Category: San Francisco Giants

Giants’ Cueto earns his 13th win, erasing memory of Tuesday’s tough loss with complete game effort

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Cue

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The snapshot of the 2016 baseball season after 87 games will show the San Francisco Giants on top and Johnny Cueto’s handprints all over the accomplishment.

After beating the Rockies Wednesday night, 5-1, the Giants have surpassed the Cubs for the best record in either league as Cueto collected another complete game and improved his record to 13-1. As a resume for Cueto to be named the National League starter in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, the veteran pitcher couldn’t have made a better case.

“You look at his record, his numbers, what a great first half he’s had,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s obvious we’re pulling it to happen.”

“It would mean a lot because it would be the first time that I would ever pitch in an All-Star Game,” Cueto said through his interpreter. “And I want to pitch.”

But not hit, as in the Home Run Derby on Monday in San Diego. When asked about participating in that contest as Madison Bumgarner expressed interest, Cueto, possibly thinking of his 118 pitches thrown Wednesday, or his 0 for 26 hitless streak that ended on Wednesday, he quickly said, “Hell no.”

Whether Cueto surpassed his limit of energy spent against the Rockies or not, he clearly asked for this one. Cueto saw the Giants’ bullpen stain Bumgarner’s excellent effort on Tuesday and hinted that it had been a while since his last complete game effort—in May versus the Padres—a feat he might chase against the Rockies.

After throwing 110 pitches through eight innings, Bochy elected to send the $130 million free agent signee out to finish the job in the ninth.   And Cueto delivered, retiring D.J. LeMahieu, Giants’ killer Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzales with just eight more pitches. As the team gathered to exchange handshakes before leaving the field, Cueto was honored as all of the team’s infielders, at Brandon Belt’s behest, tucked their caps under their left arms just as the pitcher does while leaving the mound after each inning.

The complete game win was the 16th of Cueto’s career and fourth of the season.

“I would say he seems to have an extra gear,” Buster Posey said of his battery mate. “I think he does a nice job of pacing himself at the start of the game to where he has enough in the tank to finish it off.”

The Giants won for the 37th time in their previous 52 games, enough to knock the Cubs off their perch as MLB’s team with the best record for the first time this season. The Cubs fell to the Reds on Wednesday, their 12th loss in their previous 17 games.

Posey backed Cueto with his 11th home run in the sixth. Brandon Crawford had a pair of RBI, and Brandon Belt kicked off the scoring with an RBI triple in the first. Belt’s effort no doubt supported his quest to be voted in as the final invitee for the All-Star Game, an online contest that pits him against Colorado’s Trevor Story, Pittsburgh’s Sterling Marte and two others.

Arenado changes the outcome with one swing

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: The Colorado Rockies Nolan Arenado 28 is congratulated by Nick Hundley 4 after hitting a three run homer at AT&T Park in the seventh inning

SAN FRANCISCO-Nolan Arenado found out earlier in the day that he was heading to his second consecutive All-Star game, and what a way to cap off a great day.

Arenado hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning, helping the Colorado Rockies defeat the San Francisco Giants 7-3 before a crowd of 41,750, the 450th consecutive regular season at AT&T Park.

The Rockies third baseman is not the only member of his team heading to San Diego, as Carlos Gonzalez will be making his third All-Star game appearance.

It was a tough no-decision for Madison Bumgarner, who went six innings, allowing zero runs on four hits, walking two and striking out six; however he did not fare in the decision.

Despite the no-decision for Bumgarner it was not all bad, as he was selected to his fourth National League All-Star team.

The left-hander is the first Giants player to be named to four consecutive All-Star teams since Tim Lincecum from 2008-2011.

Bumgarner will not be the only Giants representative heading to San Diego for the 87th All-Star Game on July 12, as Buster Posey will also be making his fourth trip to the All-Star Game and Johnny Cueto will be making his second appearance in the mid-summer classic. Brandon Belt was selected as one of the five finalists for the Final Vote done by the fans.

Things looked for the Giants early on, as they jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, as Angel Pagan reached on a Mark Reynolds fielding error and then scored on a Brandon Belt single.

Mac Williamson saved three runs from scoring in the top of the third inning, as he made a diving catch off a Trevor Story ball that ended the inning and the Rockies threat.

Pagan scored the Giants second and final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he tripled to leadoff the inning and then scored on a Nick Hundley passed ball when Hundley was unable to snare a Tyler Chatwood pitch. Chatwood struck out Belt on the play.

D.J. LeMahieu got the Rockies on the board in the top of the seventh inning, as he singled to score Reynolds off of Cory Gearrin, then Arenado planted a Gearrin offering into the left-field bleachers to give the Rockies the lead for good.

This was the 17th blown save by the Giants thus far during the 2016 season, the most in the major leagues.

The Rockies added three more runs in the top of the eighth inning, as Hundley singled to score pinch-hitter Christian Adames. Blackmon then drove in Reynolds with a single, and then LeMahieu drove in his second run of the night, as he walked with the bases loaded to score Hundley.

Despite trailing by five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Giants scored a run, as Williamson drove in Crawford with a single.

Peavy Leads Giants Past Rockies On Independence Day

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By Ben Leonard

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — 240 years ago today, America’s Founding Fathers declared independent a nation founded upon the principles of self-determination, liberty, and eventually, baseball. Especially in San Francisco, America’s national pastime has become much more than that on Independence Day (and every day) — a place for a sea of red, white, and orange to congregate and revel in freedom.

There’s something about pitching that resembles that founding spirit. It’s on you — and only you — to blaze your own trail and stay in command. And who would be better to represent the Giants on a blustery but brilliant Independence Day than Jake Peavy, the ardent patriot? On Monday, Peavy seemed to fit the bill perfectly, leaving with a standing ovation after gritting through 6.2 innings to lead the San Francisco Giants (53-32) to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies (37-45), backed by home runs from Buster Posey and Angel Pagan.

“I’d like to think I’m as patriotic as they come,” Peavy, who has played guitar to benefit Barry Zito’s Strikeouts For Troops, said Monday. “It’s just fun to have the extra adrenaline when you see the flyover and you see the troops. You all know that’s meaningful to me, so you just try to put the best effort you can forth. But July 9th, 10th, whenever the next one is, I’m going to bring it too.”

Peavy gave up just an after a second-inning balk that produced the Rockies’ only run, striking out six and walking two. With the bases loaded and the pitcher, Tyler Anderson, at the dish, Peavy picked off to first to read if Anderson would bunt, but was called for a balk, plating Ryan Raburn. By MLB rules, since Peavy threw to an unoccupied bag (first baseman Brandon Belt wasn’t near first), it had to be deemed a balk. Peavy indicated that he was confused about the call — he didn’t know the rule.

Other than that, it was smooth sailing for the 35-year-old Alabama native, who has finally found a groove after a rough start to the season. Fans were calling for Peavy’s head after a nine-game stretch in which Peavy posted a 8.21 ERA, but has quickly turned those numbers around. In his last eight starts, opponents have hit just .215 against Peavy, good for a 2.27 ERA.

“I think more than anything, he’s doing a better job of pitching,” Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said Monday. “Backing off a little bit, changing speeds, hitting the spots. He was throwing a little hard there when things weren’t going well, and I think he’ll say the same. It’s just better for him to back off a little bit and pitch — that’s who he is now.”

In support of Peavy, Posey slammed a bottle rocket off Anderson in the second, quickly tying up the game. The next inning, Angel Pagan hit the decisive shot, a two-run homer that just sailed over the left field fence into an erupting crowd.

Perhaps in a night game, Pagan’s homer would have landed in the glove of the left fielder Raburn, but not on this Independence Day. Calling back memories of Candlestick Park, Bochy noted that balls were drifting fifteen or twenty feet further than normal and outfielders repeatedly lost balls in the sun.

Peavy’s outing was a big boost for a depleted bullpen that was ravaged in the previous series against Arizona. “He got pretty high up there in his pitch count and still maintained his command and stuff,” Bochy said. “He did a good job of going out there and giving guys a break.”

One pitcher who didn’t need a break was reliever Sergio Romo, who hadn’t pitched since April 10th after suffering a flexor strain. Romo entered in the eighth to a raucous ovation and got one out before giving up a double to noted Giant killer Nolan Arenado. Dating back to the beginning of last season, Arenado has 13 homers and 42 RBI’s against the Giants, tops by any player against any opponent in that span, so it wasn’t completely out of the ordinary.

“He looked normal, so that’s a good sign,” Posey said.

The Giants will need Romo at top form if they want to keep up their elite play — their bullpen ranks 26th in the majors in WAR as of Monday.

Cover Image: San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake Peavy works against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, July 4, 2016, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

 

Giants Game Notes: Sergio Romo Activated From Disabled List

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By Ben Leonard

mercurynews.com photo: San Francisco Giants reliever Sergio Romo is happy to be back in the Giants bullpen

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The San Francisco Giants’ training room has become an alarmingly busy place, even sometimes overshadowing the play on the field. With six regulars out, the injury list started approaching novel lengths.

But finally, reinforcements are starting to return for the Giants. Amongst a flurry of injury news, setup man and former closer Sergio Romo (0-0, 2.70) was activated off the disabled list Monday.

The lanky right-handed pitcher hadn’t pitched since April 10th due to a flexor strain, but was finally deemed ready to return to the big league club Monday. At the moment, there is no corresponding move, something Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy check on before Monday’s game.

Romo’s presence will be much welcomed — the Giants’ bullpen (26th in the majors in WAR) has imploded as of late, bringing back the torture that Giants’ fans became accustom to during their 2010 World Series run.

“He’s one of our late inning guys,” Bochy said Monday. “Those guys you miss. They help stabilize the bullpen and keep things in order. He’s a strike thrower that’s done a really great job for us, not just in the regular season but in the postseason.”

Ideally, Romo will not return directly to his setup role. Because Cory Gearrin (3-0, 2.97)  has filled in that role admirably this season, Bochy indicated that he’d like to “get him out there once” in a less high leverage situation to get a “better feel on how…Romo’s bouncing back.”

 

No Decision on Span

Out of the lineup since Friday, outfielder Denard Span received an MRI on his ailing neck on Sunday. The results have not been released yet. Bochy indicated that Span was given injections in the trigger points on his neck Monday, but was not able to give any definitive news on Span’s near future.

“We need to make a call shortly here, but we haven’t done it yet,” Bochy said.

Javier Lopez could play….outfield?

Giants’ reliever Javier Lopez has long since talked about his shagging ability, something manager Bruce Bochy confirmed on Monday. “He’s our best shagger,” the Giants’ skipper said Monday.

He has discussed situations in which Romo could face a hitter, followed by Lopez for another batter. After that, Lopez could take the outfield.

Other injury news and notes (Hint: there’s a lot)

Gregor Blanco, who was out of the lineup on Sunday with knee soreness, is “improv[ing]” and should return shortly. Even with Span and star outfielder Hunter Pence unavailable, Bochy felt he had good insurance with Grant Green’s ability to roam the open pastures of AT&T Park if needed……Infielder Ramiro Peña (ankle) is good to go, per Bochy. There’s a “good chance” he’ll be in the starting lineup on Tuesday…Infielder Kelby Tomlinson is continuing to rehab at Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, and will play in the field….Second baseman Joe Panik (concussion) is “making improvement,” but won’t be ready until after the All-Star Break…”It’s just time with him,” Bochy said. “Every day, we’ll continue to ramp up his activities. “We’re not going to rush him. We have to be careful.”….Infielder Ehire Adrianza is close to starting his rehab assigment….

Peavy Set to Take On Rockies

Jake Peavy (4-7, 5.33) will toe the rubber for the Giants on Independence Day, facing Rockies’ left-hander Tyler Anderson (0-2, 3.04). Peavy has been dealing as of late, posting a 2.41 ERA over his past seven starts after a rough start to the season.

The Rockies haven’t been to kind to Peavy over the course of his career, knocking the former Cy Young award winner to the tune of a 4.17 ERA in 23 starts.

Lineups: 

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Osich gets redemption as Giants takes series in the Valley

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By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, July 3, 2016

sfgate.com photo: San Francisco Giants pitcher Albert Suarez fields a bunt single in the first inning vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday at Chase Field

PHOENIX, Ariz. – On the heels of the kind of bad outing relief specialists dread, San Francisco pitcher Josh Osich was looking for a chance to redeem himself the first chance he got.

That opportunity arrived on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

On Saturday, Osich walked the one batter he faced – Jake Lamb – who scored on Wellington Castillo’s go-ahead home run in the eighth inning of a 6-5 loss. On Sunday, Osich fared considerably better, setting the Diamondbacks down in order in the 10th inning of an 11-inning 5-4 San Francisco victory.

Osich (1-1) retired Michael Bourn and Paul Goldschmidt on groundouts, and struck out Jake Lamb to pick up his first win of the season.

“It’s a mental thing,” Osich said. “No reliever wants to sit and dwell on what happened before. That was a tough part of their lineup too – they’re pretty good.

“Striking out (Lamb) was a big deal. I just want to get back out there, face the guy … and throw strikes this time!”

In the top of the 11th, Ramiro Pena, pinch-hitting for Osich, laced a hard line drive into the right-field corner off losing pitcher Enrique Burgos (0-1), scoring Jarrett Parker – who led off with a walk – from first base with the go-ahead run.

“First, I wasn’t sure if they’d have me bunt or not,” Pena said. “I was watching the third base coach (Roberto Kelly), he didn’t give me the bunt sign. So I looked for a good pitch to hit.

“I was trying to hit between first and second in that hole, and I got a good pitch,” Pena added. “I thought (Parker) might have a chance to score because the corners here are kind of tricky. And Parker can run.”

Pena hasn’t played since rolling his left ankle in last Wednesday’s game at Oakland. Coming into Sunday’s game, the switch-hitting outfielder was hitting .400 for San Francisco after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Sacramento on June 10.

“You get used to those pressure situations, and you learn how to come off the bench with a big AB and do the best you can,” Pena said, adding that his ankle “still isn’t 100 percent,” but doesn’t hurt as much with the win.

“It feels good to help us win, even if (the ankle) isn’t quite 100 percent. It’s good to do something positive.”

Santiago Casilla earned his 19th save, but it didn’t come without some drama. Yasmany Tomãs greeted Casilla with a base hit, was sacrificed to second by Phil Gosselin, and moved to third on a wild pitch. After Brandon Drury grounded out to third, pinch-hitter Wellington Castillo walked.

Casilla fanned pinch-hitter Peter O’Brien to end the threat, and move the Giants (52-32) to 20 games over .500.

Giants starter Albert Saurez gave up two earned runs in six innings before a series of five relievers worked the next five innings. He struck out five without a walk.
“Albert has really done a great job for us,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s someone we want to keep around, obviously. He’s a great kid. He’s handled the long man role, a starting role. He’s been a pleasure to have around.”

With the victory, the Giants took two of the three games in the Valley of the Sun.

“It’s important in your division to try and take every series,” Bochy said. “We lost a tough one yesterday and now you’re fighting to take the series. Both teams fought hard today, and we found a way to win.”

Bochy added that even if a series isn’t within the NL West, ‘You have to get up for every team you play. Every game counts.”

The Diamondbacks tied the game at 4-4 on Jake Lamb’s 19th home run of the season, a line shot to right, just out of the reach of Mac Williamson. Scoring ahead of Lamb was Paul Goldschmidt, who reached on an error by Giants first baseman Buster Posey.

Two innings earlier, Goldschmidt homered to center field, just clearing the home run stripe above the 407-foot marker on a drive originally scored as a double, but overruled by second-base umpire Bill Miller.

Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on consecutive doubles by Phil Gosselin and Brandon Drury (driving in Gosselin).

Williamson’s two-RBI single put the Giants ahead 2-1 in the third, scoring Grant Green and Brandon Belt. After Green and Belt hit back-to-back singles, Brandon Crawford was hit by a pitch with one out to load the bases.

The Giants extended their lead to 4-1 on Belt’s two-run double to left, scoring Saurez, who singled, and Ruben Tejada, who doubled.

D-Backs starter Robbie Ray struck out eight and walked two, but gave up four earned runs in his six innings. Tuffy Gosewisch, a Triple-A All-Star selection at Reno, had two of Arizona’s nine hits.

Arizona is fourth in the NL West at 37-47.

The Giants return home for a three-game series against Colorado, starting with a 1:05 p.m. July 4 contest. The probables against the Rockies are Jake Peavy (Monday), Madison Bumgarner (Tuesday) and Johnny Cueto (Wednesday).

GIANT JOTTINGS: 1B Brandon Belt’s fourth-inning double added to his National League-leading 26 two-baggers so far this season. … RHP Matt Cain (DL, right hamstring strain) made his first rehab start against the AZL Giants on Saturday, throwing 3 1/3 innings, striking out six and allowing two runs on three hits. … INF Kelly Tomlinson is a DH for Single-A San Jose and heads to Triple-A Sacramento Monday. … Sunday’s attendance was 26,171 – 81,713 (27,238 average) for the three-game series.

TAGS: San Francisco Giants,Arizona Diamondbacks,Ramiro Pena,Josh Osich,Sports Radio Service,Daniel Dullum

San Francisco Giants podcast part 2 with Morris Phillips: Welington’s drive sent Strickland’s slider to newer heights Saturday night

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On the Giants part 2 podcast with Morris the Arizona Diamondbacks Welington Castillo is a smart hitter he was hitting in the eighth with the D-Backs down three runs. Castillo was counting pitches and was waiting for the one he wanted to hit. Castillo was waiting on the pitch he liked, first he got he saw a slider, then he fouled off the second, Castillo got a slider that Hunter threw that was down and in and Castillo launched for the three run homer.

The Giants started Albert Saurez on Sunday (3-1 ERA 3.83) matching him against the Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (4-7 ERA 4.69) The D-Backs are counting on picking up a second straight win and the Giants are hoping to pick up one win out of this three game series.

 

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips Part I: Tough loss for Giants ends Snakes seven game loss streak

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On the Giants podcast with Morris the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night at Chase Field lost their lead and the game when the Arizona Diamondbacks Welington Castillo belted a three run homer in the eighth to get the D-Backs back into the game with a one run lead which eventually ended up the game, match and draw in the 6-5 win.

The Giants Hunter Strickland was strapped with the loss throwing the evitable pitch that ended the Diamondbacks loss streak at seven. Strickland said he was trying to throw a two seamer that was suppose to go down and in. Well it did and Castillo reached down and swung it out of the yard for the go ahead winner.

Listen to the rest of Morris’ Giant podcast this is part one there’s more coming on Part II right here at http://www.sportsradioservicde.com

 

Castillo homer lifts Snakes past Giants

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By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, July 2, 2016

AP photo: Arizona Diamondbacks Wellington Castillo thanks heaven after belting a three run homer in the eighth inning off San Francisco Giant pitcher Hunter Strickland at Chase Field on Saturday night

PHOENIX, Ariz. – With two on and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Arizona catcher Wellington Castillo was merely trying to extend a late Diamondbacks rally. Instead, he wound up capping it with an eventual game-winning three-run homer.

Castillo swung on a fastball from San Francisco reliever Hunter Strickland and parked it in the left-center field seats, driving in Michael Bourn and Jake Lamb to give the Diamondbacks their first lead of the game and a 6-5 NL West victory over the first-place Giants Saturday at Chase Field.

The win snapped a seven-game Diamondbacks losing streak.

Castillo’s 10th homer of the year put the exclamation point on a 2-for-4 night with four runs batted in. Each run of Castillo’s homer was charged to a different Giants pitcher – starter Jeff Samardzija, and relievers Josh Osich and, finally, Strickland.

“It was a two-seamer that didn’t move and obviously he got the best of it,” said Strickland, who was charged with his third blown save of the season. “I was trying to throw it in, trying to get a ground ball.”

Castillo said, “I’ve faced (Strickland) a couple of times and I know he has a pretty good fastball, good sinker, good slider. I was just waiting for something I could put a good swing on. I wasn’t thinking about hitting a homer because his sinker is really good. So I just kept my swing short and tried to put the ball in play.

“On the first pitch, he threw me a slider inside. He went fastball and I fouled it off. He tried to come in with a sinker down and in. I just put a good swing on it.”

Jake Barrett (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn his first major league win. Brad Ziegler retired three of the four batters he faced in the ninth to notch his 17th save of the season.

In the bottom of the eighth, Giants starter Jeff Samardzija gave up a leadoff double to Bourn and retired Paul Goldschmidt on a fly out to right before being pulled. Left-hander Josh Osich walked Jake Lamb on four pitches and gave way to the hard-throwing Strickland (3-1).

Pinch-hitter Jarrett Parker singled off Ziegler to lead off the San Francisco ninth. But Grant Green struck out, Ruben Tejada grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Parker, and Goldschmidt snared a sharp grounder near first to retire pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie, sealing the D-Backs’ win.

“This win means a lot, especially here,” Castillo said. “We just have to continue to play really good defense because the hitting is coming along OK. Maybe we have to pitch to contact a little bit more, and stay away from walks.”

Castillo’s homer also erased a quality start by Samardzija, who worked 7 1/3 innings and struck out five without a walk on 94 pitches. Arizona starter Patrick Corbin surrendered all five Giants runs – two earned – on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

San Francisco generated three unearned runs in the top of the first inning. Buster Posey walked and, following a single by Brandon Crawford, scored while Mac Williamson reached on a fielder’s choice. Crawford advanced to third on an error by shortstop Jean Segura.

After Grant Green struck out, Ruben Tejada drove in Crawford with a base hit, sending Williamson to third. Jeff Samardzija hit into a fielder’s choice to short. Tejada was out at second, but a slow-developing double-play attempt allowed Samardzija to beat the throw to first, allowing Williamson to score.

Arizona got a run back in the third when Corbin doubled and scored when Michael Bourn beat out a double-play relay to first.

The Giants led off the fourth with back-to-back homers by Crawford and Williamson, extending their lead to 5-1. Williamson’s blast easily cleared the left-center field wall and hit the lower left corner of the video scoreboard.

But the Diamondbacks pulled to within 5-3 in the bottom of the fourth on back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Castillo and Chris Herrmann after Lamb led off the inning with a double.

Herrmann’s double struck the center field fence above the 413-foot mark near the yellow home run line, close enough to merit a video review. After an estimated 1 minute and 48 seconds, the original ruling of a double was not reversed.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, “This is the one we let get away.”

GIANT JOTTINGS: Arizona manager Chip Hale was ejected by home plate umpire Brian Knight in the seventh inning for arguing balls and strikes. It was Hale’s second career ejection. … Paid attendance for Saturday’s game was 30,683 on Paul Goldschmidt bobblehead night. … Giants OF Denard Span had the night off (neck stiffness) and could return Sunday. … 2B Joe Panik (concussion) is eligible to return on Tuesday. … OF Hunter Pence (DL – hamstring) took on-field batting practice. … Arizona has yet to decide if they’ll place RHP Zach Greinke on the disabled list with a left oblique injury. … the clubs wrap up their weekend series Sunday, with RHP Albert Saurez (3-1, 3.83) on the hill for San Francisco, facing Arizona LHP Robbie Ray (4-7, 4.69).

TAGS: San Francisco Giants,Sports Radio Service,Arizona Diamondbacks

Cueto wins 12th, Giants edge Snakes

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By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Friday, July 1, 2016

AP photo: San Francisco Giants Conor Gillaspie swings for his third hit of the night at Chase Field in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Moments before San Francisco was ready to open a three-game NL West set with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti informed Manager Bruce Bochy that starting pitcher Johnny Cueto wasn’t feeling so good.

“Rags said, ‘We’ve got to watch him. He’s pretty sick,’” Bochy said. “(Cueto) logged close to 30 pitches in the first inning. I don’t know if he’s going to make it or not. His stomach was bothering him and we didn’t know if we’d have to get him out of there in the first or second inning. But he regrouped in the next inning.”

After a rough start, Cueto regrouped well enough to give the Giants a strong seven-inning effort as San Francisco came from behind to defeat the Diamondbacks 6-4.

“At first, Johnny wasn’t getting the ball where he wanted to, then he started throwing better and he gives us a chance to make a great comeback,” Bochy said.

Cueto (12-1) surrendered four earned runs in the first three innings, but settled down to retire 12 of the next 14 batters he faced, including five by strike out. Over his seven innings, Cueto struck out nine without a walk.

Cueto has nine straight winning decisions. Stats, LLC reports that to be the most of any Giants starter since Jason Schmidt won 12 straight decisions from April to July in 2004.

Santiago Casilla worked out of a jam in the ninth to earn his 18th save as the Giants improved to 51-31, leading the NL West by six games over Los Angeles. Arizona is fourth at 36-46 (15 games behind).

In the D-Backs ninth, Wellington Castillo greeted Casilla with a base hit, followed by Chris Herrmann’s single. Yasmany Tomãs grounded into 3-6-3 double play, but Castillo held at third, even though Belt didn’t look him back.

After Phil Gosselin walked, pinch-hitter Peter O’Brien was caught looking at a curve on the inside corner to end the game.

“The plan was not to look the runner back,” Bochy said about the double play. “We had a two-run lead and we just wanted the double play. And that was a huge double play that saved us.”

A two-out two-RBI double by Trevor Brown in the sixth put San Francisco ahead for the first time at 5-4, With one out, Jarrett Parker and Conor Gillaspie hit back-to-back singles, both scoring on Brown’s double.

Parker added a solo home run, his fifth of the season, in the eighth off D-Backs reliever Randall Delgado, giving the Giants a two-run lead.

Gillaspie finished 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

“I’m just trying to focus on getting good at-bats,” Gillaspie said.

The Diamondbacks roughed up Cueto with three runs on three extra-base hits in the first inning. The highlight was a two-run homer to left-center by Castillo. Jean Segura led off with a double, was sacrificed to third by Michael Bourn and scored on Paul Goldschmidt’s opposite-field line drive double down the right field line.

With two out, Goldschmidt scored on Castillo’s ninth home run of the season.

After that, the Giants’ offense went to work and tattooed Arizona starter Shelby Miller (2-8) with five earned runs on eight hits over six innings. Miller struck out five and walked two.

San Francisco got a run back in the top of the second before running itself out of a rally. Brandon Crawford walked and scored on Conor Gillespie’s triple into the right field corner. However, Gillaspie was thrown out on a fielder’s choice, trying to score on Grant Green’s grounder to shortstop Nick Ahmed.

Jake Lamb hit a solo homer in the third, extending Arizona’s lad to 4-1.

The Giants cut their deficit to 4-3 on a two-RBI single by Green in the fourth. Brandon Belt led off the inning with a walk and Gillaspie hit a ground-rule double to left, setting the table for Green, who hit a sharp grounder up the middle into center field.

Green, whose contract was purchased on Thursday by the Giants from Triple-A Sacramento, was 2-for-4 filling in for Joe Panik at second.

“It’s been kind of rough lately with all the injuries we’ve had, so it’s important that the guys who have come up are having good at-bats, trying to get on base and do the best we can,” Gillaspie said. “This organization brings up quality teammates, quality people. That’s something very noticeable from every guy we bring up.

“Everybody cares about each other, everybody puts aside their personal statistics and wants to be a part of this. It’s pretty cool.”

GIANT JOTTINGS: ESPN reports that this season marks the first time since divisional play began in 1969 that every division leader is leading by at least five games heading into July. … According to Stats, LLC, the 2016 Giants reached the 50-win mark on the fifth-earliest calendar date in franchise history – June 30. The earliest was June 25, 1993; the Giants reached 50 wins on June 29 in 1912, 1962 and 1971. … Since May 11, the Giants have a 33-13 (.717) record, best in MLB. … The Diamondbacks recalled C Tuffy Gosewisch from Triple-A Reno, where he was hitting .342 with nine homers and 26 RBI in 58 games with the Aces. He was also named to the PCL All-Star team. … Nine years ago, on July 1, 2007, Tim Lincecum logged a career-high 12 strikeouts, Barry Bonds collected his 2,900th hit, and the Giants blanked Arizona 13-0.

TAGS: San Francisco Giants,Johnny Cueto,Conor Gillespie,Daniel Dullum,Sports Radio Service

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Format change bumps Giants Spanish radio broadcasts off the air at mid season

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

sfgiantsphotos.mibblogs.com: Former Giants Spanish radio broadcaster Erwin Higueros shows off the World Series bling during happier times. Higueros with broadcast partner Tito Fuentes were both let go from their on air duties from Spanish radio on Thursday night

OAKLAND–Sometimes the unexpected happens in the ever changing world of AM radio. Salem Communications just bought San Francisco’s ESPN Deportes, and starting this next July 4th they will change format from Spanish language Sports (including San Francisco Giants games) to Conservative Talk, as KTRB now 860AM will be named “The Answer”. This move left the Giants Spanish radio broadcast out cold.
Because of the nature of baseball, so many games at so many different times (although most games take place at night, the Giants as of today do not have another carrier for their Spanish broadcasts. Possibility that the games will air over the internet. For another radio station to take the remaining games left this 2016 season of the San Francisco Giants, they would have to totally change their format, dump existing shows, and adjust their format to fit baseball.
Broadcasters Erwin Higueros and Tito Fuentes may have called their last game on radio, this season. last night as the Giants won the last game of a four-game series from the Oakland Athletics, at the Oakland Coliseum. If the Athletics swept this series, it would have been the first time they did so, (4 game series)since they swept the 1989 World Series against the Giants.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish TV voice for the Angels and the Spanish radio voice for the A’s and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com