SB Nation Bay Area - Giants Take Series With 2-1 Win Over Rockies In Game Threehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2010-09-01T21:31:10-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14237782010-09-01T21:31:10-07:002010-09-01T21:31:10-07:00Giants September call-up Darren Ford is FAST
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>I had a chance to go to tonight’s game and get a nice seat in the video board room (more to come on that in a blog post). The job requires focusing intently on the game and tonight that meant getting a chance to see September call up Darren Ford putting on a running display to help the Giants beat the Rockies.</p>
<p>After Mike Fontenot walked to lead off the inning, the Giants sent Tim Lincecum out to sacrifice him over to second. After a couple of pitches Darren Ford was sent out to pinch run for Fontenot. Ford was called up today as major league rosters expanded to 40 for the pennant race. While Ford hasn’t hit all that well at AA, he had 37 stolen bases and was thrown out 15 times. He may not be the smartest base stealer, but there’s no question about his speed.</p>
<p>After Lincecum bunted away a second foul ball, the team let him bunt again even with the chance of a third foul getting him out. On the attempt the team had Ford running and Lincecum was successful in getting the bunt down. The Rockies corner infielders pounced but Ford was too fast to leave a play at second.</p>
<p>Andres Torres was the next man up and midway through his at bat, Ubaldo JImenez threw a pitch in the dirt that bounced to Miguel Olivo’s left. The ball only bounced 3 or so feet to the left, but Ford pounced on the opportunity and took off for third. A perfect throw might have gotten him by a hair, but the pressure of the situation caused Olivo to throw the ball into left field. Ford got up and scored fairly easily, given the Giants a 2-1 lead that Brian Wilson locked down in the ninth.</p>
<p>It remains to be seen whether Darren Ford will ever hit at the major league level. He was drafted back in 2004 and prior to today had never exceeded the Double A level, where he was hitting .251 with an <span class="caps">OPS</span> of 680. Nonetheless, the speed he brings to the table is absolutely perfect in the world of September call-ups. The team can afford to have a guy who is only going to pinch-run. His speed can be a game-breaking tool in a pennant race. I’d imagine we’ll see a lot of him on the base paths the rest of this month.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/9/1/1664738/giants-september-call-up-darren-ford-fastDavid Fucillo2010-09-01T21:08:12-07:002010-09-01T21:08:12-07:00Tim Lincecum Pitches Great Game, Leads Giants To Win
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - <span>Darren Ford</span> scored on a crazy turn of events after a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth frame, as the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> edged the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>, 2-1, at AT&T Park.</p>
<p>In a battle of marquee hurlers, <span>Mike Fontenot</span> worked a walk off <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> to start the home eighth then Tim Lincecum's sacrifice bunt moved the pinch- runner Ford to second. With Andres Torres at the plate, Jimenez bounced a pitch that was blocked by kicked away from <span>Miguel Olivo</span>. Ford took off for third and Olivo's throw sailed high and wide of <span>Melvin Mora</span>, as Ford raced home with the go-ahead run.</p>
<p><span>Brian Wilson</span> slammed the door in the ninth for his 38th save. The Giants remained 1 1/2 games behind the wild card leaders, Philadelphia, with their third win in four games and moved within three games of the fading <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>in the National League West race. It was a welcome win for Lincecum (12-9), who had not won since July 30th and had lost five straight starts. He gave up one run on five hits with nine strikeouts and one walk over eight frames.</p>
<p>Jimenez (17-6) failed to become the first National League pitcher this season to reach 18 victories, giving up the two runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks over eight frames.</p>
<p>The Rockies dropped 5 1/2 games behind the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> in the wild card race.</p>
<p>Colorado scored first in the fourth as <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> stroked a home run over the wall in left-center field. It was one of three hits for Gonzalez off the right-hander on the game.</p>
<p>The Giants finally got to Jimenez in the fifth, starting with Jose Guillen's leadoff single. <span>Buster Posey</span> then walked, and after <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> struck out, Fontenot slapped a run-scoring single to center. Jimenez escaped further damage by getting Lincecum to bounce into a double play.</p>
<p>The Rockies put two runners on base in the top of the seventh, but Lincecum struck out <span>Eric Young</span>, Jr. to end the threat.</p>
<p>Wilson induced three consecutive fly outs in the ninth to record the save.</p>
<p>Jimenez is still tied with <span>Adam Wainwright</span> for the National League lead with 17 victories. Jimenez failed in his fifth attempt to become the first Rockies pitcher to win 18 games in a single season. Kevin Ritz (1996), Pedro Astacio (1999) and <span>Jeff Francis</span> (2007) all won 17 games for the Rockies...The two teams have battled it out this season with Colorado holding a slight 8-7 series lead...Gonzalez hit his 30th home run of the season...The Giants reinstated shortstoph Edgar Renteria and pitcher <span>Dan Runzler</span> from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. The club also recalled Ford from Double-A Richmond prior the game, and he scored the winning run.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/9/1/1664704/tim-lincecum-pitches-great-gameJames Brady2010-09-01T17:31:23-07:002010-09-01T17:31:23-07:00Quick Look: Rockies @ Giants Finale
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Tim Lincecum. I'd like to just make your preview "Tim Lincecum," and then move on. In reality, that's what Wednesday night's game boils down to: which Tim will show up, how will he pitch, did he eat a choco taco before the game, these are pressing questions. He's definitely having himself a down year, to put it nicely. The Giants need him to pitch a very good game, especially considering the fact that they're up against another good pitcher in Ubaldo Jimenez.</p>
<p>In an ideal world for the Giants, this would be a pitching duel, and in an ideal world, it's last year, and Tim Lincecum can win a pitching duel. Oh sure, there's offense and defense and the like. Buster Posey had a good game after a string of frustrating outings and minor nicks. Pablo Sandoval and the gang will look to have a solid performance, but it really all boils down to Tim Lincecum and what he can do with that arm. </p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/9/1/1664217/quick-look-rockies-giants-finaleJames Brady2010-08-31T22:33:06-07:002010-08-31T22:33:06-07:00Recap: Giants Get Much-Needed Win
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - <span>Andres Torres</span> sparked a three-run eighth inning with a solo homer, as the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>, 5-2, in the second test of a three-game series at AT&T Park.</p>
<p><span>Buster Posey</span> capped the scoring in the eighth with a two-run double for the Giants, who bounced back from a 2-1 loss in the series opener.</p>
<p><span>Madison Bumgarner</span> was solid in six innings, allowing one run on five hits. <span>Jeremy Affeldt</span> (4-3) got the win despite giving up a homer.</p>
<p><span>Melvin Mora</span> hit a solo homer for the Rockies, who had won seven of eight coming in. <span>Clint Barmes</span> drove in the other run.</p>
<p><span>Esmil Rogers</span> lasted six-plus frames in the start, giving up two runs on four hits. <span>Matt Belisle</span> (6-5) allowed two runs to take the loss.</p>
<p>Trailing 2-1, Mora tied the game with a solo homer off Affeldt in the top of the eighth.</p>
<p>San Francisco went back in front in the home eighth. Belisle, who recorded the final two outs in the seventh, gave up a leadoff homer to Torres. <span>Freddy Sanchez</span> followed with a bunt single and advanced to second on Belisle's throwing error. <span>Joe Beimel</span> came in from the bullpen and struck out <span>Aubrey Huff</span> before intentionally walking <span>Pat Burrell</span>. Pinch-hitter Cody Ross then walked to load the bases for Posey, who laced a two-run double off the wall in right.</p>
<p><span>Franklin Morales</span> took over on the mound and got <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> to hit a grounder to shortstop Barmes, who went home with the ball for the second out. Pinch-hitter Aaron Rowand struck out, but not before the Giants took a 5-2 lead.</p>
<p><span>Brian Wilson</span> pitched a perfect ninth for his 37th save of the season.</p>
<p>The Giants got on the board in the first. Sanchez doubled with one out and moved to third on Huff's groundout. A balk by Rogers allowed Sanchez to cross the plate.</p>
<p>Colorado tied the game in the second. Mora and <span>Ryan Spilborghs</span> walked, and <span>Miguel Olivo</span> singled to load the bases with one out. Barmes then stepped to the plate and hit a sacrifice fly.</p>
<p>The Rockies had a chance to take the lead in the third. <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> hit a two-out double, but Mora grounded out to end the inning. Colorado put men on first and second during its next at-bat, but Barmes lined into an inning- ending double play.</p>
<p>Bumgarner helped his own cause in the fifth. <span>Juan Uribe</span> hit a two-out single and scored on Bumgarner's double for a 2-1 lead.</p>
<p>Colorado stranded runners on first and second in the sixth.</p>
<p>The Rockies lead the season series with the Giants, 8-6...Colorado was without shortstop <span>Troy Tulowitzki</span> (left groin)...The Rockies went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded six...Colorado acquired pitcher<span>Manny Delcarmen</span> from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor-league right-hander Chris Balcom-Miller on Tuesday.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/31/1662346/recap-giants-get-much-needed-winJames Brady2010-08-31T12:52:11-07:002010-08-31T12:52:11-07:00Quick Look: Rockies @ Giants Game Two
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Giants will need very strong play from rookie pitcher Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday night against the Rockies. In game one, Jonathan Sanchez played a very good game, then handed off to Brian Wilson in the ninth inning, where he ended up getting the loss after giving up a run.</p>
<p>It's a series the Giants <i>need</i> to do well in. With the Padres being played hard, it's all the Giants can do to keep it close by beating more divisional rivals and they really should have won on Monday night. Bumgarner will look to quell the Rockies in game two of the three game set and get his Giants back on the right track.</p>
<p>He'll be up against Esmil Rogers, who pitches just good enough in his last outing to get a win, though it will be a tough night for him if he repeats his performance while his offense doesn't repeat their's.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/31/1661215/quick-look-rockies-giants-game-two-previewJames Brady2010-08-30T22:38:06-07:002010-08-30T22:38:06-07:00Giants Drop A Very Disappointing Game One Against Rockies
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> tripled home the tying run in the top of the ninth inning and scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error, as the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> rallied past San Francisco, 2-1, in the opener of a three-game series at AT&T Park.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> starting pitcher <span>Jonathan Sanchez</span> walked <span>Dexter Fowler</span> to begin the ninth and departed for closer<span>Brian Wilson</span> (3-2). Gonzalez, the reigning National League Player of the Week, hit a broken-bat liner that right fielder <span>Cody Ross</span> misjudged.</p>
<p>Gonzalez then came home when second baseman Freddy Sanchez's relay throw couldn't be reeled in by <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> and wound up in the stands.</p>
<p><span>Huston Street</span> earned his 13th save with a 1-2-3 ninth.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/30/1660090/giants-lose-disappointing-game-one-rockies-recapJames Brady2010-08-30T18:32:16-07:002010-08-30T18:32:16-07:00Giants Look To Build On Recent Win, Begin Series With Rockies
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>(Sports Network) - Playing against division opponents hasn't helped much for the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> and their quest for a playoff berth. Tonight they'll continue their tour through the familiar National League West with the first of three straight games versus the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> at AT&T Park.</p>
<p>The Giants are in the midst of 19 straight games against NL West foes and salvaged the finale of a three-game series versus Arizona with Sunday's 9-7 triumph. <span>Jose Guillen</span> hit a two-run single and <span>Cody Ross</span> lifted a sacrifice fly during a decisive three-run bottom of the seventh inning for San Francisco, which is 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the wild card race.</p>
<p><span>Freddy Sanchez</span> had three hits and two RBI, and <span>Andres Torres</span> ended 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and a pair of runs scored. <span>Matt Cain</span> started for the Giants and allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings for the no-decision, while <span>Jeremy Affeldt</span> picked up the win in relief and <span>Brian Wilson</span> pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for his 36th save.</p>
<p>"It was hard fought, we had our hands full in this series," said San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy. "The last thing we wanted to do was get swept here and our guys fought hard to keep that from happening."</p>
<p>San Francisco is five games off San Diego's pace for a division title and owns a 21-26 mark against the NL West this season. It will also take on the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> twice, Arizona and the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> over the next few weeks. In other news, catcher <span>Buster Posey</span> missed his second straight game with an arm injury and could possibly return Monday. He is hitting .329 with 10 homers and 49 RBI.</p>
<p>Taking the mound for Bochy's club tonight will be <span>Jonathan Sanchez</span>. He is 2-2 in his last four decisions, but did not factor into the outcome of last Tuesday's 16-5 win over Cincinnati, as he yielded five runs over 4 1/3 innings. Sanchez is 9-8 in 27 games (26 starts) this season with a modest 3.67 earned run average.</p>
<p>The lefty beat Colorado on August 3 by hurling six shutout innings in a 10-0 blowout at Coors Field. He is 3-4 in 17 career matchups, 10 of which have been starts, with the Rockies.</p>
<p>Colorado is trying to make a run at a postseason spot and sits 4 1/2 games out of the final playoff berth in the National League. It won the last two tests of a three-game series with the Dodgers and recorded a 10-5 win Sunday in the series finale thanks to a five-run fourth inning.</p>
<p>Starting pitcher <span>Jason Hammel</span> hit an RBI single, <span>Dexter Fowler</span> plated two runners with a triple and MVP candidate <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> cracked a two-run homer to cap the scoring in the fifth for the Rockies, winners in six of their last seven games. They have scored 27 runs in the past three wins.</p>
<p>"Hopefully I can get better and keep putting pressure on the pitchers," said Gonzalez, who ended with three hits and four RBI. "Stealing bases and creating situations for the hitters behind me will help us score runs."</p>
<p>Fowler ended with three runs batted in, while Hammel was credited with the win for holding Los Angeles to two runs on seven hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. He also struck out seven batters.</p>
<p>Getting the nod for the Rockies tonight will be Jorge De La Rosa. The left- hander brings an unblemished mark against San Francisco into this evening's tilt, as he is 6-0 with a 2.79 ERA in 10 career games (7 starts). De La Rosa is coming off last Tuesday's 5-2 win over Atlanta and threw seven innings of two-run ball to improve to 5-4 with a 4.54 ERA in 13 starts this season.</p>
<p>De La Rosa will try to even his road mark which stands at 1-2 in five trips to the visiting mound.</p>
<p>The Rockies have won seven of 12 meetings with San Francisco this season.</p>
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget current_series clearfix">
<h3>Current Series</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<h4>3 game series vs Rockies @ AT&T Park</h4>
<table class="zebra">
<tbody>
<tr style="background:none">
<td colspan="3" style="background:none">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget next_game clearfix">
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> <span id="blog_icon_622302653" class="blog-hover-link"><a href="http://www.purplerow.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v2202714.png"></a><span id="blog_icon_622302653_menu" class="blog-hover-menu" style="display:none"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.purplerow.com/"><img alt="Pr-sm" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/community_logos/11008/pr-sm.png"></a></span><span><a href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a></span></span></span> <br> <span>@ <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> <span id="blog_icon_379316000" class="blog-hover-link"><a href="http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v2202714.png"></a><span id="blog_icon_379316000_menu" class="blog-hover-menu" style="display:none"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/"><img alt="Mccoveychronicles_m" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/community_logos/105/mccoveychronicles_m.gif"></a></span><span><a href="http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">McCovey Chronicles</a></span></span></span> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Monday, Aug 30, 2010, 7:15 PM PDT</span><br> AT&T Park</p>
<p class="pitchers"><span>Jorge De La Rosa</span> vs <span>Jonathan Sanchez</span></p>
<p class="weather"> Clear. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around .</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first">Tue 08/31</td>
<td>
</td>
<td class="td-last"><span>7:15 PM PDT</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first">Wed 09/01</td>
<td>
</td>
<td class="td-last"><span>6:15 PM PDT</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p><br id="1283218300446"></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/30/2320207/giants-look-to-build-on-recent-win-begin-series-with-rockiesJames Brady