Tag: Carlos Rodon

D’Backs Strike Back: Arizona’s heroics stand up in 3-2 win over the Giants

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants got bailed out by their rock on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks relied on their Stone.

Stone Garrett picked his first Major League game as the occasion to knock in a tying run and later score the go-ahead run in a 3-2 win over the Giants. The Giants saw their five-game win streak snapped as they couldn’t back another impressive start from Carlos Rodon.

Garrett, 26, spent eight seasons in the minors despite being an eighth round pick, but he failed to put up eye-catching stats until this season at Triple-A Reno were he hit 28 home runs and knocked in 95 runs in 103 games.

“I wanted it bad so I just persevered and said ‘keep going, keep going, never lose faith,'” he said. “I knew if I put in the work I would eventually get here.”

His parent flew in from sweltering North Texas upon word of his call up. Predictably and comically, Garrett’s father Greg wasn’t dressed appropriately and had to hit the concession stands for a sweatshirt.

“I knew he was going to come without a long-sleeve shirt,” Garrett said. “That was just funny to see.”

The Giants brought the heat first with Lamonte Wade Jr.’s third inning home run and J.D. Davis’ blast in the sixth. The Homer’s gave the Giants 1-0 and 2-1 leads.

Garrett’s RBI double tied in the fourth, and Garrett and Christian Walker were aboard ahead of pinch-hitter Jake McCarthy’s two-run single in the eighth.

Rodon was seeking a fourth win in the same number of starts, and he was on his game. Rodon lasted six innings, and allowed one run on two hits while fanning 11. Dominic Leone, the Giants’ second reliever brought into the game, allowed McCarthy’s single and took the loss.

“He was unable to execute his slider where he wanted to go, as a result two guys put good swings on him,” Kapler said of Leone.

The Giants took the first five games of their homestand before Wednesday’s loss. Now they’ll focus on capturing the finale on Thursday afternoon for a 6-1 stretch. Logan Webb (11-5, 3.00 ERA) will face Zach Gallen (8-2, 2.94).

What Happened to the Giants? No One Got Better

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Step into the world of Wins Above Replacement with me. This is the world where the elite Major League players are quantified and recognized. In 2021, the Giants’ out-of-nowhere season of 107 wins and an NL West Championship, this is where the majority of the roster lived.

In 2022, almost the entirety of the Giants’ roster has moved out. So have the wins, the adulation and the postseason aspirations.

The two biggest standouts from 2021 in regards to WAR–Brandon Crawford and Kevin Gausman–have fallen off dramatically. Crawford’s 6.1 WAR of 2021 symbolized his stature as an MVP candidate, and a daily force defensively and offensively. Outside of the now-retired Buster Posey, Crawford was the team’s MVP who regularly supplied big hits and shut down opponents with game-altering defensive plays.

This season, Crawford hasn’t participated in 45 of the team’s 121 games thus far, and his defense has slipped. At age 35 and relied upon to be a daily presence at shortstop, the game’s most demanding defensive position, Crawford has seen an increase in his errors. After a career season, that would be expected, but for the Giants’ needs, his decline has been more dramatic than expected.

Gausman moved on, lured by similar dollars and a lengthier deal than the Giants would offer. For the Blue Jays, Gausman’s been good with similar peripheral numbers to what he posted last season, but he hasn’t won as much. Last season, Gausman was 14-6 for the Giants, this season he’s 8-8 for Toronto.

In Gausman’s place, Carlos Rodon has been nearly as good. Signed as a free agent after a 13-5 season for the White Sox, Rodon’s been healthier than he was last season while winning 10 times to date. Surely, the Giants are satisfied with the transition from Gausman to Rodon.

Similarly, Logan Webb was outstanding last season, and again this season. The difference between the two seasons for Webb aren’t much, maybe just that he’s suffered a loss at home after going without a single loss at Oracle Park last season.

Along the lines of the Rodon acquisition, Jakob Junis has pitched well for the Giants in a position of need, in the absence of injured starter Anthony DeSclafani. Thought to be a spot starter/opener, Junis has spent half this season, taking regular turns in the rotation and pitching deeper in games than expected. But that’s not the entire story: Junis has declined dramatically since he was injured in June. In six starts since, he’s failed to pitch five innings in any of those appearances.

Here’s the Giants’ Top 12 WAR performers in 2021 and 2022

2021:

  1. Brandon Crawford (6.1 WAR) 1. Carlos Rodon (4.0)
  2. Kevin Gausman (5.3) 2. Logan Webb (3.9)
  3. Logan Webb (4.0) 3. Jakob Junis (1.6)
  4. Anthony DeSclafani (4.0) 4. John Brebbia (1.6)
  5. Buster Posey (3.5) 5. Mike Yastrzemski (1.4)
  6. Darin Ruf (2.9) 6. Alex Wood (1.4)
  7. Brandon Belt (2.7) 7. Thairo Estrada (1.3)
  8. Mike Yastrzemski (2.5) 8. Wilmer Flores (1.3)
  9. Tyler Rogers (2.5) 9. Curt Casali (1.1)
  10. Steven Duggar (2.2) 10. Luis Gonzales (1.0)
  11. Evan Longoria (1.8) 11. Austin Slater (1.0)
  12. Wilmer Flores (1.7) 12. Camilo Doval (1.0)

The prevailing theme of the two lists is the decline in the WAR numbers across the board. Only two of this season’s Giants would even qualify for last season’s top 12. That’s dramatic, and indicative of a team that’s already lost more games than they did all of last season.

Of those listed for 2021, Gausman, Ruf and Duggar have signed elsewhere or been traded, and DeSclafani is out for the season due to injury. So if we don’t move beyond the two lists, only one player who was on the team this season and last has improved: John Brebbia.

That’s probably not enough.

On Friday, the Giants welcome the Pirates to Oracle Park with Bryse Wilson facing Carlos Rodon. Wilson’s just 2-6 on the season, but the Pirates have won three of his previous four starts.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Five possibilities for the Nats Soto; D-Backs #2 draft pick hurt in batting practice; plus more

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Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals is standing by to see what deal he could get as he is on the bubble before the MLB trade deadline on Aug 2, 2022 (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica, the Washington Nationals Juan Soto sweepstakes are on there are five possibilities, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, St Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres, where he can go after turning down a 15 year $440 million offer by the Nationals.

#2 Unfortunately injury for one of the big draft picks for the Arizona Diamondbacks #2 draft pick Druw Jones who hurt himself with shoulder injury swinging the bats during batting practice before Tuesday’s game before playing the San Francisco Giants.

#3 Jessica, It was an emotional return for Toronto Blue Jays Buck Martinez who had returned to the broadcast booth from cancer treatment. Martinez had been out since the middle of April and got a rousing ovation from the Blue Jays crowd, players and his grandkids in attendance. Martinez by the way looked great you would have never known what he had gone through.

#4 It was in the making since 2008 the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York Jackie’s wife Rachel 100, watched the ribbon cutting along with daughter Sharon 72 now in a wheelchair and son David 70, for the opening of the museum. In 80 degree heat outdoors in New York City Robinson’s children spoke about the life and career of Robinson.

#5 San Francisco Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon apologized to Thairo Estrada who he kicked a bat leaning up against the bench into Estrada’s knee after giving up a three run home run to the Arizona Diamondbacks Christian Walker in the top of the third inning. Rodon apologized to Estrada, his teammates, and had a meeting with manager Gabe Kapler who said that things had been worked out with Rodon.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podast with Marko Ukaloic: Giants need to shore up defense and bullpen needs to shut it down in second half

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Brandon Belt San Francisco Giants first baseman is expected to help lead the way for the second half of the season (mercurynews.com file photo)

On the Giaints podcast with Marko:

#1 Going into the second half of the season how important is accomplished players like Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford.

#2 Also taking a look at the second half with infielders Marco Luciano and Thairo Estrada they’ve been a big help and manager Gabe Kapler can insert them in the line up at anytime.

#3 Evan Longoria has entertained the possibility of retiring at the end of this season playing away from his family who live in Arizona could this be his last season?

#4 Carlos Rodon who starts tonight for the Giants at Dodgers Stadium after resting in LA during the All Star Game had a great first half and is looking forward to the second half.

#5 Marko for the second half the Giants have some talent in their bullpen but can they keep it together in the middle and late innings with pitchers like Dom Leone, John Brebbia, Jarlin Garcia, Tyler Rogers, Camilo Doval and Trevor Rosenthal.

Marko filled in for Daniel Dullum for the Giants podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bludgeoned By The Brewers: Giants led early, then go cold offensively in 3-2 loss to Milwaukee

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Well that Gabe Kapler-inspired time of possession in baseball thing didn’t lean toward the hosts on Thursday.

The Brewers played with base traffic all night, bundling 13 hits and four walks, but just two runs until the 10th when they got an infield single from Jonathan Davis to push across the winning run. The Giants led 2-0 early, but got just one hit after the fifth inning as the visitors pitching proved as good as advertised.

The Brewers increased their lead in the NL Central to three games with the win and the Cardinals’ loss to the Dodgers. The Giants fell to 45-43 which is 13 games off the pace of the Dodgers.

The Giants scored twice in the third, first on a passed ball charged to catcher Victor Caratini, which was followed by Joc Pederson’s RBI single. Outside of that burst, Milwaukee starter Corbin Burnes pitched in character, striking out 10, scattering all four Giants hits and keeping his club within reach.

The Brewers rallied with single runs in the fourth and sixth. Andrew McCutchen’s sacrfice fly chased home the first run, Wily Adames’ base hit scoring Rowdy Tellez tied the game in the sixth.

Carlos Rodon found himself in another tight ballgame and couldn’t win it, lowering his ERA to 2.66 but gaining a no-decision. Rodon allowed the first Milwaukee run and departed before John Brebbia gave up the second run in the sixth.

The teams are back at it on Friday with starters Alex Wood and Brandon Woodruff scheduled at 7:15pm.

Bullpen Blues: Relief effort spoils another strong outing by Rodon in 4-3 Giants loss to the Braves

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By Morris Phillips

Nothing typifies the Giants these days like a close game. They play a lot of them–36 of 68 so far this season–and they’re used to being in close games, winning close games.

Just hasn’t quite been their thing yet this season, and definitely not on this road trip. The Giants fell to 17-19 in games decided by two runs or less on Wednesday, allowing a three-run, bottom of the ninth rally by the host Braves in a 4-3 loss.

Jake McGee was given an opportunity to reignite his closer duties, and he belied his recent successes and got hit hard. The 35-year old gave up a leadoff home run to Darby Swanson, two more hits and was relieved by Trevor Rogers who allowed the game-winning base hit to Adam Duvall. Camilio Doval wasn’t available, he pitched in nine of the previous 12 games and was given a night to rest.

“We want to win every game, but at the end of the day, these are going to happen,” said McGee, who hadn’t allowed a run since May 10, a stretch of 10 appearances. “That’s why they’ve been really hot lately and they’ve been swinging the bat well. So you’ve just got to tip your cap sometimes.”

The Giants also tipped their cap on Monday when Camilo Doval failed to get through the ninth in a 2-1 loss. Last season’s 107-win campaign included a 31-17 record in one-run games, and the Giants locked in big moments offensively. This year, the record in two-run games is another reminder that the team’s offense has struggled. The bullpen–in spots–as well. But the subject arises in a series–not yet completed–where a team’s two best starters sprinkle magic dust for seven innings, only to see their work squandered in the game’s final inning.

“I’m not one to say one loss was better or worse than others. It’s just not my style,” said Kapler, who just doesn’t show raw emotion in postgame pressers.

Rodon was on point, capping a three-start stretch in which he allowed one run in 21 innings. He struck out 10, and walked one in his first appearance against the Braves. Matt Olson’s seventh inning, RBI double broke up Rodon’s scoreless stretch.

Darin Ruf and Mike Yastrzemski homered to back Rodon, and Tommy LaStella’s RBI single in the ninth provided insurance, giving the Giants a 3-1 lead.

And the news wasn’t bad off the diamond, as Brandon Crawford found out he suffered no structural damage to his knee, and he’s a candidate to start Thursday’s series finale.

Luis Gonzales would have been a viable, pinch-hit option on Wednesday after being declared out with back tightness, but that wasn’t all that he needed. The Braves followed right-handed starter Charlie Morton with two left-handed relievers, leaving Kapler with better options. Kapler said Gonzales should be okay, his back issues are considered serious.

Alex Wood and Atlanta’s Kyle Wright are the announced starters for the series finale at 12:20pm EST.

Giant Strides: SF looks to gain ground in the NL West race with favorable pre-All Star break sked

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By Morris Phillips

A week ago the Giants were frustrating themselves and their fans. A week later, things are much brighter. Winning games in bunches, and beating the preferred opponent makes a difference.

Prior to facing the Dodgers and Royals, the Giants had lost 21 of 38, a step back for a club that got off to a roaring start to their 2022 season (13-5 through the first 18 games). Injuries to starters Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and position players Evan Longoria, Brandon Belt and Lamonte Wade Jr. were a major part of a team didn’t measure up to other playoff worthy teams, and/or saw its offense disappear one too many times/or saw the bullpen blow a couple of leads.

Plus, when your coming off a 107-win season and the retirement of Buster Posey, the biggest name in local baseball over the last 15 years, the microscope gets a longer look. But overall, the Giants have held up without looking good throughout. Now with the team’s health improving and the schedule easing considerably, the Giants can–hopefully–look more like themselves.

The biggest thing that needs to change? And road baseball could enhance the chances of it happening? The Giants need more base hits, doubles and triples, anything that improves a .239 team batting average that’s a culprit when the team has scoring droughts.

The pitching’s been good not great with an ERA of 3.92, just ahead of the league average. But the numbers have swelled in recent weeks, suggesting a tweak or additional arm could lower that number. Even more encouraging, the Giants continue to be rough on opposing home run hitters, by allowing a MLB-least 48 homers thus far.

Power hitting could set the Giants apart as the season progresses, with health being the biggest factor. Of the guys who’ve missed time, Brandon Belt has returned to the lineup and hit his fifth home run of the season on Wednesday. Evan Longoria’s return has reached 28 games, but he hasn’t hit a home run outside of a five-homer-in-six-games stretch in late May. Longoria’s gotten fewer at-bats within games as well in June, that could continue when Lamonte Wade Jr. returns.

Darin Ruf, Brandon Crawford, Austin Slater, Belt and Longoria are all hitting below the .239 mark, and are the biggest candidates to pick up their offense. Wade enters this mix as well when he returns in the coming weeks. So far, Wade’s appeared in only ten games.

Twelve of the 28 games remaining before the All-Star break are against the Braves, Brewers and Padres and critical to playoff momentum and seeding. Starting this postseason, the top wild card holds home-field advantage in a short, opening round series. The other 16 games are against teams the Giants internally will be happy to see with the first six of 19 games against Arizona topping the list. The Giants also see the currently under .500 quartet: Reds, Pirates, Tigers and White Sox.

The schedule’s balanced: 15 of the 28 games remaining are at home, 13 on the road, but the Giants have winning records home and away.

The Giants have announced Carlos Rodon as their Friday night starter against the Pirates, who will be pressed to field a formidable lineup against him. The Pirates ranked 6th worst in strikeouts (562 through 62 games) and have a paltry .220 team batting average. Rodon just went more than a month without a victory before he shut down the Dodgers for six innings in his last start.

Cardinals hand Giants a second loss 15-6

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In a game where everybody touches them all and the St Louis Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt (left) was no exception after hitting a first inning home run against San Francisco Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon (right) at Busch Stadium in St Louis on Sun May 15, 2022 (AP News photo)

Cardinals Hand Giants A Second Loss 15-6

By Barbara Mason

Saturday the San Francisco Giants (20-13) were shut out by the St. Louis Cardinals (18-15) 4-0. Sunday they were looking to bounce back in the final game of their series. It did not go as planned for San Francisco losing by a significant margin 15-6 at Busch Stadium in St Louis.

The Cardinals scored in the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. They had 17 hits in this game and it was not until the ninth inning that the Giants showed much signs of life. The Cardinals bats were just too much for San Francisco to handle.

Joey Bart and Luis Gonzalez both hit home runs in the ninth inning for the Giants. Darin Ruf and Thairo Estrada both scored on the Gonzalez homer. San Francisco was trailing by the score of 15-2 going into the ninth inning so it was too little to late for the Giants.

Joc Pederson also had a homer in the sixth inning for San Francisco. The Giants had seven hits in the game in a very disappointing series for the team.

The Cardinals also hit three home runs in this game. Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Yadier Molina all hit homers with runners on base. St. Louis completely outplayed the Giants in front of their home crowd.

The Giants will now travel to Colorado for a series with the Rockies. The first game will be Monday with first pitch at 5:40 PM. Going for San Francisco starter LHP Alex Wood (3-2 ERA 3.60) and for Colorado RHP Antonio Senzatela (2-2 ERA 4.88) gets the call first pitch 5:40 pm PDT

Strike Three!: Giants throw the baseball past the Rockies in 8-5 win

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Giants’ fans versed in what makes the team click under manager Gabe Kapler already know: Carlos Rodon and his contributions are special. It may sound trite, but the team’s key free agent acquisition is just what the doctor ordered.

Thankfully, Kapler comes closest to describing the newest phenomenon to hit Oracle Park.

“As good as he’s been, as many dudes as he struck out, there’s still probably more ceiling in there for Carlos,” Kapler said. “He’s that good.”

Rodon piled up 12 strikeouts, and mixed in two, timely double play balls in the Giants 8-5 win over the visiting Rockies Monday. The former Chicago White Sox threw 110 pitches and marveled at how easily the ball left his hand more than his ability to consistently dial up swings and misses.

“It worked out for us,” Rodon said of Kapler’s decision to allow him to pitch a sixth inning. “I felt like it was an easy fastball and I really wasn’t exerting a lot on all pitches, so it was an easier decision for me to say yes.”

“He has good stuff,” manager Bud Black said of Rodon, who frustrated Rockies’ hitters. “He’s not leading the league in strikeout percentage for any reason on that his stuff. It’s legit. We saw the velocity and we saw the slider, just like we talked about. We knew it was coming.”

Rodon’s first six outings as a Giant are in the record books. His 53 strikeouts over that span are the second most registered by a Giants’ pitcher since the turn of the century 122 years ago. Only Tim Lincecum with 56 in 2010 has tallied more.

The Giants’ offense did their part with a run in the first, two in the third and three in the sixth which ruined the evening for Austin Gomber. The Rockies’ starter surrendered a first inning triple to Austin Slater and a two-run shot to Mauricio Dubon in the third. After a pair of hitters reached in the sixth, Gomber was relieved by Robert Stephenson, who couldn’t keep the visitors within range, down just 3-2.

Darin Ruf’s single scored Dubon, Brandon Crawford drew a walk, then the Rockies got sloppy. Stephenson uncorked a wild pitch and catcher Elias Diaz’ throwing error allowed Wilmer Flores to score. Pinch-hitter Joc Pedersen’s sacrifice fly chased home a third run in the inning.

The Giants’ offense showed resourcefulness throughout with three sacrifice flies and a pair of stolen bases. They piled up 11 hits, performed late in counts as Kapler’s edict for his team to control a game’s “time of possession” played big. The team capped a brilliant offensive night with a pair of runs in the eighth.

The Giants won a third straight after losses in seven of eight. The momentum could build as the Rockies have dropped eight in a row to the Giants, with each of those eight wins featuring at least 10 Giants’ hits. The Rockies have dropped seven of eight away from Coors Field, possibly signaling that their unexpected fast start to the season could be ending.

Alex Wood takes the mound for San Francisco on Tuesday, and he’s had success against the Rockies across 19 starts against them for the Dodgers and Giants. What’s telling is most of that success has come away from Coors Field, where Wood’s ERA is an undesirable 8.50.

Antonio Senzatela starts for Colorado. He has a 5-1 record against the Giants.

Giants/Dodgers 2022 Is Here: What to know

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By Morris Phillips

The Dodgers-Giants rivalry got a lot more entrenched last season after the teams combined for 213 regular season wins and an incredible 5-game series in the NLDS. None other than Vin Scully proclaimed Game 5 as the biggest, single game in the century-plus series.

The Giants lost Game 5, and the Dodgers lost in the next round to the Braves, who won the World Series, not the Dodgers or the Giants. But the memories and excitement persist, how could they not?

“It was phenomenal. It was a lot of fun. I think it was probably fun for all the fans that got to witness that,” manager Gabe Kapler said of last year’s high-level duel.

So 2022 is here, the rivalry returns Tuesday in Dodger Stadium, and both teams are still plenty capable of ruining things for each other and winning it all. Let’s get caught up:

The Dodgers saw big names move in and out, and one big name stay put. Kenley Jansen, Corey Seager, Max Scherzer left the Dodgers, while Freddie Freeman got a generous deal to leave the Braves and come to LA. Clayton Kershaw turned down some offers, and opted not to retire. So far this season–his 15th in Los Angeles–he’s been up to old tricks. It’s a slightly younger, less experienced team, but still heralded as the Series favorite. More importantly, the Dodgers are so good offensively and defensively, no other team comes close. Not surprisingly, they lead MLB in run differential despite seven losses to date (+47).

The Giants didn’t act all crazy in free agency and worked the margins of their roster with a couple of low-profile upgrades. But the results aren’t bad: Through 22 games, the Giants have the highest scoring offense in baseball with nearly five runs a game, and they won 14 times.

Heading into the series, the Giants have to be worried about their personnel with a couple names returning and a sizeable group still injured. At least one outfielder, LaMonte Wade Jr. will return and Mike Yastrzemski is a possibility for Tuesday.

The Dodgers position group is completely healthy, while their pitching staff has some omissions. Blake Treinen, Dustin May, Andrew Heaney and David Price are all out, and none are expected this week.

The Giants get an opportunity to make an early impression with Carlos Rodon, the hottest performer on either roster. Rodon has struck out a franchise-record (for debut pitchers) 38 batters and won three times in four starts.