is going to be a matchup for the cupcakes and for the cows.

On Wednesday, Cliff Lee goes up against Matthew Thomas Cain. That might be another ESPN pitching duel of the day right there, too.

The recent rivalry between the two teams has been one for the blogosphere as of late. However, Jonathan Sanchez is now with the Royals and Eli Whiteside is hopping in Fresno.

And then the Phillies are 4-5 and Chase Utley is on the DL. But they have that centerfielder that no one outside Philly really likes to like. So who knows what’s gonna happen? It doesn’t seem like it’s gonna be an outcome without turmoil or anything.

Of course, it’d be nice if the Giants sweep the series, but at this point, a win is good. Setting the bar low so anything more exceeds expectations.

Today’s Giants lineup after the jump. » Continue reading “Series Preview: Giants Face Phillies, No Hopping Around Now”

On Sunday the San Francisco Giants avoided a costly sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies thanks to strong performances by RHP Tim Lincecum and 2B Jeff Keppinger. It was an important win for San Francisco, both in terms of the NL West division standings and the team’s confidence. With the win, the Giants remain in first place, half a game ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Coming into the game, the Giants had lost 9 of 10 and three of the last three series. In contrast, the Phillies boasted a nine-game winning streak.

The early innings felt familiar and foreboding; the opposing team scored first; the Giants hit into double plays; the Giants stranded runners. Yet, Lincecum (10-9, 2.69) held steady and pitched 7.2 sturdy innings, allowing 1 ER on 7 hits. The Giants ace struck out 5.

Offensively the Giants made some progress. Kippenger had an impressive day at AT&T Park, going 4-4 with one RBI. Catcher Chris Stewart and SS Orlando Cabrera also had one RBI each.

There were several great defensive plays for the Giants including a strong throw by RF Carlos Beltran to hold C Carlos Ruiz to a single (2nd); a tremendous snag/throw by 3B Pablo Sandoval to get RF Hunter Pence at first (6th); and a dramatic catch by LF Aaron Rowand to end the 8th. After the game, it was announced that Beltran hurt the back of his hand and is day-to-day.

Philadelphia’s RHP Roy Oswalt (4-6, 3.79) — coming back from a 6-week stint on the DL — lost the game. He pitched 6 innings, gave up 3 ER on 12 hits. Giants All-Star closer Brian Wilson entered in the top of the ninth and earned his 34th save.

The re-energized Giants begin a 3-game series against Pittsburgh Monday night.

Bench clearing brawl ensues as Phillies knock off Giants 9-2

It started off pretty solid for the G-Men. A well played first inning on the night of Jonathan Sanchez’s return. San Francisco took an early 1-0 lead against the mighty Philadelphia Phillies.

Newly made Giants Jeff Keppinger and Carlos Beltran worked together off a walk and a single to allow Pablo Sandoval a sacrifice fly that drove in Keppinger.

Then came the fourth inning and trouble landed at Third and King. Shane Victorino put the Phillies on the board with a solo home run to kick things off. Two more hits, a fielders’ choice, and the Phils notched another run to take the lead 2-1.

John Mayberry Jr. arrived at the plate with a runner on first to increase the margin to 4-1 Philadelphia.

Surprisingly, Sanchez, who spent over a month on the disabled list and rehabbing in the minors with biceps tendonitis, came back out in the fifth inning. He gave up a stolen base, a few more hits and a walk to give the Phillies another run making it 5-1.

Ramon Ramirez took over the mound for Sanchez after the fifth run scored and got the final out immediately. On the substitution Aaron Rowand entered the game with a double switch for Nate Schierholtz and some slight momentum followed for the Giants.

Eli Whiteside was up first in the bottom of the fifth and hit a solo shot to get the Giants one run closer with a 5-2 disadvantage.

The sixth inning rolled around and another walk, consecutive singles and Philadelphia rallied for a few more runs taking an 8-2 advantage.

Ramirez nailed Victorino with a pitch and all hell broke loose.

A bench clearing brawl created some intense adrenaline for the game—possibly just what the Giants needed—or not.

Unfortunately, Whiteside was ejected for protecting his pitcher and Ramirez and Victorino were both booted. The score remained 8-2 after six, despite Panda leading off with a double in the bottom of the sixth.

Hunter Pence homered for Philly in the top of the seventh moving the lead up to 9-2. That ended up being the final score.

The Giants have now dropped seven of their last eight games and can only hope to win Saturday and Sunday to split the four game series with the Phils.