The Giants come home after a rough road trip hoping to turn it around after an exciting extra inning game to finish their trip. They have 6 games at home before they go on another long road trip.
Tim Hudson got the ball in game 1, he has been the Giants best pitcher by far this season and had a current MLB record 30 innings without a walk to start the season. His control has been the mainstay for his success but on this night he started to struggle. He issued his first walk of the season with two outs in the 1st inning, but quickly settled down after that and had a clean second inning. In the third he fell behind Michael Bourn 3-1, then missed his target across the middle of thr plate and gave up a triple. Nick Swisher then drove him home. He then regained his composure and settled into a groove and threw 4 lights out innings after giving up the run, only giving up 1 hit. His offense helped him out big time today as the Giants were able to get to Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco who had come into this start having struggled this season. The big hit came off the bat of Michael Morse who took an 0-2 fastball that was supposed to be outside and up and hit it where no right hander ever does. Over the right center field wall. The bullpen for the Giants was stellar and made quick work of the Indian hitters.
San Francisco 5, Cleveland 1
In game 2 Tim Lincecum got the ball for the Giants against Indians pitcher Zach McCallister. Timmy did not have the same success that Hudson did the night before as he quickly got behind 1-0 in the top of the first when he struggled to keep the ball down to Bourn and Jason Kipnis. He had scattered baserunners all day, not recording a single 1-2-3 inning. The Indians got to him again in the 3rd and 5th innings scoring 1 in each. Lincecum only went 4.2, giving up 3 runs on 9 hits and only striking out 3. He left down 3-0. His counterpart McCallister was dealing through the first 4 innings but lost all command in the 5th when the Giants finally got to him. They scored 4 in the inning with the big hit coming from Hunter Pence. He hit a two out base hit that knocked in the tying and go ahead runs. The bullpen again was lights out for the Giants and they cruised to a 3 game win streak.
San Francisco 5, Cleveland 3
In the final game of the weekend series they gave the ball to Ryan Vogelsong to try and complete the sweep of the Indians. In his past few starts Vogey has struggled with his control and has not pitched well because of it. Today was a different story, from the first pitch he was locked in. He did start out a bit off as there were runners at first and third with two out, but after he got out of that inning unscathed he went into cruise control. His only command flaw in this one was that he fell behind hitters early in the count, but each time he was able to comeback and put them away. He went 7 strong shutout innings only giving up 2 hits and striking out 6. His biggest pitch was his changeup and his ablity to utilize it ahead in the count. On the other side Indians starter Danny Salazar was striking out Giant hitters left and right with his electric fastball and devastating off speed pitches. He was touched up in the 4th when he gave up a double to Brandon Crawford on first pitched fastball that leaked over the middle of the plate. In the top of the 8th the Indians finally got to the Giants bullpen when Yan Gomes took a 1-2 fastball from Casilla that he left down the middle of the plate and sent it into the bleachers. In the bottom of the ninth after an intentional walk to Brandon Crawford to make it 1st and 2nd with two out, Brandon Hicks stepped up to the plate, a good fastball hitter. He got a 1-0 fastball up in the zone, a big mistake by righty Cody Allen and Hicks sent everyone home with a 3-run walkoff home run.
San Francisco 4, Cleveland 1
The Giants welcome the Padres to town tomorrow night and send lefty ace Madison Bumgarner to the hill, looking for his 3rd win of the season. San Francisco has now won 4 games in a row. After a clean sweep of the Indians.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
Special Pitching Only Recap: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies
Game 1: Ryan Vogelsong
The Giants gave the ball to Vogelsong in game 1, and it did not go well. He had trouble keeping the ball down and in the strikezone, which led to the Rockie hitters taking advantage of him and his pitch count going up. In the first inning, he fell behind Nolan Arenado, and Vogey fell behind quickly 2-0 which forced him to have to throw a strike. His command of the fastball was non existent and Arenado hit a home run. 3 batters later he faced Wilin Rosario and the scouting report on this hitter is he can crush balls that are throw above the belt. Since Vogey's command was so off he missed a changeup up in the zone and Rosario did not waste a second to hit a three run home run. As a pitcher the last thing you want to do is pitch to the hitters strength, but it seemed the fatigue of the long inning had set in on him which led to the careless location. The second inning was no better, he threw a fastball down the middle on a 2-1 count to Charlie Blackmon and the hot hitting Rockie blasted it into the seats. Buster Posey on the pitch had set up inside but the pitch leaked over the middle. The bullpen had to take over in the 2nd inning.
Colorado 8, San Francisco 2
Game 2: Madison Bumgarner
Madison flipped the script from the day before for the Giants pitching staff as he was able to give the bullpen the night off, going a complete game. His command was superb and his location of his fastballs were what made it a quick night. Inside, outside, and up out of the strikezone, he made it easy for the umpire to give him a pitchers strikezone which made up for his last start when the home plate umpire was terrible. The two mistakes he made during his 8 innings of work were in the 4th and 5th inning. In the 4th, he tried to throw a fastball inside to Troy Tulowitzki but it leaked of the middle and Tulo planted it into the left center field seats. In the 5th he made another mistake on location, Buster Posey set the target away during a 2-2 count to Nolan Arenado, and asked for a fastball. Bumgarner let the ball come back over the middle of the plate and Arenado hit a home run. Besides those two Bumgarner was fantastic, getting himself in and out of jams and had stellar defense behind him. He was unfortunately tagged with the loss because the offense could only score one run.
Colorado 2, San Francisco 1
Game 3: Matt Cain
Cain was given the ball in the final game of this 3 game series in hopes that the Giants could steal one win and not get swept out of Colorado. Coming off of back to back great starts, he was hoping to keep his streak going. This would not be the case. He did go 6 innings but gave up 10 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. His biggest problem was keeping the ball down, if you leave the ball up in a park like Coors field, it is going to be a long day. The ball carried big time and he seemed a bit lost for words on the mound. He needs to work big time on his control of his pitches, because if he keeps leaving balls up in the zone and missing his spots, this will continue. He was fortunate that the Giants offense finally woke up and was able to come back for Cain. The Giants won in extras.
San Francisco 12, Colorado 10
The Giants gave the ball to Vogelsong in game 1, and it did not go well. He had trouble keeping the ball down and in the strikezone, which led to the Rockie hitters taking advantage of him and his pitch count going up. In the first inning, he fell behind Nolan Arenado, and Vogey fell behind quickly 2-0 which forced him to have to throw a strike. His command of the fastball was non existent and Arenado hit a home run. 3 batters later he faced Wilin Rosario and the scouting report on this hitter is he can crush balls that are throw above the belt. Since Vogey's command was so off he missed a changeup up in the zone and Rosario did not waste a second to hit a three run home run. As a pitcher the last thing you want to do is pitch to the hitters strength, but it seemed the fatigue of the long inning had set in on him which led to the careless location. The second inning was no better, he threw a fastball down the middle on a 2-1 count to Charlie Blackmon and the hot hitting Rockie blasted it into the seats. Buster Posey on the pitch had set up inside but the pitch leaked over the middle. The bullpen had to take over in the 2nd inning.
Colorado 8, San Francisco 2
Game 2: Madison Bumgarner
Madison flipped the script from the day before for the Giants pitching staff as he was able to give the bullpen the night off, going a complete game. His command was superb and his location of his fastballs were what made it a quick night. Inside, outside, and up out of the strikezone, he made it easy for the umpire to give him a pitchers strikezone which made up for his last start when the home plate umpire was terrible. The two mistakes he made during his 8 innings of work were in the 4th and 5th inning. In the 4th, he tried to throw a fastball inside to Troy Tulowitzki but it leaked of the middle and Tulo planted it into the left center field seats. In the 5th he made another mistake on location, Buster Posey set the target away during a 2-2 count to Nolan Arenado, and asked for a fastball. Bumgarner let the ball come back over the middle of the plate and Arenado hit a home run. Besides those two Bumgarner was fantastic, getting himself in and out of jams and had stellar defense behind him. He was unfortunately tagged with the loss because the offense could only score one run.
Colorado 2, San Francisco 1
Game 3: Matt Cain
Cain was given the ball in the final game of this 3 game series in hopes that the Giants could steal one win and not get swept out of Colorado. Coming off of back to back great starts, he was hoping to keep his streak going. This would not be the case. He did go 6 innings but gave up 10 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. His biggest problem was keeping the ball down, if you leave the ball up in a park like Coors field, it is going to be a long day. The ball carried big time and he seemed a bit lost for words on the mound. He needs to work big time on his control of his pitches, because if he keeps leaving balls up in the zone and missing his spots, this will continue. He was fortunate that the Giants offense finally woke up and was able to come back for Cain. The Giants won in extras.
San Francisco 12, Colorado 10
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Series Recap: San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres
The Giants make their first trip of the season down to San Diego to take on the Padres in a three game weekend series. Coming off of a rough day offensively on Thursday against the Dodgers, the Giants look to go back to the hitting they showed when the season began.
In game 1 the Giants sent Matt Cain to the hill, Cain coming off of a fantastic start against the Rockies when he only gave up 1 run in 7 innings but was given the loss as the Giants were unable to score. In this one he continued his dominance. His command was there and his great use of the curveball with two strikes helped him put away the Padre hitters. He went 7 innings and gave up one unearned run on a passed ball by Hector Sanchez in the first inning. He walked 2 and struck out 8, but the Giants offense was unable to help out Matt Cain for the second start in a row. Padre starter Tyson Ross absolutely shut down the Giants, throwing 8 shutout innings, striking out 9 and only walking 1. His slider kept the Giants confused and waving at it constantly the whole night. His biggest success was being able to get ahead of the Giant hitters all night long, 0-1, 0-2. In the bottom of the 8th reliever Juan Gutierrez for the Giants gave up a homer to pinch hitter Yasmani Grandal who blasted an inside fastball into the right field seats. In the top of the ninth the Giants finally got on the board on a solo home run by Brandon Belt off of closer Houston Street. The offense as a whole let Cain down for the second time in as many starts, despite turning in a brilliant outing.
San Diego 2, San Francisco 1
In game 2 the Giants had Tim Hudson on the hill who has been Mr. Consistant this season so far with his new club. He was opposed by Erik Stults a good lefty for the Padres. The anemic offense became the story again in this one for the Giants. It was yet another pitchers duel at Petco park. Stults mowed down the Giants bats through the first 4 innings with a good mix of all of his pitches, keeping the hitters he faced guessing each time. Hudson was almost the same, despite giving up a run in the second. In the 5th the Giants tied the game on a bomb by Michael Morse on a fastball up from Stults. The beginning of the at-bat they tried throwing curveballs away from Morse because they knew he could hit his fastball, but after he fell behind 2-0, Stults went to the fastball and Morse made him pay. Hudson failed to get the shutdown inning in the bottom of the 5th as the Padres took the lead. Hudson finished up going 7 innings, giving up the 2 runs and striking out 4. He continued his Giants record of consecutive innings without issuing a walk which has now reached 30 innings. The Padre bullpen took over and shut the Giants down.
San Diego 3, San Francisco 1
The Giants needed Tim Lincecum to be their stopper to get them out of this mini skid and give their offense a chance to get out of this funk. In game 3 it was Tim Lincecum against young Padre lefty Robbie Erlin. It did not take long for the Giants to give Timmy a lead, in the first inning Buster Posey took a fastball that was on the outer half from Erlin and put it over the left center field wall for a two-run homer. Lincecum started out well in the first two innings, getting some help from his defense in the form of the three Brandons in the infield. In the second inning the Giants offense continued. Pagan got a fastball up from Erlin that he took the other way for a two-run single. 4-0. Erlin in the first two innings had trouble keeping the ball low and his biggest problem was walking 3 men, 2 of which scored. In the bottom of the third the Padres got to Lincecum as Chase Headley hit a two-run double down the first base line. The Giants completed a perfect relay to get the third runner Xavier Nady who was initially called safe, but after Bruce Bochy challenged was called out. The offense for the Giants that looked as if it was turning the corner hit a wall after the 2nd inning, Erlin settled into a groove and made quick work of the Giants by retiring the final 12 hitters he faced. Lincecum on the other hand started finding better command of his pitches, and although he did not have the control he did in his previous start, he was effectively wild and ended up with 7 strikeouts. The Giants bullpen was brilliant, starting with recently added Jeremy Affeldt from the DL, Javier Lopez, Santiago Casilla and the game was closed out by Sergio Romo. The Giants were able to salvage one game of this 3 game series on getaway day.
San Francisco 4, San Diego 3
The Giants now head out to Colorado where they begin a three game series with the Rockies starting tomorrow with Ryan Vogelsong on the hill. The Giants have played 9 of their last 10 games by a difference of one run. They are hoping that their bats will wake up in mile-high Colorado and Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence can get out of their slumps.
In game 1 the Giants sent Matt Cain to the hill, Cain coming off of a fantastic start against the Rockies when he only gave up 1 run in 7 innings but was given the loss as the Giants were unable to score. In this one he continued his dominance. His command was there and his great use of the curveball with two strikes helped him put away the Padre hitters. He went 7 innings and gave up one unearned run on a passed ball by Hector Sanchez in the first inning. He walked 2 and struck out 8, but the Giants offense was unable to help out Matt Cain for the second start in a row. Padre starter Tyson Ross absolutely shut down the Giants, throwing 8 shutout innings, striking out 9 and only walking 1. His slider kept the Giants confused and waving at it constantly the whole night. His biggest success was being able to get ahead of the Giant hitters all night long, 0-1, 0-2. In the bottom of the 8th reliever Juan Gutierrez for the Giants gave up a homer to pinch hitter Yasmani Grandal who blasted an inside fastball into the right field seats. In the top of the ninth the Giants finally got on the board on a solo home run by Brandon Belt off of closer Houston Street. The offense as a whole let Cain down for the second time in as many starts, despite turning in a brilliant outing.
San Diego 2, San Francisco 1
In game 2 the Giants had Tim Hudson on the hill who has been Mr. Consistant this season so far with his new club. He was opposed by Erik Stults a good lefty for the Padres. The anemic offense became the story again in this one for the Giants. It was yet another pitchers duel at Petco park. Stults mowed down the Giants bats through the first 4 innings with a good mix of all of his pitches, keeping the hitters he faced guessing each time. Hudson was almost the same, despite giving up a run in the second. In the 5th the Giants tied the game on a bomb by Michael Morse on a fastball up from Stults. The beginning of the at-bat they tried throwing curveballs away from Morse because they knew he could hit his fastball, but after he fell behind 2-0, Stults went to the fastball and Morse made him pay. Hudson failed to get the shutdown inning in the bottom of the 5th as the Padres took the lead. Hudson finished up going 7 innings, giving up the 2 runs and striking out 4. He continued his Giants record of consecutive innings without issuing a walk which has now reached 30 innings. The Padre bullpen took over and shut the Giants down.
San Diego 3, San Francisco 1
The Giants needed Tim Lincecum to be their stopper to get them out of this mini skid and give their offense a chance to get out of this funk. In game 3 it was Tim Lincecum against young Padre lefty Robbie Erlin. It did not take long for the Giants to give Timmy a lead, in the first inning Buster Posey took a fastball that was on the outer half from Erlin and put it over the left center field wall for a two-run homer. Lincecum started out well in the first two innings, getting some help from his defense in the form of the three Brandons in the infield. In the second inning the Giants offense continued. Pagan got a fastball up from Erlin that he took the other way for a two-run single. 4-0. Erlin in the first two innings had trouble keeping the ball low and his biggest problem was walking 3 men, 2 of which scored. In the bottom of the third the Padres got to Lincecum as Chase Headley hit a two-run double down the first base line. The Giants completed a perfect relay to get the third runner Xavier Nady who was initially called safe, but after Bruce Bochy challenged was called out. The offense for the Giants that looked as if it was turning the corner hit a wall after the 2nd inning, Erlin settled into a groove and made quick work of the Giants by retiring the final 12 hitters he faced. Lincecum on the other hand started finding better command of his pitches, and although he did not have the control he did in his previous start, he was effectively wild and ended up with 7 strikeouts. The Giants bullpen was brilliant, starting with recently added Jeremy Affeldt from the DL, Javier Lopez, Santiago Casilla and the game was closed out by Sergio Romo. The Giants were able to salvage one game of this 3 game series on getaway day.
San Francisco 4, San Diego 3
The Giants now head out to Colorado where they begin a three game series with the Rockies starting tomorrow with Ryan Vogelsong on the hill. The Giants have played 9 of their last 10 games by a difference of one run. They are hoping that their bats will wake up in mile-high Colorado and Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence can get out of their slumps.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Series Recap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants
In an early season battle for first place in the west, the Dodgers make their first trip of the year to AT&T park in hopes to gain some distance between them and the Giants. The Giants had other ideas.
Tuesday April 15 was Jackie Robinson day around major league baseball. In honor of the great player that broke the color barrier in the time of the civil war, every player, coach and on field person wore the number 42. Tim Lincecum took the hill for the Giants in game one, trying to bounce back after a rough start against the D-backs his last time out. In his career he is the only Giants starter that has actually enjoyed facing the Dodgers and has a history of success against the men in blue. Timmy's command was the most important part of all of his starts, as long as he can keep the ball down and hit the corners, it would be a good night. And it was. Lincecum mowed down the Dodgers through 5 innings, his only blemish was a hanging changeup to former Giant Juan Uribe who blasted a home run into the bleachers. Besides the home run, Lincecum had good command of his off-speed pitches. The only problem that he had all night was his inability to get ahead of hitters, each count would always start out 1-0 or 2-0, but he was able to come back and get the hitter out. By not being able to stay ahead of hitters, his pitch count went way up and he was out of the game after the 5th inning. Dodger pitcher Josh Beckett also pitched well this game and threw 5 shutout innings before handing the ball to the Dodger pen. The Giants finally scratched across a run in the 6th, but the Dodgers quickly countered with a run in the 7th. In the bottom of the ninth Brandon Belt came up clutch and hit a double down the line that scored Angel Pagan all the way from first base. 2-2. In the bottom of 12th inning Hector Sanchez became the hero of the night and drove in Brandon Crawford with a single off the glove of second baseman Justin Turner. The Giants bullpen came up clutch for the Giants, only giving up 1 run in 7 innings of work.
San Francisco 3, Los Angeles 2 in 12 innings
Ryan Vogelsong got the nod in game 2 of the series with the Giants now tied with the Dodgers atop the NL West. Vogelsong like Lincecum was hoping to turn around a poor start to the season with a good one at home. He did that and more. He looked like the Vogelsong Giants fans remember from a couple years ago, with his easy calm delivery and great command of all his pitches, he was able to pin point the corners of the strikezone and keep the Dodger hitters off balance. He pitched to contact well and did not give up a run through the first 5 innings. He had a hiccup in the 6th when he walked the opposing pitcher Paul Maholm with two outs, then gave up a triple to Dee Gordon. Vogelsong finished up going 6 innings giving up 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. The bullpen took over and shut it down from there. In the bottom of the 7th the Giants broke the tie with a clutch base hit by Pablo Sandoval. The clutch moment of the game in the top of the 7th when it was bases loaded with one out and pitcher Jean Machi got a ground ball comebacker that started the 1-2-3 double play.
San Francisco 2, Los Angeles 1
The Giants now found themselves in first place in the division and a chance to sweep the Dodgers out of San Francisco. They handed the ball to their ace Madison Bumgarner to try and get them the sweep. It did not work out that way. He was only able to go 4.1 innings and gave up 2 runs on 99 pitches. His biggest issue was the umpire, he was not getting any calls on the outside part of the plate to right handed batters which made his pitch count rise considerably. He became extremely frustrated, so did Buster Posey and Bruce Bochy. Bumgarner made the right pitches when he needed too but the unknown strikezone kept him on edge. The Giants offense was stimied by Dodger starter Hyun Jin Ryu who went 7 strong shutout innings, making up up for his last start against the Giants when he gave up 8 runs in two innings. The Giants made a mini comeback in the ninth inning, scoring one run on a base hit by Ehire Adrianza. Dodger closer Kenly Jansen settled down and got pinch hitter Brandon Crawford to end the game.
Los Angeles 2, San Francisco 1
The Giants with a bitter end to their homestand with the loss to the Dodgers but now hit the road and head down to San Diego tomorrow to take on the Padres. The Giants have played 7 consecutive one run games, the first time the team has ever done that since 1910.
Tuesday April 15 was Jackie Robinson day around major league baseball. In honor of the great player that broke the color barrier in the time of the civil war, every player, coach and on field person wore the number 42. Tim Lincecum took the hill for the Giants in game one, trying to bounce back after a rough start against the D-backs his last time out. In his career he is the only Giants starter that has actually enjoyed facing the Dodgers and has a history of success against the men in blue. Timmy's command was the most important part of all of his starts, as long as he can keep the ball down and hit the corners, it would be a good night. And it was. Lincecum mowed down the Dodgers through 5 innings, his only blemish was a hanging changeup to former Giant Juan Uribe who blasted a home run into the bleachers. Besides the home run, Lincecum had good command of his off-speed pitches. The only problem that he had all night was his inability to get ahead of hitters, each count would always start out 1-0 or 2-0, but he was able to come back and get the hitter out. By not being able to stay ahead of hitters, his pitch count went way up and he was out of the game after the 5th inning. Dodger pitcher Josh Beckett also pitched well this game and threw 5 shutout innings before handing the ball to the Dodger pen. The Giants finally scratched across a run in the 6th, but the Dodgers quickly countered with a run in the 7th. In the bottom of the ninth Brandon Belt came up clutch and hit a double down the line that scored Angel Pagan all the way from first base. 2-2. In the bottom of 12th inning Hector Sanchez became the hero of the night and drove in Brandon Crawford with a single off the glove of second baseman Justin Turner. The Giants bullpen came up clutch for the Giants, only giving up 1 run in 7 innings of work.
San Francisco 3, Los Angeles 2 in 12 innings
Ryan Vogelsong got the nod in game 2 of the series with the Giants now tied with the Dodgers atop the NL West. Vogelsong like Lincecum was hoping to turn around a poor start to the season with a good one at home. He did that and more. He looked like the Vogelsong Giants fans remember from a couple years ago, with his easy calm delivery and great command of all his pitches, he was able to pin point the corners of the strikezone and keep the Dodger hitters off balance. He pitched to contact well and did not give up a run through the first 5 innings. He had a hiccup in the 6th when he walked the opposing pitcher Paul Maholm with two outs, then gave up a triple to Dee Gordon. Vogelsong finished up going 6 innings giving up 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. The bullpen took over and shut it down from there. In the bottom of the 7th the Giants broke the tie with a clutch base hit by Pablo Sandoval. The clutch moment of the game in the top of the 7th when it was bases loaded with one out and pitcher Jean Machi got a ground ball comebacker that started the 1-2-3 double play.
San Francisco 2, Los Angeles 1
The Giants now found themselves in first place in the division and a chance to sweep the Dodgers out of San Francisco. They handed the ball to their ace Madison Bumgarner to try and get them the sweep. It did not work out that way. He was only able to go 4.1 innings and gave up 2 runs on 99 pitches. His biggest issue was the umpire, he was not getting any calls on the outside part of the plate to right handed batters which made his pitch count rise considerably. He became extremely frustrated, so did Buster Posey and Bruce Bochy. Bumgarner made the right pitches when he needed too but the unknown strikezone kept him on edge. The Giants offense was stimied by Dodger starter Hyun Jin Ryu who went 7 strong shutout innings, making up up for his last start against the Giants when he gave up 8 runs in two innings. The Giants made a mini comeback in the ninth inning, scoring one run on a base hit by Ehire Adrianza. Dodger closer Kenly Jansen settled down and got pinch hitter Brandon Crawford to end the game.
Los Angeles 2, San Francisco 1
The Giants with a bitter end to their homestand with the loss to the Dodgers but now hit the road and head down to San Diego tomorrow to take on the Padres. The Giants have played 7 consecutive one run games, the first time the team has ever done that since 1910.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Series Recap: Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants
The Giants continued their homestand with the Colorado Rockies coming into town.
I was able to go to the game on Friday night so I got a good look at Madison Bumgarner against Jorge De la Rosa. Bumgarner just coming off of a great start against the Dodgers where he struck out 10. This game did not begin well for the lefty, only a few batters into the game he was quickly in a first and third nobody out jam because he was unable to put away hitters when he was ahead of them 1-2. He worked hard and got out of the inning only giving up 1 run after he picked off Josh Rutledge which allowed Brandon Barnes to score. De La Rosa for the Rockies started with the opposite fate, setting down the Giants in order the first two innings. In the top of the third Bumgarner made a huge mistake to power hitting Carlos Gonzalez, who did not miss the hanging curveball and put it into the bay. Col 3-0. In the bottom of the 3rd Bumgarner helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly. Bumgarner then settled into a groove on the mound, being able to command the corners of the zone to keep the high powered Rockies offense in check. Bumgarner was not done with his bat, in the bottom of the 4th he took a fastball down the middle of the plate abd put it deep into the bleachers in left field for a grand slam. He went on to go 6 innings, giving up 4 runs, walking 2 and striking out 7. The bullpen took over for the Giants and shut the door on any comebacks for the Rockies.
San Francisco 6, Colorado 5
Game 2 turned out to be a typical AT&T park game, a pitchers duel. Matt Cain and Brett Anderson went toe to toe in this one. Cain looking to change the season that has already started bad in his first two starts of the season, his biggest problem, control. Control was not a problem in this one as was able to command the corners with ease, looking like the old horse Giants fans are used to seeing. Brett Anderson for the Rockies had a strong start but after the 3rd inning he had to come out of the game with a finger contusion. Which put Walt Weiss's bullpen in a big hole, but they were up to the task. The Giants had no chance as the Rockies pen through 6 shutout innings behind Anderson. Cain's only blemish on an otherwise spotless afternoon came in the 3rd when he gave up a sacrifice fly to Troy Tulowizki. Cain went 7 innings, gave up the one run and struck out 8 Rockies. The biggest part of Cain's success was his pin-point control of his fastball and curveball. Putting them in spots that locked up the hitters and made him look untouchable. The Giants offense was kept at bay in this one and Cain had to deal with a close loss.
Colorado 1, San Francisco 0
In the rubber game of this three game weekend series the Giants sent right hander Tim Hudson to the hill against Tyler Chatwood, who was making his first start of the season. Hudson has been mr. Reliable to start the year with his unreal command of all of his pitches and he has not walked anyone in his first two starts. This day went a little different. The Giants were quickly behind the 8 ball early in this one when Hudson hung a slider right over the middle of the plate to Wilin Rosario in 2nd and he blasted a homer to left field. Both pitchers looked sharp early, getting help from their defense on both sides. In the 5th inning the Giants finally got to Chatwood as they scored 3 runs capped off by a two run single by Angel Pagan. In the 6th the Giants home run tear to start the season continued as Pablo Sandoval got into the fun as he took a hanging changup from Chatwood and deposited it into the SF bay. But the Rockies would not go away, they strung together 3 runs in the 7th/8th inninng to the tie the game, including a homer by Justin Morneau off of Hudson on a fastball, an opposite field home run. In his last 2 innings Hudson struggled a bit with his control which allowed the Rockies to come back. The 9th inning is where it got interesting when Gregor Blanco hit a ball of the second arcade in right center that rolled away from right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Blanco with his speed rounded second when Cuddyer kicked the ball abd Flannery waved him in, but DJ Lemahieu completed a textbook relay to the catcher Rosario who applied the tag to prevent a replay of last years walk-off inside the park home run by Angel Pagan. The game went to extras, but did not last long. In the bottom on the tenth on the second pitch of the at-bat against the lefty Rex Brothers, Brandon Crawford took a rip at a fastball and hit a no-doubt homer into the bay for a walk-off home run.
San Francisco 5, Colorado 4 in 10 innings
The Giants continue their homestand on tuesday when they welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to town, when they will give the ball to Tim Lincecum who will take on Josh Beckett. The Giants are currently 3-3 on their homestand.
I was able to go to the game on Friday night so I got a good look at Madison Bumgarner against Jorge De la Rosa. Bumgarner just coming off of a great start against the Dodgers where he struck out 10. This game did not begin well for the lefty, only a few batters into the game he was quickly in a first and third nobody out jam because he was unable to put away hitters when he was ahead of them 1-2. He worked hard and got out of the inning only giving up 1 run after he picked off Josh Rutledge which allowed Brandon Barnes to score. De La Rosa for the Rockies started with the opposite fate, setting down the Giants in order the first two innings. In the top of the third Bumgarner made a huge mistake to power hitting Carlos Gonzalez, who did not miss the hanging curveball and put it into the bay. Col 3-0. In the bottom of the 3rd Bumgarner helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly. Bumgarner then settled into a groove on the mound, being able to command the corners of the zone to keep the high powered Rockies offense in check. Bumgarner was not done with his bat, in the bottom of the 4th he took a fastball down the middle of the plate abd put it deep into the bleachers in left field for a grand slam. He went on to go 6 innings, giving up 4 runs, walking 2 and striking out 7. The bullpen took over for the Giants and shut the door on any comebacks for the Rockies.
San Francisco 6, Colorado 5
Game 2 turned out to be a typical AT&T park game, a pitchers duel. Matt Cain and Brett Anderson went toe to toe in this one. Cain looking to change the season that has already started bad in his first two starts of the season, his biggest problem, control. Control was not a problem in this one as was able to command the corners with ease, looking like the old horse Giants fans are used to seeing. Brett Anderson for the Rockies had a strong start but after the 3rd inning he had to come out of the game with a finger contusion. Which put Walt Weiss's bullpen in a big hole, but they were up to the task. The Giants had no chance as the Rockies pen through 6 shutout innings behind Anderson. Cain's only blemish on an otherwise spotless afternoon came in the 3rd when he gave up a sacrifice fly to Troy Tulowizki. Cain went 7 innings, gave up the one run and struck out 8 Rockies. The biggest part of Cain's success was his pin-point control of his fastball and curveball. Putting them in spots that locked up the hitters and made him look untouchable. The Giants offense was kept at bay in this one and Cain had to deal with a close loss.
Colorado 1, San Francisco 0
In the rubber game of this three game weekend series the Giants sent right hander Tim Hudson to the hill against Tyler Chatwood, who was making his first start of the season. Hudson has been mr. Reliable to start the year with his unreal command of all of his pitches and he has not walked anyone in his first two starts. This day went a little different. The Giants were quickly behind the 8 ball early in this one when Hudson hung a slider right over the middle of the plate to Wilin Rosario in 2nd and he blasted a homer to left field. Both pitchers looked sharp early, getting help from their defense on both sides. In the 5th inning the Giants finally got to Chatwood as they scored 3 runs capped off by a two run single by Angel Pagan. In the 6th the Giants home run tear to start the season continued as Pablo Sandoval got into the fun as he took a hanging changup from Chatwood and deposited it into the SF bay. But the Rockies would not go away, they strung together 3 runs in the 7th/8th inninng to the tie the game, including a homer by Justin Morneau off of Hudson on a fastball, an opposite field home run. In his last 2 innings Hudson struggled a bit with his control which allowed the Rockies to come back. The 9th inning is where it got interesting when Gregor Blanco hit a ball of the second arcade in right center that rolled away from right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Blanco with his speed rounded second when Cuddyer kicked the ball abd Flannery waved him in, but DJ Lemahieu completed a textbook relay to the catcher Rosario who applied the tag to prevent a replay of last years walk-off inside the park home run by Angel Pagan. The game went to extras, but did not last long. In the bottom on the tenth on the second pitch of the at-bat against the lefty Rex Brothers, Brandon Crawford took a rip at a fastball and hit a no-doubt homer into the bay for a walk-off home run.
San Francisco 5, Colorado 4 in 10 innings
The Giants continue their homestand on tuesday when they welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to town, when they will give the ball to Tim Lincecum who will take on Josh Beckett. The Giants are currently 3-3 on their homestand.
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