Tim Lincecum spent the entire evening throwing bb’s past the bemused Los Angeles Dodgers and Benjie Molina drove in four runs as the Giants won the rubber game of the teams’ three game set with a convincing 9-4 victory. 

Lincecum was practically unhittable until the eighth inning, when the Dodgers loaded the bases with none out, eventually going on to score three times along with giving the starter a ticket to the showers.  After Jeremy Affeldt induced a double play, closer Brian Wilson got the final out of the inning, then pitched the ninth, surrending one run, for his fifth save of the season.  Edgar Renteria gathered four hits on the evening while Molina tripled and homered.  The much ballyhooed matchup between Lincecum and LA’s Manny Ramirez ended with the slugger 1 for 3 with a single and walk.  Hence, the outcome of that rivalry is obviously still in the air.

The opener saw Barry Zito with his second consecutive solid outing, carrying a 3-0 shutout into the seventh.  In that set, the Dodgers rallied, highlighted by a two run Casey Blake homer to chase Zito.  Reliever Merkin Valdez couldn’t put out the fire in the inning, surrendering the lead and allowing a 4-3 deficit, after a Manny Ramirez RBI single, and leaving the reliever on the hook for the decision.  However, the Giant bats came alive in the bottom of the eighth.  After singles by Fred Lewis and Renteria, Randy Winn struck out.  Then, with runners on the corners, Rich Aurilia, inexplicably starting at cleanup, hit a dribbler up the first base line.  Dodger reliever Ronald Belisario gloved the ball and attempted to flip it to catcher Russell Martin.  The ball had air under it and Martin was unable to handle it cleanly, allowing Lewis to score with Aurilia ending up at first.  After a wild pitch, Molina grounded out to third, bringing Renteria home, and giving the Giants the lead, 5-4.  Brian Wilson struck out the side in order in the ninth for the save.

The middle game saw a dominating performance by Chad Billingsley as the Dodger ace threw 7 1/3 quality innings before being chased in the eighth with the Giants tying the score at three.  The bullpen unraveled in the top of the ninth and the Dodgers scored twice, leading to a final score of 5-3 in favor of Los Angeles.

All in all, the series gives the Giants much to grow on.  It’s their fourth straight series win.  Also, Pablo Sandoval’s officially hot.  However, he ended up leaving Wednesday’s game with a tight groin and will be day to day.  Zito’s outing featured Sandoval at catcher.  I think it evidences that these two need to be paired every fifth day.   Going back to last season, Zito pitches better when Sandoval’s behind the plate.  Something the team needs to keep in mind.

The Giants start their next series on Friday when they play host to the Colorado Rockies.  The Dodgers will host the San Diego Padres on Thursday evening. 

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.

The hot corner for the Giants seems set in stone with second year hit master Pablo Sandoval manning the leather.  Unfortunately, this might be one of the biggest concerns for the Giants as well. 

Sandoval is a hitter.  He swings at and seems to hit almost everything thrown his way.  This is a bat that must get into the lineup, no matter what.  However, the only position that is currently open is that of third base.  No matter, as Sandoval seems to have taken to the position (as he has to any he’s been asked to play) very well.  However, third base requires mobility and Sandoval isn’t the world’s most spry of characters.  If this proves problematic, he’ll probably move across the diamond to first base. 

Should Sandoval need to move, there are several posibilities that the Giants could explore at third base. 

The first and most obvious are either Rich Aurilia or Juan Uribe, two veterans picked up in the offseason.  Either could give solid, if not horribly spectacular, play at the corner. 

Another possibility is rule 5 pickup Jesus Guzman who, this last winter, tore up the Venezuelan league, setting a mark for RBI and being named Overall Offensive Performer of the year for that league.  He has some pop in his stick and is a natural third baseman.  He’s one to keep in mind, should Sandoval not be able to hold up.

Ryan Rohlinger is another option for the Giants.  However, he hit atrocious in 21 major league games in 2008.  This is an option that perhaps shouldn’t be explored.

The final alternative is Conor Gillaspie, the eventual heir apparent at third base.  While this might pique the interest of some orange and black faithful, the kid isn’t yet shaving.  He has less than 30 games at a professional level and I have no idea why he was with the big league club late last year.  Gillaspie needs minor league seasoning.  The last thing he needs is to be tossed into the fire at this early point in his career.

While the Giants have several alternatives, they’d be best suited if Pablo Sandoval plays adequately at the hot corner in 2009.  Of course, it could be worse.  They might still have Jose Castillo at third.  *shudder*  Learn the position, Pablo.  Please.

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 Giants enter spring training 2009 with roughly the same feel at first base as when they entered in 2008.  In 2008, the heir apparent for to start was Dan Ortmeier, fresh off an impressive 2007 season.   To back him up was Rich Aurilia.   After the youngster suffered through a poor spring training, riddled with defensive lapses, the seasoned veteran snapped up the position for opening day. 

2009 isn’t that much different, as yet. 

This time around, Travis Ishikawa is the man to watch.  And yes, the slugger is a rookie this season.  After a strong 2008 on the farm and a eye opening cup of coffee with the big league club, the slick fielding Ishikawa appears ready to take the job.  Mark my words as they are important.  He can ‘take’ the job, if he wants it.  It is ’his’ to lose.  If he performs adequately in spring training, he’ll be the starter on opening day.  If all goes according to plans, he’ll be pumping out homeruns from the bottom of the lineup starting in early April.   The big question is, how has Ishikawa worked on the breaking ball down and in which seemed to vex him a bit last year?  If he takes care of that one hole in his swing, he should be fine.

However, should Ishikawa stumble out of the gate, the eyes of the Giants will turn to the veteran Aurilia.  He brings a solid stick and glove to the proceedings and can do the job, though he’s certainly no long term fix. 

Another candidate would be second year man John Bowker.  Though he excited early last year, he truly slumped down the stretch and probably shouldn’t be looked at as more than a dark horse candidate for the position.  Of course, if he decides the he wants to collect singles, doubles, and triples in addition to homeruns, it could make the competition interesting.  This is all complicated with the fact that, unlike either Ishikawa or Aurilia, Bowker is a converted outfielder, a factor that might have contributed to Ortmeier’s less than stellar performance last year. 

The final candidate is newcomer journeyman Josh Phelps.  Signed to a minor league deal, for Phelps to start, it would probably require a combination of Ishikawa and Bowker flopping, Aurilia forgetting where he left his glove, and minor leaguer Scott McClain forgetting the route to the stadium.  In other words, it’s probably not happening.

One must still take into account wunderkind Pablo Sandoval.  If the Giants snap up a front line third baseman (even at this late in the game….Crede’s still available), then Sandoval will bring his sledgehammer to first and everybody else will take the bench. 

Let’s just all hope that Travis learns how to hit that down and in breaking ball, m’kay? 

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.  

The San Francisco Giants scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning but they were unable to score the tying run and lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks by the score of 7-6. I’ll give the Giants credit for coming back after Brandon Webb left the game, they were just put in to big of a hole early in the game by the pitching staff.

Starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez gave up six hit and six runs in only 3 2/3 innings. Three walks and one home run really hurt Sanchez in the game. Kevin Correia also gave up a home run and one run in two innings of relief.

Omar Vizquel led the Giants at the plate with two rbi in the game and then was followed by for other players with one rbi each. Rich Aurilia, John Bowker, Bengie Molina, and Pablo Sandoval all chipped in with one rbi each.

The Giants and D-backs will play one more game in the series on Thursday night. Tim Lincecum will be taking mound so try to catch the game on tv or out in Phoenix if you can.

Giants Blog

The San Francisco Giants played the Arizona Diamondbacks tough on Monday night but in the end it was the D-backs coming out on top with a 3-1 victory over the Giants.

Starting Giants pitcher Brad Hennessey tossed all eight innings for the Giants as he took the loss. Hennessey made two bad pitches and they were both hit over the fence for home runs. Justin Upton first went deep in the fourth inning for a solo home run and then in the bottom of the eighth inning, Adam Dunn connected on the game winning shot with a runner on base. Hennessey is now 1-2 on the season.

The one run that the Giants scored came in the third inning when Rich Aurilia scored on an error by Diamondbacks centerfielder Chris Young. Not much offense for the Giants as they struggled against Doug Davis and two relief pitchers for the Diamondbacks.

Game two of the series will be played on Tuesday night. Hopefully the Giatns offense can come around and give the pitchers some run support.

Giants Baseball Blog

Tim Lincecum led the San Francisco Giants to a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. The Giants “ace” tossed 8 1/3 innings and only allowed two runs to score. Lincecum is now 16-3 on the season and should be getting a lot of mention about the Cy Young award if you ask me.

The two runs that the Diamondbacks scored in the game came on a fielders choice and then Alex Hinshaw made an error. Atleast the Giants didn’t let things snowball in the final inning and limited the damage to only those two runs.

The Giants offense was awesome right from the beginning as they chased Diamondbacks starting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit out of the game after only 2 2/3 innings. The Giants were able to score five runs off of Petit in the third inning and they never looked back. Bengie Molina had the big hit in the third when he connected on a three run home run. Dave Roberts walked in the inning to force in another run. The inning actually got started with a rbi single from Pablo Sandoval who now has 14 rbi’s on the season.

The sixth and final run for the Giants came in the seventh inning when Rich Aurilia singled in Molina.

Great win for the Giants and they hope to make it two in a row of the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. Giants Blog