Tag: San Francisco Giants

Giants’ epic comeback gets cut short by Dodgers

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Harness

Thursday night’s game at Dodger Stadium got off to a rather-funny start but finished in thrilling fashion indeed.

After some major-league trolling of Giants starter Madison Bumgarner by the Dodgers – more on that later – the Dodgers jumped out to a 6-0 lead, and it appeared to be a carbon copy of what the previous two games looked like.

The Giants, however, mounted a tremendous comeback in the last three innings but came up painfully short in a 9-8 loss that wrapped up a four-game series in Southern California that saw the Giants win only the opening contest.

They put four runs on the board in the top of the ninth and even had the tying run on second base with nobody out against closer Kenley Jansen.

That was when a bit of controversy took shape. Tyler Austin laid down a nice bunt down the first-base line, and first baseman Cody Bellinger whipped around and fired to third to nab Stephen Vogt. However, the play was reviewed, and replays appeared to show Vogt’s foot reaching third as the ball hit third baseman Justin Turner’s glove.

However, Vogt was ruled out, and the played a huge role down the stretch. The next batter, Buster Posey, hit a sharp liner that center fielder Alex Verdugo ran down near the warning track, and the runners were forced to retreat back to first and second, respectively.

Had Vogt been ruled safe, he would have likely tagged up from third and tied the game. As it stood, Brandon Belt’s liner to right found Kyle Garlick’s glove and ended the game.

Thursday night marked Bumgarner’s first start in Los Angeles since his blowup at Max Muncy after the latter touched him up for a home run at Oracle Park last week, and the Dodgers were clearly ready for him.

As Muncy stepped up to the plate against Bumgarner, the team was happy to show on its jumbotron screen in center field that the last time he had faced the left-hander resulted in a 426-foot shot that is now 25 feet under water in McCovey Cove.

The Dodgers’ PA staff went on to play “Under The Sea,” which was a hit song on the soundtrack of “The Little Mermaid,” before playing Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.”

Muncy continued his ownage of Bumgarner, as he singled in a run in the first inning to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

Pomeranz continues miserable season, gets pounded by LA, 9-2

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Photo credit: mercurynews.com

By Jeremy Harness

Drew Pomeranz’s Wednesday night got off to a bad start, and it continued to get worse as the night progressed.

Chris Taylor touched the left-hander up for a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to give the Dodgers an early lead, and LA would only add to it in the next few innings during a 9-2 victory over the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

The very next inning, Kyle Garlick took Pomeranz deep for a solo shot, and the Dodgers got two more runs on and RBI single and a run-scoring sac fly in the third, which gave them a 6-0 lead, a hole the Giants could not get out of.

The Giants tried to make a game out of it, as Tyler Austin and Mike Yastrzemski both went deep – in the fourth and sixth innings – but they were mere solo homers and did not put a dent into what had been a commanding lead.

Pomeranz only lasted 4 1/3 innings on Wednesday, giving up seven runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out four and serving up those three home-run balls. The subpar outing – which have been plenty for Pomeranz this season – boosted his ERA to 7.09 after only three months.

Aside from the two homers by Yastrzemski and Austin, the Giants’ bats fell into their customary deep sleep, despite starter Rich Hill having to leave the game after the first inning with discomfort in his pitching forearm. He is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday and has been subsequently placed on the injured list.

The Giants managed just two more hits against a slew of Dodgers relievers, and no Giant got any more than one. After a promising four-game winning streak, the Giants have fallen back into their losing ways, and they now sit in the NL West cellar with a 31-41 mark, 17 ½ games out of first place.

Hernandez hits grand slam in Dodgers’ 9-0 shutout

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Photo credit: @HansGutknecht

By Jeremy Kahn

In what was a close game turned out into a blowout with one swing of the bat for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Enrique Hernandez hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the Dodgers broke open a close game on their way to a 9-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.

Hernandezs grand slam turned a 5-0 lead into a 9-0 game, as the Dodgers evened the four-game series at one game apiece.

Clayton Kershaw went seven innings, allowing just three hits, walking two and striking out six on his way to his seventh win of the season.

The Dodgers got on the board in the bottom of the first inning, as Joc Pederson hit a two-run home run off of Shaun Anderson to give the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.

It was a tough outing for Anderson, who went five and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs, walking three and striking out two, as his record fell to 2-2 on the season.

The Giants could not muster anything against Kershaw, as they got just three hits on the night against Kershaw and the Dodgers bullpen.

Kevin Pillar went 2-for-3, while Donovan Solano picked up the only other hit for the Giants, as he went 1-for-3 on the evening.

The usual good Giants bullpen did not look so good, as they gave up six runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out two over the final two and one-thirds innings of work.

Dylan Floro and Joe Kelly pitched the final two innings for the Dodgers, as the combined to walk just one and strike out four.

Pederson led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run off of Anderson, and the Dodgers never looked back.

Alex Verdugo then singled, and Justin Turner made it 2-0 in favor of the Dodgers with a double to left field.

Chris Taylor drove in the third run of the evening, as he reached on a bunt single that scored Max Muncy from third base.

Muncy walked to lead off the inning with a walk off of Anderson, and then Matt Beaty singled Muncy to third.

After Kershaw sacrificed for the second out of the inning, Derek Holland came on to replace Anderson and Hernandez, who came on to bat for Pederson was intentionally walked to load the bases. Holland then got out of the jam, as Verdugo flew out to left field, where Tyler Austin made a diving catch to end the inning.

Things got out of the hand in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the Dodgers scored six runs in the inning.

Turner struck out to open the inning, but then the flood gates open for the two-time defending National League Champions.

Cody Bellinger then singled, and then Muncy singled him to third base and what was the end of the night for Holland, who turned the ball over to Trevor Gott, who got David Freese to ground into a fielders choice that scored Bellinger.

Unfortunately, Gott then gave up a single to Taylor and then Austin Barnes singles to score Freese, then Kyle Garlick walked to load the bases and then Hernandez launched a Gott pitch 416 feet into the left field pavilion.

NOTES: Kershaw is now 23-11 all-time in his career versus the Giants.

Pablo Sandoval sat out the game against Kershaw, as he injured his right pinky finger when it was stepped on during the game on Monday night, which required four stitches.

UP NEXT: Drew Pomeranz takes the mound for the Giants on Wednesday night, as he looks for another great outing after his fantastic outing against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Oracle Park. Rich Hill will take the mound for the Dodgers, as he looks to improve to 5-1 on the season.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants end win streak at four as they drop final game to Brewers 5-3

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Milwaukee Brewers’ Jesus Aguilar, right, celebrates with third base coach Ed Sedar after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, June 16, 2019.

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 For the Milwaukee Brewers, it was two hits each for Christian Yelich, Yasmani Grandal, Marcus Thames and Travis Shaw, whose contributions helped the Brewers get a two-run win over their hosts, the San Francisco Giants, at Oracle Park on Sunday to avoid getting swept in three games.

#2 The Giants, on the other hand, snapped a four-game winning streak with the 5-3 loss. The Giants beat the San Diego Padres in two games and took the first two games from the Brewers to start the series.

#3 Jeff Samardzija struggled to hold back the Brewers, who scored four runs in five innings and nine hits off Samardzija, and got the loss.

#4 Samardzija hit for a single to score Kevin Pillar that tied up the game, but later it would be for not, as the Brewers would come back and win it by two runs.

#5 The Giants head for Los Angeles and will start Tyler Beede (0-2, 8.06 ERA) who will be matched up against the Dodgers’ Kenta Maeda (7-3, 3.89 ERA).

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

Vogt triples twice in Giants’ wild victory 8-7

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photo from sfgate.com: San Francisco Giants left fielder Mike Yastrzemski dives to catch a fly ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Yasmani Grandal for the final out of the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Saturday, June 15, 2019. .

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — In what was one of the most bizarre games of the season, Mike Yastrzemski came up with the play of the game.

Yastrzemski made a diving catch with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, as he preserved the San Francisco Giants 8-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers before a crowd of 34,560 at Oracle Park.

Yasmani Grandal hit a sinking line drive into the left-center field gap, and Yastrzemski made an all-out dive for the catch, giving the Giants their season-high fourth straight win.

The Grandal lineout would have definitely scored Ryan Braun, who was on first base after he singled with two outs off of closer Will Smith.

Christian Yelich brought the Brewers within one run just prior to the Braun single, as he hit an opposite field solo home run, his 26th home run of the season, which also extended his hitting streak to a season-high 12 games.

Stephen Vogt was the big offensive star for the Giants on the afternoon, as he lashed two triples and a single in a come-from-behind victory.

Vogt is the first Giants catcher since Steve Nicosia on July 18, 1984, to have two triples in the same game.

“Definitely thinking third,” said Vogt.

Madison Bumgarner was cruising until the top of the third inning when, catcher, Manny Pina hit a solo home run off of Bumgarner to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

The Brewers extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning, as Grandal walked, then Mike Moustakas doubled him to third base. Then came some bizarre defense, as Kevin Pillar dropped the Hernan Perez fly ball for an error and a sacrifice fly on the same play.

On the play, Grandal scored and Moustakas went to third, with Perez advancing to second base on the play.

Orlando Arcia then got in on the act, as he grounded out to score Moustakas from third base. Pina picked up his second RBI in as many at-bats, as he singled in Perez from third base to extend the Brewers lead.

Vogt then helped get the Giants on the board in the bottom half of the inning, as he tripled for the first time in the game and then when Pillar singled to left field. Brandon Crawford then extended the inning as he singled to send Pillar to third base.

Unfortunately, that would be all the scoring for the inning, as Steven Duggar, who represented the tying run, grounded out to Grandal to end the inning.

The Brewers extended their lead in the top of the fifth inning, as Grandal hit a sacrifice fly that scored Yelich, who grounded out into a force out.

Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson began to wild in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he walked the first three batters, including Bumgarner. After Yastrzemski walked to load the bases, Craig Counsell replaced Nelson with Adrian Houser, who fared no better, as he walked Belt to force in Bumgarner.

Houser then got Pablo Sandoval to ground out which scored Panik and then Vogt picked up an RBI, as he hit a sacrifice fly that scored Yastrzemski.

The Giants finally tied it up in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Crawford led off the inning with a double and then scored the tying run when Panik hit a sacrifice fly.

Grandal gave the Brewers the lead once again, as he hit a sacrifice fly that Yelich, who walked with one out in the top of the seventh against Trevor Gott, who replaced Bumgarner in the beginning of the inning.

Vogt got the eventual game-winning rally started in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he tripled for the second time on the afternoon with one out. Pillar then tied the game when he singled in Vogt.

Crawford then gave the Giants the lead for good, as he doubled into short center field that scored Pillar.

Once again, Vogt came through in the bottom of the eighth inning, as he beat out an infield single that scored Belt.

Bumgarner had another quality start as he went six innings, allowing five runs (three earned), five hits, three walks, and had six strikeouts.

“Everybody is starting to come around,” said Bumgarner.

Nelson also did not fare in the decision, as he went four innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walking three and striking out six.

Gott pitched the seventh inning, as he picked up his third win of the season, while Junior Guerra lost for the first time.

Despite the home run to Yelich, and the single to Braun, Smith was able to notch his 18th save of the season, as he got Grandal to fly out to end the game.

“Definitely off tomorrow,” said Bochy about Smith.

NOTES: With the victory, the Giants have the highest winning percentage in baseball in one- run, as they are now 16-6 (.727), one-half game over the San Diego Padres, who are 16-7 with a percentage of .696.

The last time that Vogt picked up two triples in the same game came on May 4, 2017, against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Belt extended his on-base streak up to 18 games, as he went 1-for-4 on the day and is hitting .310 (18-for-58) with two home runs and 10 runs batted in.

Crawfords three hits were his most since he picked up three hits on September 18,2018 against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija looks to help the Giants go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon, as he will face Chase Anderson for the Brewers.

MLB podcast with Matt Harrington: Dodgers show love of new t-shirts are as deep as the ocean; Giants Pomeranz and Panda pitch and hit for win over the Brew Crew; plus more

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@adriangarro photo: Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncey gets a laugh out of the freshly printed t-shirts on Friday night at Dodgers Stadium in reference to his chatter with San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner after hitting a home run off him on the Dodgers last trip to San Francisco.

On the MLB podcast with Matt:

#1 Who would ever thought that the Los Angeles Dodgers would ever print the famous words from Dodgers slugger Max Muncy after he hit a splash hit off San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner when Muncy and the Dodgers were in San Francisco that said “Go get it out of the ocean” a reference to Bumgarner telling Muncy to “run and not watch the ball” after a home run and then Muncy telling Bumgarner “If you don’t want me to watch the ball go get it out of the ocean.” The Dodgers this week have been wearing blue t-shirts with those words printed on it.

#2 For the second consecutive game, San Francisco Giants pitcher Drew Pomeranz got the winning decision in a 5-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Pomeranz pitched for five innings, giving five hits and two runs striking out five hitters.

#3 The once former Boston Red Sox third baseman that was given up for dead Pablo Sandoval for San Francisco went 3-4 on Friday night, including a double and a home run

#4 The Oakland A’s are certainly a ball club that is playing .500 ball after their 10-game win streak a couple weeks back ended they have been playing some back and forth ball going 6-4 on their last road trip and dropping their first game to Seattle 9-2 to open a homestand in Oakland on Friday night.

#5 You have to enjoy the two-way competition between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Rays with a 1/2 game margin over the Yankees make it for a competitive battle. The Rays bounced back from having the A’s taking two out three from them in their previous series with a win over the LA Angels 9-4. The Yankees got trounced on Friday night by the Chicago White Sox 10-2.

Matt does the MLB podcast each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Pillar goes 3-for-3 in Giants’ 5-3 win over Brewers

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Photo credit: @KNBR

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Kevin Pillar did everything for the San Francisco Giants from getting hits to becoming the groundskeeper.

Pillar went 3-for-3, including a tie-breaking solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, helping the Giants to a 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in front of 35,106 on Fireworks Night at Oracle Park.

This was the third straight win for the Giants, marking the fourth time this season that they have reached that number of wins in a row.

Drew Pomeranz went the first five innings, as he went the first five innings, allowing two (none earned), allowing five hits, walking three and striking out five and raised his record to 2-6 on the season.

The last two games he has been a different guy, said Bruce Bochy.

All of the Giants runs on the evening came via home runs, as Pablo Sandoval gave the Giants a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he hit an opposite field two-run home run off of Brewers starter Zach Davies, who entered the game with a 7-0 record.

Sandovals home run also scored Brandon Belt, who led off the inning with a walk against Davies, who like Pomeranz also pitched five innings.

It was also a nice night at the plate for Sandoval, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, as the Giants make it three wins in a row.

The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, as Orlando Arcia scored on a passed ball by Buster Posey.

Things got weird with Arcia at the plate, as it looked like he struck out on a pitch in the ground; however, home plate umpire Paul Emmel said that Arcia tipped the ball, much to the chagrin of both Posey and Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

Lorenzo Cain then singled to center field that sent Arcia over to third, and with Christian Yelich at the plate, Posey was unable to hold onto the Pomeranz pitch and the Brewers took a 1-0 lead.

Throw strikes when I needed to, said Pomeranz.

After Sandoval gave the Giants the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, Yelich tied up the game in the top of the fifth inning, as he singled to left to score Cain.

Pillar then gave the Giants the lead for good, as he hit his eighth home run of the season into the left field seats.

Things got a little strange in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Pillar stole second, the base popped out of the ground after he arrived on the bag. Brewers manager Craig Counsell came out to see if Pillar was out, since his foot came off the base; however, after a review, it was determined that Pillar was safe.

Instead of having the grounds crew fix the base, Pillar conveniently put the base back into the ground and play was resumed.

Definitely a first for me, said Pillar. Umpire (Chad Fairchild) said he had never seen it either, Pillar added.

Mike Yastrzemski then stretched the lead up to 5-2 following the Pillar swipe of second base, as he hit second major league home run and first at home over the center field wall.

Davies went five innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out two and lost for the first time this season.

Things got a little dicey in the top of the eighth inning, as Mark Melancon threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded that scored Jesus Aguilar from third base.

Melancon was able to get out of the jam, as he got Cain to fly out to end the inning.

Melancon had some tough luck, said Bochy.

Mike Moustakas got the inning going, as he singled and was then retired on a double play ground ball by Hernan Perez; however, Aguilar walked and then Arcia hit a single off of Joe Paniks glove that sent Aguilar to third. Travis Shaw then walked, and Melancon uncorked a wild pitch that scored Aguilar.

The single by Moustakas extended his hitting streak up to eight games, as he went 2-for-5 on the evening.

Will Smith came on to close it out for the Giants, as he picked up his 17th save of the season. Smith walked Yasmani Grandal with two outs, but re-grouped to get Moustakas strikeout to end the game.

NOTES: This was the most home runs in a game for the Giants since they hit four home runs in a game on June 4, 2018 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a 10-4 victory at what was known as AT&T Park.

Belt extended his on-base streak up to 17 games, dating back to May 23 and is 17-for-54 during the streak.

UP NEXT: Madison Bumgarner takes the mound for the Giants on Saturday afternoon, while Jimmy Nelson takes the hill for the Brewers.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants getting key pitching in recent wins

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Shaun Anderson looks like a keeper he pitched an effective game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, going six innings, four hits, two runs, six strikeouts and three walks.

#2 Giants closer Will Smith brought his A game with the bags juiced in the top of the ninth. He got his 16th save in 16 tries.

#3 The Padres had a short time lead in the top of the fifth 2-1 until the bottom of the fifth when the Giants scored twice and Padres manager Andy Green said that they had a shot at winning the game, but just didn’t have enough to get over the hump.

#4 When the Padres acquired star third baseman Manny Machado, the Padres thought they had their road paved to postseason, but now the Padres are two below .500 and in fifth place just a place above the Giants.

#5 Friday the 14th, the Milwaukee Brewers and Giants open a three-game series with the Brewers sending out starter Zach Davies (7-0 ERA 2.41) against Giants starter Drew Pomeranz (1-6, 7.16 ERA).

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants hope to extend streak this weekend

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Harness

The Giants are riding a rare wave of momentum as they head into a key weekend series against a top-flight opponent.

After dispatching of the San Diego Padres in a two-game sweep at Oracle Park, the Giants will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who made it all the way to the National League Championship Series a year ago.

The Brewers are at the top of the NL Central with a 39-29 mark and have a reigning league MVP in Christian Yelich, and he appears to be on track to win the award again.

Yelich is on a torrid pace once again this season, as he currently has 25 home runs and has driven in 54 runs, to go along with a gaudy .345 batting average. Mike Moustakas isn’t too far behind Yelich in the stats category, as he has 21 homers as well as 45 RBI.

Milwaukee will send a hot hand to the mound Friday night, as Zach Davies (7-0, 2.41 ERA) will take the ball against Giants lefty Drew Pomeranz (1-6, 7.16 ERA), who is not so hot.

On Saturday, Madison Bumgarner (3-6, 3.83 ERA), who suffered a hard-luck 1-0 loss to the Dodgers Sunday afternoon and did not fish the ball out of McCovey Cove like Max Muncy instructed him to after he took hilarious exception to Muncy’s low-key celebration of the solo homer he hit off Bumgarner, will take the ball against Milwaukee’s Jimmy Nelson (0-1, 12.00 ERA).

Jeff Samardzija (3-5, 3.72 ERA) will be on the mound for Sunday’s series finale against Brewers righty Chase Anderson (3-1, 3.80 ERA).

Anderson, Pillar lead Giants to 4-2 win over the Padres

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — In a close game, the Giants aren’t so bad.

Keeping it close was good enough to squeeze past the Padres, 4-2 on Wednesday night, and capture the two-game set at Oracle Park. A quality start from Shaun Anderson, timely hitting and Will Smith closing the door were the highlights of the evening.  Now the Giants need to work on that formula increasing in frequency.

In 2019, the Giants have enjoyed one and two-run ballgames, winning 19 of 33. It’s the other 33 ballgames decided by three runs or more that have doomed them, winning just nine of 33. If you’re the Giants, you’re more likely to get blown out than blow someone out, and therein lies the problem for the last-place club.

That and winning home games (the Giants are 13-20 at home)… just not an issue on Wednesday. The Giants made the key plays, offensively and defensively, and the Padres, losers of 11 of 16, threw the ball away, and couldn’t manage a key hit.

Anderson led the transformation by pitching six, solid innings and picking up the win. His key frame was the first, when he coaxed a double play ball off the bat of Franmil Reyes to end the inning and keep the game scoreless when the Padres threatened to get the jump off a bases loaded, one out situation.

“Huge pitch. That’s the ballgame,” said manager Bruce Bochy with the benefit of hindsight. “Big turning point in the  game. What a job (Anderson) did, throwing six, solid innings.”

Kevin Pillar got the Giants on the board in the second on a solo shot, then trailing 2-1 in the fifth, the Padres gave the struggling Giants’ offense a boost, courtesy of a pair of miscues. Throwing errors by rookies Josh Naylor and Fernando Tatis contributed to the Giants taking the lead.

Winning close games demands a closer, and Will Smith handled that, converting for the 16th time in 16 chances. Smith escaped a bases loaded situation by getting Manuel Margot to pop out to end it.

“We put ourselves in a position to win,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “It just wasn’t enough to get over the hump.”

The Padres and Giants opened the season in San Diego with the home team winning three of four, while showing off their big, off-season acquisition, Manny Machado. That advantageous start had the Padres dreaming of the postseason. But Wednesday’s loss dropped them two games below .500 for the first time all season.

The Giants’ modest win streak marks the first time since early April they’ve captured consecutive, home games.