Saturday, March 18, 2006

Giants vs Mariners

This was just a great game to watch as a Giants fan. The Giants started hitting early and just kept hitting the entire game. The Giants tallied 19 hits on the day and scored 14 runs. The offensive outburst was fueled by both the veterans and the kids. The pitching was also excellent and limited the Mariners to 3 runs, 2 of which were given up in the 9th by 22 year old Anthony Moreno who was brought over from the Minor League camp to mop up.

The hitting star of the game was hard to select, because so many players had great offensive games. If I had to pick, I would have to say Mike Matheny was the guy. Mike went 2 for 4 with a 3 run HR and a 2 run double. Not a bad day for a light hitting defensive catcher. Jason Ellison was not far behind with his 5 for 5 day with 3 runs and 1 RBI. Steve Finley continued to hit like he was 10 years younger; going 2 for 3 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.

Todd Linden had his first hits in about a week going 3 for 6 with 4 runs and 1 RBI. On the down side Todd struck out twice and only a Fernando Vina error kept him from hitting into his 3rd double play in the last 3 days. Lance Niekro, Ray Durham and starting third baseman Angel Chavez each went 1 for 3 with Durham and Niekro each getting an RBI and Chavez adding a walk. Tomas De La Rosa started again at SS and went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Every Giants starter got at least 1 hit and the starting lineup as a whole was 17 for 31 (.548). Even with 14 runs scored, the Giants still left 10 men on base.

The Giants again had Tyler Von Schell replace Niekro as the backup first baseman. Von Schell was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. What happened to Travis Ishikawa? Is he injured? Simon Klink was also brought over from the Minor League camp to replace Chavez at 3B. Klink was 0 for 1. Abraham Nunez replaced Finley in CF and went 1 for 1 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Jake Wald was 1 for 1 as the replacement SS. Kevin Frandsen continued to be the only Giant to play every spring game, when he replaced Durham at 2B. Frandsen pinch ran for Durham and was hitless, but had a walk and a SAC fly in 2 plate appearances, netting him 2 runs and 1 RBI. Like I said…….a fun game if you like offense.

The pitching was almost as good as the offense. Jason Schmidt started the game and other than a solo HR by Richie Sexon, was in complete command of the game. Schmidt threw 5 complete innings, giving up only 3 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run while recording 3 strikeouts. Schmidt’s fastball had a lot of zip and most of the hitters seemed to be tardy on their swings. When the batters started catching up to the fastball, Schmidt had his changeup working and still managed to handle the Mariners with relative ease. Tyler Walker relieved Schmidt and had one of his better spring appearances, with a perfect inning.

After Walker, the Giants paraded out a trio of Minor Leaguers to finish off the game. Pedro Liriano pitched a perfect 7th inning as did Michael Tejera in the 8th. Anthony Moreno pitched the 9th inning and did not fare so well. Moreno was brought over from the Minor League camp and I believe this was his first Major League appearance EVER. He gave up 4 hits, including a HR and 2 runs. He also recorded 1 strikeout. I personally had never heard of Moreno. The Media Guide says that he was the Giants #39 selection in the 2002 First Year Players Draft. He has been a professional since 2002 and spent about half of last year in low A Augusta and half in AA Norwich. His is 20-8 in his Minor League career with a 4.20 ERA. He has given up 197 hits in 201.2 innings and has registered 173 strikeouts vs 71 walks.

That’s about it for today. I did not take any photos today, but a good friend of mine is supposed to e-mail me some that she took. If she does, I will post them. I also have a few photos from yesterday’s game that I will post soon. Tomorrow’s game is Giants vs Brewers, again at Scottsdale.

No comments: