Thursday, April 28, 2011

Game Wrap 4/28/2011: Giants 5 Pirates 2

Ryan Vogelsong won his first start as a San Francisco Giant 13 years after he was drafted by the organization. What a long strange trip it's been for Ryan who was traded to these same Pirates for Jason Schmidt just as he appeared to be on the verge of breaking into the major leagues in 2002. Key lines:

Aaron Rowand- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(1, Home). BA= .286. I have to say, Gamer has hung in there on offense a lot longer and better than I ever though possible. He's creating a very tough situation for Sabean and Bochy to chew on when Torres gets back from his injury.

Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 2, SB(1). Speaking of tough decisions. The Giants are reportedly shopping Nate. Why do I have this feeling he's going to be a star for some other team?

Ryan Vogelsong- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K's, GO/AO= 7/2. I didn't see the game, but that line looks like Vogelsong was throwing some premium stuff. I've seen the fastball in relief appearances and it's mighty impressive. He reportedly has a very good changeup he perfected over in Japan. What a triumph for Vogelsong! He obviously had some things he needed to prove, not just to himself, but to the Giants. I'm pretty sure if he never pitches in another MLB game, he will always find a measure of satisfaction in this game. He started and won a game for the organization that drafted and developed him. He validated all the hard work he put into refining his game in Japan. He proved he has overcome whatever it was that was holding him back in the past. Somehow, I think this will not be his last MLB start for the Giants. If he keeps this up, the Giants will have yet another tough, tough decision to make when Zito comes back.

Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, Save(7), ERA= 7.71. Wilson made 27 pitches in the inning without the Pirates putting the ball in play.

The win moved the Giants record back to .500 at 12-12. They are tied with the Dodgers 4.5 games behind the NL West leading Colorado Rockies.

Tim Lincecum takes the mound tomorrow night to kick off a 3 game weekend series against the Washington Nationals.

4 comments:

  1. i think it is a 4 game wrap around series with washington.

    keep up the good work Dr B

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  2. Hate to disagree with you Dr. B, but I don't think Nate is going to be a star, or, really, even a starter, for any other MLB team. I like Nate, a lot. I really hoped for him to get his chance as starter. He just doesn't have the power to be corner outfielder. (I know, I know, that MONSTER home run in Denver aside.) He's a 4th outfielder. And a damn good one. The Giants would do well to hang on to him.

    Rowand has done a good job. But I hope that it's no decision when Torres comes back. You don't lose your job because of injury.

    Great to see Vogelsong pitch well today.

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  3. Hopefully Manny Burriss will get a few more opportunities like this one. Looked a little antsy, as can be seen with only taking 8 pitches in 4 at-bats. Like to see if his AAA success can translate a bit to a slap hitter with some fire on the basepaths!

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  4. Makes sense that it's a 4 gamer with the Nats. I keep thinking it's a 9 game roady but I know it's 10 so there has to be a 4 gamer in there somewhere.

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