San Francisco Giants – Page 337 – Sports Radio Service

Giants blow five-run lead at Coors Field, lose to the Rockies

Published on September 1, 2014September 1, 2014 by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

Among the things that aren’t safe at Coors Field, you can add two-seam fastballs with good location and 6 ½ game win streaks.

And yes, five-run leads already have a prominent place on the list.

The Giants stepped into the Mile High house of horrors with 35 hands on deck and a couple of reasonably attainable goals on Monday: win the completion of May 22’s washout and a regularly scheduled game as well to keep the pressure on the first-place Dodgers in the NL West.

And they were well on their way to attaining those goals when the middle-aged ballpark and the home team made a stand midway through the regularly-scheduled game.

That’s when the five-run lead disappeared. Sergio Romo’s quality two-seam fastball and the Giants’ win streak would prove to be vulnerable soon after that as well.

The Giants captured the suspended game that resumed tied 2-2 in the sixth by pushing across a pair of runs in the eighth to win 4-2. In the regularly-scheduled game, the Giants blew a 7-2 lead as the Rockies scored eight times after the fifth inning to win 10-9. The final leg of the Giants’ bullpen’s implosion came as Romo delivered a fastball low and away to Charlie Blackmon and he shot it into right field allowing Michael McKenry to race home with the game-winning run.

The Giants can only blame themselves for the deluge of Colorado runs. In the sixth, leading 7-2, starter Tim Hudson saw the first four hitters of the inning reach base, but the last of the four–pinch hitter Matt McBride—reached when Giants’ second baseman Joe Panik dropped a potential double play ball on a throw from Pablo Sandoval.

“We don’t get that double play, and not only don’t get it, don’t get an out,” manager Bruce Bochy noted. “Especially in this ballpark you give them extra outs it came back to bite us.”

The Rockies went on to score four runs in sixth and three more in the seventh to take a 9-7 lead. But the Giants fought back, scoring twice in the ninth to tie it with both runs coming off hot closer Latroy Hawkins. In the ninth, Panik doubled to lead off and Buster Posey and Sandoval provided run-scoring singles.

But no sooner than the Giants got even, they were beaten as Romo allowed three base hits including the game-winner off the bat of Charlie Blackmon. The Rockies’ outfielder was thrown a fastball off the plate but found a way to hit into right field for the game-winner. With runners at first and third and two outs, Romo had an option to pitch around Blackmon, and it appeared he was executing that strategy when Blackmon went outside the zone to deliver the base hit.

With the split decision and the Dodgers’ loss to the Nationals, the Giants moved to within two games of the division leaders with 24 games remaining for both teams. The loss in the regularly scheduled game brought an end to the Giants’ six-game win streak that didn’t include the win in the completion of the suspended game.

By winning a game that began on May 22, the Giants achieved a 43-21 record after their first 64 scheduled games. That record is the best after 64 games by any team in major league baseball since 2003, when the Mariners were also 43-21 and the Braves were one game better at 44-20.

The Giants had 10 additional players available as September 1 marked the first day for minor-league call-ups. Among those recalled were Bochy’s son Brett, a pitcher; former first-round pick, outfielder Gary Brown and reliever Hunter Strickland. Strickland pitched his way out of a jam in the eighth inning in the regularly-scheduled game giving the Giants a chance to rally in the ninth.

On Tuesday, the Giants turn to Yusmeiro Petit in his bid for a second, consecutive outstanding start. Petit will be opposed by Colorado’s Jordan Lyles.

Giants’ Bats Explode in Huge Win Over Milwaukee

Published on August 29, 2014September 1, 2014 by joelamiLeave a comment

By: Joe Lami

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–

Ryan Vogelsong entered Friday night’s contest praying for some run support, as he came into the game with five straight games without it. The Giants sure made up for it with their highest scoring total of the season, as they destroyed the Brewers 13-2 in front of a sold out crowd of 41,348 at AT&T Park.

The scoring started in the first inning, as the Giants put up a three-spot on the Brewers, after Vogelsong shut down the Milwaukee in the first inning. This was a good sign for San Francisco, as they entered the contest with the best record in the NL when scoring first (52-15). The bats got started with a base hit for Joe Panik. This would start a string of four base hits for San Francisco that brought in the three runs. The Giants had a chance to extend the first inning lead, with the bases loaded and only one out for Brandon Crawford after Michael Morse was hit by a pitch and Gregor Blanco drew his first of three walks. Unfortunately, Crawford ended the first with a double play.

Milwaukee bounced right back, getting a run of their own in the second, as Jonathan Lucroy hit a double to start off the inning. He was later knocked in when Lyle Overbay grounded into a fielder’s choice. However, the Giants extended their lead adding two more in the second inning. Posey earned his second of five base hits of the game. As he hit a RBI single to left, bringing in Vogelsong. It was the first time a Giant had a five hit game since Brandon Belt did it last year against the Dodgers on September 13^th. Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy added “It was more important to rest than to try and go 6 for 6” as he decided to bring Posey out at the end of the sixth. Pence would bring in the second run of the inning as he was able to beat out a ground ball to the short stop. After two innings, the Giants were well on their way having the 5-2 lead.

The Giants would continue their slaughter, scoring in the first five innings of the game. As they added, one in the third, two more in the fourth before they put up four in the fifth inning making the lead 12-2.

“I think we’re playing a lot more loose, and finally having some fun out there,” commented Blanco, who ended the night 1 for 2, with a home run, three RBI, three walks and a steal.

San Francisco chased Brewers’ starting pitcher in the third inning, after he threw 80 pitches, while giving up six runs on nine hits, while striking out only one. This would cost the Brewers’ dearly, as they were forced to depend on their bullpen to get them through the rest of the game. Marco Estrada entered the game, throwing 74 pitches in only two innings, while giving up seven runs with five of them earned. In total Milwaukee threw 198 pitches on Friday.

Vogelsong turned thing around, after suffering a long drought at home. He earned his first win since May 24 at AT&T Park. His last seven home starts had been tough as he posted an 0-5 record with a 4.15 ERA. It was much different Friday, as Vogelsong finished with 7 innings pitched, while giving up four hits for two runs, while striking out seven, with three of them coming in the 7^th inning as he struck out the side. “It was good to have Vogey finally get some run support,” added Bochy. Vogelsong added “It was tough mentally when your team scores a lot of runs, and you’re sitting on the bench for such a long time, but I’ll take it.”

San Francisco with the win now stands a top of the NL Wild Card standings, as they took the lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, who fell to the Chicago Cubs 7-2 by a half game. Tomorrow, the Giants look to continue the explosive offense, as they send Jake Peavy out to faceoff against Mike Fiers.

You can follow Joe Lami on Twitter @joe_lami

A’s and Giants commentary: Brew Crew can give Giants the business this series; A’s need to get some hitting in Angels series

Published on August 29, 2014 by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants have had much success from the last series winning three out of the last four games on this homestand over the Colorado Rockies. The Giants opened up a three game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. The Brewers are in second in the National League Central and likewise the Giants another second place team in the N.L. West behind the league leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Brewers remind me of the 2010 Giants they could have that kind of come back potential and the Brewers have a lot of pitching that nobody seems to believe in and a lot of pitching that nobody thought they had. Commissioner Bud Selig and the Brewers former owner wanted to install a team when he owned the Brewers that gave hope to the fan in Milwaukee in July and August and low and behold the Brewers have a shot at this.

The Brewers have a good of a shot at winning this as anyone, the St.Louis Cardinals who are right behind the Brew Crew and don’t ever count them out they have a potent line up and experience in the post season. The Cardinals have some big boppers starting with Matt Adams hitting .303 leading the club in hitting, Jhonny Peralta leading the Cards with 18 homers and Matt Holliday 68 RBIs.

Giants starter Yusmiero Petit is a phenom he’s 4-3 with an ERA of 3.44, he set the Major League record retiring the first eight batters he faced against the Rockies and extended his streak to 46 consecutive batters an MLB record. I said this week in this space that Petit is a throwing machine with 96 strikeouts he’s walked only 17 batters and he’s on track to taking pitcher Tim Lincecum’s spot in the rotation at the rate he’s going.

Oakland A’s update: The A’s who lost the first game of the four game series in Anaheim 4-3 to the Angels and are two games back but one game does not make a four game series. You can’t put too much stock right now into this race as the A’s seem to be doing more with pitching than they are with hitting. The A’s aren’t manufacturing a lot of runs and the team offensively seemed to hit a funk since the Yoenis Cespedes trade to Boston.

I don’t know what to tell you, you have guys who pitched for the A’s who got sent down to the minor leagues who probably would be number three or number four pitchers in the Angels rotation and the Angels would love to have a pitcher like a Drew Pomeranz who had his emotions get the best of him back in June when he lost a ball game against the Texas Rangers and punched a chair breaking his hand. Pomeranz is a talent the Angels would like to have.

The Angels have had injuries, they have had poor performances and once they get the injury bug like the Angels you feel it up and down the line up. Angels pitcher Garrett Richards just rejoined the team on crutches as he’s out with a season ending knee injury. The loss of Richards has put the hurt on the Angels rotation, the Angels demoted pitcher Wade LaBlanc, he was designated for assignment and replaced with Trevor Cahill.

The Angels Mike Trout is a guy who’s tearing it up and the only way you can pitch a guy like that is you pitch him inside, he’s hitting .291 with 30 homers, and 94 RBIs. There is not much you could do with a guy like Trout because the Angels are going to make you adjust when he’s at the plate. Trout can do it all he’s now got two 30 home run seasons.

Michael Duca does Giants and A’s commentary weekly for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Petit just what the Giants need in third straight win over Colorado

Published on August 29, 2014August 29, 2014 by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

A month from now when playoff spots are finalized, the Giants will know if the three, gutty wins over Colorado will outweigh the four, consecutive, inexplicable losses to the same, last place bunch.

They will also know if they waited too long to install Yusmeiro Petit into the starting rotation.

On Thursday, the Giants put the final touches on the three wins as Yusmeiro Petit joined the starting rotation with a historic performance and a win in the Giants’ 4-1 victory. With the win, the Giants moved within a half game of lead wild card St. Louis, and 4 ½ games of the NL West-leading Dodgers who were idle on Thursday.

Petit came in having retired the 38 consecutive batters over five relief appearances and a spot start at Washington. Not surprisingly, all six Petit appearances prior to Thursday came in a Giants’ loss as the team has struggled, while Petit has elevated his game. But against the Rockies, the team and pitcher were on the same page as Petit pitched the first six innings, allowing a run on four hits.

But by retiring the first eight batters he faced, Petit established a new major league record by retiring the previous 46 batters he faced in a row. The 29-year old Venezuelan has fought hard to revive his career with the Giants after his release by Arizona in 2009 and now he has a record—albeit a bit obscure record—to highlight his renaissance.

“This game’s been played a long time and that’s quite a record to be proud of,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s amazing to me.”

Mark Buerhle previously held the record for consecutive batters retired at 45. He set that mark in 2009, breaking Bobby Jenks streak of 41 batters. Prior to that, the record set by Jim Barr of the Giants in 1972—also with 41 batters—remained unmatched for an incredible 35 years.

While Petit was on the mound, the Giants backed him with Gregor Blanco’s two-run homer in the first inning and Hunter Pence’s sacrifice fly in the sixth that gave the team a 3-1 lead. A trio of relievers backed Petit as well, handcuffing the Rockies in the final three frames with Santiago Casilla picking up the save.

Petit was elevated into the starting rotation after Tim Lincecum registered a month of poor starts that forced Bochy to demote the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Now, Bochy will have to decide if the Giants will continue to turn to Petit as their much-needed hot arm in the rotation. Based on his comments afterwards, Bochy hopes Petit’s effort inspires both pitchers.

“These are things we’ll talk about, but it’s hard to change with the job he did today,” Bochy replied when asked if Petit had earned a spot in the rotation. “Of, course, Timmy—this will allow him to work on some things.”

The Giants captured the final three games of the four-game set ahead of the NL Central-leading Brewers making their only appearance at AT&T Park over the weekend. While the wins put the Giants at big advantage over the rest of the wild-card hopefuls, the four losses to Colorado that preceded the wins may have cost them a shot at the NL West title.

The Rockies have won just 19 road games all season, but five of those have come in San Francisco.

The Giants don’t get much of a break Friday as they attempt to establish a rare run of good play at home. Ryan Vogelsong will face 15-game winner Wily Peralta of Milwaukee at 7:15pm.

A’s and Giants commentary: Giants Fans anticipating Mad Bum’s next outing; A’s counting on O’Flaherty out of the pen

Published on August 28, 2014 by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–Giants starter Madison Baumgarner who nearly tossed himself a perfect game on Tuesday night had all his stuff working for him and if you look at the first inning of that game you would never in a million years have predicted that he was going to be working on a no hitter in the seventh or eighth innings. They teed off on him in the first inning Gregor Blanco had to pull a ball back in that was going to go over the fence and there was another ball that was absolutely scalded in that inning.

That first inning the Colorado Rockies were roping the ball and it didn’t even look like he was going to last three innings then all of a sudden the Rockies remembered who they were and Baumgarner remembered who he was and he 15 0-2 counts and three three ball counts. Everybody says the best pitch in baseball is strike one but I beg to differ with them I say it’s strike two.

Strike two always makes the hitter defensive and he had them in a defensive posture most of the night. That’s not a comfortable way to hit against a guy who drops down, who comes side arm, who hides the ball well, doesn’t show you his release point, those were rough at bats. Baumgarner’s performance was not too surprising for example my son who is a full grown adult and a Seattle Mariners fan texted me after Tim Lincecum’s last no hitter and he said “Mad Bum’s turn next” he was almost pretty passioned there.

For manager Bruce Bochy and thoughts of getting in a good position in the National League West things are different now than a few years ago but my recollection is right, about this point in August of 2010 the Giants were five games back of the San Diego Padres and then there was the miracle comeback when the team put together a over ten game win streak to catch the Padres in September. Not by way of predicting that’s going to happen again there’s still a lot of baseball left ask the 2010 Red Sox or the 2010 Braves how rapidly you can collapse in the month of September.

Giant starter Yumeiro Petit: He’s a strike thrower that’s what I like about his game as a pitcher he’ll go out and challenge guys in a strike zone he’ll say “here it comes hit it” it’s tough to have a better performance than he did for the resmumption for the suspended game in Chicago. Petit struck out six batters, he struck out the first five and another ball was hit right back to him. Someone said it was like watching Eddie Feigner in his King and the Court days.

Oakland A’s update: The race in the American Leauge West is turning into a war of attrition, don’t discount the Seattle Mariners because they are playing the best baseball in the American Leauge right now along with the Kansas City Royals and the M’s are not that much further out right now than the Giants so to consider the Giants to be in the race you have to consider the Mariners to reach for the division title.

On the other hand the A’s have suffered some injuries that have given them some grief and the Angels have lost Garrett Richards who’s their best pitcher. The first guy the Angels brought up to fill that spot was Wade LaBlance but that assignment didn’t work out too well. That puts a real hitch in your giddy up when you lose your lead horse.

The four games with the Angels in Anaheim which started on Thursday night are most likely going to be split. A’s manager Bob Melvin is going to rely on one of his pitchers for the missing Sean Doolittle out with an injury for the next two weeks and that’s Eric O’Flaherty. O’Flaherty is probably going to get the bulk if not all the save opportunities.

O’Flaherty regularly throws 96-97 MPH and is just one of those kind of insurance policies of the future that General Manager Billy Beane likes to go out and purchase. He picked up O’Flaherty and signed him to a contract when he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and got him at a bargain rate because he was going to be able to play at half a season.

Michael Duca does A’s and Giants commentary each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Thats Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s finding out that winning the west might go down to the wire

Published on August 27, 2014 by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

ANAHEIM–The Houston Astros managed by Bo Porter will not finish last their going to finish next to last, their not going to lose 100 games. Porter is doing a great job and Chris Carter hit a home run on Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s a three run shot that helped beat the A’s 4-2 at Minute Maid Field.

Carter a Redwood City native and designated hitter for Houston has 32 homers and 77 RBIs and is one of the best sluggers in baseball. The A’s are having problems, they lost pitcher Sean Doolittle and he’s out for two weeks. Now their going to have to find someone solid like Doolittle closing games.

On Tuesday it was Gregorson who gave up the three run homer, the A’s also have catcher John Jaso whose out with a concussion indefinitely and the club has some injury problems. This is like I said before a race for the finish line. The L.A. Angels keep winning and they hold first place over the A’s and the Angels host the A’s starting this Thursday that will be a test for the A’s.

The Angels have the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night at the Big A and this will be the last time the Halos play a National League team and the then the A’s are in Anaheim for a four game series which is crucial for both teams here in August.

The A’s and Angels are both grasping for the brass ring as the pennant race is razor thin right now. One of these teams are vying for the division and if they make it fine but everybody is trying to get into the division. Because you win the division you win the best of five and if you win the wild card you play one elimination game that’s a big difference.

I subscribe to the theory of former A’s manager Tony LaRussa the most difficult thing to do is to win your division. You play 162 games and you try and win your division. Once you win your division then your in decent shape but we’ll have to see what happens. Both of these teams are probably going to make it to the playoffs.

However aside for the Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Angels let us not forget about the Seattle Mariners their six games out and in first place in the wild card and they still have a bunch of games left with the A’s and Angels and if the M’s can keep winning they’ll keep rising to the top.

So this very well could be a three team race for the division with a few days left, most teams have to win between 28-38 games after tonight. Now is when the rubber hits the road and were going to see what teams are contenders and what teams are pretenders.

Amaruy Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish TV voice for Angels baseball and does News and Commentary for http://www.sportsradioservice.com each week

The Giants entertain, confound but fail to win against the Rockies

Published on August 26, 2014August 26, 2014 by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

Being quirky, different and thought-provoking isn’t carrying the Giants right now.

But simply playing better baseball might.

The Giants hit into four double plays, committed four errors and contributed heavily to an unique play that interrupted midnight snack time back in New York, but came up short Monday, losing to the Rockies 3-2 at AT&T Park. The loss was the Giants’ first-ever, fourth consecutive loss at home to Colorado and their 24^th in their last 34 home games.

All the close calls, borderline pitches—especially those thrown by starter Jake Peavy—and botched plays brought a lot of focus on the umpiring crew, who then in turn contributed to the angst of a Giants’ team that’s reached late August, both contending and floundering at the same time. Not surprisingly, manager Bruce Bochy didn’t survive the eighth inning. The manager left fuming after arguing with home plate umpire Doug Eddings, who had just rung up Buster Posey on a borderline pitch with a runner on and no outs.

“We made four errors and that’s not going to help our cause. If you do that, you better score some runs,” Bochy explained. “Overall, just not a well-played game. It caught up with us.”

The Giants dropped their third in a row, following the announcement that Tim Lincecum had been demoted from the starting rotation, and on the heels of the meltdown in Washington D.C. to end the road trip in which the Giants watched the Nationals score 14 of the final 15 runs in the ballgame, a 14-6 loss. Given that sequence of events, the fiery presence of Peavy on the mound Monday seemed to be a plus. And once the veteran right hander was faced with a one-run deficit, he dug in keeping the Giants within reach for three innings.

But Peavy couldn’t will his team to score, and he couldn’t get all the calls from Eddings either.

In the seventh—after retiring the first two batters, Peavy gave up a single to D.J. LaMahieu and walked starting pitcher Tyler Matzek. Both batters reached after Peavy achieved two-strike counts and the sequence had the pitcher lathered. Charlie Blackmon followed with a single to center and all confusion broke out: LaMahieu was declared safe on a bang-bang play at the plate, Blackmon took second in the confusion, and Matzek attempted to score from third but was thrown out.

But what Eddings saw wasn’t backed by the MLB replay crew in New York and after a two-minute break for review, LaMahieu was called out, ending the inning before all the rest of the excitement.

But remaining within a run of the worst road team in baseball with nine outs remaining didn’t inspire the Giants to rally.

In the seventh, the Giants got a two-out single from Joaquin Arias and a throwing error on the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado allowed Arias to advance to second. But Angel Pagan grounded out to end the inning.

In the eighth, after Bochy was ejected arguing Posey’s strikeout, Pablo Sandoval grounded into the Giants’ fourth double play of the night.

And in the ninth, a walk to Michael Morse didn’t inspire a rally as Joe Panik lined out, Gregor Blanco struck out and Brandon Crawford also struck out on a foul tip that was caught.

Two of the Giants’ errors led directly to the Rockies two-run rally in the fourth that gave the lead they didn’t relinquish. In addition to the errors Peavy’s balk allowed Drew Stubbs to score from third base with the tying run. Corey Dickerson followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Justin Morneau with what would stand as the winning run.

The Giants remain a half-game ahead of the Braves for the second wild card spot, with both teams trailing the Cardinals in that race. The loss also dropped the Giants five games behind the Dodgers in the NL West.

Among the things the Giants will look back on if they don’t hang on to their playoff spot: the Rockies improved to 5-2 at AT&T Park in 2014. In all the other parks Colorado has visited this season, they’re 14-42.

“We must just like coming out of the elevation and playing down here. Bodies feel a lot better when you get down to sea-level, and that might have something to do with it. But really it’s baseball and anybody can win on any given day,” winning pitcher Matzek said.

On Tuesday, the Giants turn to Madison Bumgarner, looking for his 15^th win of the year, while the Rockies offer Jorge De La Rosa.

Giants Starter Tim Lincecum moved to the bullpen

Published on August 25, 2014August 26, 2014 by Jeff HallLeave a comment

By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced Monday that the team would be moving Tim Lincecum to the bullpen. The Giants will start Yusmeiro Petit (3-3 3.59) in Lincecum’s place in the rotation.

Petit has been strong in relief and has retired 38 straight hitters over a 7-outing stretch. and has not allowed a run in his last nine relief appearances.

Lincecum (10-9) had won 4 straight since his no-hitter against San Diego 25^th.Since then, Lincecum has lost 4 of his last 5 starts and is coming off his shortest start of his career Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

According to Giant’s Manager Bruce Bochy, “He’s going to the bullpen to work on some things.”

It’s not the first time in the bullpen for Lincecum, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, he pitched in relief in the 2010 and 2012 World Series.

Petit will start the final game of the series against the Rockies on Thursday.

It’s yet to be decided if Lincecum will return to the rotation on his next turn. ”We’ll make that call on the next start after this Petit start,” Bochy said.

A’s and Giants commentary: Gentry making great comeback after broken hand injury;Castillo was the Cuban player too expensive for Giant’s taste

Published on August 23, 2014August 23, 2014 by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Michael Duca

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s 5-3 victory over the L.A. Angels on Friday night was a great game and it got a little too exciting there, there was one out and A’s pitcher Sonny Gray had left a man on base and it’s the ninth inning and Sean Doolittle came in to relieve Gray. It took 30 pitches for Doolittle to get two outs and win the ball game. Doolittle might be limited on when he can relieve next it’s questionable if he’s going to have to come out in all three game of this series against the Angels if needed.

Craig Gentry has returned as of Friday and he’s rehabbed well over the last few weeks and went one for three and that’s pretty impressive coming off a broken hand injury. That was a good opportunity for Gentry and that gives you an opportunity for you to get in the game and be yourself. He’s recovering the hand and unless he starts walking on the hand he should heal just fine and once Gentry gets on base he’s a disturbing subject for the opposing pitcher to keep an eye on.

San Francisco Giants update: Joe Panik has had himself a week he’s had multi hit games the last several days. He’s gone 15-27 during that time period and he’s close to .600 hitting. He’s another in a line of Giants infielders whose picked up former Giant Rich Aurillia’s mantle pretty well. He’s done pretty well defensively and now he’s been quite a distributor on offense.

They say the best trades are the ones that you don’t make sometimes and there’s no doubt about it in this case the Giants probably got the best second baseman available in the Major Leagues. They got him before the trade deadline and they got him out of their own organization.

The Giants were looking at getting Cuban player 27 year old Rusney Castillo but that winning bid went to the Boston Red Sox who got him for $72.5 million for seven years. The Giants how serious they were on the deal is in question but the were alledgedly in on the deal supposedly he was going to play centerfield and another thing is with Cuban players your not really sure how old they really are.

Castillo is a solid centerfielder and a lead off hitter and the Giants already have that in Jose Pagan. Castillo could have ended up being a development player and would have been playing out of positon and the next position for him to play is shortstop. The Giants are tied up at the position too, what they might have done next is make someone like him a corner outfielder.

I’m not sure if I believe this notion that Castillo is too expensive for the Giants $72.5 million for seven years for the Giants to compete for a potential impact player. Then there is the contract of Pablo Sandoval whose seeking Hunter Pence type money so will the Giants be able to free up some money and bring back the Panda for next season?

When they sell out every single night when the streak is close to 400 games you have to consider these things when big name players come out on the market. It’s a little bit surprising that people would say the reason why they didn’t go after Castillo was he’s too expensive. It’s hard for me the imagine the Giants management group not willing.

Michael Duca does A’s and Giants commentary each week on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants End Nationals Ten-Game Win Streak With Blowout

Published on August 22, 2014August 22, 2014 by joelamiLeave a comment

By: Joe Lami

After a hellish three days in Chicago that included a suspended game and all sorts of rain delays, a tired San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 10-3 on Friday Night. Washington had been on a tare of late winning ten-straight, tying their franchise record.

The night didn’t start off so good for the men in orange and black, as they gave up a run in the first inning due to a Joe Panik error. However, Panik would redeem himself in the fourth inning when he hit a three-run homerun to center giving San Francisco the 3-1 lead, his first career home run. Jason Werth would get one back in the bottom half of the inning for the Nationals, as he hit his first homerun since July 13.

San Francisco added another run in the sixth inning, when Posey went yard for the 15^th time this season to give them the 4-2 lead. The Giants opened the floodgates in the late innings as they added two in the eighth and four in the ninth to solidify the ninth win of the season for Tim Hudson.

Hudson was chased out of the game somewhat early, as he only pitched 5.1 innings while throwing 95 pitches. He recorded three strikeouts, gave up five hits while surrendering two runs, with only one of them being earned.

Doug Fister was given the loss for Washington, only his fourth all year (12-4). Fister threw 107 pitches in six innings pitched. The Giants had seven hits and four runs against him, with two of the hits being homeruns.

The win was an important one as both the Braves and Dodgers earned victories keeping the Giants three games back of the Dodgers and a game up on the Braves.