Category: San Francisco Giants

Angels score a run in 7th and 8th to beat Giants 7-5; Halos Drury three hits provide offensive punch

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The Los Angeles Angels Mike Moustakas (8) slides in safely on a Hunter Renfroe RBI double as San Francisco Giants catcher Blake Sabol (2) is late with the tag in the bottom of the first inning at the Big A in Anaheim on Tue Aug 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023

Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Anaheim, California

San Francisco Giants 5 (62-52)

Los Angeles Angels 7 (57-58)

Win: Lucas Giolito (7-8)

Loss: Scott Alexander (6-2)

Save: Dominic Leone (1)

Time: 2:36

Attendance: 31,974

By Stephen Ruderman

ANAHEIM–It was a wild one in Anaheim, as the Angels beat the Giants 7-5 in Game 2 of this three-game series to snap the Angels’ seven-game losing streak.

Coming off one of their biggest wins of the season Monday night, the Giants once again went with an opener, as Scott Alexander took the ball for the Giants, but he only faced three batters in the bottom of the first inning, as Luis Rengifo doubled down the right field line; Shohei Ohtani singled up the middle to knock in Rengifo; and Brandon Drury singled Ohtani over to second. 

Jakob Junis then came in, and struck out C.J. Cron, but then gave up a base-hit to Mike Moustakas, which scored Ohtani to make it 2-0 Angels. Randal Grichuk struck out, but Hunter Renfroe doubled in Drury and Moustakas, and after the throw from second-baseman Thairo Estrada hit the dirt, Renfoe went to third. Mickey Moniak then flew out to the wall in right, and the inning was over.

Lucas Giolito, whom the Angels had acquired from the White Sox on July 26, made his first home start at Angel Stadium, and he set down the first seven Giants he faced. However, the Giants would not go down quietly.

With one out in the top of the third, Brandon Crawford then worked an 0-2 count into a walk, and that got things started for the Giants. Luis Matos pinch-hit for A.J. Pollock—who left the game with side tightness—and singled to center; and LaMonte Wade walked to load the bases.

That set things up for Joc Pederson, who hit a little squibber along the third base line off the end of his bat, as Mike Moustakas had no play; everybody was safe; and the Giants were on the board. Wilmer Flores then grounded a single up the middle into center to knock in Matos and Wade, and just like that, the score was 4-3.

Junis held the fort, as the Angels wasted one-out doubles in the second and third. Giolito pitched a 1-2-3 top of the fourth; and Alex Wood came in for the Giants in the bottom of the fourth, and pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a pair of strikeouts. 

The Giants threatened in the fifth after Matos led off the inning with a walk and Wilmer Flores was hit by a pitch with two outs, but they were unable to do anything with it. With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Brandon Drury hit an opposite-field home run to right to extend the Angels’ lead to 5-4. 

The Angels threatened more, as C.J. Cron followed Drury’s home run with a walk, and Mike Moustakas reached after a throw from Thairo Estrada pulled LaMonte Wade off the bag at first; but Wood then for Grichuk to fly out to right, and Renfroe to pop out to third to end the inning without any further damage.

Giolito and Wood both pitched 1-2-3 innings in the sixth, and Angels’ left-hander Aaron Loup pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh.

Brandon Drury hit a double down the left field line with one out in the bottom of the seventh for his third leg of the cycle, but he was nearly thrown out at second on a missile from Joc Pederson. C.J. Cron then singled to left, but Drury thought better than to test Pederson’s arm again, as that put runners on the corners with one out for Mike Moustakas, who knocked in Drury with a sacrifice fly to center-fielder LaMonte Wade out in right-center. 

Grichuk grounded into a 6-4 fielder’s choice to end the bottom of the seventh, and that did it for Alex Wood, who pitched four solid innings, and outside of Brandon Drury, gave up just one hit.

“I thought Alex did a really nice job,” said Giants Manager Gabe Kapler. “Through those middle innings, we needed somebody to keep us in the game, and make pitches.”

Loup was back out for the Angels in the top of the eighth. Kapler sent Patrick Bailey to pinch-hit for Joc Pederson, and Kapler was rewarded, as Bailey singled to left. Angels Manager Phil Nevin then brought in the former Giant, Dominic Leone, and Wilmer Flores hit a home run to left-center to make the score 6-5. Leone then set the next three guys in order.

Luke Jackson came in for the Giants in the bottom of the eighth, and he immediately ran into trouble. Renfroe singled, and Monial doubled Renfroe to third. Matt Thaiss pinch-hit for Chad Wallach, and knocked in Renfroe with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 7-5. Jackson escaped the eighth without giving up any more runs. 

Phil Nevin did not want to take any chances with his struggling closer, Carlos Estevez, who had blown his last two save opportunities, so Nevin decided to let Leone try to convert the six-out save. The move paid off, and Leone pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his first save of the season.

Despite the loss, the Giants did not go down quietly, just has been the case all season. Even in the ninth, the Giants made Leone earn the save.

“I think these guys scratch and claw,” said Kapler. “That’s why we make moves like Pat[rick] Bailey pinch-hitting, [as well as] Austin Slater just to kind of get those kind[s] of upgrades, because these guys are going to fight until the finish every time.”

The Giants have now lost three of their last four, as they fall to 62-52, and five games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, in the National League West. 

The rubber match of the series will be Wednesday night at 6:38, as Manager Gabe Kapler will start Ryan Walker (4-1 ERA 2.52) he’ll be opposed by Shohei Ohtani (9-5 ERA 3.32).

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Giants snap 8 game road skid; Alexander gets start for SF Tues nite at Big A

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San Francisco Giants JD Davis heads home after hitting a home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Mon Aug 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen, the Giants didn’t hold back scoring six runs in the top of the ninth inning and broke the 3-3 deadlock against the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim for the five run 8-3 win.

#2 Giants hitter Patrick Bailey ripped a two run double as the Angels Randal Grichuk miscalculated the ball that went to his left that was part of the six run ninth inning rally.

#3 Stephen it was a big win for San Francisco who snapped their eight game road losing streak and for the Angels it was their seventh straight loss the Halos worst losing streak of the season.

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler said it felt good to have strung a bunch of hits together and winning games late is always fun. Do you see the Giants being that late rallying team?

#5 Starting pitchers for tonight at the Big A for the Giants Scott Alexander (6-1 ERA 3.21) for the Angels Lucas Gulito (6-8 ERA 4.36) for a 6:38pm PT first pitch.

Join Stephen for the Giants podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants take on Angels and Ohtani tonight at the Big A

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Cobb deals in the first inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 Early on in Sunday’s game the A’s (32-80) got to Giants (61-51) starting pitcher Alex Cobb who allowed runs early with a run in first inning and two runs in the second inning. Did Cobb struggle with his control early in the game?

#2 Marko, take a look at Cobbs line against the A’s pitching 5.1 innings, seven hits and five runs and strikeouts. Cobb had trouble keeping runners off the base paths.

#3 How unusual was it for shortstop Brandon Crawford to make two bad throws for errors, was this a matter of him not focused on his throws or do you believe he might have an injury that is causing him to make those errors?

#4 Marko, the Giants and A’s traded leads but when the A’s had that three run sixth inning that pretty much broke the game open for them and they had that confidence they could seal the deal.

#5 Marko, the Giants open a three game series in Anaheim against the Angels, the Giants who won five of six before getting swept by the A’s. The Giants will start Logan Webb (9-9 ERA 3.45) and the Angels will start Pat Sandoval (6-8 ERA 4.11) first pitch 6:40pm PT at the Big A in Anaheim.

Join Marko for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Oakland A’s Secure Back To Back Wins Against Their Bay Area Rivals With A 8-6 Victory

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San Francisco Giants’ Thairo Estrada hits an RBI single on a bunt during the fifth inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

Sunday, August 6th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

Oakland, California – On a beautiful Sunday in Oakland Coliseum in front of 27,381 people, the battle of the Bay part 2 took place as the San Francisco Giants faced the Oakland A’s. The final game of this series for the two teams and it’s coming off the heels of an Athletics win 8-6. Alex Cobb took the mound for San Francisco and Luis Medina on the mound for Oakland, this ball game was all about the bats.

From the opening inning, the offense was on display. Giants struck first, after a J.D. Davis single scores Lamonte Wade Jr. 1-0 Giants. The A’s put up one on the board when it was their turn in the 1st as Seth Brown tripled to center and scored Zack Gelof to tie everything up.

Second inning saw more back and forth, this time Wade Jr. singled and Brandon Crawford scored, but in the bottom of the second ‘s took the lead when Nick Allen hit a two run bomb. This home run scored Tyler Soderstrom and the score became 3-2 Oakland.

The third inning was where San Francisco took momentum back in their hands. Patrick Bailey hit a single and Joc Pederson scored the tying run. 3-3. The Giants took the lead in the same inning when Crawford hit into a fielder’s choice which allowed Davis to score, 4-3 Giants.

The Giants kept their foot on the pedal in the fifth inning when Wade Jr. got his second RBI by hitting a single and Michael Conforto scored, 5-3 Giants, but they weren’t done. Estrada dropped a bunt for a single and Patrick Bailey crossed the plate, 6-3 Giants.

The A’s fought back in the fifth and sixth innings to take a one run lead. In the fifth Nick Allen hit his second home run of the day and that got the place riled up. In the sixth inning with bases loaded, Soderstrom was walked and Brown scored, but right after that Shea Langeliers hit a deep double and scored both Diaz and Rooker to take the lead, 7-6 Oakland.

This onslaught of offense didn’t stop for Oakland after the seventh inning stretch when Gelof, who got on base from a single, scored off a Tony Kemp sacrifice fly. 8-6 A’s. The Giants would get out this inning after Ryan Walker would pick off Diaz and this seemed like the sigh of relief San Francisco needed to generate a comeback.

In the eighth the Giants couldn’t get a rally started, because Angel Felipe struck out the side and the A’s had the momentum in their hands. Jakob Junis retired the side when he checked in the eighth inning, but now it was up to the Giants offense to make things pop one last time before they lose the Oakland leg of the battle of the Bay.

A’s closer Trevor May came in and delivered three straight outs to secure the victory for Oakland with the final score being 8-6 Oakland and a series sweep.

The winning pitcher is Kirby Snead, losing pitcher is Luke Jackson, and Trevor May locks in the save. Alex Cobb clocked in 5.1 innings and record seven hits, four runs, and three strikeouts, with two home runs.

The Giants have to flush this series out of their system, because the next day Monday, August 6th, they will be in Anaheim to face the Angels with Patrick Sandoval (6-8, 4.11) on the mound for the halos and Logan Webb (9-9, 3.45) taking the hill for the Giants.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants can’t move past A’s in 2-1 one run loss at Coliseum

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San Francisco Giants center fielder Luis Matos makes a great grab in the webbing of his glove on Oakland A’s hitter Seth Brown at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Aug 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

San Francisco Giants 1 (61-50)

Oakland Athletics 2 (31-80)

Win: Trevor May (3-4)

Loss: Ryan Walker (4-1)

Time: 2:34

Attendance: 37,553

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–Fans packed into the Coliseum for the Giants and A’s first game in Oakland since the A’s announced their intent to move to Las Vegas, as Giants and A’s fans saw the A’s edge out the Giants 2-1 in the series opener on a cloudless afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum.

The Giants made solid contact off A’s starter, Paul Blackburn, in the top of first inning, as LaMonte Wade, whose home run accounted for the Giants’ lone run on Thursday, hit a high fly ball just foul down the right-field line before lining out to the A’s right-fielder Seth Brown.

Thairo Estrada, coming off the injured list and taking his first at-bat since July 2, also lined out to right. Wilmer Flores then singled to left, but that was all the Giants were able to show for it.

The Giants were gifted an opportunity in the top of the second when J.D. Davis reached on catcher’s interference to start the inning and got to second on a one-out walk to Patrick Bailey, but they were unable to get the hit to knock in Davis.

Ross Stripling, whose last outing came on July 30 in a bullpen game against the Red Sox, made the start, and he did not disappoint. Esteury Ruiz led off the bottom of the first with a single to left, but Stripling then set down the next 12 men he faced.

The Giants had runners reach in the third, fourth and fifth innings as well, but they had nothing to show for it. Just like in the Giants’ 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks on Thursday, their offense remained neutralized throughout the game.

Jordan Diaz then led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run to left-center to put the A’s on the board. Blackburn followed that up with his first and only 1-2-3 inning in the top of the sixth, and Stripling and Sean Manaea combined to throw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth.

The A’s brought in Austin Pruitt for the top of the seventh. Patrick Bailey led off the inning with a walk, which brought Brandon Crawford to the plate. Crawford hit a fly ball to left that seemed like it was going to fall in, but A’s left-fielder, JJ Bleday, made a sliding catch, and then got up to throw a strike to double up Bailey off first.

Manaea threw a scoreless bottom of the seventh, and Angel Felipe came in for the A’s in the eighth. LaMonte Wade struck out looking to start the inning, but Thairo Estrada then walked, and got to third on a base-hit by Wilmer Flores.

The Giants had runners at the corners with one out for Joc Pederson, as the A’s brought in their closer, Trevor May, to go for a five-out save, and Pederson hit a sacrifice fly to Esteury Ruiz to put the Giants on the board and tie the game.

It was 1-1 going to the bottom of the eighth, as Gabe Kapler brought in Ryan Walker. Mark Kotsay pinch-hit Aledmys Diaz for Tyler Soderstrom, and Diaz led off the inning with a base-hit up the middle. Tony Kemp walked to put runners at first and second for the A’s with nobody out, and Ruiz then bunted a foul ball off the home plate umpire, Dan Merzel, who went down, but remained in the game.

To add insult to injury, Kotsay challenged the play to see if the ball hit Ruiz, and after the call was upheld, Kotsay went out to argue with the third-base umpire and crew chief, Lance Barksdale, who surprisingly did not throw Kotsay out of the game. Ruiz was then able to successfully bunt the runners over to second and third.

Kapler then brought in the left-hander, Scott Alexander. Kotsay countered by pinch-hitting Jonah Bride, who lined out to Thairo Estrada at second for the second out.

Kapler elected to intentionally walk Zack Gelof to load the bases for Seth Brown, who singled to right to knock in Diaz and put the A’s back ahead. Kemp also tried to score on the play, but he was thrown out at the plate on a perfect strike from Michael Conforto to end the inning. Kemp tried to barrel past Patrick Bailey, but he was tagged out.

Trevor May came back out for the top of the ninth, and threw a 1-2-3 inning, as he got Brandon Crawford to ground out to second to end the game.

The Giants fall to 61-50, and they will try and salvage a split tomorrow afternoon with Alex Cobb on the mound.

Meanwhile in the stands, Giants and A’s fans stood in unison, and chanted “SELL THE TEAM,” following 30 seconds of silence to start the top of the fifth. Despite the fifth inning chants not being as loud as chants in prior games, they chanted even louder during the replay review in the bottom of the eighth, as fans continued to make it clear that the A’s belong in Oakland.

Starters for Sunday for the Giants right hander Alex Cobb (6-3 ERA 3.05) and for the A’s right hander Luis Medina (3-8 ERA 5.35) first pitch is slated at 1:07pm PT at the Oakland Coliseum.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Wade provides offense for Giants; Giants-A’s open Bay Bridge series tonight

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San Francisco Giants’ LaMonte Wade Jr., right, celebrates with Joc Pederson, left, after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Aug 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen you got to hand it to Giants LaMonte Wade Jr who came through with the only run of the game Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the fourth inning.

#2 The Giants also got some great pitching from the opener Scott Alexander and five other pitchers that followed him.

#3 The Giants second pitcher on Thursday Tristan Beck went the longest with four innings of work giving up just two hits and three strikeouts.

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler really worked his pitching staff outside of Beck he had Alexander and four other pitchers go less than two innings and the Giants pulled off a shutoff.

#5 Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfraadt pitched a fine game but lost going seven innings, two hits, one earned run, and seven strikeouts. Pfraadt pitched good enough to win but didn’t get the run support.

#6 Giants and A’s battle here at the Oakland Coliseum tonight for a brief two game series in another Reverse Boycott contest where A’s fans invited Giants fans to chant “Sell the Team” in efforts to stop the move of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas is this message getting through to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred or is it getting lost in the preparation of the relocation vote coming in November?

Join Stephen for the Giants or MLB podcasts Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants day off report: Giants prepare for Bay Bridge Series vs. A’s

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants took a much-needed day off after winning three of four games against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park and seven out of nine at home. Here’s what you need to know.

A Crosstown Rivalry
The Giants (61-49, 2nd NL West) are preparing for the upcoming Bay Bridge Series with the Oakland Athletics (30-80, 5th AL West) at the Oakland Coliseum this weekend. The first game will be on Saturday at 4:07 pm Pacific, while the second will be on Sunday at 1:07 pm Pacific. The starting pitchers for both games are TBD.

Notes
Giants right-handed pitcher Camilo Doval (3-3, 2.47 ERA) made his MLB-leading 33rd save in Thursday’s game against the Diamondbacks.

Giants fans can retweet this tweet to win an Alaska Airlines trip for two as part of the Giants’ Happy Flight Sweepstakes. More information can be found here.

History Matters
The Giants and St. Louis Cardinals will play a regular-season game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

Rickwood Field, the former home of the Negro League’s Birmingham Black Barons, where former Giants star Willie Mays once played, will host these two historic teams on June 20, 2024, at 4:00 pm Pacific on FOX. Rickwood Field’s the oldest professional ballpark in the United States.

The Giants-Cardinals was scheduled around Juneteenth and will include a tribute to Mays, a Birmingham, Ala. native and the oldest living Hall of Famer at 92, and the Negro Leagues. Mays, better known as the Say Hey Kid, played for the Black Barons in 1948 before his professional career with the New York/San Francisco Giants from 1951-52 and 1954-72 and the New York Mets from 1972-73.

Giants score pair of runs in 6th and 7th to come back in 4-2 win over D-Backs

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Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera, right, tags out San Francisco Giants’ Patrick Bailey at home during the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Aug 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

Arizona (57-52). 200 000 000. – 2. 5. 1

San Francisco (60-49). 000 022 00x. – 4 10 1

Time; 2:13

Attendance: 28,956

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–Slade Cecconi made his major league debut this evening, starting for the Arizona Diamondbacks in a bid halt their slide from first place in the NL West to the third slot they continue to occupy after their 4-2 defeat by in tonight’s game.

Cecconi, a first round draft pick out of the University of Miami, had gone 4-8, 6.38 with 104 strikeouts in 20 starts for the Reno Aces in 20 in the hitter friendly PCL before his call up yesterday. He made a good first impression.

After walking Michael Conforto, the second batter he faced, the rookie didn’t allow a baserunner until Wilmer Flores banged a double off the four smiling cars in the left field Chevron. advertisement with one out in the fourth. Cecconi worked his way out of that difficulty, but the novelty had worn off.

JD Davis led off the home fifth with a single to left center and scored on Brandon Crawford’s mighty triple to right. Crawford went to third on a single by Isan Díaz. Diaz got wiped out by a double play, but Crawford scored the tying run on Wade’s two bagger to the right field corner.

In all, Cecconi went 4-2/3 innings before being relieved by Tyler Gilbert. The starter allowed two runs, both earned, on four hits and a walk. He delivered 59 pitches, 36 for strikes. His no decision left him with an ERA of 3.86.

The youngster faced an established veteran. Logan Webb, with his slate at 8-9, 3.49 at game time, had won more games for the 2023 Giants than any other hurler on the staff. Tonight, after a weak opening frame , the righty was masterful.

In all, Webb spent seven innings on the hill and allowed two runs, both earned and coming in the first frame. He surrendered four hits and a walk, striking out five. He threw 105 pitches, only 37 of which were balls. He earned the win, improving his record to 9-9, 3.45. Like Cecconi, he got a no decision.

Arizona got off to an early two run lead. Geraldo Perdomo opened the game with a clean single to right and stole second while Ketel Marte was in the process of striking out. Perdomo then moved on to third on a throwing error by last night’s strong and accurately armed hero, Patrick Bailey.

Bailey came home on Corbin Carroll’s ground out to short, which might easily have gone for a hit if it weren’t for a sparkling play by Crawford. An automatic double to left by Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. followed by Jace Peterson’s humpbacked single to center brought Gurriel home with the Rattlesnakes’ second tally.

The Giants tied went ahead with Gilbert still on the mound in the sixth Back to back to back singles by Flores, Pederson, and Bailey clogged the basepaths.

A double to left by Davis plated the first two runners. Scott McGough got the Diamondbacks back to their dugout, retiring Matos after Gilbert had managed to get the second out. San Francisco now was up, 4-2. Gilbert would prove to be the losing pitcher; his record now is 0-2, 4.50.

The seventh inning stretch took an encore when, with Austin Slater, who had pinch hit for Conforto in the fifth at bat, a streaker interrupted the on field action. Needless to say, the intruder was chased, captured, and led off the playing field.

Tyler Rogers, the right hander, pitched a scoreless eighth for SanFrancisco, and lefty Joe Mantiply set the Giants down in order in their half of the inning.

If it’s the top of the ninth at Oracle Park, it must be Camilo Doval on the mound. It was, and he earned his 32nd save by not retiring the side in order.

At 60-49, the Giants now are in second place in the NL West, three games ahead of Arizona and two games behind the Dodgers, who still were playing the A’s when the game here ended.

The four game series winds up, Thursday Aug 3 at 12:45. Arizona has announced Brandon Pfaadt (0-4, 8.20) as their probable pitcher. The Giants haven’t made their announcement yet for a starter.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Bailey becoming a crucial part of the defense; D-Backs-Giants face off for game 3 of series tonight

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San Francisco Giants’ Luis Matos hits an RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Aug 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Talk about the swift move by San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey last night in throwing out Arizona Diamondbacks runner Gerald Perdomo at first base to end the ball game.

#2 It was a crucial out for Bailey to pick off Perdomo to end the game as the score was 4-3 and the Diamondbacks would try just about anything to get back in this game.

#3 Bailey certainly is making a name for himself as the defensive catcher throwing out his 19th runner in 449 innings trying to steal. This is the most by a catcher since the Philadelphia Phillies Jorge Alfaro did it in 2018 throwing 21 runners in 869 innings.

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler said that the catchers are just as responsible as anyone else in helping the club win ball games adding that Bailey can really change a ball game with his defense.

#5 The Diamondbacks come back for game three of the four game series tonight, the Diamondbacks have Slade Cecconi (0-0 ERA 0.00) as starter and the Giants will start pitcher Logan Webb (8-9 ERA 3.49). Talk about he has only one win in his last six starts.

Join Michael for the Giants podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

He was a Giant? Feature on Dick Phillips

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Former San Francisco Giant infielder Dick Phillips who played on the 1962 Giants is the He was a Giant? feature with Tony the Tiger Hayes (photo from Trading Card Data Base)

Dick Phillips – 1B – 1962 – # 14

He was a Giant?

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

Dick Phillips’ flaccid performance for the 1962 Giants was so inefficient that a lesser man might be left seriously despondent and in search of the type of solace the denizens of Sixth Street hope to find in bottles swaddled in brown paper sacks.

The long-time bush leaguer’s hitless performance in five games as a Giant, left him with him the mortifying distinction of being the least productive of all 31 players who suited up for the ’62 NL Champions.

But Phillips – a 30-year-old MLB rookie who looked closer to 40 -made no plans of taking a one-way trip to the Golden Gate Bridge.

After years of minor league bus rides on dubious shock absorbers and meals at greasy spoon diners – as well as seeing heavy action in the Korean War – heading up to his brief sojourn with the top-notch Giants was reason enough for his heart to take courage and forge forward in the field of his dreams.

Indeed, buoyed by his brief San Francisco cameo, Phillips would spend most of the next four decades in various pro baseball roles.

Phillips would return briefly to the majors as a player and later as a coach, but most of his assignments in the sport spent in the minors leagues.

And from all indications, Phillips enjoyed every moment of it.

Why was he a Giant?

After toiling away in the minors for years without so much of a sniff of a big league clubhouse, not to mention a spring training invite, things finally started to trend in Phillips direction in 1961.

That year, Phillips led the Giants’ dominating Triple-A Tacoma club (97-57) to the Pacific Coast League Championship and was named the loop’s MVP with a .264, 16, 98 season. The genial graybeard was also voted as the club’s most popular player by the Puget Sound fan base.

The following off-season Phillips was added to the Giants 40-man roster.

“All I’ve ever wanted was a chance,” Phillips was quoted as saying in January of 1962. “Maybe I can’t make it, but this way, I’ll know.”

After a fine Cactus League performance in the Spring of ‘62, Phillips got the happy news, he’d be heading north with the club to Candlestick Park making the cut along with a fellow 24-year-old rookie from the Dominican Republic – Manny Mota.

Opening Day vs. the was just hours away.

“The game’s the same, but it’s nice to be up here. I’ve hung around in baseball. I knew if I stayed long enough I’d get to the top,” a relieved Phillips, puffing a celebratory cigar, told the beat writers.

In 1962 the Giants were not only stocked with a bevy of legitimate All-Stars, former Rookies of the Year and Gold Glove winners, but also numerous future Hall of Fame ball players.

First base, Phillips’ best suited defensive position was already being wrestled over by a couple of young sluggers by the names of Orlando Cepeda and Willie McCovey – back to back winners of the NL Rookie of the Year award respectively in the Giants first two years in San Francisco (1958-59).

In the Giants coaching staff’s eyes, Phillips appeared to have the right amount of seasoning and temperament and versatility- he played seven positions (save pitcher and catcher) on Fan Appreciation Day for Tacoma in 1961, to come off the bench and sizzle a line drive or fill in for Chuck Hiller at second base or Harvey Kuenn at third in a late inning situation.

“A fellow of Phillips’ age and background realizes there is an opportunity as a pinch-hitter,” manager Alvin Dark told The Sporting News.

“You have to believe you’re better than the pitcher when you go to the plate,” Phillips said of his pinch hitting theory. “If you don’t, you might as well not go up at all. No one likes to sit on the bench but if I’m not needed that means the Giants are winning. That’s all right with me.”

Before & After

Phillips broke into pro ball on a high note at age 19 in 1951, batting .293 for the Fulton Railroaders, a Class D club of the original Washington Senators, managed by one Samuel Lamitina.

But then another Sam called. Uncle Sam that is.

Phillips would spend the next few years as a member of the United States Marine Corp, serving much of his hitch overseas during the Korean War.

A veteran of many fierce combat battles during the conflict, Phillips didn’t have much time to play catch over that time frame but the Wisconsin native caught shrapnel during one particularly ferocious assault by the enemy.

When he reentered civilian life Phillips attended Valparaiso University on G.I. Bill. But Phillips itched to fulfill his professional baseball dreams and hooked on with his hometown Milwaukee Braves farm system after a tryout in 1951.

After being away from pro ball for five seasons Phillips batted a sizzling .320 for the Class C Eau Claire Braves in 1955.

Phillips climbed a rung in the Milwaukee system the next few seasons before topping out at Triple-A Sacramento in 1959. Phillips consistently hit for each classification in the Braves system and produced impressive home run totals- but he never got a call-up to the parent club.

The Giants acquired Phillips in a trade for a fellow minor league player in 1960.

After his brief stay with the Giants in 1962, Phillips returned to the Tacoma club for the remainder of the season. He watched as the Orange & Black advanced to a NL Pennant – beating the Dodgers in a special three game playoff series – before taking on the Yankees in the ‘62 World Series.

Phillips was planted on his living room coach, riveted to the television in his Racine, WI home when McCovey lined out in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 of the Fall Classic as the New York dynasty broke the hearts of Giants fans.

In the spring of 1963 the Giants cut the well-liked minor league vet a break by shipping him to Washington in a cash deal. Though nick-named the “Senators” this was not the same franchise that Phillips became his pro career with more than a decade earlier.

The original Washington Senators had decamped to Minnesota and rebranded themselves as the “Twins.”

The new D.C. expansion club retained the “Senators” nickname and unfortunately for fans of the long suffering Washington fans base, the original Senators second division status as well.

After losing 100 games in their first two years of existence, the Senators were in dire need of skilled professionals and they found one in the adroit Phillips.

Just as he had in ‘62, Phillips began the 1963 season in the majors and this time he stuck.

The Senators again dropped 100 games for the third straight season, (56-106) but Phillips still must have had a smile.

The club’s top utility man, Phillips played wherever his managers Mickey Vernon and his mid-season replacement, Gil Hodges asked, seeing action primarily at first base, but also at second and third base. In 124 games, Phillips batted .237, 10, 32.

Phillips returned to the Senators for another full campaign in 1964. The 1965 season saw Phillips back in Triple-A, but Lady Luck was shining upon Phillips – the franchise’s top minor league club just happened to be located In Honolulu. Phillips family naturally fell in love with Hawaii’s tropical setting and would eventually relocate to the Islands on a year round basis. Phillips would later serve as the manager and General Manager of the Islanders club.

After starting the 1966 campaign with Hawaii, Phillips was recalled to Washington (regrettably?) and remained with the big club through the end of the ‘66 season concluding his big league playing career. Phillips would return for one final season with the Islanders in 1967 where he concluded his playing career for good at age 36.

Phillips was hardly done with the game as he would spend the next three decades in various roles in baseball including a dozen seasons as a minor league manager.

He once described his managerial style as this: “I like to play the running game if I have speed. I like the hit-and-run, and I try and out-think the other guy,” Phillips said. “I expect the players to hustle all the time. If they don’t hustle, they don’t play.”

After piloting the Islanders – then the top farm club for San Diego- for three seasons in the late-1970s, Phillips was promoted to big league club as first base and hitting coach for the club’s new manager Jerry Coleman in 1980. However the season went notoriously bad for Coleman – who had never managed previously- and the big league coaching gig ended after just one season for Phillips.

He wasn’t McCovey or Cepeda. But…

Phillips long awaited big league debut came as a pinch hitter for Juan Marichal vs. the visiting Cincinnati Reds at Candlestick Park (4/15/62). With the Reds winning 4-0, Phillips flew out to right fielder and future Giants manager Frank Robinson off Reds starter Bob Purkey (also a future Giant) to lead off the 7th inning. Cincy would win the game 4-3.

Phillips didn’t collect a hit as a Giant, but he did record the first of 60 career MLB RBI with San Francisco and it must have tasted good because it came against Milwaukee. The team that never promoted him to the majors.

In a road game at County Stadium, (4/18/62) Phillips was sent to pinch hit for Jim Davenport with runners on second and third, with one out in the top of the ninth. With Don Nottebart pitching, Phillips hit a slow roller to Braves second baseman Frank Bolling and Orlando Cepeda scampered home. The Giants were defeated in that contest 6-4.

Giant Footprint

Though Phillips on-field play really had no impact on the Giants Pennant winning campaign of ‘62, there is no doubt he was well liked by his San Francisco cohorts.

When it came time to divvy up World Series bonus money, Phillips was awarded a third of a full share.

And as far as manager Dark projection of Phillips as a potentially lethal major league pinch hitter? That didn’t really pan out.

Phillips would bat 115 times in his big league career as a pinch hitter – collecting 15 knocks for a .152 average with 13 RBI.

Meanwhile Manny Mota, the other rookie who made the Giants ‘62 opening day roster, primarily for his speed and defensive versatility only lasted slightly longer than Phillips on the Giants active roster in ‘62.

Mota however would one day develop into the game’s most dangerous all-time great pinch batters – collecting 150 career pinch hits for a .299 average in pinch situations.

Tony the Tiger does “He was a Giant?” features every Tuesday Giants home game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com