Category: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Skid at 11; Giants hope to snap out of it Friday against Rockies

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 11 is not the Giants’ favorite number. They set the all-time San Francisco record for the most consecutive loses. If you had to point to one thing, what was the main cause of this losing streak?

#2 The loss on Wednesday was a heartbreaker when Alan Hanson got thrown out at second for running out of the baseline on a bunted ball that got thrown into the Braves’ bullpen and could have scored Joe Panik from third, but it was not as the Giants lost 2-1 to the Braves.

#3 Giants pitcher Derek Holland said that this team is not letting anyone come into AT&T Park to walk all over the Giants, but battle a first-place team like the Braves.

#4 Holland has been throwing some decent ball, going six starts and allowing six runs for a 1.59 ERA.

#5 Now it’s the first-place Rockies, who come to AT&T Park to open a three-game series. Although it is unlikely if SF can sweep, they would be 10.5 games behind Colorado, but still a lot of games with just two weeks left.

Miguel does the Gigantes podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants appear to be in a free fall

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Photo credit: mccoveychronicles.com

By Jeremy Harness

Right now, the Giants are playing like they can’t wait for the season to be over.

After being in contention for much of the season, they have now lost 11 straight games and are sinking deeper into the abyss of the major leagues. Instead of playing spoiler, other teams seem to be able to look at the Giants as a way to pick up a few easy wins and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The next team to hope to use the Giants to fatten their records is the Colorado Rockies, who make their way to AT&T Park for a three-game weekend series that starts Friday night.

The Rockies are 1 ½ games in front of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West lead, and they swept the Giants at Coors Field in a three-game series just last week, and they hope to do the same this weekend.

Righty Chris Stratton will take the ball Friday night opposite Colorado left-hander Tyler Anderson (6-8, 4.89 ERA).

Anderson, however, has fallen on hard times on the mound lately. After a promising start to the season, Anderson has lost each of his last five decisions, including his last outing against the Dodgers that saw him go only 2 2/3 innings and surrender three runs on five hits.

Stratton has not been much better. He has dropped five of his past six decisions, and his last outing saw him go five innings and give up four runs on four hits in a loss at Milwaukee.

Colorado righty German Marquez (12-9, 3.94 ERA) will go Saturday afternoon against Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner
Marquez has been a workhorse for the Rockies, as he has gone at least seven innings in seven of his past nine outings, including a 13-2 win over Arizona in his last outing on Monday. The 23-year-old has won four of his last five outings.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Dereck Rodriguez (6-3, 2.35 ERA) will take the hill against Colorado righty Antonio Senzatela (4-6, 5.01 ERA) to close out the series.

How did we get here?: 11 consecutive losses bring the Giants to a new, unprecedented low

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — Well, the Giants have never lost like this, and they probably haven’t struggled offensively to this extent either. Not since they’ve been in San Francisco.

Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves was not only tough to watch, it was unprecedentedly tough. The Giants dropped their 11th consecutive game, which hadn’t happened since 1951 when the club roamed New York’s Polo Grounds.

So much for 60 years of San Francisco Giants baseball.

“Everybody puts in the work, grinding daily, trying to do everything we can to win ballgames,” Brandon Belt said. “We just haven’t been doing good enough. So we’ve got to change something.”

Belt was involved in the game’s critical moment from the Giants’ perspective: In trying to retire pinch hitter Tyler Flowers in the ninth, Evan Longoria’s low throw ever-so-slightly pulled Belt off the first base bag, prompting first base umpire Jeremie Rehak to declare Flowers safe. Charlie Culberson scored on the play which was upheld after a brief video review.

“Blazing speed beat that one out,” said Braves’ Freddie Freeman in a moment of fun with not-so-speedy teammate Flowers.

The Giants hit into double plays to conclude the first and fourth innings, enough good fortune for starter Anibal Sanchez, who pitched six innings and picked up the win despite issuing five walks. The Giants failed to take advantage of Sanchez’s gifts, going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

That one dreadful stat explained how the Giants came up with one run on the afternoon despite six singles, a Longoria double and a Sanchez wild pitch to couple with seven walks issued.

But if a club scores a measily 26 runs during an 11-game slide, that statistical oddity becomes easier to explain.

The Giants previously lost 10 consecutive games in 1985 and again in 1996. This season, only the Tigers also suffered an 11-game slide.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants drop 10th straight; Braves can complete a possible sweep in matinee today

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Photo credit: @nbcbayarea

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

The San Francisco Giants dropped their second straight game to the Atlanta Braves by the same identical score 4-1. Again, the offense fails to answer the bell. This loss was San Francisco’s 10th straight loss and the Braves pitcher Mike Foltnewicz pitched a shutout going into the ninth inning gave up his only run on a Brandon Crawford single to right to score Evan Longoria.

Fortnewicz pitched a complete game: one run, six hits, one walk, seven strikeouts. For the Giants, starter Andrew Saurez with six innings, three runs, six hits, three walks and three strikeouts. The Giants will start Dereck Holland, and for the Braves, Anibal Sanchez. Can the Giants snap the 10-game skid today?

Giants podcasts with Marko Ukalovic are heard each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants’ losing streak now at 10 games after 4-1 loss to Braves

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — When will this season losing streak come to an end for the San Francisco Giants?

Ozzie Albies doubled in the top of the fourth inning to score Nick Markakis, who led off the inning with a single and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Giants 4-1 before an announced crowd of 35,285 at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.

With the loss, the Giants have now lost 10 games in a row. This is the first time since June 21-30, 1996 that the Giants have lost 10 games in a row.

After losing two out of three to the New York Mets, the Giants are now 0-8 since then versus the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers and Braves and all three teams in the playoff hunt.

Mike Foltynewicz was outstanding for the Braves, as he threw a complete game, allowing one run on six hits, walking one and striking out seven, as he improved to 11-9 on the season.

Foltynewicz lost the shutout in the bottom of the ninth inning, as he gave up a single to Evan Longoria, who went to second on defensive indifference and then Brandon Crawford followed that up with a single to right field that scored Longoria.

As for Giants starter Andrew Suarez, he went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking three and striking out three and fell to 6-11 on the season.

This was the second rough start in a row for Suarez, who went six innings, allowing five runs on six hits, walking two and striking out five and also allowed a career-high three home runs.

Suarez did not get any support from his defense, as Alen Hanson committed an error in the top of the second inning on a routine ball hit by Albies, but Austin Slater was unable to snag the throw.

Johan Camargo reached on a Slater fielding error in the top of the third inning, and on the play, Camargo was forced to leave the game with tightness in his left groin. His replacement Charlie Culberson hit a two-run home run in the top of the fifth, right after Ronald Acuna Jr., hit a triple to right-center field.

NOTES: Despite getting the loss on Monday night, Dereck Rodriguez joined a very exclusive company, as he is just the third pitcher since 1913 to start 13 games, go at least six innings, and allow two runs or less (STATS, LLC). Rodriguez joins Steve Rogers of the Montreal Expos as the only rookie pitchers to accomplish this feat, and the only veteran was Juan Marichal in 1965.

During this 10-game losing streak, the Giants have scored 25 runs and the opponents have scored 48.

The 10-game losing streak is just the Giants third such streak since moving to San Francisco in 1958. Asides from the 10-game streak in 1996, they also lost 10 in a row from June 20-30, 1985.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Braves conclude their series with a Wednesday afternoon finale at 12:45 pm PDT.

Giants’ left-handed pitcher and switch-hitter Derek Holland looks to stop the losing streak on Wednesday afternoon, as he looks for his eighth win of the season, while the Braves will counter with Anibal Sanchez, who goes for his seventh win.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips and Michael Duca: Season ends in three weeks, but the way Giants are going, season is already over

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

On the Giants podcast with Morris and Michael:

According to the calendar, the Giants’ season is ending in about three weeks, but the way the Giants are playing…maybe it’s already over. The offense has just disappeared and Monday night’s game against the Braves was another example of that. Starter Dereck Rodriguez pitching great again–going six inning plus, five hits, two runs, and two walks with three strikeouts.

Rodriguez has been very consistent, but deep into the ballgame, his teammates let him down. It was pointed out his line for Monday night’s game reflects his consistency his numbers in terms of hits allowed since the All-Star break leads all MLB starters with 30 hits allowed in a 50-inning stretch.

Morris and Michael do the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NL East-leading Braves as good as advertised in 4-1 win over the Giants

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Photo credit: @Braves

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — Well, the Giants are still on the same downward trajectory, but that doesn’t affect how standout rookie Dereck Rodriguez goes about his business.

Nine, consecutive losses has the Giants crawling to the finish line of the 2018 season, but Rodriguez ramped it up on Monday, pitching into the seventh inning only to see Gorkys Hernandez’s throwing error allow the Braves to break a 1-1 tie on their way to a 4-1 victory.

“That kid pitched a great game like he’s done so many times this year,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “A shame we couldn’t get any runs for him.”

When it comes to breakout performers, the Braves have a lot of teams outnumbered. Countering Rodriguez’ remarkable consistency on Monday was Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna and starting pitcher Sean Newcomb.

While Acuna suffered a rare, quiet evening, Albies doubled and tripled, and Newcombe shut the Giants down for six innings allowing just three hits. Albies big leagued Hernandez in the seventh as well, tricking the veteran outfielder into a throw behind him at first while the rookie took second base. Hernandez’ throw got loose as well allowing the rookie to move to third.

The result was a tough luck loss for Rodriguez due to being the pitcher of record when the Braves scored their unearned, second run.

The Giants and Braves will play in their game two on Tuesday night at 7:15 pm PDT.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Was umpire being sexist against Serena at U.S. Open?; Did Cleveland know Donaldson was damaged goods before obtaining him?; plus more

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Photo credit: @CBSNews

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Do you believe if Serena Williams during the U.S. Open was thrown off her game because of getting hit with an illegal coaching call, abusing a racket, and verbally abusing an umpire? Was the umpire being sexist with his calls against Serena?

#2 Williams was hit with a $17,000 fine ($10,000 for verbal abuse, $4,000 for coaches violation, and $3,000 for racket abuse). Should umpire Carlos Ramos have given warnings before installing each violation against Serena?

#3 Josh Donaldson’s agent said that he was that he was not offered a multi-year deal by the Toronto Blue Jays before being dealt to Cleveland. Also, Donaldson was reportedly damaged goods before coming to Cleveland.

#4 First in the NL East, the Atlanta Braves have some hitters at top of of their lineup with Ronald Acuna Jr .293, Freddie Freeman .306 and Nick Markakis .309. The Braves are playing in S.F. this week in their bid to win the NL East.

#5 Amaury talks about whether there was too much pressure and hype on 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garopplolo to win the opener in Minnesota and continue his five-game win streak.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio talent; is the MLB Hispanic Heritage Museum Hall of Fame vice president, and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Schoop is all the poop as Brew Crew take down Giants 6-3 with both benches emptying

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photo from sfgate.com: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner walks towards Milwaukee Brewers hitter Ryan Braun (8) who in turn steps towards Bumgarner’s direction only to be intercepted by Giants catcher (5) Nick Hundley Sunday afternoon at Miller Park in Milwaukee

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 In a heated battle, the San Francisco Giants lost their eighth straight game to the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-run loss at Miller Park on Sunday afternoon. The game didn’t go without some frustrations. The Brewers’ Ryan Braun at the plate. Giants starter Madison Bumgarner threw his first serving to Braun high and up that backed Braun off the plate. The second pitch up and high, and the third one hit Braun in the elbow as Braun was walking up the first base line he was jawing with Bumgarner, which brought out both dugouts.

#2 Brewers manager Craig Counsell came out to argue with plate umpire Tom Hallion. who had just warned both benches. Counsell argued that Hallion should have tossed Bumgarner and that the Brewers didn’t do anything to precipitate Bumgarner to throw at Braun.

#3 The Brewers’ Jonathan Schoop hit a grand slam home run to help the Brewers get a three run lead. The Giants, who ended the six-game road trip Sunday, went 0-6, and if that wasn’t tough enough, they come back to San Francisco to host the first-place Atlanta Braves.

Catch the Giants podcasts with Morris each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Schoop’s grand slam send Giants to their eighth straight loss 6-3

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Photo credit: @CarlDeff

By Jeremy Kahn

Jonathan Schoop came up with the biggest hit of the day when the Milwaukee Brewers needed it the most.

Schoop hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning that gave the Brewers the lead for good on their way to a 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park on Sunday afternoon.

The win by the Brewers helped them sweep the Giants, who went 0-6 on the road trip and have lost eight games in a row overall.

Madison Bumgarner allowed the grand slam to Schoop just after Bumgarner hit Ryan Braun in the back that forced the Brewers players to come out of the dugout and led to the ejection of manager Craig Counsell by home plate umpire Tom Hallion.

It was a bit of sweet redemption for Schoop, who struck out in his first at-bats against Bumgarner and then in the bottom of the sixth, he launched a Bumgarner pitch over the wall to give the Brewers a 5-2. This was the fourth home run for Schoop as a member of the Brewers since July 31 from the Baltimore Orioles.

Bumgarner was looking for the Giants, as he was cruising into the sixth inning and the Giants led 2-1. Braun doubled off Bumgarner in the first inning that scored a run, but he then retired the next 15 batters before he gave up a walk to Christian Yelich with two outs in that fateful sixth inning.

After the Yelich walk, Bumgarner gave up a single to Jesus Aguilar, which allowed Braun to come to the plate. The first pitch to Braun was inside, and then Bumgarner threw another pitch inside that ended with a stare down between the two. Bumgarner then hit Braun to load the bases, and brought the Brewers players out of the dugout, and eventually led to the ejection of Counsell, who was upset that there was no warning given to Bumgarner.

With the victory, the Brewers were able to maintain their 2.5 game for the top wild card spot over the St. Louis Cardinals, who defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-2 at Comerica Park.

The eight straight losses for the Giants is a season-high, as they cut the Brewers lead down to two in the top of the eighth inning, as Austin Slater hit an RBI triple; however, Schoop put the finishing touches on the game, as he drove in a run with a Fielders’ Choice in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Bumgarner ended up going six innings, allowing five runs on six hits, walking just one and striking out four.

Gregor Blanco gave the Giants a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, as he hit a sacrifice fly off of Brewers starter Zach Davies, who was not involved in the decision. Corbin Burnes picked up his fourth win of the season, as he struck out two of the four batters that he faced and Corey Knuble went 1.1 innings of perfect ball to nail down his 15th save in 18 opportunities.

Blanco gave the Giants an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as he hit a Davies pitch over the right field wall for his second home run of the season.

NOTES: Ryder Jones started at first base for Brandon Belt, who was scratched from the game with a sore right knee on Saturday night came on in the top of the fifth inning, to replace Jones, who was forced to leave the game with a dislocated knee after he fouled off a pitch.

UP NEXT: The Giants will return home to host the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series starting Monday night at 7:15 pm PDT.

Dereck Rodriguez will take to the AT&T Park mound on Monday, as he looks to stop to the bleeding of this eight-game losing streak against the National League East leading Atlanta Braves, who will send Sean Newcomb to the mound.