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San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants open up important series in LA starting Tuesday in the battle for the top

Published on August 22, 2016 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

On the San Francisco Giants with Morris, Giants starter Jeff Samardzija pitched a no hit bid master piece into the seventh inning until he got one up in the zone to the New York Mets with a lead off double to Eric Granderson and Yoenis Cespedes followed up going yard for a two run shot and that kind of sank San Francisco’s weekend with the 2-0 loss to the Mets.

The Giants-Mets ended up splitting the four game series and that for the Giants is really frustrating and their on their way to LA to play the Dodgers for three starting on Tuesday night. The Giants are kind of waiting to see what the Dodgers do today with Cincinnati, the Giants could be a half game back or full game back or will they be tied going into that series.

Morris Phillips does the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants Sunday game wrap: Cespedes does it again as Mets blank Giants 2-0

Published on August 21, 2016August 21, 2016 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets connects for one of his two home runs on Saturday also hit a two run homer on Sunday that was the gamer for the Mets in their victory at AT&T Park

SAN FRANCISCO-With one swing of the bat by Yoenis Cespedes, the San Francisco Giants fell out of first place.

Cespedes hit a two-run home run off of Jeff Samardzija in the top of the seventh inning, helping the New York Mets to a 2-0 victory over the Giants before a sellout crowd of 41,377, the 471st consecutive regular season sellout at AT&T Park.

With the loss, the Giants fell back into second place, just one-half game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 at Great American Ballpark.

It was the third home run in two days for Cespedes, who hit two in Saturday’s 9-5 Mets victory.

The three home runs by Cespedes tied for the most in a series by the left fielder this season, as he also hit three in a series from May 5-8 against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Just one batter prior to the Cespedes home run, Curtis Granderson picked up the first hit of the night for the Mets, a double just over the head of Gregor Blanco in left field.

Despite the double to Granderson, and the eventual game-winning home run to Cespedes, Samardzija pitched an outstanding game for the Giants.

Samardzija went seven innings, allowing just two runs on just three hits, walking just one and striking out seven; however he saw his record fall to 10-9 on the season.

The six innings of no-hit ball by Samardzija is the longest no-hit bid of his career, as he previously went 5.2 innings against the Baltimore Orioles on July 4, 2015, while pitching for the Chicago White Sox.

Since the All-Star break, the Giants have surrendered 48 home runs in 34 games, the highest in the National League, trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks who have allowed since the All-Star break.

Noah Syndergaard was fantastic for the Mets, as he went eight innings, allowing just two hits, walking just two and striking out six, as he improved to 11-7 on the season.

It was a historical win for Mets manager Terry Collins, as he won his 900th career game and is the 10th active manager to reach the 900 win plateau.

Trevor Brown was the first Giants player to reach base in the bottom of the third inning, as he walked off of Syndergaard; however he was thrown out at second base with Samardzija at the plate by Mets catcher Rene Rivera.

Syndergaard was the first Mets player to reach base, as he drew a walk against Samardzija in the top of the third inning. He would be the only batter to reach against Samardzija until Granderson’s opposite field double in the top of the seventh inning
Just one inning later, Eduardo Nunez broke up Syndergaard’s chance at a no-hitter, as he singled; however like Brown, Rivera threw him out at second base trying to steal.

Joe Panik singled off of Syndergaard in the bottom of the fifth inning, marking three consecutive innings that Syndergaard allowed a runner to base.

Brandon Belt was the last Giants player to reach base against Syndergaard, as he walked in the bottom of the seventh inning, but then Brandon Crawford ended the inning, as he grounded into a double play.

Mets closer Jeurys Familia closed out the game to pickup his 41st save of the season, despite the fact that he gave up a pinch-hit single to Buster Posey in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Following the Posey pinch-hit single, Denard Span was thrown out by Rivera trying to reach on a bunt and then Familia got Nunez to strikeout swinging to end the game.

The 41 saves by Familia are tied for the third-most in Mets history, and just two shy of his own record that was set during the 2015 season, when the Mets returned to the World Series for the first time since the 1986 season.

San Francisco Giants Saturday game wrap: Colon cleans up Giants

Published on August 20, 2016August 20, 2016 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: New York Mets starter Bartolo Colon in first inning pitching held the San Francisco Giants to two runs in the Mets 9-5 win at AT&T Park on Saturday

SAN FRANCISCO-Once again, Matt Moore was unsuccessful in getting that elusive first win for the San Francisco Giants.

Moore went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits, including a home run to Yoenis Cespedes and the New York Mets defeated the Giants 9-5 before a crowd of 41,125, the 470th consecutive regular season at AT&T Park.

The win by the Mets gave the victory to Bartolo Colon, who went 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on nine hits, walking just one and striking out nine.

Denard Span got the Giants on the board after the Mets jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead at the end of their half of the third inning, as he hit his seventh home run of the season and his second “Splash Hit” of the season.

The “Splash Hit” by Span was the 71st such home run by a Giants player since AT&T Park opened on April 11, 2000.

The Mets blew the game open in the top of the sixth inning, as they scored four runs that included a three-run home run by Alejandro De Aza to give the Mets a five-run lead.

Cespedes hit his second home run of the game in the top of the seventh inning, giving him 24 on the season.

It may have been too little too late, but the Giants mounted a rally in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford and Hunter Pence each walked to load the bases and then Eduardo Nunez drove in Belt and Crawford. Following the Nunez double, Joe Panik grounded out to second base to score Pence.

Angel Pagan extended his hitting streak up to 18 games, as he reached on a bunt single in the bottom of the first inning. It is the longest hitting streak by a Giants player this season, and the longest active hitting streak in the majors.

Pagan was forced to leave the game after the end of the third inning due to tightness in his right groin.

It was an off day for Jake Peavy, as he allowed five runs in two innings of work.

San Francisco Giants Friday game wrap: Giants back in first

Published on August 19, 2016August 20, 2016 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Ehire Adrianza of the San Francisco Giants gets an RBI single in the seventh off New York Mets pitcher Jerry Blevins at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Friday night

SAN FRANCISCO-Ehire Adrianza came up with the biggest hit of the game when the San Francisco Giants needed it the most.

Adrianza came up with an opposite field single off of Jerry Blevins in the bottom of the seventh inning, helping the Giants to a 8-1 victory over the New York Mets before a crowd of 41,434, the 469th consecutive regular season sellout at AT&T Park.

With the victory by the Giants, coupled with the Cincinnati Reds victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers by the final score of 9-2 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, the Giants return to first place by a half-game.

Following the Adrianza single, Denard Span came up his third hit of four hits in the game, as he drove in Eduardo Nunez, who was intentionally walked in front of Adrianza, who was pinch-hitting for Gregor Blanco, who was batting for Johnny Cueto; however Blanco was replaced by Adrianza when Blevins replaced Mets starting pitcher Seth Lugo.

The Adrianza single gave Cueto his 14th win of the season, as he went seven innings, allowing just one run on eight hits, not walking a batter and striking out two.

Lugo went 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out three, as he saw his record fall to 0-2 on the season.

Hunter Strickland got into a jam in the top of the eighth inning, as after he retired Alejandro De Aza, Jose Reyes singled and then went to second when Brandon Belt’s throw on a Kelly Johnson hit ball hit Reyes in the back and that was all for Strickland.

Javier Lopez came on to replace Strickland and got Jay Bruce to ground into a inning-ending double play that Belt started, threw to Brandon Crawford and the inning ended, when Lopez was standing on first for the final out of the inning.

The Giants added three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Eduardo Nunez grounded it onto a force play that scored Buster Posey.

Joe Panik then drove in two runs of the game, as he reached on a throwing error by a Asdrubial Cabrera that scored Brandon Crawford and Nunez.

Conor Gillaspie hit a pinch-hit two-run two-run home run to cap the five-run inning for the Giants, who have scored 18 runs in the first two games of the series against the reigning National League Champions.

This was the fifth home home run of the season for Gillaspie, and it was his second pinch-hit home run of the season, with his last coming on July 17 against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. It was also the fifth pinch-hit home run of Gillaspie’s career.

Curtis Granderson gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, as he hit his 20th home run of the season. Granderson’s home run was a Splash Hit, as it landed into McCovey Cove. It was the second time that Granderson hit a Splash Hit home run, and it was the 40th by an opposing player since AT&T Park on April 11, 2000.

The Giants tied up the game in the bottom of the third inning, as Joe Panik led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a Cueto sacrifice bunt and then scored on a Span single.

This was the second four-hit game of the season for Span, whose came on May 14 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Pagan extended his hitting streak up to 17 games, the active streak in the major leagues and the longest by a Giants player this season

In the top of the fifth inning, the Mets blew the perfect opportunity to take the lead, as after Seth Lugo bunted into a Fielders’ Choice that got Rene Rivera at second base for the second out of the inning.

Jose Reyes then singled and then Kelly Johnson singled, but Lugo stopped at third and Johnson continued onto third. The Giants caught both Lugo and Johnson in a rundown, and eventually Lugo was tagged out at home plate for the third out of the inning.

Hunter Pence got in on the base running miscue action in the bottom of the fifth inning, as after he doubled to leadoff the inning; however he was caught off base when Nunez flew out to Granderson in centerfield and he threw to Cabrera to complete the double play.

Once again in the bottom of the sixth inning, Giants were unable to score with runners in scoring position. Span and Angel Pagan each reached on singles, but then Belt hit into a double play and then Posey flew to Jay Bruce in right field to end the inning.

Despite the fact that they were unable to score runs, the Giants came up huge on the defensive side of the ball in the top of the seventh inning. Pence made up for his base running mishap, as he made a diving catch of a Cabrera hit ball and then Nunez ended the inning by snaring a Rivera ball, getting up and throwing him out at first base.

Giants Minor League Spotlight: RHP Sam Coonrod is a fast rising star

Published on August 19, 2016August 19, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Right-handed pitcher Sam Coonrod is ranked the fifth best player in the Giants farm system, and Sam is having a very good 2016 season.

Coonrod started the year off in San Jose in the high Class-A California League. That assignment had him right on schedule for player development as he had spent 2014 the in short-season rookie league and 2015 at Class-A Augusta.

By June 12th, Coonrod had made 11 starts for San Jose and had posted a record of 5-3 with 1.98 ERA. That outstanding start earned him a promotion to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels in mid-June.

Since being promoted to Richmond, Coonrod has continued to be successful. He has made 10 starts and has posted a record of 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA. In 61.0-innings pitched, he has 19 runs (14 earned) off 45 hits. Coonrod has allowed just five home runs. The one area that needs immediate improvement is his walk to strike out ratio. He has walked 29 and struck out 34 batters in those 10 starts for the Flying Squirrels. Coonrod has a WHIP of 1.21 and a batting average against of .209.

The 23-year old Coonrod is 6-foot-2 and weights 225 pounds. He was selected by the Giants in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Southern Illinois.

The fastball is is Coonrod’s number one pitch. He throws it in the 91-96 mph range with good command. His second pitch is a plus-slider that hits the mid-80’s. The change-up is Coonrod’s third pitch and it is a work in progress. He will need to master that change-up in order to remain a candidate to be a starter.

Coonrod’s accelerated progress to the Double-A level has moved up the timeline for him to make it to the major leagues. Based on his current success, fans should expect to see Sam Coonrod in a San Francisco Giants uniform sometime in 2017. That would mean he would start the year in Triple-A at Sacramento and move up the show sometime after the All-Star Break and no later than the September call-ups.

Down 4-0, Giants respond in critical, comeback win over the Mets

Published on August 19, 2016 by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

With both mired in difficult circumstances, it wouldn’t be hard to believe the Mets and Giants were happy to see each other on Thursday. But after 30 hits, 17 total runs, and a bunch of other unpredictable stuff, the two playoff hopefuls looking to get recharged might not be so enthused to see each other on Friday.

The Giants earned the more peaceful night of rest with a 10-7 come-from-behind victory in which they overcame a 4-0 deficit in the fourth inning. Madison Bumgarner allowed a grand slam to Justin Ruggiano in the top of that frame, then answered back with a two-run shot of his own, in the bottom of the inning, allowing the Giants to claim their first lead.

That Bumgarner’s shot came off Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom was surprising. That it came on the seventh pitch of a challenging at-bat that ended with what appeared to be the least challenging fastball of deGrom’s evening was quite eye-opening. Just not as noticeable as deGrom’s evening in his entirety, 13 hits allowed, eight earned runs, marking the worst outing of the 28-year old’s big league career.

“Early in counts, guys were making solid contact, leave a ball right down the middle to Bumgarner, hits it over the fence,” deGrom said. “I can’t think of any good pitches that got hit. It was a game where I wasn’t very good.”

But it was that kind of night at AT&T Park, two struggling clubs desperate to overcome their circumstances hardly preoccupied with the means to that end.

“I don’t think that’s how either of us had it drawn up, but we’ll take it for sure,” Bumgarner said. “It’s not about throwing shutouts, it’s about winning games, and that’s what we did today.”

Bumgarner, who has been mentioned at the top of the list of Cy Young candidates despite his hard luck results, and deGrom, with a sparkling 1.56 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break, didn’t seem headed for these types of performances, but there they were, just trying to record outs wherever possible until their ropes where inevitably cut.

DeGrom lasted through the conclusion of the fifth, allowing four hits, and three more runs after he gave the Giants the lead. He had never lost to the Giants prior to Thursday, and if this was the counter to all the success he’d enjoyed previously, he made it a doozy. DeGrom had given up just two earned runs in three previous starts against the Giants, winning all three times. But there wasn’t much magic in his arm this time, surprising given the recent groove the right hander had experienced.

Bumgarner needed 38 pitches to get through the fourth, allowing a home run to Justin Ruggiano, just two games removed from the disabled list. The grand slam was Ruggiano’s first home run of the season, his second grand slam of his career, and his third home run off Bumgarner.

But soon after Ruggiano’s slam was recorded, it became a footnote.

DeGrom then allowed the first four Giants hits in the bottom of the frame. After retiring Joe Panik, Bumgarner fouled off three pitches before deGrom offered him a batting practice fastball that ended up in the left field bleachers. Bumgarner would hit again in the sixth, striking out, but that was it for him as well, after just 89 pitches.

Buster Posey knocked in a pair of insurance runs in the eighth, and Santiago Casilla registers his 28th save after pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

The Giants won for just the 10 time in their 31 games since the break, but their timing was good. The first place Dodgers cooled in Philadelphia earlier, squandering a one-run lead in the seventh to lose 5-4 to the Phillies. With the win, the Giants climbed within a half-game of their rivals just three games ahead of their series that starts Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The Mets fell to 1-3 on their 10-game road trip that started in Phoenix and will end in St. Louis against the Cardinals.

On Friday, the Giants will have Johnny Cueto on the mound in a matchup with Steven Matz, looking for his 10^th win of the season.

NOTES: The Giants placed Matt Cain on the disabled list before the game, and activated Cody Gearrin, who pitched in Thursday’s game. Cain was going to be skipped from his next start to give Matt Moore a chance to start against the left-handed hitting Dodgers so the timing was precise, but also the veteran had struggled in his previous two starts, after pitching well for five.

MLB Podcast with Tony Renteria: If there is one team the Giants can get healthy on right now it’s the New York Mets

Published on August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

AP photo: San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain stands on the mound after surrendering a home run to the Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen in the Pirates rally in the fifth inning of Wednesday afternoon’s game at AT&T Park

On the MLB podcast with Tony Renteria the Giants had the lead melt down once again on Wednesday afternoon at AT&T with a 4-0 lead the Giants saw it dissipate and the Bucs wound up winning it 5-4. The Giants were snake bit by that Pirate team and that Pirate outfield was just amazing they were in the top five in almost every year as a combined outfield in the National League and it’s just an amazing outfield and it really hurt he Giants through the series overall.

What the New York Mets advantage is in the series with the Giants starting Thursday night is their ability to run and steal bases by the bunch load and Mets manager Terry Collins is right there’s no reason why the Mets should be playing the way they’ve been playing. If there’s a team that the Giants can get healthy on real fast it’s the New York Mets.

Tony also talks Oakland A’s baseball in the podcast join Tony each week for the MLB podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants blow early lead, get swept by the Pirates

Published on August 17, 2016August 18, 2016 by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

According to manager Bruce Bochy, he’s got tough guys, but the get going part has yet to take place.

On Wednesday, the Giants saw their 4-0 lead evaporate in one inning, Matt Cain’s disastrous fifth in which he coughed all six runs the Pirates would need in a 6-5 victory that capped a three-game sweep. On top of all the Giants have experienced in their 9-21 stretch since the All-Star break, they now have a pair of mid-game meltdowns in less than a week, the type that teams that aren’t tough, don’t survive.

“We couldn’t ask for more than what we created there,” Bochy said. “We just couldn’t finish.”

Cain was cruising along, allowing just one hit, until the fifth. Then, that fast, Cain wasn’t cruising. He hit David Freese, then walked John Jaso, Jordy Mercer and Eric Fryer to force in a run. Manager Clint Hurdle, sensing an opportunity, then pinch-hit for his starter, Ivan Nova, and Matt Joyce delivered a two-run single.

Josh Harrison then hit a sacrifice fly that tied the game. With the Giants’ bullpen in motion, Cain recovered to retire Sterling Marte for the second out, but Andrew McCutchen was next, and Bochy decided to stick with Cain. But McCutchen deposited Cain’s first pitch–a substandard fastball–over the left field wall.

“I probably stuck with him a little long there, being honest,” Bochy admitted. “I felt he had enough to get through it. It didn’t play out.”

With five opportunities remaining, and a two-run deficit, the Giants’ response was tepid. Rallies fizzled in the fifth and sixth, nothing more promising came in the seventh and eighth, then with a real opportunity in the ninth, the first three batters reached to load the bases, the normally clutch Buster Posey hit into a double play, then Brandon Crawford flew out to center to end the game.

The Giants finished 3 of 10 with runners in scoring position, actually an improvement on their 5 of 23 in the first two games of the season. Regardless of the numbers, the Giants have been consistently one hit short, hitting just below .200 since the All-Star break.

Now, after a four-game losing streak that began with the meltdown against the Orioles on Sunday, the Giants are looking up at the Dodgers, now holding a 1 ½ game lead in the NL West. At some point, the Giants have to respond, but it hasn’t happened yet.

“We better find a way to get out of it pretty soon, we know that,” Bochy said.

Posey provided a boost on Wednesday by starting a day game after a night game after the All-Star missed a pair of games with back issues. Brandon Belt fouled a pitch off his leg in the fifth, but stayed in the game as the Giants fielded a lineup with all eight of their preferred starters.

The Giants get what should be a break next with the hapless Mets in for four games with Madison Bumgarner lined up to pitch the first one. The Mets, hitting .188 since the break with runners in scoring position, have an offense struggling to a greater degree than the Giants. But can the Giants take advantage?

Bumgarner faces Jacob deGrom in the opener at 7:15pm on Thursday.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Does the Nathan signing represent an eventual shot as closer as a Casilla replacement?

Published on August 17, 2016 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

AP file photo: Joe Nathan who was released by the Chicago Cubs is now in the Giants double A Richmond system and could work his way up to the big leagues as a possible closer. Photo was of Nathan throwing against the Chicago White Sox on July 26th at US Cellular Field

On the Giants podcast with Michael, the Giants dropped a tough one to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 at AT&T Park Tuesday night to fall to second place in the National League West. Will Giants general manger Bobby Evans and Giants manager Bruce Bochy start to panic at this point? Boch has been very quiet on the issue and has been here before not showing any emotion or worry.

In the eighth inning Giants reliever Derek Law surrendered a home run ball to the Pittsburgh Pirates Jung Ho Kang that proved to be the game winner for the Pirates in the one run loss on Tuesday. The Giants are continuing their search for closer help as reliever Santiago Casilla continues to struggle. The Giants signed former Giant pitcher Joe Nathan to a minor league deal and who spent a majority of his career with the Twins and just cleared wavers with the Chicago Cubs. Nathan is working out in Giants affiliate double A Richmond Virginia. Though the Giants wouldn’t say Nathan is not a replacement for Casilla if Casilla can’t get on track soon the organization may consider Nathan for a shot at closing.

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

Pirates knocked Giants out of first place

Published on August 16, 2016August 17, 2016 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: The Pittsburgh Pirates Jung Ho Kang took San Francisco Giants reliever Derek Law deep in the eighth inning and comes home greeted by teammate Francisco Cavelli (29) at AT&T Park on Tuesday night

SAN FRANCISCO-Jung Ho Kang knocked the San Francisco Giants out of first place with one swing of the bat.

Kang hit a solo home run off of Derek Law in the top of the eighth inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Giants 4-3 before a crowd of 41,185, the 466th consecutive regular season season sellout at AT&T Park.

Actually, if it was not for Buster Posey throwing out Andrew McCutchen trying to steal second base, Kang’s home run would have given the Pirates a two-run victory instead of a one-run victory over the slumping Giants, who have lost three in a row and four out of five to open the home stand.

The Giants fell out of first place for the first time since May 10, as the Los Angeles Dodgers moved into the lead in the National League West after they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 15-5 at Citizens Bank Park.

With a chance to possibly win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Giants failed to score with runners on second and third.

Gregor Blanco reached when the ball he hit rolled through the legs of Jordy Mercer at shortstop, then Joe Panik doubled down the right field line.

Ehire Adrianza popped out for the second out of the inning after it looked like that closer Tony Watson was going to walk Adrianza intentionally. Denard Span then ended the game, as he grounded out to Josh Harrison at second base.

Hunter Pence tied up the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when he drove in Posey after Posey advanced to third on a Brandon Crawford, Posey singled with one out.

Gregory Polanco gave the Pirates an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as he hit into a Fielders’ Choice that scored Starling Marte from third base. Marte after Josh Harrison grounded out to open the game versus Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samaradzija. Marte advanced to second base when he stole his 40th base of the season.

The Giants came back in the bottom of the first inning, as they scored two runs, as Posey hit a two-run double to score Denard Span and Angel Pagan. Span and Pagan each singled to leadoff the inning.

John Jaso tied up the game for the Pirates in the top of the second inning, as he doubled in Francisco Cervelli, who doubled just in front of Jaso.

Polanco gave the Pirates once again in the top of the sixth inning, as he drove in McCutchen from third base, as Polanco grounded out to Joe Panik at second base. McCutchen led off the inning with a triple to right-center field.

Samardzija went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking just one and striking out five.

Jameson Taillon also went six innings, allowing the same three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out five. Taillon also picked up his first career base hit in the top of the fifth inning that stopped a streak of eight in a row retired by Samardzjia.