The San Francisco Giants found their hitting stroke, scoring five and four runs in the second and third games of the series, respective.  However, they only won the middle game and bowed out of the series to the Seattle Mariners, two games to one.  

In the opener, the hitting malaise continued as the Giants wasted a strong start by Randy Johnson, who struck out seven and pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning, but the Giants fell in twelve innings, 2-1.   Jose Lopez drove in two:  including an RBI single that chased Johnson with one out in the sixth and a walkoff RBI single off Pat Misch in the final frame, making a loser of Justin Miller (1-1), despite two innings of no-hit ball.   Mariners starter Jason Vargas was dominant, shaking off a leadoff homerun by Aaron Rowand (5) to handcuff the Giants for seven innings of three hit ball, while picking up a no decision.  Sean White (1-0) pitched two shutout innings for the victory.

In the middle game, a bases loaded double by Juan Uribe sparked a five run, eighth inning rally off Mark Lowe (0-2), making a winner of Matt Cain (5-1) who tossed a complete game, striking out seven and scattering ten hits for the victory.   Fred Lewis added to the rally with a two run homerun (2). 

In the finale, Lewis continued his slugging with a solo shot (3) off Felix Hernandez (5-3).  However, Barry Zito (1-5) couldn’t hold a slim 3-2 lead in the fifth, surrendering the lead on a three run homerun by Adrian Beltre (3) in the bottom of the frame.  Ken Griffey Jr. homered (5) in the bottom of the first to start the scoring.   Hernandez struck out ten in eight innings. 

Overall, it’s nice to see the bats wake up a bit.  Two one run losses are hard to take, but it’s better to lose by a run if you score four than if you only score one, I guess.  The two out hitting is also coming alive as all four Giants runs in the finale came with two outs.  That’s nice to see.  Also nice to see Lewis starting to come alive.  Can’t beat that.  Ditto Rowand.  Pablo Sandoval missed the last 2 1/2 games with a tender elbow.  That’s going to require watching as it could be a key.  He’s necessary for the team to do anything.  He was designated hitter and went 2-2 with a double on Friday before being pulled for Rich Aurilia. 

The Giants made a few roster moves, moving Joe Martinez and Noah Lowry to the 60 day disabled list.  They also recalled catcher Eli Whiteside from Fresno and optioned Pat Misch back to the AAA affiliate.  They also activated Juan Uribe from the bereavement list and optioned Eugenio Velez to Fresno to make room. 

The Giants will next send Jonathan Sanchez against the visiting Atlanta Braves.   The Mariners will travel to Oakland, tomorrow night, to play the Athletics. 

The San Francisco Giants made their final roster moves, with some surprises, heading in to Tuesday’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

In trimming back to the final 25, the team decided to go with a 12 man pitching staff, designating Luis Perdomo for assignment while purchasing the contract of Brandon Medders from AAA Fresno.  As Perdomo is a Rule 5 pickup, they will have to offer him back to the St. Louis Cardinals since he’s not remaining on the 25 man roster.  More on that as it develops. 

In other moves, the Giants optioned catcher Steve Holm to Fresno, leaving them with just one full time catcher in Benjie Molina.  Third baseman Pablo Sandoval will moonlight as a backup backstop until later in the season (probably right after the first month, which is laden with off days, and at which time the Giants will have a little better idea of the type of team that they are fielding), when Holm is expected to be recalled.  Relief pitcher Justin Miller was reassigned to minor league camp.  Expect him back some time this season.  Also, the contracts of Juan Uribe and Rich Aurilia were purchased from Fresno.  Both veterans will start the season on the Giants roster.  Finally, pitcher Noah Lowry and reliever Sergio Romo will both open the season on the 15 day disabled list. 

The 2009 San Francisco Giants opening day roster is as follows:

Starting Rotation: Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Johnson, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito.

Bullpen: Alex Hinshaw, Bob Howry,  Joseph Martinez, Brandon Medders,  Merkin Valdez, Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt,

Starters:

C: Benjie Molina.

1B:  Travis Ishikawa

2B:  Emmanuel Burriss

SS:  Edgar Renteria

3B:  Pablo Sandoval

RF:  Randy Winn

CF:  Aaron Rowand

LF:  Fred Lewis

Bench: Rich Aurilia (IF), Juan Uribe (IF), Eugenio Velez (UT), Nate Schierholtz (OF), Andres Torres (OF)

With General Manager Brian Sabean stating that second year player Emmanuel Burris ‘won the job outright’, the Giants optioned Kevin Frandsen to AAA Fresno, ending the heated competition for second base.  A favorite with both fans and teammates, Frandsen, who missed most of 2008 with an achilles injury, will probably serve in a multipurpose role for the Grizzlies, moving around the infield to fill needs. 

It had been widely expected that the loser of the competition would remain on the Giants in the capacity of a backup.  The move all but guarantees that veterans Rich Aurilia and Juan Uribe will both remain on the club going into the season.   However, keeping in mind the situation the Giants had in 2008 when Eugenio Velez fizzled coming out of camp, it’s safe to think Frandsen will be back sometime this season.  However, should Burriss excel, perhaps look for the Giants to eventually try to trade Frandsen.  It won’t be too hard to find a taker for his hard nosed style of play.  

In other moves, the Giants reassigned slugging phenom Jesus Guzman to minor league camp, citing his need to find a defensive position.   I can’t imagine he won’t be back with the big league club at some time.

With the release of Dave Roberts (coupled with the team not signing Manny Ramirez in the off-season), the log jam in the outfield has been cleared up a bit.  However, aside from some spells of Eugenio Velez on the lawn, there are still four potential starters for three spots. 

In left field roams Fred Lewis.  I love this guy.  His bunion concerns seem to be cleared up and he’ll should be close to 100% for the season.  Also, it looks like he’ll be batting 3, which can only serve to help his numbers.  Leading off for the majority of last season stifled him a bit (though the 21 steals, 11 triples, and 81 runs scored were very nice).  While he’s a ravenous first pitch hitter, leading off requires taking pitches.   However, let’s not forget that the Pirates used to hit the Giants previous left fielder in the leadoff spot in 1986 and he did quite well when dropped down in the order.  Just sayin’.  Hitting 3 should help Lewis in 2009.

In center is the $12 million dollar man, Aaron Rowand.  2008 wasn’t exactly a great season for Rowand.  He got off to a fast start and then tailed off appreciably as the summer wore on.  Also, his defense wasn’t as incredible as the Giants were counting on.  If I sound like I’m not a huge fan hey, $12 million SHOULD buy .300, 25, 120.  The Giants didn’t get an wonderful return on investment last season.  I can’t claim that 2009 will be better, but it couldn’t hurt.

Right field is the the territory of Randy Winn.  He’s hit .300 each of the last two seasons and is a solid player and team leader.  In 2008, he helped with speed, too (25 steals with only twice being caught and 84 runs scored).   So far this spring, he’s been leading off consistently (and performing poorly in doing so).  If he can get his game together, he’ll be a good, if not spectacular, contributer in 2009.  If not, then perhaps it’s time for a changing of the guard.

Said change would be found in Nate Schierholtz.  This guy has murdered pitching wherever he’s wielded a bat (minor leagues, major leagues, and olympics).  He’s recorded back to back .300 seasons in limited major league action and is probably ready to be the starter in right.  However, right now he’ll have to bide his time.  As the fourth outfielder, he’ll get his share of at bats and a good chance to prove his worth.  He missed some time in the spring training with a tweaked back.  Hopefully, that’s behind him and exciting things are to come from Schierholtz.  Even as the fourth outfielder, he’s still incredibly more lethal than either Dave Roberts or Rajai Davis.  Something to look forward to. 

It’s also important to note that non-roster invitee veteran Andres Torres is making a push for a spot on the major league club.  He’s been playing well and leads the Cactus League in runs scored, thus far.  However, his age (31) might work against him.  Also, as a runner, the spot he’s gunning for might well be the one that appears to belong to Velez, who has proven himself to be a more adept hitter.  However, the Giant management seems to have a warm spot for veterans.  As a result, he might get to bring his cleats to AT&T park when the team opens the season.  If that happens, look for either Velez or Burriss to get a ticket to Fresno.  However, Torres will still have to prove himself, regardless.  It’s not his job to lose (or at least, shouldn’t be).   

The middle infield for the San Francisco Giants has received a facelift for 2009.  While 2008 was a year of unproven rookies and veterans in decline, this season proves to be somewhat more exciting as a tale of two positions. 

At shortstop, Omar Vizquel is gone, replaced by big dollar pickup Edgar Renteria.  While this move caught a bit of guff from the faithful, it could only be an offensive improvement on the 2008 combination of the aforementioned Vizquel and Brian Bocock.   True, Renteria’s numbers for Detroit in 2008 were below his career average (though they did improve in the second half of the season).   However, rumors are that he came to camp in shape and career averages suggest that he tends to be more comfortable hitting in the National League.   Again, it would take a complete collapse for this move to blow up in the Giants faces.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the diamond, the ground isn’t quite as settled at second base.   Unlike 2008, there is no veteran presence at this position.  It will be officially a three way fight between Eugenio Velez, Kevin Frandsen, and Emmanuel Burriss.  Frandsen is the more solid all-round of the trio and should have the inside track going into spring training.   He probably would have started in 2008 last season if not for the achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for the season.  This is his chance to break out.  He is a hard nosed player who will give you the intangibles.  However, the position is not his, as yet and he will be pushed by second year man Emmanuel Burriss.   Burriss played well at shortstop and second base after being thrown into the fire following slow starts by Velez and Bocock.   It will be interesting to see how he does this season as primarily a back up.  Rumor has it that he will probably get some reps in AAA if the Giants get concerned about him to getting stale on the bench.  If he does play, he’s a speedster who plays solid defense.  No real power to speak of.  What Burriss lacks with the stick, Velez showed off last season (especially toward the end).  However, less than spectacular defense will probably keep him out of the starting lineup.  He shouldn’t be starting.  If he is, then look forward to a long season. 

Free agent minor league signees Juan Uribe and Rich Aurilia should be able to fit nicely in spots in 2009.  However, if either is starting regular, then see the final line in the last paragraph for the probable outcome. 

The San Francisco front office finally heard my anguished screams this offseason.  While the more vocal wing of the Giants fan base shouted for radical moves (signing Sabathia, Man-Ram, Burrell, and/or Dunn.  Cain for Fielder, Cain for Hardy, Cain for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the nation of Lithuania, and a dozen Domino’s death disks), Sabean and company at long last decided to have a little faith in the young players by making minimal changes via free-agency. 

The signing of future hall of Randy Johnson stands head and shoulders above the rest of the transactions (no pun intended….really).  The veteran replaces the underachieving 2008 back end of the rotation (Correia, Misch, and Hennessey), bringing an elder statesman who can still hurl the ball 90+ miles per hour.  That can’t hurt.

In the ‘perhaps you overspent, but we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt’ department lies the 2 year $18 million contract tossed to Edgar Renteria.  While I was against this at first, it has actually grown on me.  Barring a complete and unforseeable falling apart, it will be an immense offensive upgrade over either Bocock or Vizquel at the position.  And, though I love Emmanuel Burriss, perhaps it’s better for him to be over at second base, thrashing it out with Frandsen and Velez for playing time. 

Another place where the Giants upgraded wisely and precisely is the bullpen.  The additions of Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry, coupled with minor league deals tendered to both Ramon Ortiz and Justin Miller, should serve to strengthen the bullpen over the malaise found at times in 2008.  The key is, if you can’t get the lead to Brian Wilson, he can’t drop the hammer.  That should be better now.

And that leads us to another strong point in this offseason.  Rather than breaking the bank on a high money free agent, the team snapped up a string of seasoned veterans at bargain basement rates.  ‘Kinda’ sluggers Josh Phelps and Juan Uribe will come to spring training, minor league deals in hand, and should be ready to step in should a youngster falter.  Ditto Rich Aurilia, leading the ‘re-signed’ category of this year’s free agents.  

It was an up and down ballgame for the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon as they blew the lead in the top of the ninth, but then came back to score two runs in the bottom of the inning and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks by the score of 4-3.

The Giants were able to score two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two run triple by Eugenio Velez. The young guy came up huge for the Giants as he had all four rbi. Earlier in the game he had a two run double that scored Pablo Sandoval and Bengie Molina for the first two Giants runs. Great performance by Velez!

Brian Wilson was the reliever that gave up two hits and two walks in the top of the ninth as he blew the save. Just a bad outing for Wilson who didn’t have good control of the ball at all. Starting pitcher Brad Hennessey tossed the first six innings of the game and only allowed four hits and one run. It’s too bad the bullpen blew the win and he had to get a no decision. Alex Hinshaw picked up the win as he recorded the final out after Wilson was removed in the top of the ninth inning.

Great series for the Giants as they swept the Diamondbacks in the three game series. The Giants will now play the San Diego Padres in a four game series starting on Thursday night.

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Matt Cain was marvelous on Thursday afternoon as he limited the Washington Nationals to only four hit and zero runs.  The win by Cain was his sixth of the season and he is now 6-8.  What made the win that much more special was the Giants took all three games against the Nationals.  The Giants are now sitting at 43-58 on the season.

The one run that the Giants got came in the bottom of the 8th inning when Dave Roberts singled and pitch runner Eugenio Velez scored.  The offense was lucky to get that one run against Tim Redding who was matching Cain all game long.  Luckily for the offense, Cain didn’t allow a run and the Giants were able to get the victory.

The Giants will now welcome in the Arizona Diamondbacks for a weekend series.  The D-backs just got done beating the Chicago Cubs in two out of three games so they are playing some good baseball this week.

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The San Francisco Giants struggled against the Arizona Diamondbacks and their starting pitcher Brandon Webb on Wednesday afternoon.  The Giants were only able to manage one run in the game and only three total hits as they lost 4-1 You can’t win the ball game in most cases with one run and only three hits.

Eugenio Velez was the only Giants player to record an RBI in the game.  Velez doubled to left-center in the fourth inning to score Fred Lewis.  Other then that double, the Giants bats were silent as Webb dominated them for eight inning and then Brandon Lyon closed the door in the ninth inning.

As for the Giants pitching, Barry Zito took the loss which dropped his record to 0-4 on the season.  Zito didn’t have good command of the ball as he walked five batters, gave up five hits, and let five runs cross the plate.  Only four of the five runs were earned, not like it mattered anyways.

Vinnie Chulk and Merkin Valdez pitched the final three innings and did a good job.  Maybe the bullpen should have been called on earlier in the ballgame with Zito struggling so much.  What do you think Giants fans?

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