50 years and counting

51 Years and Counting begins April 3 '06 vs. Padres (82-80, NL West Champions)

2005-10-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

"Personally, I'm embarassed."
         - Brain Sabean, Thursday

"I was afraid of last place."
         - Felipe Alou, post-game interview

"The season didn't turn out the way we wanted, the way we're used to. We're used to playing in October. But there's always next year."
         - J.T. Snow, post-game speech

Sources: Sacramento Bee, SF Chronicle, KNBR

3-1 win vs ARI    |    75-87

Some of the poor numbers behind first losing season since '96

2005-10-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

- Brett Tomko: 7-15, 4.66 ERA, BAA .278, WHIP 1.41
- Jason Schmidt: 4.40 ERA, WHIP 1.42, record vs. SD: 0-2, 7.58 ERA
- Edgardo Alfonzo: RISP/2 out .228;
excluding first 4 games: 353 ABs, 38 RBI, 0 HR, .266, .320 slug
- Pedro Feliz: 603 ABs, RISP .219, .298 OBA, 20 HR (1:30 ratio)
- Lance Niekro: since all-star break: 120 ABs, .182, .256 OBA, 2 HR
- Armando Benitez: 30 IP, 23 K, 5 HR; road ERA 7.15, road WHIP 2.03
- Todd Linden: 171 ABs, 54K, .216, .256 OBA
- Barry Bonds: 13 games started
- SF Batters vs. NL: 15th (out of 16) in runs and walks; last in OBA
- SF Pitchers vs. NL: 11th in ERA
- Entire team: 36-44 home record

2-1 loss vs ARI | 74-87

Encouraging numbers: players who helped Giants stay afloat

2005-09-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

- Matt Cain: 46.1 IP, 24 H, 0.93 WHIP, 2.33 ERA
- Randy Winn: 55 G, .360, 14 HR, 39 XBH, .447 Sept, .994 fpct
- Noah Lowry: 8-4, 2.43 ERA, 1.10 WHIP since all-star break
- Omar Vizquel: RISP .336, .988 fpct
- Mike Matheny: RISP/2 outs .341, .999 fpct
- Moises Alou: .320, OBP .400,
- Barry Bonds: 42 AB, 5 HR, 9 BB
- Scott Eyre: BAA .197
- Scott Munter: 38 IP, 1 HR
- Jack Taschner: BAA .176, ERA 1.71

7-3 loss vs ARI | 74-86

The Giants could finish season as much as 9 games back. Still, how many sure wins -- or game-saving ties -- turned into losses?

2005-09-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

At least 14:

April 12: Benitez blows 3-run lead in 9th, picking up where Cody Ransom and Wayne Franklin left off in 2004. Benitez would blow out his hamstring a couple of weeks later. (9-8 loss to LA)
April 20: 14 runners reach base, but only one scores. (2-1 loss to AZ)
May 7: Accardo, in second ML appearance, is asked to be new closer, gives up 3 runs in top of 9th. Brower gives up one more. (11-8 loss to DC)
Jun 19: Linden gives SF 3-run lead with 3-run HR in top of 9th, but Walker gives up 2 bombs in bottom of inning. Eyre loses in 10th. (10-8 loss to DET (10 inn.))
Jul 4: Rueter blows early 6-1 lead; still, SF puts tying run on third with 1 out in 9th, but can't score. (11-10 loss to CIN)
Jul 16: With 2 outs in 9th, Walker lets 5 straight runners reach, blows lead, loses. (5-4 loss to LA)
Jul 25: Giants strand several runners on third, Hawkins blows lead in 8th, Walker gives up game-winner in 9th. (3-2 loss to CHI)
Jul 27: Feliz strands runner on 3rd with one out -- twice. (4-3 loss to CHI)
Aug 13: First two runners reach in 9th, but Feliz, Alfonzo and Linden can't move them up. (2-1 loss to FLA)
Aug 19: Walker blows 4-run lead in 9th. (5-4 loss to STL)
Aug 26: Vizquel leads off 9th with double, but Feliz can't move him to third. (1-0 loss to NY)
Sept 6: Hawkins blows lead in 8th. (4-2 loss to LA (10 inn.))
Sept 7: Reminiscent of April 12: Benitez blows 2-run lead by first giving up HR to Oscar ("2 HR") Robles. Another runner scores later to send SF to defeat. (9-8 loss to LA)
Sept 14: Benitez blows 2-run lead with 2 outs. Along the way, Padres hit a pair of doubles when count is 0-2. (5-4 loss to SD)

1-0 loss at SD (11 inn.) | 74-85

51 Years and Counting

2005-09-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

Giants eliminated as Padres (.500) clinch NL West with just 79 wins; second year in a row Giants simultaneously eliminated and forced to watch home team celebrate division title.

9-1 loss at SD | 74-84

Brett Tomko joins a very special club

2005-09-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

Other members include Sidney Ponson, Felix Rodriguez, Shawn Estes, Cody Ransom, Jose Cruz Jr, Solomon Torres; players not in this club include Schmidt, Rueter, Nen, Kent, Lofton, Winn, Beck, Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell, Barry Bonds, Joe Morgan, Brian Johnson; tonite, Bonds hits 3-run HR in top of first, but Tomko gives back all runs in bottom of inning; Giants take 5-3 lead by third inning, but Tomko gives back all runs in bottom of third; Tomko's line: 3 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 5 ER; still, Giants retake 6-5 lead in top of 4th, and Fassero comes in for Tomko -- but Snow makes third error of the year when he boots two-out check-swing grounder; four unearned runs score when next batter Hernandez hits 334-foot grand slam; SD magic number is 2.

9-6 loss at SD | 74-83

Game of the year: Giants come back against Hoffman

2005-09-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

Down 2-1 in 9th, Hoffman comes in to close it out (41 saves/43 opps); with one out, Matheny singles; with 2 out, Winn (4-for-4, BB) triples in PR Ellison to tie, then Snow singles in Winn to lead; Petco fireworks accidentally set off when, on Winn's triple, CF Giles robs Winn of a HR by knocking ball to ground, yet fails to make game-ending catch; bottom of 9th: Snow chases popup, falls into camera well, slams into TV camera face-first, dents metal casing, stays in game; Vizquel makes two Gold Glove plays on dying quail to left and slow roller up the middle, helping Benitez retire side 1-2-3; also: Taschner (2/3 IP) drops ERA to 1.31; Bonds tweaks knee on great running catch, goes 0-for-5, strands 7 runners, may not play tomorrow; Hennessey gives up single and HR to first two SD batters, but Padres get just one more hit for remainder of game; with 6 games left, Padres magic number remains at 4; Giants magic number is 10.

3-2 win at SD | 74-82

SF, now 4 back (first time since 5/25), goes to SD for 4 games

2005-09-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

Cain throws well again (6 IP, 1 ER; ERA falls to 2.02); Randy Winn hits another leadoff HR (third since coming to Giants); Bonds (0-for-3) makes surprise day-after-night start despite pain; SD gets 2 hits, loses in extra innings at AZ.

6-2 win at COL | 73-82

SF clinches first losing record since 1996

2005-09-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

At Coors Field, Giants manage just 3 hits off pitcher with 4.40 ERA.

6-0 loss at COL | 72-82

Kinney auditions for '06 gig, gives up 6 runs in 2.1 innings at Coors

2005-09-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

But Cooper, Fassero, Accardo, Hawkins, Eyre, Walker (23rd save) combine for zero runs in 3rd-9th; Bonds (.360) gets on base 3 times, pushes SF record to 7-1 when he starts; but with SD win, Pads' magic number down to 5.

7-6 win at COL | 72-81

Bonds DNP = Giants DNW

2005-09-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

Nonclutch Alfonzo (RISP/2 outs avg: .244) leaves four on base; Niekro Ks 3 times (28 Ks for team in series); Tomko again gets no run support: SF has scored 2, 1 or 0 in 16 of his 31 starts.

2-0 loss at DC | 71-81

Bad Hennessey MIA

2005-09-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

Good Hennessey finally shows up: doubles, homers, wins first start since July 28 (he HRd in that game too); RFK souvenir shop has 14 bobbleheads for sale -- $21 each -- all of them of Guzman (.209); anything else? oh yeah: Bonds goes deep for 4th game in row, Giants 6-1 when he starts.

5-1 win at DC | 71-80

Bonds all the difference behind SF's 4 runs, but Benitez nearly chokes again

2005-09-20T21:17:00.001-07:00

RFK fans chant "Ster-oids!", yell "BALCO Barry from the Bronx" (huh?), and flash paper asterisks -- then give standing O after Bonds crushes Livan fastball into Prince George's County; Bonds holds finger over lips and tells fans behind plate to "shoosh" after HR trot; with SF trailing 2-1 in 9th and one out, Alfonzo (slowest 31-year old ever) mercifully pops out with Vizquel on 1st, allowing Bonds to draw walk, leading to Alou's 3-run bomb; in bottom of inning, Benitez loads bases, yields run, saves game anyway on do-or-die catch by Linden.

4-3 win at DC | 70-80

Running out of time

2005-09-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

Bonds hits Cove (705); Winn goes 3-for-4, homers again (11th in 45 games), now at .345 since coming to Giants; but SF still 5-1/2 out with only 13 left as SD beats DC in late innings again.

5-3 win vs LA | 68-80

Too little too late?

2005-09-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

Despite win, SF fails to pick up ground when DC's mostly-reliable Cordero coughs up 9th inning, 2-out GS vs. Padres; on related note, excellent article by MLB.com's Barry Bloom on the history of Benitez blowing must-win games paints grim picture.

2-1 win vs LA | 67-80

704

2005-09-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

Not having proved he can catch up to fastballs yet, Bonds blasts curveball into deep CF bleachers; Hawkins allows inherited runners to tie game in 8th, but leadoff walk to Alfonzo and broken bat single by Linden bail him out in 9th.

5-4 win vs LA | 66-80

The ship is sinking: scalpers on King Street now dumping Giants tickets for $5

2005-09-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

Reuter impersonator Hennessey (2.2 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 R; season 4-8, 5.25) has not won in last 9 starts; McCovey Cove shot by Bonds, foul by two feet, still electrifies crowd, but the sight of horrible ABs by Niekro, Linden, Alfonzo and Feliz in front of full houses nightly not good PR for '06.

7-1 loss vs LA | 65-80

Giants win 4-2, sweep Padres, now only 4 back Benitez & Hawkins blow up again

2005-09-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

Benitez yields pair of walks and pair of 0-2 doubles in 9th, blows save; Hawkins (2-7) lets three batters reach after 2 out in 10th, loses; Feliz (RISP avg .234) first-pitch hacks a one-out popup with bases loaded in 6th; Giants fall to 6 back.

5-4 loss vs SD (10 inn) | 65-79

Without Bonds, Giants lose tonite

2005-09-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

Instead, he reaches base three times to start or prolong rallies; responsible for at least 2 runs tonite; OBP in two games .500; makes running catch at 382 foot sign; when he struck out last night, it was first time he Kd by swinging and missing on all three strikes since Aug. 26, 1998, against Hideo Nomo (- STATS Inc.).

5-4 win vs SD | 65-78

Bonds returns: tale of two games

2005-09-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

First 1/3 of an inning: Correia throws 27 pitches (18 balls), 2 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 ER, forces Bonds to stand in OF for 19 minutes; final 8-2/3 innings: Kinney, Taschner, Hawkins, Benitez 3 H, 3 BB, 0 ER; Bonds (proving he can literally hit right out of bed) makes several running catches, doubles in 11-pitch first AB of '05 (misses HR by a foot) and scores, flies out to right in next AB, hits 405-ft out in third AB, Ks in final AB before being replaced defensively; re-ignites team (rally-starter) and crowd (standing during his ABs, flash bulbs on each pitch); when he's is replaced defensively in 8th, the look of the team on the field screams "14 under .500."

4-3 win vs SD | 64-78

Tomko, Hawkins, and absolute garbage

2005-09-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

Giants offense has scored 2, 1 or 0 runs in over half (15 of 29) of Tomko's starts, and 3 runs or less in 7 of team's last 8 games; Hawkins, who Chicago was begging others to take off their hands earlier in the year (but got more than that in Jerome Williams and Aardsma) is now 4-for-4 in garbage-ness against those same Cubs: blew three leads in Wrigley earlier in year, then today allowed back-to-back 2-out doubles (including game-winner to Neifi Perez) to lose; Bonds, returning from DL tomorrow, won't save the season, which was already going down the drain when "elite closer" Benitez blew SF's 3-run lead in LA on April 12; SF's recent 6-game win streak neutralized with current 5-of-6 garbage streak.

3-2 loss vs CHI | 63-78

After winning 6 straight, Giants regain their previous shi*# form and lose 4 of 5

2005-09-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

Bonds returns to this crappy team on Monday; coupled with the just-as-garbage-y Padres coming into town, SBC may actually start to sell out again.

5-2 loss vs CHI | 63-77

In third start in majors, Cain throws complete game 2-hitter

2005-09-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

8K, 1 BB, 1 HR (to Derek Lee), 105 total pitches; youngest on Giants to throw complete game since McCormick in 1959; Cain has added nasty sliders to pitch selection; also gets first ML hit (2B); season ERA drops to 1.71.

2-1 win vs CHI | 63-76

If Alfonzo were making Neifi Perez money, could he be dumped like Neifi Perez?

2005-09-08T23:52:00.000-07:00

Alfonzo (5 runners LOB tonite) certainly has Neifi Perez numbers in all major batting categories, including: avg (Alfonzo .280 - Perez .283), RBIs (43 - 49), HR (2 - 9), OPS (.687 - .713); even though Perez has 162 more ABs, Alfonso's value isn't close to the $8 mil he's due in '06.

5-3 loss vs CHI | 63-76

Get used to this crap until 2008

2005-09-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight had nothing to do with starters, middle-relief, offense, or defense: Benitez, basically a 9th inning Hawkins (see previous post), gives up game-tying HR to Oscar Robles (1 HR, 275 ABs at start of game) and blows another one in LA; unfortunately, SF stuck with his 93 MPH fastball and propensity to put runners on base until Spring Training 2008; Accardo, trying to clean up Benitez's mess in 9th, tosses inning-ending DP ball into CF, prolonging inning; why Giants deserved to lose 2 of 3: Jose "K" Cruz Jr. slams 3 HRs in 2 games.

9-8 loss at LA | 63-75

Hawkins: Worse than Alan Greenspan?

2005-09-06T23:53:00.000-07:00

Hawkins puts entire Giants defense to sleep as he spends 20 seconds doing nothing between pitches; these delays completely break momentum of Giants; snooze-effect worse when he starts every AB with "ball one", as he did tonite (0.2 IP, 3 H, 7th blown save); Eyre is now go-to guy who cleans up Hawkins' mess; tonite, Giants offense can't capitalize on numerous opportunities, leaves 8 runners on, scores 3 runs or less for the 3rd straight game; Tomko pitches well enough to win (7 IP, 3H, 1 ER), leaves game with lead, gets no-decision; Kent hits walkoff HR vs. Accardo (0-4); SF blows opportunity to pick up another full game on SD.

4-2 loss at LA (10 inn.) | 63-74 | Bonds vs. Christiansen

Now 5 games back (first time since May 26)

2005-09-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Bonds takes three rounds of BP, could be activated as soon as tomorrow.

3-1 win at LA | 63-73

Now 5-1/2 games out of first

2005-09-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

Cain (7 IP, 3H, 1 ER) mixes pitches better than in previous start, gets first win; retires 19 of 21 batters on flyballs or Ks (no groundball outs until 7th inning); Benitez 7-for-7 in saves since rejoining team.

3-2 win at AZ | 62-73

Now in 2nd place (first time since April 17)

2005-09-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

Lowry gives up 3 runs in first, lets leadoff runner reach in 5 of 6 innings, allows several RISP situations throughout game, wins battles in key situations, earns win; Taschner retires 6 of 6; Winn hits 2 HRs in leadoff spot; Munter returns from DL to close out game.

9-4 win at AZ | 61-73

Now in 3rd place (first time since May 5)

2005-09-02T22:05:00.000-07:00

Schmidt 5-0 in last 6 starts; SF half game out of second, 6.5 from first.

6-3 win at AZ | 60-73

Roster expands tomorrow to 40 players

2005-08-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

The Giants do have some prospects; unfortunately, none are named Liriano.

5-3 win vs COL | 59-73

Number of Opening Day players exiled from team reaches nine

2005-08-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

Deivi Cruz, traded to Washington to offset Guzman (362 AB, .196, .238 OBA), joins Herges, Brower, Williams, Grissom, Torrealba, Rueter, Tucker, and Christiansen, who was also traded today.

4-3 win vs COL | 58-73 | Bonds takes BP at UCLA

Cain Can, but the rest can't

2005-08-29T23:43:00.000-07:00

Second-youngest player currently in majors (20, vs. M's Felix Hernandez, 19) looks impressive as he hits 96 on the gun, gets bases-loaded double play, retires Helton in 14-pitch AB, and generally looks like something on the mound; SF "offense" lets him down as they manage just 5 runners vs. Kim (3-10, 5.12 pregame); Linden: 2 AB, 2 K; compare Cain (5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K) to Clemens' debut on May 15 '84 (5.2 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K).

2-1 loss vs COL | 57-73

It was Trading Card Day at SBC, but who really wants to remember this year's team?

2005-08-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

Topps includes cards of ex-Giants Christiansen, Foppert, Grissom, Rueter, Tucker and Torrealba; fans get to check stats of players who have seen DL this year, like Alfonzo, Alou, Bonds, Benitez, Hawkins, Munter, Schmidt, Tomko and Walker, as well as players who missed significant playing time (and who should have been DL'd) such as Niekro, Durham, Snow; even players demoted to AAA at least once in '05 have cards, like Linden and Ellison; meanwhile, no cards for Winn, Cain, Accardo, Correia, Taschner, Cooper, Herges, Brower, Levine, Willams, Puffer, Dallimore, Shabala, Knoedler, Haad, or Alex Sanchez ("A-Sanch").

4-1 win vs NY | 57-72

Bats barely there

2005-08-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

But Schmidt (7 IP, 1 ER) outdoes Glavine (6 IP, 2 ER)

2-1 win vs NY | 56-72 | Tucker latest to go

Zero

2005-08-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

ln his first game of the year, SF makes Trachsel look more like Seaver; Vizquel leads off 9th with double, but Feliz follows by grounding back to pitcher and fails to move runner up; Correia: 8 IP, 1 ER, loss.

1-0 loss vs NY | 55-72 | Cain called up, will debut Monday

Gi-ain'ts

2005-08-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

If strikeouts were hits, Linden would be batting .357; Linden Ks thrice tonite; Alfonzo hits four popups (one a sac fly).

7-4 loss vs PHI | 55-71 | Magowan open to trading Bonds

Tomko: Consistent

2005-08-23T23:34:00.000-07:00

Before All-Star break: 6-10, 5.01 ERA; after break: 1-4, 4.73; has yielded 3 or more runs in 14 different innings this year.

10-2 loss vs PHI | 55-70

Noah: Bagels since July

2005-08-22T23:34:00.001-07:00

Lowry throws 8-2/3 shutout innings (128 pitches), lifted after giving up infield single; ERA since All-Star break: 1.67

5-0 win vs PHI | 55-69

Alfonzo ($7.5 million in '05, $8 mil in '06): power-hitting stud, or bloop-single dud?

2005-08-21T19:39:00.000-07:00

Minus first four games of the season, Alfonzo's 2005 numbers: .273, 0 HRs, 35 RBIs, .302 OBA, 30 R; full projected season (502 ABs): 0 HRs, 63 RBIs, 54 runs scored.

4-2 win at STL | 54-69 | Walker hits DL, Benitez saves game

Bad product

2005-08-20T23:56:00.000-07:00

Linden Ks 4 times.

4-2 loss at STL | 53-69 | What's Krueger up to now?

Garbage

2005-08-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

Giants take 4-0 lead into 9th inning, lose.

5-4 loss at STL | 53-68 | Ellison demoted

What's for Breakfast? A couple of HRs off Tomko

2005-08-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

What a lovely way to start the day: by 9:45 am (PST), ex-Red Tomko shows wildness, walks some guys, and even gives up a 2-run HR to Griffey (the guy Seattle traded in return for Tomko in 1999); a typical Tomko game, he again gets into much trouble, pitches well enough to win, but his long innings are so drawn out that the offense falls asleep and scores few runs; Tomko has now lost a career-high 13 games, and he's got an outside shot at losing 20.

4-2 loss at CIN | 53-67 | Benitez back, retires 2 of 2

Noah's Arc

2005-08-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

Lowry keeps Giants afloat with arm (8.1 IP, 2 ER) and bat (1-for-4, RBI, run), but leaves game with blister; if Aurilia (2-for 4 tonite, two HRs vs. Schmidt yesterday) were still with SF, he'd be second on the team in HRs (13) and RBIs (49) and third in OPS (.774); SF somehow only 6 games out of first.

3-2 win at CIN | 53-66 | Alfonzo clears waivers (reg req'd)

Cruz and Feliz hit combined 10-for-10

2005-08-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

First time two Giants get 5 hits in same game since Terry Whitfield and Darrell Evans accomplish same on July 17, 1978.

10-8 win at CIN | 52-66 | Bonds flip-flops on return date

Correia coughs up three HRs (season: 41 IP, 11 HRs), but solid pickup Winn hits for cycle; SF still only 7 back

2005-08-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

Krueger rant (heard here) still generating weekend buzz.

7-3 win at CIN | 51-66 | Benitez is back

Eighth inning: Bases loaded, nobody out, Alfonzo and Feliz due up

2005-08-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Alfonzo grounds into double play, Feliz strikes out; Linden (AAA Fresno: 95 games, .321, 30 HRs, 80 RBIs) Ks twice, now has 22 in 64 ABs with SF (24 games, .172, 2 HRs, 7 RBI, .133 RISP)

4-1 loss at FLA | 50-66 | Rueter designated

Ninth inning: behind by one run, first two Giants reach base, but...

2005-08-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Feliz (needing to at least advance runners) pops out to second; Alfonzo (needing to at least drive in the tying run) pops out to second; Linden (needing to at least make contact of any kind) strikes out looking.

2-1 loss at FLA | 50-65

Noah's Bagels, again

2005-08-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

Lowry throws 7 innings of shutout ball for second straight game; post-All Star break ERA 1.63.

1-0 win at FLA | 50-64

Projected end-of-year record improves to 70-92

2005-08-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

But SF still hasn't won a series in Atlanta since May 1993.

5-3 win vs ATL | 49-64

Slop

2005-08-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

Giants squander 9th inning comeback, drop to 1-54 when trailing after 8 innings.

5-4 loss vs ATL (12 innings) | 48-64

At 15 games under .500 and 8-1/2 back, Giants find themselves standing on Cream of Wheat

2005-08-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

Another case of four Carribean, four African American, and two Caucasian brain-dead hitters hacking at slop -- all while Hennessey gets shellacked by Atlanta's lineup of international hitting geniuses.

8-1 loss vs ATL | 48-63 | Krueger et al fired

Innings 1-7: Cooper (4 hits, 2 BB, 1 R) matches Clemens (6, 2, 1)

2005-08-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

Innings 8-9: SF bullpen implodes (7 hits, 7 ER) while 'stros throw 0's; Rocket lowers road ERA to ridiculous 0.38.

8-1 loss vs HOU | 48-62

Noah's Bagels

2005-08-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Lowry throws up zeros for 7 innings, gives up just 1 hit; SF wins first home series since end of May.

5-2 win vs HOU | 48-61

Larry Krueger ticks off some Giants

2005-08-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

SF 2-0 since rant.

4-0 win vs HOU | 47-61

How to overhaul the Giants in '06

2005-08-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

Demote:

Alfonzo -- whose specialties are the popup to second, the popup to first, and the foul popup to first -- is useless; dump him
Throw Feliz sliders off the plate all day, and you've got 4-8 easy outs, depending on how many runners are already on base; trade him or make him a full-time bench player
Durham can't field -- trade him to the AL
Niekro can't hit righties; trade him or make him a pinch hitter
Jason Ellison has a big heart but poor baseball instincts; trade him
Yamid Haad -- who the hell is that?

Maintain and improve:

Figure out what the hell is going on with Bonds
Re-sign J.T. Snow for his glove, clutch October potential, and leadership -- but acquire a full-time 1B
Keep Vizquel for all he brings to the table: glove, hitting smarts, overall leadership and World Series experience
Keep Alou for his bat and cajones
Keep Matheny for his work ethic, meaningful ABs, and World Series experience
Keep Randy Winn for his speed, bat, and overall competence
Acquire a power-hitting 3B
Acquire a 2B who can field
Re-sign Tucker and Cruz as pinch hitters

Pitching:

Exercise Schmidt's option
Appoint Hennessey 4th starter
Keep Noah Lowry as occasional 5th starter
Find a number 2 and 3 guy for the starting rotation
LaTroy Hawkins: 7th inning guy
Scott Munter: 8th inning guy
Re-sign Eyre
Keep Walker as a backup closer
Hope Benitez isn't Shawn Estes
Say goodbye to Tomko -- not because of skills, but because he's the second coming of Van Landingham
Bye and thanks to Rueter
Later, Christiansen

6-4 win vs COL | 46-61

Bad team in garbage division

2005-08-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

With 0 road wins vs. NL West before this series, COL takes 2 straight against SF, goes for sweep tomorrow.

3-2 loss vs COL | 45-61

Rockies (11-40 on road) do what everyone else does at SBC: smack around the Giants

2005-08-02T23:46:00.000-07:00

Grissom a goner; Winn debuts, grounds out with bases loaded in 9th, ends game.

4-3 loss vs COL | 45-60 | Bonds: out 'til '06...or not?

Giants are the Epitome of the horrible NL West

2005-07-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

For second time in series, Brewers no-hit SF into the 5th inning; after one out in 6th, Brewers score 4 against Lowry and Correia like this: hit batter, walk, walk, hit batter, single, walk, hit batter; SF loses 4 of 7 on trip, still gains ground on SD.

5-1 loss at MIL | 45-59

Buyers

2005-07-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

First Williams and Aardsma, now Floppert and Torrealba: although 13 under .500, Sabean trades the future for the present, thanks to being part of the lamest NL West since its inception in '69; fine approach, but Hawkins and Winn will turn it around?

7-1 loss at MIL | 45-58

How's it possible? SD leads division at .495, and SF only 5-1/2 back

2005-07-29T23:14:00.000-07:00

Rueter, who wants to start or be traded, can't get out of the 4th (gives up 5 runs after 2 out), but SF comes back -- probably for first time all year -- with 5 runs in 8th to bail him out; SF shares "best record" in NL Worst since June 1 (21-30), while LA goes 20-31, AZ 20-32, and SD 18-32; SD first team under .500 to lead division this late in season since Texas Rangers were 52-62 on 8/11/94, last day before strike ended that season (- SJ Mercury News) .

7-5 win at MIL | 45-57

Three days to decide: SF buyers or sellers?

2005-07-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

Still no definitive answer after tonite's fluke win: while 1 through 8 hitters do zero at plate, pitcher Hennessey (7 IP, 0 ER, 3H) bails them out by hitting 3-run HR to break up Santos (pregame 4.05 ERA, 3-10) no-hitter in fifth; overall in '05, starting pitching bad and bullpen shaky, but offense has scored only 0, 1 or 2 runs in 30% of games; SF still 13 under .500, but only 6-1/2 behind SD.

3-0 win at MIL | 44-57

Giants sweep series drop 2 of 3, again

2005-07-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

SF gets three runners on in 1st, don't score; Feliz strands runner on 3rd with one out twice; Tomko pitches well (7 IP, 2R); Vizquel makes first error in 60 games, converting inning-ending DP into game-tying run in 8th; Hawkins lets another runner on base (series: 8 batters, 3 hits, 2 BB, 2 game-tying runs); Correia walks leadoff batter in 9th, takes loss.

4-3 loss at CHI | 43-57

13 under .500...but only 6-1/2 back

2005-07-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

Padres (.500) lose again, still lead NL Worst; ex-Cub LaTroy Hawkins (game-tying HR, 2 BB) delights Wrigley crowd despite CHI loss.

3-2 win at CHI (11 innings) | 43-56

Are the Giants worth watching, or are they just a waste of blogosphere space?

2005-07-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Schmidt deals (7 IP, 1 ER); hitters don't move runners up, strand several on 3rd, etc.; bullpen blows another save; Giants lose.

3-2 loss at CHI | 42-56

How bad are the Giants?

2005-07-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

SF -- given a great chance to make up ground as SD loses 7 straight -- drops 4 of 6 on homestand, remains in second-to-last place; SD now just one game over .500 (50-49), still leads NL West; today, FLA commits 3 errors, but SF hits into 4 DPs.

4-1 loss vs FLA | 42-55

As reported from sec 310: Mid-game Alex Sanchez update (a.k.a. This Guy's a Goner)

2005-07-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

Came in on a ball hit to the warning track, leading to a triple; nonchalanted a Delgado single into a double; overthrew the cutoff man three times in the 6th, leading to numerous runs; then, leading off the bottom of the 6th, greeted by SF crowd as if the name on the back of his jersey said Garvey or LeMaster; all-in-all, claimed off waivers for his bat, Sanchez at .256 with SF; meanwhile Reuter (3.1 IP in relief), matches Hennessey (4.1 IP): both yield 8 runs.

16-4 loss vs FLA | 42-54

Hard to admit, but...

2005-07-22T23:26:00.000-07:00

Alfonzo, back after a month, makes team look stronger.

8-5 win vs FLA | 42-53

Ask a scalper what "21-28" means

2005-07-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

They'll say it means having to dump tickets for below face daily as Bay Area gets tired of paying to watch losing-est home team in NL.

4-1 loss vs ATL | 41-53

NL West is NL Worst

2005-07-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

Schmidt hits 96; Walker blows another save, vultures Schmidt's win; SF, now tied for 3rd place, "only" 8.5 games out of first; could 82 wins buy a division title in '05?

5-4 win vs ATL | 41-52

Some sounds you might have heard on tonite's radio broadcast

2005-07-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

"thunk": baseball hitting catcher's mitt, over and over, as Feliz Ks with bases loaded in 1st to end inning (an at-bat that began with slider 23 feet outside which was swung at as if grim reaper himself would pay Feliz immediate visit if said swing did not occur); "thud": double-play ball by (again) Feliz with (again) bases jammed in the 3rd; "boom...Boom...BOOM!": three moonshots off Correia; "rrrrrip!": one of Durham's oft-pulled muscles, or bones, or whatever, acting up or getting bruised in the 5th, causing him to leave game and (again) closing trade window just when his stock rises; "BOOOOOOOO!!!": announced crowd of 42,277 -- sounding (with increasing regularity in '05) as if only 22,277 actually showed up -- after SF puts 9 runners on over the first 4 innings and gets zero runs.

6-1 loss vs ATL | 40-52

Post all-star break record: 3-1

2005-07-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

In 7th, Vizquel makes sickest play ever: weak dribbler past the mound, single-motion barehand grab-throw to first, Kent dives headlong, nailed by an inch -- all with go-ahead runner on 3rd and 2 down; Eyre has never given up an earned run to LA in over 20 IP (related: Wayne Franklin spotted on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball warming up for the Yankees); for second straight game, Ellison strikes out when he swings at a pitch that actually hits him.

4-1 win at LA | 40-51

Not 10,002

2005-07-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

After 2 out in 9th, with bases empty, Walker lets five straight reach base, blows save (only his second since becoming closer); four Giants manage to be ejected after game ends.

5-4 loss at LA | 39-51

10,001

2005-07-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

Lowry (7.1 IP, 2H) throws strikes, gets 0-2 count on 10 hitters.

New York Gothams (1883-1884)      193
New York Giants (1885-1957)        5874
San Francisco Giants (1958-)         3994

6-0 win at LA   |   39-50

First North American pro franchise to 10,000 wins

2005-07-14T23:27:00.000-07:00

If they always played like this (.431), it would have taken 146.6 years to get here.

4-3 win at LA | 38-50

ALSO:

Bonds out for year ?
BALCO case closed

Worst Giants team since 1985?

2005-07-10T22:46:00.000-07:00

With tonite's coulda-been -- a microcosm of '05 with poor defense, hardly-there clutch hitting, bad baserunning (exception: pitching OK) -- SF ends first half with 50 losses for first time since 1994 [at break that year: 39-50 (.438) 7 games out]; SF now has worst overall record at All-Star Break since 1985, the year team finished 62-100 [at break that year: 33-55 (.375) 16.5 games out].

4-3 loss vs STL | 37-50 (.425) 10 games out

Hennessey, Hawkins, Walker 3-hit STL

2005-07-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

Robb Nen sees Walker get 13th save.

2-0 win vs STL | 37-49

SF's NL-worst home record getting worst-er (19-25)

2005-07-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

Only the KC Royals (18-26) keep the phrase "MLB-worst" from appearing in tonite's headline.

3-1 loss vs STL | 36-49

SF still only 9 games out

2005-07-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

But have worst home record in NL (19-24).

5-1 win vs CIN | 36-48 | Rueter demoted

Smallest SBC crowd ever?

2005-07-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

Only 33,666 show up to see Correia's first win since '03; Munter (2.08 ERA) unscored on in 23 of 28 appearances; Hawkins hits 98 on the gun.

7-2 win vs CIN | 35-48

This team is horrible

2005-07-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

Eric Milton (7.40 ERA) holds SF to 6 hits; entering series with road record of 7-28, Reds come into SF and win two in a row (first 2-game road winning streak for CIN since 2004).

7-4 loss vs CIN | 34-48

God Bless America: Rueter (4IP, 3 HRs, 4 BB) can't hold 6-1 lead, booed at Pac Bell Park

2005-07-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

SF (third-worst NL team at .420) puts tying run on third with one down in 9th, can't score, lose to second-worst team CIN (.390) .

11-10 loss vs CIN | 34-47

3rd inning: Linden drops leadoff flyball, Schmidt gives up 5 runs

2005-07-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

SF loses 2 of 3 to SD; front office most likely preparing to sell some components of team for prospects.

9-6 loss at SD | 34-46

SF needs starters; rookie Munter (2.35 ERA) has company

2005-07-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

In another must-win, SF can only throw Fassero out there (4 IP, 5 ER, loss); Taschner (4 Ks) and Accardo (1 H) each pitch two scoreless innings.

5-3 loss at SD | 34-45

New School players, Old School result

2005-07-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Live-armed Correia keeps SF in game against ace Peavy; bullpen (including "bowling ball" sinker specialist Munter's (2.35 ERA) 3 hitters/3 ground ball outs) holds; Walker (5 batters, 0 runners, 3 Ks) nails down save no. 12.

3-2 win at SD | 34-44

SF's chemistry improving?

2005-06-30T23:48:00.000-07:00

A future closer on some team, Artist Formerly Known as Tomko (95 fastball, heavy slider, hyper) gets his second career save after he pitches final three innings.

9-2 win at AZ (3 game sweep) | 33-44

Not so fast: SF only 9-½ games out of first place with 82 to play

2005-06-29T23:12:00.000-07:00

Reality check: even after tonite's win, the only teams with worse records than SF (.421) are Cincinnati (.390), Colorado (.342), Tampa Bay (.342), and Kansas City (.338).

4-2 win at AZ | 32-44

Giants on a roll: One-game win streak in progress

2005-06-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

Schmidt (6 IP, 3 ER) adds to his trade value.

12-3 win at AZ | 31-44 | Tomko demoted to bullpen

Largest shutout defeat in SF Giants history

2005-06-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

R H E

SF 0 1 0

OAK 16 24 1

Only Deivi Cruz's broken bat single prevents bigger disaster.

16-0 loss at OAK (3 game sweep) | 30-44

Five errors

2005-06-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

Most in a game by SF since '99; first time all SF OFs make one in same game in at least 25 years (-SF Chronicle).

6-3 loss at OAK | 30-43

Tied for last in majors in HRs, Oakland hits 2 off Fassero

2005-06-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

Feliz, after rare clutch 3-run HR in 7th, comes up in 9th with two down and runners on first and third: gets ahead in count 3-0, then Ks on 3 pitches, ending game; Feliz's avg. with runners on and 2 out, .240.

4-3 loss at OAK | 30-42 | Alex Sanchez adds juice to lineup

SF's home winning pct. (.436) worst in the NL; only KC is lower (.417)

2005-06-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

Pitch count through five innings: Rueter 98, Webb 48; SF misses triple play in first inning when Snow doesn't step on first base; AZ, having lost 7 of their last 8 series, does not lose this series.

7-2 loss vs AZ | 30-41 | Bonds to play in '07?

Note to Sabean: Don't pull the trigger on that Schmidt trade just yet

2005-06-22T23:24:00.000-07:00

Rumored to be on the trading block, Schmidt extends his scoreless streak to 17 innings as he shows great stuff (95 MPH), locates his pitches well (71 strikes : 45 balls), and strikes out 10 for the 21st time in his career; Eyre and Walker strike out the side in the 9th after AZ puts a runner on.

4-0 win vs AZ | 30-40

All you really need to know about this game: Tomko yields walk to first batter on 4 pitches

2005-06-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

For good measure, also allows several of his signature, momentum-killing 2-strike hits, back-to-back doubles, and go-ahead HRs; meanwhile, AZ's Vargas (pregame ERA 10.18) holds SF to 4 runs.

6-4 loss vs AZ | 29-40
Bonds back in July? ESPN: yes - Bonds: no

ALSO:

Gagne out til mid-'06
Jerome Williams outstanding in Cubs debut

SF playing with more energy

2005-06-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

Since first game in MIN last week, rookie infusion (Niekro, Ellison, Shabala, Linden, Foppert, Taschner, Munter, Puffer) has noticeably boosted level of play.

8-3 win vs AZ | 29-39

Road trip turns mediocre

2005-06-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

After Linden's clutch 3-run HR in 9th gives SF 3-run lead, Walker can't throw strikes, falls behind batters, gives up two-out game-tying HR, blows save (however, still dominant in save situations as closer: now 10-for-11 (.909), much better than Benitez's 2 blown in 6 tries (.667)) ; Eyre coughs up HR in 10th to end things; inconsistent pitching and defense turn possible 5-1 trip into subpar 3-3.

10-8 loss at DET (10 inn.) | 28-39

Rueter a has-been?

2005-06-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

11 H, 6 ER, 0 K, in 4 innings; 1 win in last 9 starts.

8-2 loss at DET | 28-38

That's some good Schmidt, yo: SF plays their best game of the year

2005-06-17T18:49:00.000-07:00

Schmidt throws 8 shutout innings, gets tired, leaves bases loaded in 9th; Walker makes history as he comes in, strikes out the side, preserves shutout; Matheny improves avg. with RISP to .400.

4-0 win at DET | 28-37

As rare as June rain in SF

2005-06-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

SF overcomes yet another poor performance by a starting pitcher (Tomko: 4.2 IP, 7 ER) when Joe Nathan -- entering a tie game in the 9th -- gives up 4 ER in 0.1 IP; SF finally takes 2 of 3 from a top team.

14-7 win at MIN | 27-37

Better Body Language

2005-06-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Giants look more confident for second night in a row as Vizquel goes yard for the first time in the NL (righty, at that -- first time in 711 ABs); however, Linden now has 6 Ks in 10 ABs

8-4 win at MIN | 26-37 | Brower goes to ATL