It's funny. When I write an article about how Aaron Rowand and Randy Winn are struggling, and that one of them needs to step up in order to fill the centerfield position, both guys absolutely tear it up. Rowand goes 4-for-5 with a home run and 2 RBI. Winn goes 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.
Now, manager Bruce Bochy is put in a tough situation because now he's not choosing between two guys who are putting up pathetic numbers at the plate, but instead, he has to choose between two outfielders who seem to be on the cusp of a breakout. Sure, it's Livan Hernandez they were facing today. However, I was so impressed with Winn's and Rowand's at-bats that I just think they are more than capable of building upon these performances today. Who is primed for the bigger breakout? I don't know, but Bochy is going to have to make a tough call, and I guarantee you whatever decision he makes will upset some fans when it is all said and done.
Other than Rowand and Winn's performance, this really was just a great game for the Giants today. They had great approaches at the plate, and special kudos goes out to their pinch hitters. Schierholtz and Lewis both had big base knocks as pinch hitters, which further supports my point that the Giants have a glut in the outfield in a good way (similar to the dilemma Hugh Hefner and Playboy Magazine has when picking their Playmate of the Year. It's that good). I feel that with this latest performance, the Giants are going to be in good shape in the outfield, especially with Torres coming back off the DL. If somebody falters, Bochy will be able to replace them with ease, since Lewis, Torres and Schierholtz can easily replace Winn or Rowand should those two veterans prove today's game was a fluke rather than a encouraging sign.
Other than the hitting, Martinez pitched well in today's 10-1 victory over the Mets. Much like his win in Houston, Martinez didn't have room for much error. When he left the game, it was only a 3-1 game. A mistake here and there (and he didn't get much help as evidenced by Sandoval's two errors) and this could have been a different ball game. That being said, he kept the Mets in check all day and didn't make any big mistakes like Jonathan Sanchez did yesterday (though like I said, Sanchez still pitched great, but giving up a home run to Luis "What is a home run?" Castillo is unforgivable). Great to see Martinez get a win, especially in front of his friends and family since he is a New Jersey native.
Also, great performance by the bullpen. I know they were pitching with a big lead, but they came in and mowed down the Mets' lineup. Medders, Howry, Miller and Valdez all pitched very well and kept things from even getting slightly interesting after Martinez came out in the fifth. This was definitely a good bounce back performance for this bullpen, especially after the last time they relieved Martinez against the Dodgers and got absolutely rocked (i.e. Medders, who may as well change his title from "middle reliever" to "property of the Los Angeles Dodgers").
Did I want the Giants to get more than a split in New York against a Mets team that looks more like their Triple-A counterpart, the Buffalo Bisons? Yeah, but I'll take it. Today's win was big, and with Lincecum going on the hill tomorrow, I think the Giants made a good statement as they hit the road to avenge their embarrassing performance at home last week against the woeful Reds. All I can say is this: with a small ballpark and Lincecum on the hill, the Giants should do well during these next three days.
Like I said...SHOULD. I think Giants fans know what I'm implying.
Postgame box notes:
Winning pitcher: Joe Martinez (3-1) 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.
Losing pitcher: Livan Hernandez (7-8) 5.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.
Giants standouts: Eugenio Velez, 2-for-5, 3B (1). Freddy Sanchez, 2-for-4. Pablo Sandoval, 2B (34). Randy Winn, 3-for-5, 2B (28). Aaron Rowand, 4-for-5, HR (10). Edgar Renteria, 2-for-4. Nate Schierholtz, 2B (13).
Mets standouts: Corey Sullivan, 2-for-4. Daniel Murphy, 2-for-4, 2B (20).
Giants probable starters for next game against Cincinnati: Lincecum (12-3) vs. Bailey (2-4).
Mets probable starters for next game against Atlanta: Lowe (12-7) vs. Perez (2-3).
Showing posts with label New York Mets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Mets. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2009
Potent Preview: San Francisco Giants (63-54) at New York Mets (55-62)
Probable starters:
SFO: Joe Martinez (2-1) 6.00 ERA. NYM: Livan Hernandez (7-7) 5.28 ERA.
The Giants couldn't pull one out yesterday despite Jonathan Sanchez and Eugenio Velez's best efforts. Oh well. I basically had that one as a loss anyways simply because Mike Pelfrey has had great success against the Giants in the past, and Sanchez is well...Sanchez (i.e. you don't know what the hell to expect). I didn't expect Zito to lose, especially to some pitcher who is normally a reliever, but this Giants-Mets series is turning out how I figured out it would: a split.
Granted, the Giants need to come through tonight to get the split, but I think they are more than capable of doing so. For starters, I like what Joe Martinez has brought to this rotation. He had a good start against Houston, and his start against Los Angeles wasn't all that bad. Had Velez not dropped that ball on the Martinez comebacker, that game may have turned out differently. Furthermore, the blowout score was more of an indicator how badly the bullpen pitcher rather than Martinez. It wasn't a great start, I admit that, but it wasn't terrible either and I believe he is capable of bouncing back, especially against a David Wright-less Mets team.
The Giants need to come out early against the Mets today, which has been easier said than done this year. However, the Giants are going against the kind of pitcher who is susceptible to getting shelled in Livan Hernandez. In his last start against the Giants he gave up five runs in five innings on eight hits, and he's coming off two brutal starts where he has allowed 12 runs and 15 hits in his last two outings. This game really does have all the indicators of a breakout game for a Giants offense that needs some momentum before they hit the road for Cincinnati.
Of course, so have a lot of games this year. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself today, especially against "Krispey Kreme" Livan.
For game updates check out the SJ Mercury's Andrew Baggarly's Giants blog at Extra Baggs. For live game thread and chat, check out the McCovey Chronicles.
SFO: Joe Martinez (2-1) 6.00 ERA. NYM: Livan Hernandez (7-7) 5.28 ERA.
The Giants couldn't pull one out yesterday despite Jonathan Sanchez and Eugenio Velez's best efforts. Oh well. I basically had that one as a loss anyways simply because Mike Pelfrey has had great success against the Giants in the past, and Sanchez is well...Sanchez (i.e. you don't know what the hell to expect). I didn't expect Zito to lose, especially to some pitcher who is normally a reliever, but this Giants-Mets series is turning out how I figured out it would: a split.
Granted, the Giants need to come through tonight to get the split, but I think they are more than capable of doing so. For starters, I like what Joe Martinez has brought to this rotation. He had a good start against Houston, and his start against Los Angeles wasn't all that bad. Had Velez not dropped that ball on the Martinez comebacker, that game may have turned out differently. Furthermore, the blowout score was more of an indicator how badly the bullpen pitcher rather than Martinez. It wasn't a great start, I admit that, but it wasn't terrible either and I believe he is capable of bouncing back, especially against a David Wright-less Mets team.
The Giants need to come out early against the Mets today, which has been easier said than done this year. However, the Giants are going against the kind of pitcher who is susceptible to getting shelled in Livan Hernandez. In his last start against the Giants he gave up five runs in five innings on eight hits, and he's coming off two brutal starts where he has allowed 12 runs and 15 hits in his last two outings. This game really does have all the indicators of a breakout game for a Giants offense that needs some momentum before they hit the road for Cincinnati.
Of course, so have a lot of games this year. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself today, especially against "Krispey Kreme" Livan.
For game updates check out the SJ Mercury's Andrew Baggarly's Giants blog at Extra Baggs. For live game thread and chat, check out the McCovey Chronicles.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The PG Beat: Back from Vacation, Giants lose again to Buffalo Bisons (or your 2009 Mets)
Seriously. How did we lose this game? It wasn't as if I went into this thing expecting a victory of course. When you have Jonathan Sanchez on the hill, anything can happen. You can get a no-hitter, or a home run derby by the third inning. It all depends on how Sanchez's command is, and that is as easy to predict as the stock market back in the 1920's.
Yet when Sanchez deals today, only makes one mistake all day, and goes seven innings (seven innings!) well...you think we would win this one. Especially with no David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, or Carlos Delgado in the lineup, too, right?
Well, all I can say is I hope the Giants don't play the Sacramento Rivercats during this stretch, because the Giants basically lost to the New York Mets' Triple-A affiliate out there in today's 4-3 loss at Citi Field.
To put a silver lining on this game, kudos to Sanchez for pitching a great game today. To be honest, Sanchez has really earned his keep in this rotation after his no-hitter. He is a much better pitcher during this second-half, and even though he can be unpredictable, the promise he has showed since the no-hitter I think lessens the effect of losing Tim Alderson in the Freddy Sanchez trade. I mean, even when Randy Johnson retires next year, I look forward to a rotation of Lincecum, Cain, Zito, Sanchez and Martinez or perhaps even Bumgarner (if he tears it up in Spring Training next year). I think Sanchez is past the rut he had in the second half of last year, and the first half of this season, and I honestly believe, especially after today's outing that the future is bright for this kid.
That being said, Sanchez made a big mistake today: a two-run home run to freaking Luis "I can barely hit the ball out of the infield" Castillo, his first homer since late May of last year. I was about to smash my head into the television after that home run. Anybody but Castillo. Hell, I would've rather had Fernando "My career is still living on that two grand slams in one inning" Tatis hit that homer than Castillo.
Still, even with that mistake, you can't blame Sanchez in this one. The offense has just been awful since the Reds series. First the Reds, then the Dodgers, and now the Mets, who have owned us this year with a 5-2 overall record this year against us head-to-head. Maybe it's just a bad rut, but I thought we were past our rut after the 3-7 road trip out of the gate after the All-Star break. Apparently not though, and we look to be in another rut despite the deadline acquisitions of Ryan Garko and Freddy Sanchez. Sanchez is doing his part, but Garko...ehh...not so much. When you trade a guy who's hitting around the Mendoza Line for a prospect that is a borderline Top-100 minor league arm...well...let's just say you may have lost out on that trade.
The offense stunk today to be perfectly frank, and the only guys I can really tip my hat to in this one are Velez (who shrugged off an awful first couple of games in this series at the plate and went 2-for-3) and Winn, who had a very good at-bat and drove in Velez in the eighth to tie the game despite being pwned by Pelfrey for most of the game. Other than though, another goose egg of a game from the Giants "Triple-A" caliber offense.
Key stat of the game: Sandoval, F. Sanchez and Ishikawa went a combined 0-for-11 at the dish. It doesn't matter if you're playing a team that's more decimated out there than a Marine Sqaud in Vietnam. When you're three, four and six hitters do that poorly, you're going to lose.
I know I have to keep the faith in this Giants team during this stretch run. I know it is still August and in reality, the real games are played in September when the games really, REALLY count.
But damn it...these games are getting hard to stomach. You can only take so much excruciating pain. Watching the Giants offense is starting to feel more and more like getting a tattoo removed (i.e. REALLY FREAKING PAINFUL!)
Postgame box notes:
Winning pitcher: Francisco Rodriguez (3-4) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO.
Losing pitcher: Sergio Romo (3-2) 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.
Giants standouts: Eugenio Velez, 2-for-3, 2B (7). Fred Lewis, 2B (18). Randy Winn, 2B (27).
Mets standouts: Jeff Franceour, 2-for-4. Angel Pagan, 2B (8). Luis Castillo, HR (1).
Probable starters for next game: Martinez (2-1) vs. Hernandez (7-7).
Yet when Sanchez deals today, only makes one mistake all day, and goes seven innings (seven innings!) well...you think we would win this one. Especially with no David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, or Carlos Delgado in the lineup, too, right?
Well, all I can say is I hope the Giants don't play the Sacramento Rivercats during this stretch, because the Giants basically lost to the New York Mets' Triple-A affiliate out there in today's 4-3 loss at Citi Field.
To put a silver lining on this game, kudos to Sanchez for pitching a great game today. To be honest, Sanchez has really earned his keep in this rotation after his no-hitter. He is a much better pitcher during this second-half, and even though he can be unpredictable, the promise he has showed since the no-hitter I think lessens the effect of losing Tim Alderson in the Freddy Sanchez trade. I mean, even when Randy Johnson retires next year, I look forward to a rotation of Lincecum, Cain, Zito, Sanchez and Martinez or perhaps even Bumgarner (if he tears it up in Spring Training next year). I think Sanchez is past the rut he had in the second half of last year, and the first half of this season, and I honestly believe, especially after today's outing that the future is bright for this kid.
That being said, Sanchez made a big mistake today: a two-run home run to freaking Luis "I can barely hit the ball out of the infield" Castillo, his first homer since late May of last year. I was about to smash my head into the television after that home run. Anybody but Castillo. Hell, I would've rather had Fernando "My career is still living on that two grand slams in one inning" Tatis hit that homer than Castillo.
Still, even with that mistake, you can't blame Sanchez in this one. The offense has just been awful since the Reds series. First the Reds, then the Dodgers, and now the Mets, who have owned us this year with a 5-2 overall record this year against us head-to-head. Maybe it's just a bad rut, but I thought we were past our rut after the 3-7 road trip out of the gate after the All-Star break. Apparently not though, and we look to be in another rut despite the deadline acquisitions of Ryan Garko and Freddy Sanchez. Sanchez is doing his part, but Garko...ehh...not so much. When you trade a guy who's hitting around the Mendoza Line for a prospect that is a borderline Top-100 minor league arm...well...let's just say you may have lost out on that trade.
The offense stunk today to be perfectly frank, and the only guys I can really tip my hat to in this one are Velez (who shrugged off an awful first couple of games in this series at the plate and went 2-for-3) and Winn, who had a very good at-bat and drove in Velez in the eighth to tie the game despite being pwned by Pelfrey for most of the game. Other than though, another goose egg of a game from the Giants "Triple-A" caliber offense.
Key stat of the game: Sandoval, F. Sanchez and Ishikawa went a combined 0-for-11 at the dish. It doesn't matter if you're playing a team that's more decimated out there than a Marine Sqaud in Vietnam. When you're three, four and six hitters do that poorly, you're going to lose.
I know I have to keep the faith in this Giants team during this stretch run. I know it is still August and in reality, the real games are played in September when the games really, REALLY count.
But damn it...these games are getting hard to stomach. You can only take so much excruciating pain. Watching the Giants offense is starting to feel more and more like getting a tattoo removed (i.e. REALLY FREAKING PAINFUL!)
Postgame box notes:
Winning pitcher: Francisco Rodriguez (3-4) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO.
Losing pitcher: Sergio Romo (3-2) 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.
Giants standouts: Eugenio Velez, 2-for-3, 2B (7). Fred Lewis, 2B (18). Randy Winn, 2B (27).
Mets standouts: Jeff Franceour, 2-for-4. Angel Pagan, 2B (8). Luis Castillo, HR (1).
Probable starters for next game: Martinez (2-1) vs. Hernandez (7-7).
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