The Giants beat the Brewers today, in Scottsdale, 10-6. The Giants started mostly regulars for a change with Jose Vizcaino playing SS, Steve Finley in CF, Barry Bonds in LF, Lance Niekro at 1B, Ray Durham at 2B. Rounding out the lineup were Abraham Nunez in RF, Angel Chavez at 3B and Yamid Haad at C. This lineup responded nicely with 7 runs in the first 2 inning.
That Bonds guy continued to make a mockery of Spring Training pitching by going 2 for 2 with a double, a HR, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. He also had his first defensive chance of the season on a popup hit right to him. He almost lost the ball in the sun, but managed to make the catch while falling to the ground. Steve Finley continued to prove that rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated. He went 1 for 3 with a 3 run HR in the first inning. I’m not sure but I believe that is Finley’s 3rd HR of the spring……not bad until you realize that Bonds also has 3…….in about 1/4th of the at bats.
Everyone had their hitting shoes on early with Jose Vizcaino going 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 runs scored. Ray Durham was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Lance Niekro was 1 for 2 but didn’t manage to get an RBI for it seems like the first time this spring. Abraham Nunez was 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored. Even Yamid Haad was 1 for 2. Of the starting lineup, only Angel Chavez was hitless, in 2 ABs, but he still managed to get on base twice with bases on balls.
Of the replacements, Mark Sweeney continues to hit very well, going 2 for 3 with a couple of runs scored and 1 RBI. Kevin Frandsen was 1 for 2. Dan Ortmeier while going 0 for 2 managed a walk, a stolen base and a run scored. Justin Knoedler had no hits in 2 plate appearances, but also helped the cause by getting 2 RBI on 2 SAC flies. The Giants had a total of 12 hits, 7 walks and an error. Even though they scored 10 runs, they still left more men on base than the Brewers with 8 LOB.
Brad Hennessey started the game and although he allowed only 2 runs in his 3 2/3 innings, he was not on at all. He gave up 4 hits and 3 walks and seemed to fall behind a every batter. In the second inning he was either 0-2 or 1-2 on every batter, loading the bases on 2 walks and a hit. No runs scored in that inning, but he had a full count on almost everyone, even though he was way ahead of the count early in the ABs. I hate it when a pitcher throws strike 1, strike 2 and then starts to nibble and loses the batter. Hennessey hit his pitch count after 2 outs in the 4th. Steve Kline came in with 2 out and 2 men on and got the only man he faced out, ending the inning with no runs allowed.
Old Man, Jeff Fassero, came on and pitched the 5th, 6th and 7th innings. He did a very creditable job; giving up 1 run on 2 hits and a walk while recording 1 strikeout. Fassero gave up his only run on a solo HR by Prince Fielder (Cecil’s little boy). Worrell had a really bad inning giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk, including a HR. Worrell just wasn’t sharp. He was not hitting his spots and his breaking stuff….wasn’t. The final inning was pitched by Tyler Walker who had his best inning of the spring allowing no base runners and getting out of the inning on less than 10 pitches.
It was good to see a game won by the veterans for a change. I was becoming so used to the kids winning the game, that I wasn’t sure what the vets could do when given the chance. As much as I like the kids….it was nice to see the vets perform.
Tomorrow will be the Giants vs the Rangers in Surprise. My guess is that since Surprise is an hour ride or so from Scottsdale AND since so many veterans played today…..we will see mostly the kids again tomorrow. Alou just doesn’t play regulars in back-to-back games until the last week or so of the spring. We shall see.
That Bonds guy continued to make a mockery of Spring Training pitching by going 2 for 2 with a double, a HR, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. He also had his first defensive chance of the season on a popup hit right to him. He almost lost the ball in the sun, but managed to make the catch while falling to the ground. Steve Finley continued to prove that rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated. He went 1 for 3 with a 3 run HR in the first inning. I’m not sure but I believe that is Finley’s 3rd HR of the spring……not bad until you realize that Bonds also has 3…….in about 1/4th of the at bats.
Everyone had their hitting shoes on early with Jose Vizcaino going 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 runs scored. Ray Durham was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Lance Niekro was 1 for 2 but didn’t manage to get an RBI for it seems like the first time this spring. Abraham Nunez was 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored. Even Yamid Haad was 1 for 2. Of the starting lineup, only Angel Chavez was hitless, in 2 ABs, but he still managed to get on base twice with bases on balls.
Of the replacements, Mark Sweeney continues to hit very well, going 2 for 3 with a couple of runs scored and 1 RBI. Kevin Frandsen was 1 for 2. Dan Ortmeier while going 0 for 2 managed a walk, a stolen base and a run scored. Justin Knoedler had no hits in 2 plate appearances, but also helped the cause by getting 2 RBI on 2 SAC flies. The Giants had a total of 12 hits, 7 walks and an error. Even though they scored 10 runs, they still left more men on base than the Brewers with 8 LOB.
Brad Hennessey started the game and although he allowed only 2 runs in his 3 2/3 innings, he was not on at all. He gave up 4 hits and 3 walks and seemed to fall behind a every batter. In the second inning he was either 0-2 or 1-2 on every batter, loading the bases on 2 walks and a hit. No runs scored in that inning, but he had a full count on almost everyone, even though he was way ahead of the count early in the ABs. I hate it when a pitcher throws strike 1, strike 2 and then starts to nibble and loses the batter. Hennessey hit his pitch count after 2 outs in the 4th. Steve Kline came in with 2 out and 2 men on and got the only man he faced out, ending the inning with no runs allowed.
Old Man, Jeff Fassero, came on and pitched the 5th, 6th and 7th innings. He did a very creditable job; giving up 1 run on 2 hits and a walk while recording 1 strikeout. Fassero gave up his only run on a solo HR by Prince Fielder (Cecil’s little boy). Worrell had a really bad inning giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk, including a HR. Worrell just wasn’t sharp. He was not hitting his spots and his breaking stuff….wasn’t. The final inning was pitched by Tyler Walker who had his best inning of the spring allowing no base runners and getting out of the inning on less than 10 pitches.
It was good to see a game won by the veterans for a change. I was becoming so used to the kids winning the game, that I wasn’t sure what the vets could do when given the chance. As much as I like the kids….it was nice to see the vets perform.
Tomorrow will be the Giants vs the Rangers in Surprise. My guess is that since Surprise is an hour ride or so from Scottsdale AND since so many veterans played today…..we will see mostly the kids again tomorrow. Alou just doesn’t play regulars in back-to-back games until the last week or so of the spring. We shall see.
3 comments:
Any photos, Hank?
By the way, I will be in Scottsdale during that week of the spring--definitely will go to the Royals game. Hope to see some veteran action.
I know your seats.. see ya there. ;-)
Has my boy Joe Bateman pitched in a major league game yet or what?
Haven't see Bateman in a game yet.
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