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| This is what a strike out looks like |
There were many topics I expected to address in the recap of
this game, however none of them were a Justin Maxwell fist pump. 90% of you didn’t know who Justin Maxwell was
before this series, which is not a slight, because we’re talking about the
Houston Astros and I’m pretty sure half their roster is imaginary. Anyways,
Justin Maxwell did things in this game, including clenching his fist in a
celebratory fashion. In case you didn’t see this game, no, Justin Maxwell
wasn’t playing along with Pauly D in the fist pump cam. He was actually pumping
his fist because the Astros did something that solicited fist pumping. Right
about the 8th inning, there was roughly a negative .4442elenty3 %
chance that I would have to address something that had to do with a Justin
Maxwell fist pump. Yet here we are, with Justin Maxwell pumping his fist as he crossed home plate for the game tying run in the ninth. That Maxwell moment pretty much epitomizes
this game and how weird this stupid sport was tonight. But let’s start with the
stuff that was supposed to go here before the wackiness began.
Tim Lincecum
was dominant tonight, which is the first thing you should think about when you
remember this game. He had his dominant strike out stuff that we haven’t seen
in a long time, which probably looked a little better because of that whole
Astros offense thing. Yet even with that qualification, you can’t help but be
encouraged by a start like this. His command was impeccable, walking just one
the whole night, and he had Astros hitters chasing changeups that were nowhere
close to the zone. 11 K’s! That’s one more than 10! Or as I like to think of
it, 75 more than negative 64! Wow!
This start
set up in the best way possible for Lincecum. At home, moderate temperatures,
and facing an offense whose only hitter with an OBP over .340 got hurt mid game.
He was still vintage Lincecum, but I don’t think any sane man can’t say the
obligatory “Lincecum’s back!” His next start is against the Phillies in
Philadelphia, who have Ryan Howard and Chase Utley back. That will be the real
test. Yet you can only play the cards your dealt, and this was the best play
for Lincecum, and wowowowowowowowowowow, did he look good.
*****
Now to the
weird stuff, starting with Santiago Casilla. The second run was ruled an error
on Sanchez, which keeps Casilla’s ERA below 3. Yet he’s very clearly messed up.
The stuff is still there, as he’s struck out the side in the ninth, except the
problem was the inning kept going after that. His command has just deserted him
in every way possible. He’s walking players, giving up hard hit balls and hammering
pitches in the dirt, that Hector Sanchez couldn’t handle but more on that
later. But other than that he’s been Mariano Rivera! Put it like this, I’d be very
surprised if Casilla’s next appearance came in a high leverage situation.
However,
the rest of the bullpen looked just dandy. Lopez, Romo, Penny, and Affeldt all
combined for 1 baserunner in 3 innings. As my co-writer Jalen noted, relievers
can get hot, and while the Giants have to
find some type of relief acquisition, some of their current guys can catch fire
that would be just super.
*****
Of course
Hector Sanchez goes 4 for 6 with the game winning RBI today, hours after I
compared him to Eli Whiteside. I’ve made my stance in the Hector Sanchez situation, and one game does absolutely nothing to change that. Don't get me wrong, I like it when Hector hits game winning RBI hits! If he did that everyday, the Giants would win 77 straight games, which breaks some record right!? I just don't see it :(. In fact,
tonight’s game contributed to my stance. Sanchez just is not a good defender at
this point in his career. Maybe he will as he develops, because he’s only 22.
But right now, he can’t handle anything thrown in the dirt, which is especially
concerning when Casilla and Lincecum throw balls in the dirt to be effective.
My view of his offense is absolutely the same, and one small sample size day
should not dictate an opinion. True, I’m doing that with his defense, but this
isn’t the first time we’ve seen Sanchez struggle with throws in the dirt. His
flaws are especially emphasized when you have a known defensive star behind the plate in Buster Posey. The wild
pitch that allowed the tying run to score was difficult, but should probably be
blocked, and Posey would probably make the play whether it was blocking the
ball or throwing it to first. Of course, if that yucky play didn’t happen, my opening
paragraph would be toast, so I’m all conflicted now.
*****
The Giants
are now 29th in MLB in batting average with runners in scoring
position. The Giants left 16 on base tonight. Still waiting for that whole law
averages crap that I believe in for some reason. Any time now buddy...
*****
Baseball a
silly sport.
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