by
Dr Lefty
Today’s Game: Padres (42-54) at Giants (37-61), 1:05 p.m. at AT & T Park
Luis Perdomo (4-5, 4.94 ERA) vs Matt Moore (3-10, 5.81 ERA)
Last night’s dinner
This was our first Friday night at home since mid-June, with the various trips we’ve taken. For once, I did not use my Instant Pot to cook. Instead, I made this steak frites dish (bottom left corner of the photo) with a bit of south-of-the-border kick. Couldn’t find poblano peppers, so I used jalapenos, instead. Here’s the recipe as I actually prepared it. Served with some sliced fresh berries and with a Bogle 2014 Essential Red wine, California State Fair Gold Medal winner and on sale for $11 at my local market yesterday. The dish was delicious and the whole meal was great. I chased it down with several pieces of salt water taffy from a bag that jumped all by itself into my cart at the grocery store. I swear that’s exactly how it was. I LOVE salt water taffy!
Oh, I also rocked out to Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow” while making dinner. Listened to it as a kid growing up in Marin. My parents were kind of hippies, or at least my mom was. My dad was more like someone out of “Mad Men.” Anyway, what a great album that really stands the test of time. I know everyone remembers “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit” from that album, but this song was actually one of my favorites.
The funniest thing I saw on Facebook this morning
I swear, this one wins the Internet today. Pro tip: Do not be drinking coffee or ice tea or anything if you read the comments following this tweet. It will come out through your nose, I promise.
Oh, you want me to talk about the Giants?
Wait, what? I’m supposed to be discussing our 37-61, six-games-behind-the-freaking-Padres and about-to-catch-the-Phillies wreck of a baseball team? You think, perhaps, I’m talking about dinner, Jefferson Airplane, and Facebook posts as an avoidance strategy?
You would be correct in that assumption.
It truly is a race to the bottom, and the Giants appear to be winning it. Last night’s game had everything: Hector Sanchez channeling Nolan Arenado. Cory Gearrin walking the relief pitcher on four pitches–and he came around to score the tying run. Jeff Samardzija, finally getting some run support–and he can’t get out of the fifth inning. And a dramatic two-out, two-run homer that sent the Giants unexpectedly into extra innings…where they lost, anyway, of course. Oh, and poor Denard Span getting terrorized by seagulls.
SPAN: Demand a trade. Get me the *&%$ out of this Hitchcock movie.
SPAN’S AGENT: Well, but Denard, you’re still owed another $20 million or so, and you have a -17 Defensive Runs Saved, and…
SPAN: I don’t care. Tell them I’ll take a 50% cut on my contract. Just get me out of here.
SPAN’s AGENT: I will do no such thing.
At least Span has a 121 wRC+ this year! That’s something! Anyway, I feel for the guy. Those birds looked kinda sinister. I wouldn’t have liked it, either.
And no, I’m not going to crap like a seagull on poor Everyday George, who was supposed to have the night off. You get a pass this time, Georgie.
Today’s game
Well, Moore has pitched better his last couple…OK, his last one, vs. Cleveland, was actually pretty decent. Except that he lost because he threw a comebacker three feet over Jae Hwang’s head at first base. But he did give them seven innings, and they could sure use that from him again today. Here are the lineups. If I disappear towards the end of the game, it’s to see “Dunkirk” or “The Big Sick,” but I’ll be back later tonight or tomorrow morning with a wrap-up, and I promise to stay more on tas–no, I don’t promise any such thing. It could end up being a movie review. We’ll just have to see how it goes. If Greek Giant doesn’t like it, he can dock my paycheck.
Update!
The Giants called up Albert Suarez (holy cow, that was quick–3 innings in AAA–he looked really good [we were at that game], but still…three) and Orlando Calixte. They demoted Hwang and Okert. Jazzy Jarrett will have to keep waiting, I guess.
Breckeroni wonders if Kontos has money wagered on Giants games.
I don’t think he even put on his uniform until the 8th inning.
He had been originally given the night off.
Now there’s a Bill Veck notion, let Kontos pitch naked, or just wearing his cup.
Um, no.
I’d be down with that.
There’s a Freudian typo. 37-61, not 37-51.
Oops. Fixed. Thanks.
So here’s Pablo’s statement about returning to the Giants. At least he understood that an apology was in order. That’s something, I guess.
https://twitter.com/hankschulman/status/888835550278332416
Con man.
Three ring circus performer!
lol
I wonder who wrote that for Sandoval? Baer or Evans?
Whoever did it, it has the appearance of a form letter.
Most athletes that are Pro produce non-genuine form letters.
That one is just fantasy, like Evan’s GM skills, IMO.
One word, Santa Cruz….
How many words?
Post of the Day
yes very astute to pick up on the intentional humor.
The Santa Cruz gizmo also had Girls Gone Wild trying to get Jiggy with a pro athlete …
We know he didn’t write that, so…whatever.
He just did a dugout interview. Pablo is still just a big kid, but I saw genuine humility and gratitude on his 2nd chance with the fans who loved him.
“My comments were emotional, insensitive and misguided”
You cannot be serious. Who wrote these euphemisms? These are not Pablo’s words. He doesn’t talk like this. This statement needs a rewrite by Pablo in Spanish.
PR department. Don’t think his agent could come up with that one.
Hank Schulman got confronted by a follower on twitter for saying this statement was written for him. Hank’s response: “I’m a journalist, if I represent that these are his words, even if he feels it, then I’m not being honest.”
Well, whether we trust his words or not, I am willingly giving Pablo a second chance.
It may not work out. I root for his success against the odds and jilted fan sentiment.
It’s a low risk gamble
You’re a real humanitarian.
Are you?
Nah, I’m awful. I won’t root for a guy who’s done many things I view as detestable just because he’s wearing a Giants’ uniform.
+++++++++ most all 49ers players due to Jed York + Pagan and SoftBabyJesus Buster.
But HEY Ray McDonald even though his reputation proceeds him even after the Niners and then Bears released him due to almost identical.
Wow. That makes even less sense than normal.
Some people/bloggers never forgave him for his Santa Cruz escapade
I’m with TO on this one. I don’t want Ryder Jones development at Sacto to stall out just go give Pablo a bunch of AB’s. Pablo is just sand in the gears to me.
And that’s the other significant part of it. He’s been awful for the last three years with no reason to believe that’s suddenly going to change.
By the way… hanging at Duke’s, and Beauty is sipping a Mai Tai. Sadly, I’ll miss the Calixte refresh.
Off topic: Kyrie wants out of Cleveland. Looks like things are shaping up for the Warriors to be a dynasty as far as the eye can see.
The best part is that James was “shocked and blindsided.” He just couldn’t imagine a world where someone would put his own best interests ahead of whatever was best for Lebron.
Yeah I saw Lebron’s remark. In the long run Lebron’s self-appointed role as a 2nd coach on the floor and even the Cav’s FO probably alienates teammates. Kyrie was the guy who really gave the W’s fits so if he leaves we’ve got no competition for many years to come (barring injuries).
Can he play outfield?
The Giants may need a change in their clubhouse musical fare to turn things around.. Rhythm is important.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/science/elephant-seal-calls.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Come on, Moore. Quality start. Right here.
What a funny, breezy pre-game blog, Lefty. I like how you didn’t talk about the Giants until halfway through. “Race to the Bottom” –both the title and the cartoon of what appears to be the Titanic are hilarious. Best of all is this line from Span’s imaginary conversation with his agent:
SPAN: Demand a trade. Get me the *&%$ out of this Hitchcock movie.
Span is just dying for a pie crust recipe.
I thought they were seagulls, not four-and-twenty blackbirds.
LOL. Maybe that kind of pie, he can throw a bit further… feather and all.
Thanks, dgg. I had fun doing it.
Hank Schulman 19min ago:
[Pablo] ended his news conference by refusing to answer where the final-out ball from 2014 is. “I’m past that.”
Pablo stole that final-out ball. Until he returns it, his apology is worthless.
I suspect no one particularly cares what he’s past. His best contribution to the Giants, buy a season ticket and sit in the mezzanine.
The words that Schulman fit into his tweet weren’t that all convincing to me. Saying he would return the ball to the organization would have meant something.
Well, if Nunez is traded, Gillaspie will apparently take the job full time, blocking Sandoval at AAA.
I think it was Crawfish Joe and Hank Schulman too, who both said Conor needs to be given time and opportunity and repetitions at third base. But looks like the Giants are going back to the past at third base.
I think I’m more scared by the theory (Hoona, as my bad memory recalls) that Sandoval is to play 1B after a Belt trade. But mostly I’m thinking that Sandoval simply can’t play anymore, and that will become apparent at Sacramento.
What a ridiculous image i.e., Pablo trying to stretch out his rotund body at 1B. This whole Pablo thing is bad craziness and a soap opera in one go.
I want to hear that he’s taking reps in LF.
The one time I remember Panda stretching for a throw at 1B, he landed on the DL for a considerable spell with a pulled hamstring!
I’m sure he sold it. Baggarly said he’d heard a rumor to that effect. It’s a shame. I know Pablo caught it, but that ball belongs with Madison Bumgarner’s memorabilia–or the team’s.
It’s just a ball.
This is what Bumgarner said about that final-out ball from the 2014 World Series: “But that one … if I did have it, I d make sure I knew where it was. That would be one I’d keep safe.”
I’m sure that’s true, but it’s the accomplishment that he’ll always be remembered for, not whichever random baseball he threw as the last pitch. But I’ve really understood the whole ball thing, anyway. If I ever happened to catch some historic ball in the stands, I’d absolutely sell it.
Even if it was a player’s first-time ever Home Run? You wouldn’t give it back to him?
Just stirring the pot.
I was just thinking about that. I’d give it up in nearly every case, but if it was the first HR of someone who was seen as being likely to be a great player, like Bryce Harper, Barry Bonds, or maybe some kid the Giants will soon draft with a very high pick, I’d probably hang on to it to see what happens.
Or give it to a kid, look his dad in the eyes and tell him that some day, I may call on you to perform a service for me.
If I was going to give it to a kid, I’d give to a kid I know.
Geez, last night’s loss is precisely the kind of loss that clobbers a team’s spirit. I got home just an inning ahead of Gillaspie’s HR which gave such hope after they lost their big lead (thank you, Meathead). Our record against SD proves that there’s no flukiness about our last place position. SD is rock bottom in the NL in run production but we’re making their lineup (with Sanchez at cleanup??) look formidable. Sheesh.
It ought to finally bury the notion that ‘pop’ with a bat is the issue.
The reverse standings…things are tightening up and the White Sox and Reds are also making runs:
Phillies —
Giants 2
WSox 5.5
Reds 6
Padres 8
A’s 9
Bruce Bochy career .500 watch: 1826-1818
Jonah Goldberg has such a way with words, and, as it turns out, the sports metaphor.
“But let’s be honest, the chances that Donald Trump will be a great
president — never mind capital-G Great in the historical sense — are now
only slightly better than my chances of getting a Super Bowl ring.”
Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/g-file/449747/donald-trump-defenders-rationalizing-failure
This is for Sincere an Footy https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3b0be623272e374ee742702c5850464405dbf1caddcbeef9427be1a90707dbf6.jpg
No. I won’t.
I tried to correct but failed.
Sideways photos make me dizzy.
try this/ https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/61d8b04b4e04d0971f5773c83958484faffb66726a0bdb6a0ec565477123d60e.jpg
Very funny, Bapah.
Sorry… how about this? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4eae6a7cca6023834aab6db7c4b82be01b4edc9fc808a7fe1115124d4126e925.jpg
Photoluddite.
The whole Pablo thing is just such an insult. I can’t help imagining how the players really feel. Not that I think he’ll ever actually get to SF, but if he does, it’s not going to be a cohesive clubhouse.
We’re going to the River Cats game on Wednesday–he gets there Tuesday. Will be quite curious to see how he looks, how fans react, etc. As you’ll recall, our seats are quite near 3B.
Count the boos for us.
lmao
I predict fans will not be kind.
I bet they will be. They always seem pretty excited when a big-name Giant is there. They went nuts for Bumgarner a couple weeks ago, and there were reasons to wonder if they’d cheer for him, too.
Apples and oranges. Bum was stupid, but didn’t go out of his way to disrespect the organization.
I bet he’s cheered.
But that was Bumgarner.
Sandoval was pretty darn popular back in the day.
True. But he burned a few bridges when he said the only Giants he’d miss were Boch and Pence. Not Bum who gave him cowboy boots, or Wotus, who worked with him, or Timmy, who everybody liked, or Gregor, etc. We fans are a fickle bunch. I wouldn’t boo him, but I’d limit my celebration to a golf clap until he did something worth cheering about.
If he went 3-4 a few times, fans might forgive if not forget.
Yea, right before he ran his mouth.
There have been worse players in baseball however who were given MANY chances: Carlos Zambrano – Albert Belle – Milton Bradley – Rob Dibble – Jon Rocker – Manny Ramirez – Billy Martin who ran their mouth and put their teammates in harms way with their insensitivity.
The couple of Giants who left and came back – Mike McCormick and Willie McCovey were gentleman at all times.
That is why YOU are our Nostradamus
Always good to chat with you again, Clutch.
Oh, I’m real sure he’ll be back in San Francisco. Alex reports that when he does make it back to the big team: “It will be up to the players and team employees to decide how they really feel three years later. Some, most notably Pence, have been effusive in their praise of the move. Others have been more guarded, and some have grumbled. And make no mistake about it, there are executives at high levels of the organization who do not agree with a reunion.”
Andrew Baggarly 31min ago:
There were rumors that Pablo Sandoval sold the final out ball from the 2014 World Series. When asked, he declined to say where it was.
That ball belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
Michael Phelps is preparing to race a great white shark.
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/7/22/16011370/shark-week-2017-michael-phelps-great-white-race
I wonder if Sandoval is game for a challenge.
Hate to lose Nunez even though he wishes to return next season.
When he modifies his ability to run ALL OUT at all times – he adds a dimension rarely seen on the Giants.
JP12 can’t buy a friggin hit
The shift should be outlawed OR given strict parameters.
The shift should be defeated by sound smart baseball.
So everyone should bunt? Sounds exciting.
Ted Williams said the hardest thing to do was hit a round, moving baseball with an oblong bat.
Belt for example, cannot try to bunt to make the shift honest when he has two strikes on him because if it goes foul the at bat is over.
He doesn’t work enough on bunting either. It really isn’t rocket science.
Ban the shift in the sense that they can do anything they want to. Give it some scope.
Other sports place limits on what the defense can do. The way shifts are used today goes against more than 100 years of tradition. My rule would be that all infielders would have to be on the infield when the pitch was thrown, with two required to be on each side of second base.
Where is Peter Johnson?
Shhhhhhhhhhh
Camping maybe.
Greek signed him to a minor league deal to see if he still has it.
Those kids have the perfect bobble waves.
BOO!!!
Lefty, I used to have “Surrealistic Pillow” on vinyl. My personal favorite song besides the popular “White Rabbit” was “3/5 of a mile in ten seconds”. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
AK sisterfan kept that album. Then again, I think she bought it. Brings back 7th and 8th grade.
That album was the apex of Airplane. About 4 songs on it could end up in a “Best of” album.
They/She (It first belonged to Gracie) used to have a house on the cliff-side just down the street from the Palace of the Legion of Honor. My friend was their babysitter/house sitter. That was a long time ago. Heard many a rehearsal there.
That part of the City is about as gorgeous as it gets. I used to love an afternoon that started with a tour of the Palace followed by a walk on that dirt path past Alcatraz that ended up at the Cliff House if you went all the way. You’re a privileged character if you got to hear Airplane regularly.
I was lucky to be there at that place in time. Also got to listen to Big Brother at many of their rehearsals too. I had a friend from England that I took to several of their jams and he fell deeply in love with Janis. Never got over it, if I recall.
An interesting view of the GGB from that angle too.
That was THE best angle IMHO.
I used to like the view from Baker Beach of the Bridge and Marin Headlands too.
Yes, streaming it through my iPhone to my Bluetooth speaker isn’t EXACTLY the way I listened to it in the 60s…but it’s a great album. I really like a lot of the songs.
Base hit – too much speed
Glad they’re giving Crawford a day off. I really get the sense that something’s wrong with his body and he ain’t talking.
Gorks has been taking hitting lessons from one of TO’s hitting lesson doctors from the PAL. Well done.
Do it for Heem Joe Pa#12
That RBI is for you, steve k.
Belt during this OFF season IF he is returning in 2018 – needs to spend about a month in one of his dad’s barns in Nacogdoches and rework some of the moving parts in his swing – one month with Barry Lamar.
Looks like drought #6 forming
Rightly or wrongly, I’ve always claimed that he has a hitch in his swing. Others have disputed this but that’s what my eyes see.
It IS hard to explain. He crushes pitches he is looking for or hunting. Is he a tough SOB two strike hitter? NO and there are a ton of hitters who is not but I think his ceiling of potential if he gave into the tutelage of a Bonds would then be enormous.
His ceiling of potential is very high and I’m in the no-trade camp. I’ve always felt he was unjustly maligned as a Giant given his relentlessly good WAR numbers.
I think management moves him this winter. He’s MyGuy favorite, but we have quantity coming up at his position.
I’m a dope about our farm guys. Who did you have in mind to replace Belt at 1B?
Plus — he is capable of hitting much higher than .240 — they would be selling low at this point. All of their tradeable pieces really want to stay on the team as they are all playing horribly.
Enough with the ball dudes. Next season lets see a baseball and softball player from a high school team in every NorCal county.
Get the ball dudettes from Mitchell Brothers in SF on Broadway.
Moore NEEDS a double play ball right here
Another Rule 5 guy on their team that they have committed to.
How many baseball announcers can even pronounce Pas de deux?
Most likely Jon Miller
And Dave Fleming. Ok, rephrase, how may other team’s announcers, … .
When will the suffering end?
Padres are teeing off on Moore this inning. Wow, the pitcher with a roped triple.
Everyone tees of on Moore after his 1st time through the order.
Might have left all his knowledge on how to get hitters out in the American League.
Cardinal Sin when the opposing 8th place hitter and Pitcher drive in 3 extra runs on the very first pitch of the counts.
Yep. They teach you that in Pony League.
Moore does not have what it takes. Grow a pair, dude–and pitch to your talent. You’re killing us!
That is what makes him so frustrating — other than his one bad inning he was dominant with strikeout stuff — great breaking pitches and 93 with cut action. He at least seems to have corrected the mechanical flaw that was leading to way too many walks. May still be struggling with control within the strike zone out of the stretch.
If I were the boss, Moore would get a $50K fine for throwing that awful pitch to the pitcher. Embarrassing.
Good call. Damn Players Union 🙁
Unions ruin everything.
LOL. Nonsense.
Well said, Scott Walker.
I like unions except when I don’t.
Well this one does, fabricated as it is on the false premise that teams are independent economic entities. No justification for professional athlete unions. Cooperation between the leagues should be addressed however
But it sure was needed when the owners had all the control and players had none.
How many starting pitchers are the Giants down to who can actually pitch and win games?
Maybe two: Shark and Blach. Lately, one: Ty Blach.
Bumgarner too, don’t you think? He just got back and essentially he’s still in rehab/recovery.
Almost like Spring Training for him – BUT – and unusual amount of home runs given up by him in a pitchers ball park.
Yes. But keep his workload to six-ish innings per start. Maybe skip a start or two. No reason to push it.
Choke up, go the other way a couple of times, and the shift goes away.
OMG don’t we know that is not as simple with 90++++++ velo and secondary pitches with Fuzz on them. I like the phrase tho and Bapah agrees but with two strikes they are jamming Belt with the shift on severely.
Belt needs to hunt with one strike and NOT wait for 2 strikes.
Not that simple … But the truth is that baseball is about adjustments, so make some. And one of these treats spend the spring being a competent hunter. No excuse not to if you’re a professional
I’m beginning to think Moore is a head case who loses focus/willpower at just the wrong times. Small jams turn into huge bonfires. Sigh.
Bingo
The whole team isn’t? They all frequently give it up to the worst hitter in the opposition lineup.
Pardon if it’s already been said – but Surrealistic Pillow was one of the best albums of that era, and still holds up. My fave is ‘Coming Back to Me.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NdvMT32skw
p.s. Samuel Clemens was his name, mooch.
I like that one, too. Also “Today”–beautiful song.
Marty Balin was ethereal.
But a bit of a pain in the ass at times. Recall he was the first one to leave.
I thought it was Grace.
Wow. A Jefferson Airplane riff right there! Nice. They played at our high school in spring 1967, shortly after they were on Ed Sullivan. It was the dawning of the Summer of Love for us. 50 years. Thanks y’all.
Not your average High School.
I love this album…but After Bathing at Baxter’s is my absolute favorite of theirs. Great Kaukonen workouts, the jams last the right amount of time, just a total masterpiece.
Thank you. I wanted to tip my cap to Lefty on that mention. My favorite JA album as well.
Miracle of miracles.
Every little bit helps.
I stepped out and how’d we tie the game?
Hilarious. This is shaping up to be a reprise of last night’s football score.
Rob Manfred gives it up about the HR spike. It’s the baseball.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/can-mlb-build-a-better-ball/
“Rob Manfred wanted more offense in the game” and now we have balls which produce more home runs and more blisters on pitchers’ fingers.
The article has a nice video in it (3 min) on making a baseball. You can see dozens of places in the process that could lead to changes that effect pitchers and hitters if not properly controlled. People need to realize all this began with a change in location (country) of the manufacturing process.
He really doesn’t know the game well. There are forms of offense that make the game better (more baseball plays) and forms that make it worse (walks and homers). If this was done on purpose, it’s down right Seligian
Home runs make the game worse? I don’t think that’s a majority opinion. A home run is the most exciting play in sports. Babe Ruth became the most famous athlete in the country and changed baseball with the home run. The greatest hitters whoever played were power hitters. I don’t think most are finding the Giants’ brand of powerless baseball all that appealing.
Another David Stern – just another corporate flak.
You would think if the seems are higher, then there should be more break and cut on the pitches making it harder to hit and homer
I said everyone wants to stay a Giant by playing so poorly that they are now untradeable. One exception — Nunez looks like he is ready to be traded.
He is really shining lately. They better get something for him – I’m gonna be sorry to see him go.
He’s got a .585 OPS the last 2 weeks and has looked as unimpressive as ever on defense most of that time. I swear I just do not understand this Nunez love.
Returning to AS form without the power
Thx for the update Señor Statcast.
K & K sound like they are having a little trouble selling the company welcome back line.
Everybody is gonna struggle with it.
But I had to disappoint all of us because there are certain fans-people-old-timers-ethnic-groups who are gonna turn the page and open their arms.
If he proves useful, we all will. But that seems highly unlikely.
If this apology is genuine, and he goes to SJ/Sacto focused and ready to reclaim his career, maybe…But we’ve watched Pablo for ten years, and there have always been behavior issues. Is he capable of substantial behavior modification? We’ll see.
His immaturity is off the charts. But he never had the guts before to fire his brother Michael or his then agent.
This is like watching a horse race at the glue factory.
Sniff
OMG those little Cueto kids are cute!
And one of them has the shimmy down.
How many here do the kayak thing on a regular basis?
I prefer going there on a sailboat.
Why do players with long last names like Cory Spangenberg or Ryan Spilborghs always haunt us?
I would rather have Nunez at third rather than Sandoval
Unfortunately I think Boston or Houston are gonna offer prospects from two really good farm systems to obtain Nunez …
After clearly separating himself from Osich about two months ago – I am disappointed that Okert is pitching more like the other guy and now in Sacramento.
It’s weird, Clutch–it’s like they’ve melted together into one guy. When one is good the other one isn’t. One is up, one is down.
How true it is.
Nice to see Alberto back in the Bigs. This dude can pitch, and is the perfect long-man in the bullpen.
Yep. He’s done good work for us in the past.
Pablo’s walk up music at San Jose tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6aRvVTSC0I
Thinking “I’m Sorry” by Brenda Lee might be a better choice.
Patsy Cline ….. Crazy …
Great video. Has those funny dance moves and awful keyboards and drum sounds that pop singers were using in the 80s.
What might Nunez bring ?
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2017/7/21/16012880/sf-giants-trade-rumors-eduardo-nunez
Weak ABs from Hundley and Span, especially Span. Put the ball in play.
Try pitiful.
Gorks – Do this for Mr. T_O !!!
Damn slider. Worst invention ever for a hitter to face.
Choctaw’s revenge.
Dyson for the T9th
Just when I thought how nice it would be to actually have a lead in the top of the 9th with an effective closer coming in, … silly me.
Regarding Nunez…the Together We’re Fickle board is in high gear
Span…
…sucks
Well in that case the batter got ONLY the bases he was supposed to….even tho the BR was thinking about it.
Who said they’re tired of seeing baserunners going from first to third on him time after time? Well, there you go.
Pay attention Dyson
Measured off his steps wrong – he was there – but passed the bag
Belt looked pissed on the last play/out.
Then hit a damn homerun.
Probably had to drop a rock in the potty.
Whew.
Nice inning, defense and Dyson.
Now let’s win this game.
Dyson is an assassin. Just what you want in a closer.
Surely the gift of a lead off walk in B9 can be cashed in by this team?
Gotta pick the correct pitch to steal on….Nunez’s hammy is an issue.
Joe Panik has not bunted well in quite awhile.
Nunez goes now
The problem with hitting Buster is IF first base is open …….
Bartender – set ’em up for BB9
Amazing the way Gorkys was being ripped for not hitting. BB9 is now a dozen points below Gorkys in average
Just got under it a little.
Gotta believe Boch is gonna ask Dyson to go one more inning ….Unless ….
Stricknine. Oh gawd.
This team really needs this W, against this team.
Padres playing us tough brings back great memories from 2010.
Screw Mat Latos.
2012 NLDS game 5. Baseball Karma.
And Game 162 in 2010!
Yup yup!
Another game I’ve watched 6-8 times at least. 2010 gold.
That was strike three — I just watched the AB again and Strickland had to get 4 strikes. That is the true sign of a team that doesn’t care anymore. Strickland had to get 4 strikes to get the K — how did nobody notice? The 1-0 pitch was a called a strike, then he hit a foul ball, then the 1-2 pitch was called a strike and nobody noticed.????
That’s bad.
Watching again — the umpire almost seems unsure on the second pitch — he stands up sticks out his right hand and appears to call and stay strike (just like he did on the fourth pitch), but then after the foul ball it almost like he forgot the count as he signals 2 balls and 1 strike, but he clearly called the second pitch a strike — very strange.
Saw it live at the ball park, and I thought the same thing. It was a mental fart from Bochy and the team.
Guess myguy Span has Post traumatic seagull disorder.
Beauty. Posey might be the best defensive player in the NL.
Whoops, that was Hundley.
Yep…he sheepishly said. Thank you.
Hey, I up voted your Posey.
Teamwork!
And we’re going to the 11th! Again!
Maybe more, and they only called up one new pitcher.
Yikes. Kontos isn’t here, is he?
Looks like the bench is Kelby Tomlinson,
and the bullpen is Gearrin, Kontos, Crick
Okay, thanks, 610!
Belt! Combination: height, left handed, deft skills, good jump! Straight up! I love Belt at first base.
He’s not bad either 🙂
You can see why the Yankees are interested. Very good ballplayer.
Belt is one of my untouchables. So the Yankees can back off.
LOL. OK.
That’s a swell name: Spangenberg.
Not a bad player at all.
Nope. I’m awfully glad he struck out there.
Osich has the filthiest stuff of any of the pitchers. He just needs to get his head straight
Just rocked out to White Rabbit – knocking out some dishes. Great post, Lefty.
Embryonic Journey is my favorite, fun to play, or try to play !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1aft5wX6o
Now K & K are talking about therapeutic knitting as their off-season goal! It’s delightful, like Bleacher Bob was talking about last night.
Good going, Osich! Now let’s win this game.
Word. Get a run here. Get the W.
Osich stuck with his curve. Something different. Maybe he’s learning to pitch!
Where is everyone? I realize I haven’t been here for most of the game. I was sewing and listening to audio.
long nap, fortunately starting in their 4th inning so I missed all 4 runs, until the 8th.
I’m here! I’m here!
(Channeling my inner Dr. Seuss)
We’re either going to be the most rested fanbase at season’s end, or our nerves will all be shot.
We’re all here, dgg, suffering silently. ;o)
Hey paul, We’re headed to the 12th! What’s not to like?
To quote Mateo, ‘Atta babe.’ ;o)
I miss your old avatar, paul!
Which one – St. Snorkel?
I stopped watching Matt Moore games a couple months ago. Not just because of the results, I mainly just hate the way he pitches and the dumb faces he makes.
Eric, that’s what audio’s for! Besides, the Giants are going to fix Moore. They sort of have to.
When Belt pitches will Kelby play first?
Bum.
Renfroe struck out. I’m liking what we’re seeing from Osich this afternoon.
Brandon Belt can hit too!
Pretty short day for Kelby Tomlinson, after waiting all day to get in. 2nd flubbed bunt of the game. Why not have Matt Cain do that?
I don’t know. Why bunt at all?
gift of a WP! Hit by Pence or Hundley can do the job now.
Guess it’s Hundley.
And it is!
Because it is a valuable tactical tool. Playing a bunt defensively takes skill and practice that many players don’t invest much energy into. Well bunted balls are aimed at particular players especially if they’re lazy or unskilled. I once had a team that bunted so well and the other team played so poorly, we could have done nothing else all day but that to win the game.
Would have been better if he hit with a runner on 3b instead of popping up twice
It feels like an All Star game, with a lineup completely out of order.
Bochy should have let Kelby swing the bat.
And Giants fans are on their feet!
Does GG give out the Croix du TWG to people still posting in the 12th?
I sure hope so. That would be swell.
Only during night games 🙂
Does anyone think pence will get his swing back? He looked the worst there. Popped up two hangers and almost swung at ball outside. Looked off balance.
Right now I’m happy, TD1031. I don’t want to think about how Pence is in decline. Can we talk about this tomorrow?
Pence seems easy to get out with low and outside stuff. He’s gotta be hurting between not hitting and not playing very well in the field. It might be for the best if he plays only 4 or 5 times a week now?
Yes, and next year, Pence needs to be in a platoon.
yeah and Next year Timmy will be back as a starter.
There we go. Blach tomorrow for the split.
This has become a great rivalry!
It’s a bit lopsided.
Went to the ballpark to get sun-burned. Saw a lot more Padres fans at the ballpark than I have in seasons past.
Ironic, isn’t it, that Hundley and Gillaspie have been our recent heroes. We’re not getting much from our so-called “core”.
Way to go Hundley! Will he be back next year?
Will Aramis Garcia be ready?
Matt Winn and Elizier Zambrano might have something to say about that, but Garcia would be great.
I asked about Garcia because he was MyGuy last year, and I liked his interview with Alex before catching Bumgarner on rehab this year.
Yes, those non-tangibles like interviews with heart do matter. His bat is going to earn a promotion to Richmond very soon. Keep an eye on him to back up Buster until Buster wants to move to 1B.
I like Zambrano too.
I think Trevor Brown would be the next man up.
Fed-Ex. He’s the primary catcher in Sacramento this year, hitting around .300 and with some power.
Slo-mo development plan. But maybe the pace picks up next year.
Huntley might be gone by the end of the month. The Cubs need a veteran backup catcher.
I was just gonna say the same. Get a decent prospect for him, Bobby!
I’d like him back. That was maybe the one offseason signing I liked. (Wait I also liked the idea of Ruggiano as a platoon 5th OF)
He could be another trade chip right now. It would be a nice ‘Thank You’ from the Giants to let him go to another team at this point.
Old Tony B. had to warm up the pipes again a bit to sing today.
He’s coming off a TKO over Steve Perry
Well after a long day at the park, finally sitting at SFO to go home. No live game blogging for me today. After the drive in from Danville and the breathtaking traffic jams, we arrived at the park, met up with some old friends, and walked all around AT&T today. All day. Beautiful views everywhere. And we’d stop and different vendors and buy food or drinks or sundaes, checked out the shops, and my buddy sampled lots of beers. Would stop occasionally to watch the game. Going into today’s game I didn’t care about win or lose, wasn’t going to get upset, wasn’t going to tighten up, just wanted to be with our friends and walk the entire park and all it’s levels. Got to our seats in 119 in the shade to start the top of the 10th and enjoy the extra innings win. It was pretty fun to casually stroll around. Wouldn’t do it again, but got to see quite a bit and talk to different fans. Again, awesome views everywhere.
Sergio going to Tampa. PTBNL
I have a great plan on how to get rid of the pooping sea gulls. It’s no longer a novelty. They’re not cut anymore. Their gross. And pooping on people is gross and unhealthy. My plan to get rid of the is humane, organic and twofold. But it’s going to take work, cooperation, and patience. The first part is people need to bag their trash. After all, we are inviting them to eat and you can’t blame them for their gross behavior. You’d do the same thing. AT&T can have bags ready and available for people to bag their trash. All of it. Don’t leave any of it. If it weren’t for the gulls we’d have rats. The second part of the plan is to get a barge and feed the birds off shore. Light the barge up with stadium light, make sure there are some garlic fries on deck, and do this around the 7th inning. Basically you’re just putting their dinner table in a new location. It will take time. But for now the poop is a gross thing to witness. And it’s such a distraction to the game.
Well done! This is like integrated pest management for seagulls. Can probably mix in a falcon or two as well.
Why is this Bryan Murphy guy such a dick?
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2017/7/22/16015498/giants-win-5-4-in-extra-innings-bullpen-good-matt-moore-not-a-total-disaster
Also – Baggs rips Pence in twitters. Over and over.
He’s no Grant Brisbee. And Pence is no Matt Holliday.
Murphy tries to be cute. Baggs tries to be edgy. Yawn.
oh yeah, I discovered this before, but that’s not the Brian Murphy on KNBR in the morning and On This Date in Giants History.
Are you talking our Hunter or the VP?
I had to SMH when I read this guy’s article. Sounds like he’s trying to be “funny” like Brisbee, but crashed and burned. Baggs seems to be more harsher and harsher since he’s returned to the Merc. Pavlovic still a d-bag on twitter to his followers, though. Never change, “bro”.
True that, bud. This guy has a bad case of the McCovey Chronicles disease that makes so much of their stuff impossible to tolerate.
And Baggarly? Go find a job in Chicago, dude. Enough of your nonsense.
Reynolds is 3 for 3 in the game. Duggar has a single and 2 walks. And Sandoval…
https://twitter.com/JoeRitzo/status/888933658832195586
https://twitter.com/JoeRitzo/status/888958707588931585
I’m having a peach pie in celebration of today’s win. Well and also it’s my friend’s bday so it was free. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/82cfecce873c4114d368f39abc5cf66ae768785a6e035876acd6453d2839cb83.jpg
Looks homemade. Tis the season. What kind of beer with that? Or a Lunch Box (blue moon, peach schnapps, orange juice)
It’s a chamomile citrus blonde from Temescal Brewing. Pretty good! The pie was okay. A little too fresh. The crust was pretty delish though
Be careful…Bapah gets cranky on rotated pictures
Nope. Just you.
Picturist
I’ve been meaning to ask you if this a familial trait or if it’s just you? I’d be surprised if Beauty has the same innate tendencies.
More like a one-off mutant is my guess.
I blame Tim Cook and his shitty rotary-style IPhone 6… I literally can’t rotate it on the phone. I have to go to my PC, which I don’t bring to Norman’s Rare Guitars as a practice
OK, here’s a tip. Take the picture. once it is stored in your phone, open it up again. touch the weird thing at the bottom that looks like 3 lines sorta like this—0-. At the bottom of the next screen there is a “crop” symbol with rotation arrows.
I think even a Luddite like you can figure out the rest from here.
I do this on my MacBook Pro so it’s a lot easier. Same idea, though.
That is a rather Picture Oracle final sentence post
All kidding aside, was that helpful?
I haven’t tried it yet…I’ll give it a shot today, Baps
As of two days ago, I’m now the proud owner of an iPhone 7 Plus, which supposedly is amazing for photos. Will have to experiment and see if it rotates stuff!
The kid brought up by Houston , Moran, fouled a ball off his face. I know he was playing 3rd, but word was that Houston saw his presence as a temporary replacement to Correa
Perhaps Footy can advise if this means the Astros may crank up interest in Nunez
Wow, they do have good prospects.
Ouch. They should kick the tires. Competition is good. Competitive teams should desire the services of Nunez, as a bench player at least.
Sandoval: 1 for 4, RBI, walk. Was DHing & started the game hitting RH vs the lefty starter.
Reynolds: 4 for 5. May be about time to move him up. He’s been rolling.
Duggar: 2 for 3. Seems to be getting his timing back. Hopefully in Sacramento soon.
Reynolds is a switch hitter, correct?
correct
Reynolds has been a singles machine. Nice double and triple tally though. He’s portraying a switch hitting Steve Duggar.
Good eye. I tried to watch the game, but the sound was poor and out of sync. Plus the picture quality was so poor I couldn’t make out half the players and gave up. Congrats for sticking it out.
Nope, just reporting from the box score. We went to see “Dunkirk.”
Was it as good as prelim ratings?
I thought it was incredible. Brilliant. A work of art, really.
Which format?
Just regular. We don’t have IMAX here in town.
Reynolds should be fast tracked to Richmond before their season is over; at least get a sniff of Double A pitching.
I think so. IIRC, he finished last season in SJ (promoted from S-K for the playoffs), so it’s time for him to move on.
Richmond’s season ends on September 4, so this promotion should come in a week or two?
That’s why I said to fast track him.
And Duggar should be everyday CF in Sacto. We desperately need a quality defensive CF and these two show promise. Let’s find out what we have.
JD Martinez was hit on the hand by a pitch in his first game with the Diamondbacks a few days ago. Hasn’t played since. Day to day for a contusion was the initial diagnosis. They are even steven with the Rox for top Wild Card, 5.5 up over 3rd in WC standings (Cubs).
I just saw an ad for this stuff called Toppik, which seems to be a can of metal shavings that you shake onto your head.
I wish I was in the conference when God calls together his Human Development staff for his weekly product introductions status meeting. I think he’s gonna order a meteor reset.
WTF? What is it supposed to do? (This ought to be good) You DID say “shake on your head” Right?
Yup…check it out…”keratin” based and it sticks to your hair ( I may have taken a bit of artistic license with “metal shavings”)
Wasn’t there a TV huckster a long time ago that used to shill for something like this?
At first I thought this was akin to E. Buzz Miller (Aykroyd) on SNL selling the children’s product “Bag o’ Glass”. But you weren’t kidding like old E. Buzz. Toppik is real!!
up vote is for the “meteor reset” phrase. USA seems to be the leading candidate for the target, no?
Don’t waste your time watching the Giants v Padres today.
It’s Clayton Kershaw day!!!!!!
MLB early in the season had the Giants on all the time for the broadcasts. Then the Giants tanked and now they are never on.
That’s because the Giants were a favorite by many to fight for at least a WC, once a team starts losing no reason to put them on the sir. It’s all about ratings.
Right, and since it’s July and not October, he might even pitch well!
Unbelievable. We have a Cubs troll and Dodgers troll posting early in the morning, singing the praises of their teams. Any A’s trolls out there? Ready to laud Forst and Beane for the prospects they get for Sonny Gray?
I’m not a Dodgers fan and you know it!
I’m just a Kershaw fan.
I’m not sure I see the difference.
Sergio traded for cash and a player to be named later
https://sports.yahoo.com/rays-acquire-sergio-romo-dodgers-040052922.html
What are these Giants going to look like next year? Ain’t no trades adding talent this month. Cueto probably opts-in at this point. Could the front office be so compelled to “fix the outfield” that they add a to be 32 year old in free agency to cover center field?
Span LF
Panik 2B
Cain CF
Posey C
Belt 1B
Slater RF
Arroyo 3B
Crawford SS
Bench: Pence, Gorkys, Tomlinson, Eric Sogard?!, Hundley
Bumgarner- Cueto-Shark-Moore-Blach
Melancon, Dyson, Smith, Osich/Okert?, Strickland, Law, Gearrin? Beede?,
Trading Hundley before the end of July, as someone suggested yesterday, is a real possibility, so backup C might be Federowicz.
Could Hwang beat out Tomlinson for bench player?
I hope Strickland is traded away, so that Crick is still in the ‘pen.
Think we’re going to need another starter, maybe two, if Samardzija and Moore can’t pull it together somewhat.
I suspect either Belt or Panik is being offered for trades. Alas. We’ll give you a redo on the fake roster when August 1 rolls around!
I hope not. No disrespect to Lorenzo Cain, who’s a terrific player, but this is exactly the kind of move the Giants need to stop making. The contracts to Span and Pence–who also used to both be really good players–are already a big drag on the 2018 season five months before the ball even drops at Times Square. We don’t need another one of those. They either need to pull off a trade for a young CF or hope like heck that someone like Duggar or Slater can step up. 2018 is likely too soon for Reynolds.
New post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/postgame/the-bullpen-saves-the-day/