by
GreekGiant
The Giants rode a magical bottom of the 6th inning to victory behind huge hits from Conor Gillaspie (2-run double), Madison Bumgarner (2-run double), and Brandon Belt (2-run homer). Brandon Belt hit a surface to air incendiary device that nearly mortally wounded the center field camera man to top off a 7-run outburst to put the Giants ahead 9-3. The hit brought forth the party and the Willie Mays Field crowd unleashed months of frustration into pure un-adulterated, reverse osmosis-filtered joy.
The Giants Get That Championship Blood Flowing
After questioning the heart, the resolve and the fight in the Giants for more than 2 months, fans whose faith was wavering discovered a new-found spirit of optimism and energy in our beloved team after a clutch performance by the line up and Madison Bumgarner. Tension was everywhere in this game beginning with Buster Posey getting in some words after striking out against Rich Hill in the 4th inning and ending with Brandon Belt getting hit in the hand in the bottom of the 8th. In between Angel Pagan body slammed a fan who ran onto the field. This was not your average garden variety baseball game. The Playoff atmosphere was evident from the first pitch.
When Your Ace Is an Ace Without His Best Stuff
While Madison Bumgarner was not dominant, he found his groove after allowing two first inning runs. He pitched 7 1/3 and contributed mightily to the offensive joy with his aforementioned double and a single in the top of the 8th. His performance was Ace-like though he was not his sharpest. When the Giants responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the first new life was generated in the crowd and in their starting pitcher.
Conor Gillaspie: 2017 Willie Mac Award Winner?
Conor Gillaspie’s 2-run double with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 6th inning may have been the most important at-bat in the regular season. The Giants were trailing 3-2. He took two close pitches off the inside corner to leverage a hitter’s count. The 2-0 pitch was lasered down the right field line. That pitch was only inches closer to the plate than the previous two. All three were fastballs by Brandon McCarthy. When you have the bases load in a critical situation it becomes paramount for a hitter to avoid getting overly aggressive and swinging at pitchers’s pitches. Gillaspie has proven to be a cold-blooded professional hitter with power off the bench. Bruce Bochy’s faith in him was rewarded.
Bochy’s Faith in His Players
Speaking of faith, we were all wondering why, in that same inning with the Giants already leading by 4, Bochy sent Denard Span to pinch hit for Gorkys Hernandez. After Span singled to continue the rally it dawned on me: the manager was making a statement to his team and to his veterans: Everyone is crucial to our success, everyone will play their part. It was a vintage Bochy move topped only by putting Santiago Casilla in to pitch the ninth inning. The once and former closer would pitch a perfect inning to put the Dodgers away and give the Giants one of their biggest wins of the season on a night they had to prevail to keep pace with the Cardinals and Mets, both of whom won.
This was a big game and the second in a row the Giants came back to win after facing significant adversity. This type of victory is what champions are made of.
Brekeroni says SurfMaui just got home at 2:28 am to be greeted by a new post and bring on the Dodgers tomorrow. Day game after a late night
It was the t-shirt! Atta babe.
Alex Pavlovic
✔
@AlexPavlovic
Posey: “He probably should have been charged with a flop. I didn’t push him that hard.”
I brought runs to the game with me again!! And i left a little for the weekend! What a night.
Willie Mac award. And a Giants win vs Dodgers!
In between that, a Posey takedown and an Angel Pagan body slam.
I dont know if you guys saw it but the same guy that got body slammed first ran up to Bumgarner and Bum cocked his arm like he was about to deck him. After that he ran around the the mound to homeplate and thats when Buster pushed him over like a rag doll. Then came the Pagan slam.
The other person that ran out on the field just laid down in short RF after security surrounded her, i think it was a female.
Anyways, great win and lets get em tomorrow…errrr later today.
Took the pic below the inning before the rally.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4bb9b2ece26d9966f317703f8ba6cd87b9ad039065811d28c61ea3cfe3b32cdd.jpg
Thanks for the report tc
MIssed all the fan on the field stuff. Really want to see a video of it
I want to see this body slam!
Giants getting hot (or maybe just warm) at the right time of the season. Blach vs Kershaw tomorrow so tonight was huge. Maybe Blach’s leftiness will deter the Dodgers!
And loved Pagan’s bodyslam. I absolutely detest fans running onto the field. Whatever the penalty is, it isn’t enough obviously since people still do it. I wish the security people, once getting him down, would beat the s*** out of him (or her). You want attention there you go.
I don’t.
“I wish the security people, once getting him down, would beat the s*** out of him (or her).”
Perhaps a bit harsh but absolutely there needs to be much, much stronger penalties. There is no reason a fan should be doing this.
The power of the U.S. is not in the ability of security guards or police to beat people senseless for legal infractions. Even if it ruins your night. And if it ruined your night, perhaps you should turn to introspection as to why that is.
Oh, it certainly did not ruin my night. I had a pretty good night. Just don’t like seeing fans run on the field is all.
Luckily it doesn’t happen too often!
Then if you had a good night quit harping on it. Now you look like the guy with issues.
Well said, Surf.
The poor sap was just shit faced.Pagan should have escorted him to the WE ARE GIANT drunk tank
I think Vin was pro slam. Those damn millenials.
The page of September has turned to October. No other team should want to play the Giants…when games count…during an even year….in October.
Absolutely, although I’m still a bit leery of Bochy pulling another head scratcher, something he’s done far too often this year even in September.
What was it tonight?
Tonight nothing that really stood out, although there were people questioning Span being put in late in the game as Greek stated.
Don’t you ever sleep, Chef?
Yeah, when I can.
Knowing you, you’re probably one of those people who only sleep when they are not awake. I know your type.
What was he thinking pinch hitting with Conor G??
This the San Francisco Giants’ 59th season. As I mentioned earlier, last night Belt became the 8th Giant to hit 40 or more doubles in a season. He’s the 15th SF Giant to have as many as 65 extra base hits in a season. He’s the 7th SF Giant to draw as many as 100 walks in a season. Going into the weekend, he still leads the team in doubles, home runs, walks, OBP, SLG and OPS. He’s one RBI. behind Crawford for the team lead. He’s fourth in the NL in walks, 5th in doubles, 5th in OBP, 14th in OPS and 15th in extra base hits.
We all know about Belt’s terrible second half slump. In the second half, he leads the team in walks, OBP and OPS. He’s tied for the team lead in triples, home runs, extra base hits and RBIs. In September, the non-clutch Belt hit .284/.431/.506/.938, and led the team in doubles, home runs and RBIs. I know if I’d done all that, I’d be pretty excited to hear Sabean tell the world that I wasn’t a middle of the order hitter.
See,I told you he sucks.
Really nice hitting this week. Now, if only a Belt picture could make a better avatar than a letter.
The Oracle – I hope you post this on Christmas morning….
Belt is not a leadoff hitter and is not your prototypical 3-4-5 hitter. He was when he went to Hudson High School and at San Jacinto College and when he played for Augie at U of Texas.
Now that you have married yourself to Sabean’s quote – remember *in hitting number two* – he is one spot removed from being “in the heart of the order”.
So ……. that is what you are arguing ……..
-“Shaft-ee”of the year-Albert Suarez
– New rule- Catch a foul ball- keep the foul ball. The kid will not be able to keep it anyway.Mommy will sell it on EBay
– Bam-Bam: “where the hell did that come from”
-I’ve been very cruel to Conor so I’m sending him a set of reconditioned dentures from Walmart.
-I hate afternoon games.Leaves me too much time to complain about the complainers
-Roberts to Hill “look I know I told you guys to lay down, but you didn’t have to make it so obvious”
You mean Conor wasn’t your guy? And I thought you had good taste. Plenty of seats on the bus, hop on.
Coffee tasting great this morning. The pumpkin roll ain’t bad either.
Brewing right now to take back out to the tent. Wife and I are weird, we’ve been sleeping out back in the tent this week like kids. Woke up to see a coyote nearby and one of our cats moving away from his direction. It’s wild out here, expect for the cars on the highway and road. People are moving at all hours of the day. What percent had a Giant smile on their face?
That’s funny. Ain’t it getting pretty cold at night?
My wife and I have done that a few times over the years but there are too many cars passing by and our backyard is right under a streetlight, you can read a book out there at night. This summer PG&E installed new lights, even brighter, drove my wife nuts. She complained and asked them to put up a shield to block so much light from coming in to our yard and the bedrooms. I told her they would ignore her but I was wrong. A few weeks later I noticed a square shield had been installed between the light and the house. Unfortunately it’s about the size of a postage stamp so not very helpful, now she is complaining that it’s too small. This time I’m sure they will ignore her.
Not quite cold, but cool. October should bring a chill and time to cut up wood. Move to the country if you can ☺we’ll form a team.
Ahhhh yeah. Way to be, Mr. G. Beautiful re-cap after a beautiful whole team win. In Bochy we trust 🙂
It was good to see some nasty back in Derek Law’s inning last night. Velocity good, curve crisp. Also had quite a little sneer going at Puig both before and after Puig went down looking.
IF there’s a next week, they’re going to need Law healthy and ready.
Lefty I caught up and read your guest piece last week, great stuff naturally. You mentioned it was important that your potential partner appreciate your passion for the Giants. That reminded me, when we were courting my eventual wife pretended to like sports. We would go to Giants and A’s and Warriors games and watch them on TV. Of course the truth eventually became apparent but I didn’t mind, she was trying. To this day she turns the game on when she hears me pull in to the driveway after work. Very nice!
That’s a sweet and loving wife! True love is making your other happy! You are a lucky man!
You got that right!
Awwww, that IS sweet. And thanks for the kind words about the post.
When I was dating, I learned that it was quite an advantage with the men to be an actual sports fan. True story: On my 21st birthday I was out at a bar (of course) with a bunch of college friends. I started chatting with one guy I didn’t know very well, and in the conversation it came up that I (a) love the Giants and (b) love Bruce Springsteen. He looked stunned and said “I always said if I ever found a girl who liked baseball and the Boss, I’d marry her.” We did date for the next five months, but he did not, thank God, end up being Mr. Lefty.
Cool story, Lefty. My fear on a blind date with a Dodgers or LA Kings fan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bck4S3bMao
Someday I’ll have to tell you the inside story on how Springsteen became a star… even how he was picked.
I doubt you heard the story correctly since you were never a fan
This was the story of his rise before he became a household world. Even before he was chosen. My HS mate was an A&R at Capitol.
Key words *Of Course*
I fell asleep on the couch last night around the eighth inning. Not that the game was boring, obviously it was not, just tired from a long day and week. That’s not very interesting; did I mention that I had a glass of red wine in my hand? Woke up to wine soaking my skivvies and the couch. Fortunately I cleaned it up quickly and the couch is dark, I don’t see a stain, hopefully my wife won’t either.
Sounds like a Peter Frampton song.
wifes see everything. you’re doomed. can you flip the cushion over?
Yes, good thinking, thanks.
We’re here for you!
One time I was juggling my iPad and a glass of red wine. IPad slipped, and as I tried to grab it, dumped the wine all over my Yellow Lab’s back. Next ten minutes were spent googling “getting red wine off dog” and crowdsourcing my Facebook friends for suggestions.
you may want to consider an irish setter for your next dog doc..
A black Lab might work OK.
What time of the morning was this?
Pagan’s post game interview on body slam:
http://www.knbr.com/2016/09/30/pagan-relives-bodyslam-he-came-i-executed/
Much like Belt, I’ve enjoyed watching Angel’s takedown, several times.
great line, GG..”the giants get that championship blood flowing”…i’m not sure what i liked most. you had buster, out of character, saying something to hill, after he pumped his fist, when he K’ed posey, and then BP28 had that beautiful forearm shiver, that flower child A hole that ran on to the field, caught. it was obvious for all to see, buster has finally had alls he can stands, and he can’t stands no more. it looks like BP28 knows that it’s october, and it’s time to get down to business.
you had pagan getting 2 points for that take down in left field, that any wrestling coach would have liked. CG with that enormous double he had as a PH’er, that started the floodgates, in the teams best 1/2 inning of the year. he’s been one of the whipping boys for most of the year, but conor is repaying big head’s faith in him, by being an absolute assassin as a left handed pinch hitter, and 3rd baseman. even his glove work has improved. good on him
and, of course, there was MB40, doing what he does. he settled down after a shaky 1st, to hold the bums in check, while waiting for the offense to get going, even w/o his best stuff. then there was that double down the left field line, that got the joint jumpin’ again, shortly after CG did the same thing, except his was down the right field line.
you hit the nail on the head, oh great moderator. it’s october, and this bunch of guys have championship blood flowing through their veins.
It’s funny. I couldn’t stand the whole Gillaspie thing this year, but now that they’ve done the even more ridiculous Beckham thing, I’m warming up to Gillaspie. After all, he’s “one of our guys,” unlike this six-day interloper.
“….couldn’t stand the whole Gillaspie thing?”
I think as long as he stays on the bench but pinch hits, he’s found his place on this team. I think he’s done a decent job in that role.
He had arguably the biggest pinch-hit (or maybe any hit) of the season last night, but he has not, in fact, been a very good pinch hitter this year. And he’s pretty bad with the glove, too.
With Nunez out, he got a couple starts and four ABs a night, which got him back into a better groove. The problem is if he starts, he has to play in the field, too. And he doesn’t seem to be a good pinch-hitter if he doesn’t get some starts (understandable). So it’s a conundrum.
Beckham should not see the playing field today or tomorrow unless we go 18 innings or something crazy happens.
So bad. I know it was just one game, but I didn’t see one single thing I liked there. #FreeMr.Happy
Yup
I don’t know how many games KT has played at third, but I’d put him there and get Panik in at second base.
He played quite a few for Sacramento this year. I saw him play there once, and he looked fine–smooth, comfortable, great arm.
That incredible play he made at second last night should remind everyone of his athleticism. This is the same guy who got thrown into an emergency start in left field and 10 minutes later threw a guy out at the plate.
Careful-what-you-wish-for Dept.
Can’t hardly wait to see Bend-it today!
CG Club open to new members. You in?
best LH’d pinch hitter in beisbol? u bet. sign me up, coach..
Belt has always been good, but since moving to the 2, we’re seeing the hitter we’ve always thought lurked….Perhaps Bochy’s and G’s biggest blunder of the year was not moving Belt to the 2 hole sooner… Small sample of 20 ab’s. Maybe it’s just a hot streak but he’s looked more relaxed and .400/.520/.750 ..
Belt has always been streaky. He might have gotten into a hot streak anywhere in the lineup. Now is a good time for a hot streak, and I hope that HBP in the eighth doesn’t derail him.
That said, the sabermetrics bunch would love Belt hitting second because of his combination of strong OBP skills and all-around hitting ability. It’s not like Bochy bunts runners over with the #2 hitter, anyway. Not his style.
Coincidence or causation, I don’t care. 2 hole Belt makes perfect Saber metric sense. Leadoff ain’t crazy either! Walks set the table and perhaps posey and Pence get him his pitches to hit.
Some dude named “Footy” used to crow about Belt being in the 2-hole quite often. Wonder what happened to “Footy…”
Hey – what were those links. I’ll check our the audio on those pedals
I gotta find those for you again, you slacker??
name em I’ll google em
Nah, you’re my brah. I gotcha, kid…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeLq3Y39OQw
love the sound, but I don’t know, why do you need a pedal for that?
BC I play through clean Fenders only. And I run about 10 effects pedals before my amp. And you don’t wanna run effects before a dirty amp. Sounds terrible. Only way that works is with an effects loop, which I don’t have on my Vibrolux.
So, to get the best of both worlds (American sound – Fender, and British sound – Marshall), I run a Plexi pedal and effects after it into a Fender amp. It’s the ultimate base-coverer.
Treat yourself right, and rock steady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIQp1WRXP8s
Same as below – I just don’t know enough to make an insightful comment. sorry, me caveman guitarist. but love the songs, I’m sure you would shred that guy.
Isn’t Altuve a #2?
Not sure…”Footy” might know…The role of 2-hole has certainly changed over the years…
Fangraphs® says 70% in #3 with about 11% of the time in #2.
Bryant gets used there most times and his team is doing okay.
New No. 2 trend and Bochy looks like he will stick with it unitl proven otherwise.
It was proablby well discussed here but I was impressed when I say Gorkys in the No. 1 spot and Kelby in the linep-up. These are moves many here must have been shocked by.
Joey Votto a lot of #2 – and that Seager kid too. Indians lead off with Carlos Santana.
Everybody’s Everything
Or is it Sabean metric sense?
Freaky Sabean motivational speech.
Not to get ahead of ourselves or jinx anything, but what if the Giants make the playoffs, end up playing the Dodgers in the NLCS, and knock the Dodgers out?
We may be looking back at Dave Roberts inserting Brandon McCarthy with a one-run lead the same way we think about Matt Williams taking out Jordan Zimmermann in Game 2 in 2014. If the Giants had lost last night, it could have been party over by tomorrow. (It still could be, but now at least there’s a pulse.)
And leaving McCarthy in there way way too long!
Maybe Roberts thought ” he had to get him going.”
see above
He’s a 6’7 hurler with Tilt and major stuff. They were auditioning a fourth starter. Giants needed to win. Dodgers did not.
You are getting way ahead of yourself, Kershaw vs Blach not favorable matchup, the Pirates not looking very good right now, look like they are mailing it in, so the season could come down to witch Matt Moore shows up Sunday, the one that almost No-Hit the Dodgers , are the one that got shelled by the Dodgers .
Pirates look as though they could give a damn right about now . not good for SF.
Vogey will give a damn tomorrow. You know he will.
Oh hell yes if not for himself at least for our Giants!!!
Yeah, but he is a fly ball pitcher that has pitched very bad the last month going against the NL HR leading team .
Man, you always are so damn positive. And I don’t mean that in a negative way 😉
Facts Vogey 8.72 ERA in September, and a 10 .38 ERA vs the Cards this year, I am a Vogey fan, but those are the facts, want to get positive ,sugar coated message listen to Krukow !
If he beats the Cards then he gets a WS share … or at least gets to throw out the first ball at a WS game.
The Pirates look like the 2nd half Giants. If the Giants don’t get in, they only have themselves to blame. Funny how they started caring with a week left in the season and 2 months before that pissed away.
Somebody tweeted last night that the Giants are like that A-hole guy in college who never came to class, crammed before the final, and got the same B you did.
This team is really hard to like.
That’s the one – but I think this team is really starting to grow on people 🙂
Yeah. When it’s highly likely that it’s too late. Man…they grow on me all right…like a poisonous moss.
Well, I like our chances a lot better having WON last night’s game–that was the point.
Yes, and that’s why I posted that last nights win was a must win, I honestly expect a tie breaker game @ St Louis as are best bet .
If they can stay close to Kershaw, maybe they have a chance today. Roberts won’t push him too far in the game. I’m nervous about a rookie starter who might put them in an immediate hole, though. And I say that as a big Blach fan. It’s just a tough spot to put a guy making his second major league start into.
You may have responded already but I was pleasantly surprised by Blach getting the start. It is not the Do-or-Die that young Solomon faced in 1993 so I like the gamble here.
Kershaw will be on full rest for the playoff opener, what I have read Kershaw will go up to 100 pitches today .
Smarj on Monday is most likely as you say.
I think the Giants will get a wild card spot without a tiebreaker. Magic number is two.
The Cards burned their best starter, Martinez, last night. He’d be lined up for the wild card game, just like Bumgarner is. But that means lesser starters will go the rest of the weekend–and who would pitch the tiebreaker?
Diaz
Wacha Pitching today and Wainwright tomorrow for the Cardinals, the problem is the Pirates starters or worse, and last night the Pirates starter was good, but Hurdle put in a reliever with a 9.00 ERA and he got shelled, not expecting any help from the Pirates .
Wacha’s last outing 2.2 IP 9 HITS 7 RUNS.We’ll see how Matheny’s trust in him works out.
I get the whole thing about the Dodgers not faring well against Lefties, but why not go with Saurez today? he pitched well all season and I feel has earned a start in a very important setting.
I’m nervous about it, too, and I like Blach. Suarez at least has made what, 13-14 starts or so? Blach has made one.
Suarez is rested and waiting in the wings if Blach gives up too much.
Against Kershaw 1 might be too much .
Suarez has never been lights out. Last outing was his worst.
Odds were always going to be against us with are 5th starter going against Kershaw .
Given K’s dominance of SF, odds were always against them no matter who is throwing.
I think that’s why Pitching Cueto Thursday instead of Saturday like a lot of posters preferred, making sure his groin injury was ok, was the smart decision .
3 runs. He never gives up more than 3 runs.
If Blach gives up too much, the party is over.
But I hope “too much” is not just one Dinger or a couple early runs on a bloop. Give the Kid a chance to right the ship. “Too much” is missing the target all inning and letting them put up a Four spot.
even so, as Lefty mentions, Suarez has a good number of starts to go on, this is a rookies 2nd start in one of the most important games of the year, no matter how it’s spun makes no sense.
Such a positive thinker
Realty, your to used to Krukow giving you fantasy spin , you do not live in realty .
Correct. I’m not into realty. I’m into marketing services
lol
I think Pagan body slamming the guy was a show off move i really do!! Pagan looked kind of strange to me running off the field after the side was retired , kind of sheepish imo. Maybe it was necessary i dont know but i think that he sized up the guy and decided that he could pull it off.
It was pretty impressive, really. Good technique. Got the job done and didn’t come close to hurting the guy.
The really amazing thing, if you watch the videos, is how the guy slipped past the security guy around SS and headed towards Pagan–and the security guy didn’t run; in fact, he slowed to a walk and almost just watched. There’s some dedication. Good thing Pagan was quick-witted there.
Ever since Monica Seles got stabbed, I don’t think stuff like that is funny anymore. You never know. Clearly the AT & T Park security team needs some more training.
Maybe hurt his little ego if he has one.
Pagan?? Show off? Nah…come on, brah. Lol
I liked his cap removing bow.
I thought the whole thing was awesome. Best Pagan memories, 2012-2016:
1. Inside-the-park walk-off HR
2. Body-slamming the flower child
3. Hitting a leadoff HR in an elimination game in 2012
is there a youtube of this slam?
got it – any video of bum and posey interactions?
Here’s a GIF of Posey. I read that Bum cocked a fist at that guy, but I haven’t seen any video of that.
https://twitter.com/lolknbr/status/782094861197377536
thank you. unbelievable. Dodger fans. Players are responsible for securing selves at ATT.
Apparently they were protesting animal cruelty in making Dodger Dogs.
Here’s one. There are several.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/pagan-body-slams-fan-ran-field-att-park
That near home run-robbing catch at Pirates field earlier this year was pretty cool too. He ran a long way, climbed on top of the wall fully extended and nearly made the catch of the year.. Then he hit a grand slam in the next game.
Oh, I can think of plenty of others. That three-run homer he hit in Cincy to win a game and avoid a sweep in early 2012–the origin of the “happy flight” saying. The diving catch in the final game of the NLDS in Cincy.
Angel’s had a lot of great moments in a Giants uniform. Assuming he moves on, it will be the end of an era–sometimes irritating, usually entertaining.
He should’ve saluted!
im so damn jaded with all of the losses in the second half that i could not remember if we won or lost lol lol last night after i woke up this morning! Losses hit you immediately but wins take a minute for me to comprehend after awakening, just me!
I hope Bochy and Wotus remember the strong throw from Gorkys to nail Ginger at 3B. Hope they also remember earlier in the week Arenado tagging from first on a shallowish fly ball to Span in left center. Gorkys is the better defensive CF right now. Use him accordingly.
I’m guessing Gorkys gets the nod again vs. Kershaw today.
Agreed, and this time don’t automatically PH when Gorkys faces a righty pitcher. Span can’t throw out baserunners! We all see it. Do the right thing, Giants.
Same starting line-up today as last night right?
Might see Adrianza, he has hit Kershaw in the past .
For KT or Beckham?
Does KT get penalized for two failed bunts or rewarded for his rally single?
That’s what he should do. Then you have a steadier glove in the infield, too. Also, Panik has actually hit Kershaw a little bit and Kelby has not. Panik should start and use Kelby off the bench if needed.
1-8 but it was a hr
See? He has a hit!
He’s using him against LHers.
Why oh Why is Blach starting over Suarez, especially in such a huge game? Don’t give me that “Dodgers don’t hit lefties well” line. This is another head-scratcher….
Dodgers don’t hit lefties so good? Bochy is going to get hot and that is the secret to the success. He’s been cold, no one can deny. But he’s gonna get hot like Conor, Belt, & you name him.
It really tells you a lot about how they feel about Cain and Peavy right now. A LOT.
Sadly, yes it does.
No really George….
I think Giants management realizes there’s nothing left in Cain’s tank. We’re one of the most profitable franchises in MLB. Offseason moves should be very interesting…
Considering how this organization rolls, you KNOW they’d go with the experience in this must-win situation if they thought there was anything there. Even if Cain could just give them an inning or two and then hand it to the very large bullpen.
I disagree. They haven’t pitched hardly at all. I know they all count, but these games mean more than games in April and May.
If the Giants miss the playoffs by one game, which is entirely possible, those games in April and May are going to matter a lot. Also the four games, or was it five, in September that Casilla was allowed to blow for them.
The fact that it’s this down to the wire shows the foolishness of ever punting games, no matter what month the calendar says it is.
Spot on! I am not one of those who thinks games in September mean more than April. Every single game has equal weight in the standings which is why the Giants sticking with Peavy and Cain so long earlier in the season was crazy. I don’t think they were necessarily punting them but they were not treating them with the same weight and urgency as they are these games. This is a strategic error.
They had the best record in baseball at the All Star break. It’s not realistic to think they would win 125 games. PJ thinks Bochy singlehandedly lost at least 20 games, but at the same time he says they are a terrible slappy team. So which is it? Are they a 125 win team dragged down by Bochy, or are they a 70 win slappy bunch of losers?
PF took a flyer.
This is not true Greek. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9eee52dd93d36d5052d55f12c8645c304238bc8ea63a9aba4ac8df117de748a7.jpg
You call it punting, I call it showing faith in your team. Is it punting a game when Posey has a day off?
Ask ANYBODY within the game of baseball. Games in April and May are not the same value.
No one knows the game like you. A game won in April or May really makes no difference, because they don’t count in the standings.
Ask some of your co-workers in your Department. Ask Srgt. Dave Norris of the San Mateo Police Dept. Dave played at a high level. Dave was one of the first baseball guys who told that to me. Ask San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Peruzzaro whether or not games in April and May are the same as later in the season.
Go ahead. Double dare ya
Why would I ask either of these guys anything, whoever they are? Why not make some sense? Go ahead. Double dare ya.
You’re stuck so you are intentional avoiding the point that I put on a tee for you. There is symbiotic brotherhood among Peace Officers from different departments thus Mike Callagy of the SM Sheriff or Dave and Dave – would be able to back up something I said which you said is incorrect…..
I wouldn’t believe that BS just because some cop said it. Assuming whoever these guys are agree with you, do you think they’d change their minds because I, another cop, thought they were wrong? What about the symbiotic brotherhood?
Your other job is/was an attorney. You could if need be ask friends still active in court of law a question. I can gain validation from guys who played who just happen to now do what you do for a living.
#EasyPeasy
Because Suarez is a “Keep you in the game by giving up 3 runs” kinda guy, and Blach is more of a wild card…you know Suarez won’t be a shutdown guy, you hope Blach can be.
Yep. Plus you know Bochy’s going to manage this one like he did Game 7 of the World Series and Game 6 in Philly–all hands on deck.
Good points..
No doubt that Albert is the safer choice . Bochy is making a gutsy call no matter how you slice it.
But he NEVER does that. He HATES Suarez, that’s the only explanation.
Bochy seems to have a little something against Suarez, always pulling him pretty quickly even if he’s throwing well. I like that Blach is getting a start but curious who’s making this call.
Lol!
Maybe it’s his 3 perfect innings against the Bums Sept 21 ..garbage time, but he did retire Seager Turner Gonzales Puig…
Scares me too! Should be Suarez–it’s a crucial game and I simply trust Suarez more. I’m a huge Ty Blach fan, but not to start today. Prove me wrong, Ty.
Just refer to Matthew’s comment.
Greek, this is a fantastic post.
We all know how frustrating the second half of this season has been. Baseball has the blessing and curse of laying out manager decisions on a big giant platter, and the food critics have easy pickings to rip apart everything – the preparation, the presentation, the results. I’ve done it more in these last 2/12 months than ever before.
But a team in a clubhouse has a much different experience. They live in the platoon and follow a leader who preaches belief and togetherness. Bochy shows a faith in players that go beyond what we all consider reasonable, but one thing we hear over and over again from players near and far: he is considered the best players manager in the game…and guys want to come here because of the atmosphere he creates. It fosters a trust in them, and apparently allows them the calmness and freedom to come through when fans think it’s impossible.
Last night: Conor Gillaspie came through huge. Angel Pagan was good all night. Denard Span got a pinch hit. Maybe it was Lady Luck changing her ways. Or…maybe those players were right for the situation. Maybe Bruce knew it. Maybe his faith gave the, a tiny bit more confidence.
We have had fun in the unique, spirited, cute, wordy ways we have criticized everything that came before this final homestand. Last night was Bochy Ball, and it was gloriously successful. No guarantees today, but if we are going to be as openly critical as we have been (and some even being extremely mean spirited) , do we not owe the Hall of Fame manager equal parts respect for the way he manages when we win such important games?
POtD
Yes. Last night was vintage Genius Bochy. Well, except maybe when he took Gorkys out with three innings still to go. But it didn’t end up hurting anything.
GG said it quite well in:” Bochy’s Faith in His Players”.
I hope it was just a righty/lefty pinch-hitting thing (and Span did get a hit there), because having “faith” in Span’s arm/defense would be like having “faith” that Cain is going to go out there today and give you seven scoreless. It is what it is, and faith has nothing to do with it.
“What it is “is that Gorkys gets the starts against LHers. Anyway, I just pointed to GG’s comments on this.
Baby steps for Boch…
GG had it covered with “Bochy’s Faith in His Players”
Thats sarcastic, right?
POTD
(Pontification Of The Day)
Still No Professorial Thumbs Up by many Aggies
I’m glad I didn’t read that on a full stomach.
Press Release from group associated with the two idiots that ran on the field last night:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k9rovvZjnrIrhoU6anyopSTDABnCGsjIDNSde5vTRGI/mobilebasic
So good to see Pagan take action in person. He got a loud ovation at the end of the inning when he went back to the dugout. And all his teammates greeted him at the top step at the back end of the dugout.
Amazing night. My last season tix were a good one…
“A piglet named Miley” on the Dodger Dogs farm? Oh, this is great.
And flowers for Bum because he rescued a baby rabbit? AWESOME
It’s a real thing, y’all. It’s one of the reasons Mrs. TF is a strict vegan.
There are serious issues in this arena. Not for discussion here, And I don’t excuse in any way these guys actions, but this is a real issue.
you’ve seen The Meatrix?
No, but I’ve learned a lot on this subject from my wife, who as noted is passionate about this issue.
It’s not pretty. Good on your wife and you too.
Dodger Dogs sound gross.
They are.
You know that situation could have been very dangerous. Good for Angel to take matters into his own hands. The security really dropped the ball on that one. In this day and age with all the violence it could have been much much worse.
Agree. I was a little worried as I saw both approaching players. Generally, the people that do it run through the field to gather attention for themselves. But the moment I saw them running towards players, I knew they had a different agenda.
Then when Bumgarner cocked his arm ready to punch the man, and he stopped cold in his tracks and moved on, I let my guard down. They werent there to harm anyone.
Its near imposssible for security to prevent an intrusion during an inning. There is simply too much real estate between personnel in each corner of the outfield and at the next cut outs.
Hopefully this is something the Giants are discussing internally at an urgent level. Especially since this happened during the last home stand too.
GG
Pagan was a Pro boxer back home……
So here’s a Tweet from the guy Pagan took down, explaining why he did it: The Dodgers torture animals. Of course they do.
https://twitter.com/dxe_wayne/status/782076426971324418
3 weeks mandatory jail time for running onto the field of play! Betcha that crap will stop then lol!
3 weeks jail time? How about a mandatory 2 losses in the NLDS for the Dodgers? One for each protester.
Goof balls like him don’t deserve the attention. I hope he understand that he and his cohorts just embarrassed themselves for life. Video of their psychotic exploits will survive them. They will live to regret it.
Then why does he wear their colors?
The Willie Mac ceremony last night was the best one ever. Thanks to MLB-TV for showing all of it on their platform.
It appears we’re not going to have Willie Mac for much longer. What a great Giant he was, and is. From 1968-1970 he was the most feared hitter in the NL.
Congratulations once again to Brandon Crawford and Javier Lopez. Welcome to a very exclusive club.
Giants and Yankees are rich with player tradition and lore.
Stretch is actually doing OK
He’s got diabetes doesn’t he, ergo the wheel chair?
Didn’t get the video. Sorry I was confused and thought it was given to Javy only.
Looking at the Pirates lineup and am seeing a lot of new guys. Are some of their regulars hurt or are they just sitting them? You would think they would put out their real lineup in a game that means so much for the good of the game. Most teams do that, and play the young guys in games with no implications.
1. Adam Frazier (L) LF
2. Josh Bell (S) RF
3. Sean Rodriguez (R) SS
4. Gregory Polanco (L) CF
5. Jung Ho Kang (R) 3B
6. John Jaso (L) 1B
7. Alen Hanson (S) 2B
8. Jacob Stallings (R) C
9. Chad Kuhl (R) P
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 1B
2. Aledmys Diaz (R) SS
3. Yadier Molina (R) C
4. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
5. Jhonny Peralta (R) 3B
6. Brandon Moss (L) LF
7. Jedd Gyorko (R) 2B
8. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
9. Michael Wacha (R) P
Josh Bell is a big time hitting prospect like the Padres featured with Renfroe. Hanson has been one of their best infield prospects over last few years and sort of in that limbo as to what kind of player he will be.
Stallings is the Vandy BB coach’s son. Where is Cutch??
??? .767 OPS, 24 HRs… what’s his future? one more year in Pitt?
Woops, Pitt coach now. Used to be the Vandy college hoops coach, did a decent job there.
Cutch= McCutchen
The lineup is missing Marte (Mild Injury), McCutchen (Rest), Cervelli (Injury), and Mercer (Rest?) but this lineup is still fairly potent. I’d have to think that the aforementioned players are going to pinch hit later in the game. Kuhl is a solid young pitcher who can hold his own against a good offense. He beat Kershaw earlier in the year (Kershaw’s last game before landing on DL)
Ugh. I think Bochy is sending a raised eyebrow Clint Hurdle’s way….but then again, the Giants are probably really far down on his “Teams I Like” list.
They should go Panik 4/15 .267 over Tomlinson 0/14 6K’s/
Yes. Better glove at 2B, too. KT’s OK, Panik’s excellent.
Not this year
Keep secret weapon KT on bench for a huge pinch hit.
yep. It’s a tough gig and he’s been $$.
they keep pitching him that fastball which he can serve to right, he’s gonna keep on being money.
KT is giving anorexia a good name.
IF they play Wed. does KT make the 25?
Good call et.
Angel Pagan makes friends.
http://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Giants-left-fielder-Angel-Pagan-tackles-fan-on-9518456.php
Game Ball to Greek Giant for dropping the Tulula Bankhead reference.
* Sumatra Blend
* Same Magic Wandoo Lineup
Knucklehead Award on the earlier blog for saying “Gee Javy’s so happy and *well spoken* also.
That’s gonna leave a bruise with Efrain especially with who said it.
reminds me of a chris rock sketch on “well spoken”
I am sure the author will claim nom de plume status and blame it on the “Fuzzy Navel” In Game drink of choice…
haha “well spoken” – Lopez is probably the smartest guy on the team.
By far. He has Rhodes Scholar-ish tendencies. And always had. People drinking the Koolaide that imbibing professors are posting…
If the Giants manage to beat Kershaw and hold serve Sunday, this is the last baseball team on Earth I’d choose to face in the playoffs.
Amen. This rotation. These seasoned professionals. You bet.
And no Casilla closing!
Of course…
How is your mom doing?
As Pence said 2 years ago: “We ain’t done yet boys…Saddle the hell up, we’re burning it down!”
That, never gets old and it rings true now.
So this what’s going on in our little home town these days (photo) https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ea52ccd9ba58461e8eb91bcb71f896747c4688b7983258c08e9ebcc1face17df.jpg
Wow! That’s a tough town you live in Lefty. The mean streets of Davis… sounds like a great HBO series in the making…
LOL. “Aggressive Turkey..”. Wild place you got there. That sign has to be a joke on some level
Nope. There are hella turkeys running around Davis and have been for the last couple years. They’re big and mean. They block traffic. They interrupt mourners at the cemetery. One Davis resident was so frustrated last year because her idiot neighbor was feeding them that she ran a bunch of them down with her car.
There is no way I am walking past it normally. I am either going the opposite direction or definitely stepping off the curb with a brisk pace.
Hella – Class V professorial quip 🙂
Oh, you meant turkeys, literally, not the kind that show up on campus in the fall.
On campus, we have many, many, many ducks. And squirrels.
Crawdaddy and Belt should pay a visit. Gary Larson of Run to the Far side could have a Turkey Tap 10K run https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/106fc20e566d433d7dc628d7c95a35a0e0bc2792c7eff0ecaa90cfdf38e08195.jpg
The Republican nominee is campaigning in California?!
Our old buddy Wacha might come through again today.
IT’S TRAVIS ISHIKAWA!
http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/vtp_postseason_celebration/v36821545/nlcs-gm5-jon-miller-calls-ishikawa-s-walk-off-homer
3 run jack PIRATES
Kang!
Travis lives!
Would that be “King Kang”?
Vine video of the “Posey Push”
https://vine.co/v/5rLmepE26pT
Herky Jerky like the fan
The Giants are going to have to earn a playoff spot, they are getting no help from the Phillies, who shut down todays original starter, and is starting a pitcher with an ERA over .800, and is making it a bullpen day, and no help from the Pirates who are resting starters today .
Jung-Ho Kang 3-Run HR!!! Bucs lead 3-0
This is good. This is very good.
One time please!
No surprise at all. I showed the numbers on Wacha”s last outing. Matheny/Wacha: Man Crush
In the words of Fuzzy Bear. Wacha, Wacha, Wacha.
Pirates doing their best right now to blow a 1st inning 3 run lead….
Phew… they got out of a 1st and 3rd 1 out jam
But no. Kuhl struck out the side.
Starbucks Moby Dick moment. Off Tonga in the South Pacifi.
https://video.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t43.1792-2/14501314_628954703951825_5188657691450408960_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjI0NzksInJsYSI6MTAyNCwidmVuY29kZV90YWciOiJzdmVfaGQifQ%3D%3D&rl=2479&vabr=1653&oh=37aaeb1278a536cda7be9da839c4643f&oe=57F02B27
Wacha gone after 1 inning. ;(
we’ve all been giving kudos to bum, conor, & bob for their contributions in last night’s big, feel good win, and deservedly so. let’s not forget gorkys, who, after the bums put up a 2 spot in the top of the first, started the bottom of the inning with a double.
our team, when trailing, seems to tighten up with the bats. the longer they trail, the tighter they get. couple that with the fact that hill’s ERA was a wisp over 2, and it could have been a very long night. GH got the offense going immediately, and helped his team get the 2 runs right back. more kudos, this time go to the gorkster. well done, rook.
Gorkys has put himself on the map for a reserve OFer role for next year.
i remember that you love blanco, but i agree, it looks like gorkys may be a better choice for #4 outfielder, over gregor. if that does come to pass, GB will go down as one of the all time best giants. he’s been pure class, every minute he’s been here..
Sadly, it means bye bye Gregor.
I admit I was a Gorky skeptic, but when he threw that guy out at 3B in the top of the 1st I became a GorkysGuy(tm). Such a pleasure to see a CFer with an arm in CF. (Doger must’ve forgot who they started heh.)
I still hate Conor Gilaspie. Go Giants! Pirates up 3-0
I just found you a deal. 12 TV’s at Costco for 12 months out of the year. Bakers dozen. They give you one more.
And these never sink, or short out. They just float on top of the pool water, can be dried out and given to homeless shelters near Chavez Latrine.
I wish there was a like button for this.
Giants called Pagan into Bochy’s office and offered him a guaranteed contract for 17 – Guaranteed for about 111 game but during his down time – Crazy Horse – will teach the “Extend your hand method to the perpetrator” to gain their trust and get them off guard.
The Zorro Crazy Horseman has accepted. C-Horse also wished TO and LittleGiantc a wonderful day.
http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/09/30/angel-pagan-tackle-fan-running-field-video
Dodgers playing their regulars today, despite another lefty starter. I guess they don’t want all those guys to sit out the whole weekend, and Moore’s going tomorrow. They probably also figure that sooner or later, the Giants will have a RHP in the game.
Schulman disclosed that Peavy is injured–stabbed his foot with a pair of scissors while packing moving boxes this week. Couldn’t wear a shoe for two days.
He should know better than to let Jeremy help him
I’m a pretty clumsy guy meself – but howtf do you stab your foot with scissors?
Since Scully was first and foremost a NY Giant fan and adored Mel Ott they should offer him a 40 game package deal for 40 home games at Willie Mays Field for 2017. Put Scully up for free in Mavo’s building across the street and let Vinny hang out with Hunter having coffee.
Vin deserves it after this http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/10/vin-scully-call-dodgers-giants-fan-flowers-angel-pagan
I really don’t think Kershaw is going to get taken out early. He’s going to get in a full workload considering this is his last start before the playoffs. Giants have to force the issue by scoring runs
Because of the back/disk item I believe he is on a pitch count
Hope so. Still might be efficient enough to last 6 or 7 innings but that can’t happen today.
Wow, Rosenthal in the game in the THIRD inning
https://i.imgur.com/Su8Bbzi.png
The 7 spot is going to cause some coronaries around these parts
LOL. It’s their fear of dice.
In just a few games, Beckham has no doubt developed such a love for Bochy (as all players do) that he’ll run through a brick wall for him today while angels sing and a rainbow forms over McCovey Cove. Either that, or he’ll continue to do nothing while a player who has actually been productive for the Giants keeps his well worn seat on the bench.
How did last night work out for you, Captain Sunshine?
I was mesmerized by Bochy’s sheer genius.
So you watched the game from the toilet seat? 😉
RH goes deep for phillies. 2-2
He has to have some NYHateâ„¢ in his soul.
i know i do, and my wife is wearing her seaver41 jersey…
Joe P’s turn today.
Tonight’s game is not listed on the MLB network tv schedule. Two lesser games are listed for 8:00. Hopefully the MLB tv people will /can exhibit some flexibility with their tv schedule.
the games starts at 1:05 PM
Thanks, I rechecked just now. It’s not listed at 2:00 either. Fox has a different game listed at 2:00 also.
The game is at 1:00 PM local time I heard.
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