SB Nation Bay Area - Giants vs. Reds: Late Inning Rally Gives Giants Game Four Win, Series Split; Pablo Sandoval Activatedhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-06-12T20:59:32-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19795472011-06-12T20:59:32-07:002011-06-12T20:59:32-07:00Giants vs. Reds: Aubrey Huff Comes Up Big In 4-2 Win, Pablo Sandoval Activated
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<p>The <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> salvaged their four-game set against the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a> with a 4-2 win in the finale to get a split. <span>Nate Schierholtz</span> and <span>Aubrey Huff</span> drove in the winning runs in the seventh inning after a very shaky start from Jonathan Sanchez. Huff had three hits and an RBI on the day, which is just what the Giants need right now: big time support from ... well, from anybody not presently injured. If it's Huff, that's great. If it's Shierholtz making use of the playing time he wants, that's great as well. <span>Cody Ross</span> also had an RBI on the day.</p>
<p>Sanchez pitched six innings of two-run ball with five walks and five strikeouts, and also with five hits. He gave way to <span>Ramon Ramirez</span>, who pitches a scoreless seventh for the win, and after a short two-strikeout stint from <span>Javier Lopez</span> and a one-out showing from <span>Sergio Romo</span>, <span>Brian Wilson</span> got the save in the ninth inning with a hit and a strikeout. Sanchez was shaky, as has been the case lately. He was walking batters at the worst times and having trouble getting himself out of jams.</p>
<p><span>Edinson Volquez</span> was given the no-decision, pitching six innings of his own with five hits, two earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts. There was a moment where Edinson was on first base and and took off for second after a double ... but he stopped at second, drawing the ire of his teammates, and the inning stalled there. He clearly could have made it to third, but he didn't go for it and the inning came to an end with no runs and a very upset <span>Joey Votto</span>.</p>
<p><span>Jose Arredondo</span> was given the loss after giving up the two runs in the seventh inning. The Giants will now head out on a six-game road trip, starting with a three-game set in Arizona against the rival <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a>, who sit a game behind San Francisco in the NL West.</p>
<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/JaymeeSireCSN">Jaymee Sire's (of Comcast SportsNet) Twitter account</a>, <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> has been activated and will make the trip with the team to help against the rival Diamondbacks. Pablo has a .371 career average at Chase Field, so his return should be a big boost for the team. Sandoval should slot into his normal position, but manager Bruce Bochy has noted that he could spell Huff at first base at times. At any rate, with this injury-stricken team, this can only mean good things on the stat sheet. His presence in the lineup should give everyone else around him confidence, as well.</p>
<p>Conor Gillaspie has been sent down to make room.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2011/6/12/2220967/giants-vs-reds-aubrey-huff-comes-up-big-in-4-2-win-pablo-sandovalJames Brady2011-06-12T15:12:10-07:002011-06-12T15:12:10-07:00Giants vs. Reds MLB Schedule Preview: Jonathan Sanchez Looks To Salvage Series
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> are looking for a series split when they take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> in the final game of a four-game set down 2-1. <span>Tim Lincecum</span> was shelled for seven runs in about four innings of work in game three, and while the panic button has yet to be pressed, many are wondering if it's because of the injury to Buster Posey. Whatever it is, San Francisco can't have their ace losing those kinds of games and expect to maintain their lead in the NL West over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>.</p>
<p>Jonathan Sanchez will take the mound to try and salvage the series with a split. Sanchez is 4-4 in 13 stars with a 3.51 earned run average, and was handed a loss in his last outing, giving up two runs in five innings to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>. He's 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA against the Reds, and was beaten up in his last outing against them, giving up five runs in four innings last August ... the Giants did end up winning that game 16-5, however. Sanchez has looked like a different pitcher every time he's seen the mound this season, he'll need to be on point for this game.</p>
<p>Then again, even if he's on point, he may not get the win, like <span>Madison Bumgarner</span> in his start this series. The Giants offense hasn't been able to keep up at this point, failing to consistently hit. <span>Miguel Tejada</span> had his seven-game hitting streak broken on Saturday, and <span>Freddy Sanchez</span> went down with a shoulder injury on Friday. Infielder Bill Hall didn't help things at all on Saturday, not that anybody expected him to, he went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout.</p>
<p>Cincinnati will send <span>Edinson Volquez</span> to the mound, fresh off a win in his last outing (following two wins at Triple-A Louisville). Volquez pitched seven innings of one-run ball against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> on Tuesday, getting the win in a Reds 8-2 beatdown. Counting the starts before his stint in the minors, Volquez is 4-2 in eleven starts with a 5.75 ERA. The Giants can get runs off of him if they're playing their best, but ... who knows if they will do that?</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2011/6/12/2220570/giants-vs-reds-mlb-schedule-preview-jonathan-sanchez-looks-to-salvage-seriesJames Brady2011-06-11T17:43:22-07:002011-06-11T17:43:22-07:00San Francisco Giants Debate: Tim Lincecum Struggling With Buster Posey Out?
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<p>They say the pitcher-catcher connection is very important in baseball, and it's not a huge surprising that the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> seem to be having problems adjusting to life without Buster Posey. <span>Eli Whiteside</span> is by all accounts a solid clubhouse guy, but his hitting averages and mediocre defense seem to reflect that he's better in spot duty, not as the replacement starter.</p>
<p><span>Tim Lincecum</span> seems to be undergoing similar issues. He has not been quite the same since Posey went down.</p>
<p><b>Are Lincecum's struggles mainly due to Posey's absence, or is it just coincidental? Regardless, should the Giants acquire a new catcher, and who should it be? Let us know in the comments!</b></p>
<p>There's been a lot of talk about the pitch count being the problem with Lincecum. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2011/6/11/2219351/post-game-thread-whats-wrong-with-tim-lincecum">But Grant Brisbee of McCovey Chronicles</a> is quick to dispel the notion that his 133 pitch game against the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a> is the reason for his struggles. However, Lincecum is giving up a number of runs (17 in the past four starts, 7 today, the most he's given up in four years).</p>
<p>Lincecum claims that catcher issues aren't the problem, but it's hard to dismiss that Lincecum's effectiveness has declined since then. The speculation will linger the longer Timmy struggles on the mound.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/11/2219479/san-francisco-giants-tim-lincecum-buster-posey-eli-whiteside-pitcher-catcherAvinash Kunnath2011-06-11T16:53:05-07:002011-06-11T16:53:05-07:00Giants vs. Reds, MLB Scores: Tim Lincecum Equals Career Worst Earned Runs In 10-2 Giants Loss
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> continued to alternate wins and losses as they were roughed up by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> 10-2 on Saturday afternoon. The regional Fox game of the week saw <span>Tim Lincecum</span> equal his career high with seven earned runs allowed. Although he’s had shorter outings, Lincecum struggled all game long finishing with a career low one strikeout.</p>
<p>Things started out alright for Lincecum as he struck out <span>Drew Stubbs</span> to start the game and got a 1-2-3 first inning. However, his struggles began in the second as a wild pitch eventually led to a <span>Fred Lewis</span> run scored. The Reds added two more in the third inning and then sent Lincecum to the showers in the fifth inning with a four run inning.</p>
<p>It’s interesting to note that in four starts since <span>Buster Posey</span> went on the DL, Lincecum has a 7.66 <span class="caps">ERA</span> having given up 19 earned runs in 22 2/3 innings. He also threw 133 pitches in the last Posey outing so I’d imagine some folks might point to the high pitch total. It’s notable given that he rarely gets into the 130s, but I doubt it’s the reason for his recent struggles. Losing his primary catcher seems to be a more logical explanation. Of course, now he needs to figure out how to adjust to having a new regular catcher since Posey likely won’t be back in 2011.</p>
<p>The Giants wrap up their series with the Reds on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. First pitch will be at 5:05pm pacific with a matchup of Jonathan Sanchez and <span>Edinson Volquez</span></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2011/6/11/2219447/giants-vs-reds-mlb-scores-tim-lincecum-buster-posey-career-worst-earned-runsDavid Fucillo2011-06-11T07:15:32-07:002011-06-11T07:15:32-07:00Giants vs. Reds MLB Schedule Preview: Just Stop Getting Injured
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<p>Another day, another walk-off victory for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>. You know, no big deal at this point. Just Nate Schierholtz being awesome, pretty run-of-the-mill these days. Also run-of-the-mill is the fact that the team has suffered yet another big injury, this one coming in the form of second baseman <span>Freddy Sanchez</span>. Sanchez injured his shoulder in game two against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> and will definitely miss some time. Add him to the list that also includes names like <span>Pablo Sandoval</span>, <span>Buster Posey</span> and <span>Brandon Belt</span>, and it's a wonder how the Giants still remain in first place of the NL West.</p>
<p>Walk-off victories with something not entirely unlike regularity sure do help.</p>
<p>As it stands, they're two games up on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>, and are looking to ensure at least a series split against the Reds today with a victory. <span>Tim Lincecum</span> will be taking the mound for the Giants this afternoon, which means, rather affectionately for Giants fans, it's Timmy Day. In his last outing, Lincecum reached 1,000 career strikeouts and drew all kinds of praise from the crowd, but he didn't have a great outing overall. He lasted just five innings, giving up five hits and four runs with three walks while fanning five. The Giants did go on to win that game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>, however. Lincecum is 5-4 with a 2.85 earned run average in thirteen starts this year.</p>
<p>He'll be up against <span>Mike Leake</span> of the Reds. Leake is 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA in twelve games (nine starts). He's coming off a good outing against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>, pitching eight solid innings, giving up ten hits and two runs while walking one and striking out three. The Reds won that game 8-2, so he had plenty of room to work with at that point. They haven't been doing that against the Giants, and against Lincecum, it should be even harder.</p>
<p>Still, the best thing the Giants can do is go out there and show that they will pass this test of will once again, that they can mount <i>some kind</i> of offense after Sanchez went down with an injury in game two. They continue to pull off strong victories, and they continue to celebrate them somewhat akin to a cymbal crash, an initial boom of excitement, with a hand quickly going to steady the vibrations as they deal with the injuries suffered.</p>
<p>So all in all ... hope for no more injuries. </p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2011/6/11/2218761/giants-vs-reds-mlb-schedule-preview-just-stop-getting-injuredJames Brady2011-06-11T06:33:26-07:002011-06-11T06:33:26-07:00Giants, Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez and Frank Vitchard of Anchorman ... I'm Ron Burgundy?
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<p>Show of hands for those of you who have seen Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy? Quite a few of you, I'd imagine ... considering it's a pretty damn good movie. I can't tell you how many times I've been down, and immediately thought of "I'm trapped inside a glass case of emotion!" and instantly been alright again because ... hey, at least I'm not that depressed. Anyway, to the point of this post (there definitely is a point, albeit a silly one), do you remember Frank Vitchard? He's Luke Wilson's character, the main anchor of the number three news team in town. He gets his arm cleaved off by the public access news anchor in the big anchorman fight. Jump for more.</p>
<p>Yep. Cleaved right off. It gets chopped up, and the public TV news anchor smokes from his pipe while Vitchard yells "I did NOT see that one coming!" It's pretty hilarious, like most of the movie. So anyway, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> are Frank Vitchard. They got their arm chopped off. It hurt a lot. It crippled them a bit. But they trekked onward. It was all good and they managed to survive without it (<span>Pablo Sandoval</span> ... <span>Buster Posey</span>, take your pick). Then a bear rips off Vitchard's other arm. Yep. Clean off. Bear just nabs the arm no problem.</p>
<p>Vitchard, understandably, is very upset. "Aw, c'mon! It's getting to be ri-goddamn-diculous!" he exclaims. That's what the Giants have been saying, that's what's been happening to them. Sandoval, Posey, <span>Barry Zito</span>, <span>Brandon Belt</span>, and now <span>Freddy Sanchez</span> has a dislocated/separated/exploded/melted/disintegrated/eviscerated/incinerated shoulder. If Vitchard had like eight arms, he would be a perfect representation of the San Francisco Giants.</p>
<p>Admittedly, I was just watching Anchorman and thought about it. It made me smile, and then it made me really sad. Then I figured it would give me an excuse to fit yet another one of my favorite movies into a commentary post. So here it is. Enjoy. Frank Vitchard gets his arm cut off at about 0:37 in the video.</p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2011/6/11/2218734/giants-buster-posey-freddy-sanchez-and-frank-vitchard-anchorman-ron-burgandyJames Brady2011-06-10T22:43:49-07:002011-06-10T22:43:49-07:00Giants vs. Reds, MLB Scores: Nate Schierholtz Walks Off in Ninth for 3-2 Giants Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> were fresh off a salty loss from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> Thursday night, and were looking for a little redemption. And in true Giants fashion they did as <span>Nate Schierholtz</span> came through with the game winning hit, a bases loaded single in the bottom of the ninth, to earn the Giants a 3-2 walk off win at AT&T Park Friday night.</p>
<p><span>Ryan Vogelsong</span> pitched well again in front of the sell-out San Francisco crowd, lasting for six full innings while giving up two runs on eight hits with three walks and six punch outs. But it was the bearded savior, <span>Brian Wilson</span>, who got the win this evening after his inning of work in the top of the ninth, bringing his record to 5-1 on the year. <span>Jeremy Affeldt</span> and <span>Sergio Romo</span> filled in during the seventh and eighth showing absolutely dominating stuff. They combined for five strikeouts in their two perfect innings.</p>
<p><span>Cody Ross</span> began the Giants off right offensively with an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single in the first, but the Reds grabbed the lead back with Ryan Hanningan <span class="caps">RBI</span> single in the fourth, and a Chris Heisley <span class="caps">RBI</span> ground out in the fifth. Then it was magic time as Schierholtz came to the plate, slapping his two out <span class="caps">RBI</span> single into left field for the Giants ninth walk off win of the season.</p>
<p>Unfortunately the Giants may have lost their starting second baseman to injury as <span>Freddy Sanchez</span> <a href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/06/11/11/Giants-Sanchez-leaves-game-with-shoulder/l_sfgiants.html?blockID=534167&feedID=2796" target="_blank">dislocated his shoulder</a> diving for a <span>Brandon Phillips</span> blooper in the fifth. He will undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of the injury. </p>
<p>Full box score can be found <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=310610126" target="new">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Giants will send out <span>Tim Lincecum</span> (5-4 2.85 <span class="caps">ERA</span>) on Saturday to take on <span>Mike Leake</span> (5-2 4.63 <span class="caps">ERA</span>) for the Reds, with first pitch scheduled at 1:10 p.m. PT. Coverage can be found on the <span class="caps">FOX</span> Network and <span class="caps">KNBR</span> 680 AM.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Giants, head over to <a href="http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" target="new">McCovey Chronicles</a>. </em></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2011/6/10/2218588/giants-vs-reds-mlb-scores-nate-schierholtz-walks-off-in-ninth-for-3-2-giants-winErnie Pomin2011-06-10T21:18:33-07:002011-06-10T21:18:33-07:00Pablo Sandoval Back to Catcher? Bruce Bochy Says Maybe
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<p>With the loss of <span>Buster Posey</span> for the year the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> are looking for solutions to fill the holes left behind with his departure. <span>Eli Whiteside</span> can't catch everyday, and Chris Stewart isn't looking like a solid backup, so what are the Giants to do? Well, Kung Fu Panda might just be the answer. </p>
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<p>That's right, <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> is reportedly being considered an o<a href="http://twitter.com/#/hankschulman/status/79335440641032192" target="_blank">ption as the backup catcher</a> for Whiteside. And if you think about it, it might prove to be another very savvy move by skipper Bruce Bochy. Pablo played 176 games at catcher during his minor league career, compared to his 155 at first and only 92 at third. In fact, during Pablo's last year in the minors (2008) he played zero games at third, only 19 at first, and 83 behind the dish, so Pablo definitely has experience. </p>
<p>It also frees up the Giants options in the infield, with the ability to give players like Manny Burriss, <span>Mike Fontenot</span>, and <span>Brandon Crawford</span> more innings, <span>Miguel Tejada</span> and possibly <span>Mark DeRosa</span> (BIG possibly there) time at third, and even the ability to put <span>Aubrey Huff</span> at third and <span>Brandon Belt</span> at first. It really gives Bochy a number of more lineup permutations to throw out there. </p>
<p>Obviously everyone would rather have Buster back there, but Pablo could prove to be a terrific fix for the Giants catching situation. </p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2011/6/10/2218510/pablo-sandoval-catcher-bruce-bochy-says-maybeErnie Pomin