Category: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain throws to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

By Jeremy Harness

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants just can’t seem to get out of their own way these days, and when facing a decent team that does not often beat itself, the result is usually a decisive defeat.

That’s exactly what happened Thursday night at AT&T Park, as the St. Louis Cardinals came into town and wrestled the first of a four-game series from the Giants, 5-2.

One can point to a number of aspects that went into the opposite direction of what the Giants needed them to go, such as a lack of productivity at the plate to support starter Matt Cain’s nice outing in place of scheduled starter Madison Bumgarner, who was sick and could not pitch Thursday.

The Giants could not get much of anything going off Cardinals starter Michael Wacha, who went six innings and surrendered only a single run on four hits, walking two and striking out two more.

The one bright spot was Cain, who responded by going five innings and gave up only a pair of runs on seven hits, striking out two and not walking anyone.

“I’ll take that any time,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “Matty gave us everything we needed, but unfortunately, we’re not swinging the bats very well right now.

“He threw the ball great.”

Those two runs, however, came on one swing of the bat in the second inning. Despite giving up a leadoff hit, Cain got through the first inning unscathed, but fate was not as kind to him in the second. That’s because after giving up a single, right fielder Randal Grichuk took Cain deep into the stands in left-center to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.

The Giants got one of those runs back in the fifth inning, thanks to some nice hustle from none other than Hunter Pence. The veteran right fielder tagged up from second to third on a middle-length flyout to right, and then bolted home on a fly ball from pinch hitter Carlos Moncrief.

However, the Cardinals widened the lead again in the seventh when Tommy Pham hit one right back up the middle to bring in Greg Garcia. The Giants looked poised to narrow the gap slightly, particularly when Ryder Jones came through with a two-out triple, and the next batter, Moncrief, appeared to have an infield single in hand.

However, shortstop Paul DeJong snatched the opportunity away by bringing out his inner Derek Jeter, ranging deep in the hole near third base and got just enough on the throw to nab Moncrief and end the inning.

Mark Melancon took the ball in the eighth and immediately got into trouble, loading the bases with only one out. He then walked in a run and then hit Matt Carpenter to bring in another one, handing St. Louis a 5-1 advantage before Bochy decided to yank him.

The Giants made a bit of a rally in the bottom of the ninth, when the Giants ran into a bit of controversy.

Brandon Crawford appeared to have hit a two-run homer just past the wall in right field, right at the foul. However, upon review, umpiring crew chief Mike Everitt determined that a fan had interfered as he caught the ball, forcing Crawford to go back to second while the run was still allowed to score.

However, many in the ballpark shared a different vantage point, which indicated that the ball would have landed just beyond the brick portion of the wall, resulting in a home run. Furthermore, it was in almost the exact same area that J.T. Snow’s homer in Game 2 of the 2000 National League Division Series landed.

“I’m shocked that he overturned it,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “Really, it wasn’t even close (to not being a home run), so that why I think we’re all stunned he overturned it.

“You know the ground rules, that if it’s on the green (portion beyond the wall), it’s a home run.”

As it stood, Crawford would be left stranded at second, as Seung Hwan Oh came in and shut the door on the Giants.

 

 

 San Diego Padres starting pitcher Travis Wood throws a pitch to a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

 By Jeremy Harness

 At the beginning of this season, it was unfathomable that a team that made the playoffs the year before would lose 100 games the very next year. Sadly for Giants fans, that’s what appears to be happening to their team in 2017.

 That possibility got heightened a bit Wednesday night, as the Giants were shut out by the San Diego Padres, 5-0, at San Diego’s Petco Park, as they saw their record drop to 53-82 with a full month to go in the regular season.

 Padres starting pitcher Travis Wood got things started for the Padres in the third inning, as he touched up his counterpart, Ty Blach, with a solo homer over the wall in left-center. Jose Pirela added yet another solo shot three innings later, as his shot landed in the stands in left field.

 Later that inning, the hinges came off for the Giants. Two more runs came across in the sixth, one of them coming on a wild pitch and the other coming from a single by Austin Hedges that brought in Jabari Blash to give San Diego a commanding 4-0 lead.

 Blash completed the scoring two innings later with a single that scored Wil Myers.

 When it was all said and done, Blach was charged three of those runs on five hits, walking two and striking out one in seeing his ERA go up to 4.68 and seeing his record drop to 8-11. Meanwhile, Wood pitched 4 1/3 innings of shutout ball and gave up six hits. He walked four and struck out one, but he didn’t stick around long enough to get the win.

 That honor belonged to Craig Stammen, who finished up the fifth inning and pitched a perfect sixth to pick up the victory.

 As a result, the Giants dropped the three-game series with San Diego, and they will now head home and face the St. Louis Cardinals for a four-game series that starts Thursday night at AT&T Park.

 

Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton watches a solo home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Edwin Jackson during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

On the Giants Podcast with Michael:

1 There’s been a lot of serious talk about the Miami Marlins Giancarlo Stanton joining the Giants but it won’t be realistic because once he’s on the market the price will be set so high that the Giants will be pushed aside by a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers who print money and can get almost any talent they want.

2 Stanton who has hit 31 homers would be a big help for the Giants and the team could rebuild around him but it’s very unlikely they won’t be able to add him to the payroll

3 Stanton believes that the true season home run hitter is the late and former New York Yankee Roger Maris who set the record in 1961 with 61 and not the current record holder former San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds who has the record at 73. But remember you can’t go the grocery store believing you could shop without money either.

4 The Giants beat the Padres 6-3 to open the three game series on Monday night in San Diego. The Giants starter Matt Moore was touched up for five runs and eight hits

5 The Giants starter Ty Blach (8-10) gets the call for Tuesday night he’s going against the Padres Travis Wood (3-4). Blach has had some decent outing of late and would like to help San Francisco get back in the win column.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Diego Padres’ Manuel Margot, center, is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

By Jeremy Kahn

Things started out good for the San Francisco Giants, especially after they took an early 2-0 lead over the San Diego Padres.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, as rookie Manuel Margot hit a three-run home run off of Matt Moore in the bottom of the fourth inning and the Padres came back to defeat the Giants 6-3 at Petco Park.

It was the 13th home run of the season for Margot, as he helped Luis Perdomo picked up the victory.

Perdomo went six innings, allowing two runs (one of them earned), he also allowed eight hits, walked two and struck out three, as Perdomo worked at least six innings for the eighth consecutive start.

Brad Hand was the final of three relievers for the Padres, as he pitched the ninth inning for his 13th save of the season.

As for the Giants, this was their 81st loss of the season, meaning that they would have to win 28 straight just to get to the .500 mark. The major-league record for consecutive wins is 26, held by the Giants.

This was the fourth loss in the Giants last five games, as the Padres continue their dominance over the Giants, as they have won eight out of their last 11 versus them.

The nightmarish season for Moore continues, as his record on the season falls to 4-13. Moore gave up five runs and eight hits, walking one and striking out two.

Asides from the Margot three-run home run, Moore gave up a solo home run to Jabari Blash that tied up the game.

The Giants got on the board in the top of the second inning, as they were helped out by errors, courtesy of the Padres.

Cory Spagenberg committed a throwing and fielding error that helped the Giants scored two early runs versus Perdomo.

Joe Panik got the inning started, as he singled off of Perdomo and then Nick Hundley reached on a fielding error by Spangenberg. Moore helped out his own cause, as his sacrifice bunt ended up in a single and Spangenberg’s throwing error allowed Panik to score.

Denard Span, who picked up three hits on the evening, drove in the second run of the inning with a single.

Panik closed out the scoring for the Giants, as he hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning; however, they were not able to get any closer.

NOTES: Ty Blach closes out the road trip, as he takes the mound for the Giants on Wednesday, while the Padres will send Travis Wood to the mound.

Buster Posey missed his second straight game, as he is nursing a sprained left thumb and it is doubtful that he will play on Wednesday.

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy takes in batting practice before the baseball game against the San Diego Padres Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

On the Giants Podcast with Morris:

1 Giants Pitcher Matt Cain who got rocked for nine runs in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game in Phoenix no one wants to say it out loud but how much longer will San Francisco stick with Cain?

2 Giants manager Bruce Bochy went through his bullpen on Sunday all of the four pitchers called in relief it was set up man Matt Cain who was shelled so badly. He just simply couldn’t get anybody out and left many questions about his future.

3 Making matters worse for SF Giant closer Mark Melancon is looking at having surgery while Giants brass team VP Brian Sabean and general manager Bobby Evans contemplates who they’ll get to revamp the bullpen for 2018.

4. The Giants open a three game series starting Friday night at Petco Park in San Diego. After getting tattooed in Arizona the Giants are looking to bare down and get some good pitching going against the Pads.

There’s much more on the Giants stay with Morris click to listen and each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants’ Matt Cain, right, paces on the mound after giving up a three-run home run to Arizona Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt, left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 11-0. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, August 27, 2017

PHOENIX, Ariz. – At the end of Sunday’s NL West game between San Francisco and Arizona, Matt Cain took one for the team, and the Diamondbacks made it hurt.

Cain, the former Giants ace, was called on in the bottom of the eighth to keep San Francisco in a two-run game. Ten batters and eight runs later, the D-Backs led 10-0 when Cain was mercifully removed.

In all, Arizona sent 12 batters to the plate in a nine-run eighth, cruising to an 11-0 victory, their fourth in a row.

The Diamondbacks (73-58) maintain a 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado in the National League Wild Card race, with Milwaukee and Miami trailing the Rockies by 5 and 5 ½ games, respectively.

Patrick Corbin (12-11) struck out eight and walked one in seven scoreless innings, earning his fourth straight win. D-Backs relievers Andrew Chafin, David Hernandez and Jake Barrett combined to complete the shutout.

For the second game in a row, the Giants saw a quality start come up short of a victory. Chris Stratton (2-3) gave up four hits and two earned runs in six innings while striking out 10 with five walks.

After giving up a one-out single to Gregor Blanco and walking A.J. Pollock in the Arizona seventh, Josh Osich left after Jake Lamb flied out to deep right. Kyle Crick struck out Paul Goldschmidt to end the threat.

San Francisco (52-80) had runners at first and second with nobody out in the eighth before pinch-hitter Brandon Crawford hit into a double play and Gorkys Hernandez lined out to center.

Then, for the Giants, came the disastrous Diamondback eighth.

Cain, making his fourth appearance out of the bullpen, walked J.D. Martinez and Daniel Descalso singled. After Adam Rosales reached on a well-placed bunt single, Chris Hermann singled to right, driving in Martinez and Descalso.

Pinch-hitter Brandon Drury delivered a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Hermann, and the rally continued. Cain issued a walk to Blanco and Pollock flied out to right before the veteran righthander hit Lamb with a pitch.

Goldschmidt belted his 31st home run of the season to left, a three-run blast, followed by Martinez’s second homer of the game. Cain was pulled in favor of Cory Gearrin, who was greeted by Descalso with a home run to right.

A manufactured run in the bottom of the third inning gave Arizona the first lead of the game. Hermann led off with a walk, was sacrificed to second, and went to third on David Peralta’s infield ground out. Hermann then scored when Stratton uncorked a wild pitch on strike three to Ray Fuentes.

In the D-Backs sixth, after Paul Goldschmidt walked and was thrown out trying to steal second, Martinez homered to right, making it 2-0.

Kelby Tomlinson had two of the Giants’ five hits.

The Giants move on to San Diego for a three-game series with the Padres. Jeff Samardzija (6-12, 4.67) faces Jhoulys Chacin (11-9, 4.10) Monday in a matchup of righthanders.

GIANT JOTTINGS: San Francisco has dropped 7 of its last 11 games against the Diamondbacks. … A 54-second video challenge overturned a possible fielder’s choice for Buster Posey, and was reversed to a 6-4-3 double play that ended the Giants’ first inning. … Arizona’s David Peralta was ejected after striking out in the fifth inning. It was his first career ejection. … Giants RHP Chris Stratton has thrown 18 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings over his last three starts. … It was the sixth time in team history the D-Backs hit back-to-back-to-back home runs. The last time was on July 21 against Washington. … Martinez’s 12th and 13th home runs with Arizona give him 29 overall on the season. This was Martinez’s fourth multi-home run game this season, and the fifth of his career. … Attendance at Chase Field was 21,210. The roof was closed – 106 degrees outside, 78 inside.

TAGS: San Francisco Giants,Arizona Diamondbacks,NL Wild Card,Sports Radio Service

San Francisco Giants’ Madison Bumgarner throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 2-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, August 26, 2017

PHOENIX, Ariz. – It happens so often over the course of a baseball season – Madison Bumgarner pitching well enough to win on Saturday at Chase Field with nothing to show for it.

The San Francisco lefthander scattered five hits over seven innings, struck out seven and his only walk was intentional. But two of those hits were solo home runs by A.J. Pollock and J.D. Martinez, providing Arizona with enough offense to earn a 2-1 win over Bumgarner the visiting Giants.

It was the third win in a row for the Diamondbacks (72-58), who continue to lead the National League Wild Card race by 1 ½ games over Colorado and 5 ½ over Milwaukee.

It was Bumgarner’s ninth start since returning to the Giants from a three-month stint on the disabled list (left shoulder sprain). Bumgarner (3-6) threw 109 pitches before giving way to Hunter Strickland in the eighth.

“(Bumgarner) looked fine; looked like he’s back to normal,” Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said. “Throwing 109 pitches isn’t that uncommon. He felt fine. He could have gone back out there.

“Two solo home runs given up in this ballpark, that’s a great job. These days, you don’t give up as many hits, but you’re giving up more home runs. That’s how the game is today.”

Early on, it was looking like Diamondbacks starter Taijuan Walker (7-7), looking for his first win since June 21, would be the night’s hero. Walker retired the first 11 batters he faced until Giants leftfielder Jarrett Parker broke up Walker’s no-hit bid with two out in the fourth, driving a towering home run to center, tying the game at 1-1.

“Jarrett squared one up and that was it,” Bochy said. “(Walker) was good. He has great stuff, throws around 95, has good movement.

“We had our chances, but didn’t take advantage of them today.”

It was the long ball that got the job done offensively for Arizona. A.J. Pollock’s seventh home run of the season put the Diamondbacks up 1-0 with two out in the bottom of the first inning.

After Parker’s solo blast, Arizona regained the in the bottom of the fourth on J.D. Martinez’s home run off Bumgarner that landed in the seats just left of the 413-foot marker. It was the 11th home run for Martinez as a Diamondback, and his 27th of the season.

“The 3-2 pitch to Martinez, was spotted more toward the middle. I thought I would beat him, and I didn’t,” Bumgarner said. “Pollock has gotten real good at hitting high fastballs in the last year or two, because he’s hit two of them off me this year in almost the same spot.”

The Giants (52-79) threatened in the fifth when Brandon Crawford led off with a single and advanced to third on Joe Panik’s single. But Walker struck out Ryder Jones and Bumgarner to end the rally.

“I’ve been feeling pretty good at the plate, seeing the ball good,” Bumgarner said. “I felt good going up there today and that just didn’t work out. That’s the way it is sometimes and I was glad to stay in the game.”

Bumgarner added that, at the same time, he has no interest in seeing electronic umpires working the plate.

“I’ve said this many times before, I’m not advocating for the stupid electronic strike zone,” he said. “I don’t even like replay. I wish we’d go back to playing baseball the way it’s supposed to be played. That’s just my opinion; everybody has one.”

“Bum is pretty good with a bat so I let him hit there in that situation,” Bochy said. “That was a tough pitch he was called out on. I got word the pitch was off the plate. He’s a pretty good hitter, he shortens up with two strikes. He saw it good, the call went their way, and that’s a tough break.”

Relievers Andrew Chafin, David Hernandez and Fernando Rodney blanked the Giants over the final 2 2/3 innings. Rodney struck out Crawford and Pablo Sandoval to close out save No. 32.

The two teams complete their weekend series Sunday, with righthander Chris Stratton (2-2, 3.98) pitching for San Francisco, while the D-Backs counter with lefthander Patrick Corbin (11-11, 4.09).

GIANTS JOTTINGS: Arizona SS Ketel Marte left the game in the sixth inning with left hamstring tightness. He’s day-to-day. … Attendance was 25,709 as fans sought to escape the 110-degree heat. It was 78 degrees inside with the roof closed.

TAGS: Madison Bumgarner,San Francisco Giants,Arizona Diamondbacks,Sports Radio Service,NL Wild Card