Runaway Season
The season sure looks like it's getting away from the Giants in a
hurry. Last night was a perfect example. While Jason Schmidt got
knocked around pretty thoroughly in his second start back from the
disabled list, the big problem for the Giants has been their offensive
output. Last night's tally: 0 runs, 4 hits.
Outside of Bonds, there isn't a lot going on. Only Grissom and Durham
have averages over .300. Snow, Perez, Alfonzo, and Tucker/Hammonds all
are underproducing, way below even my own diminished expectations. Sure
the pitching has been awful. Williams has been pretty good, but
everyone else looks bad. But this team needs to score runs to have a
shot. Of course that isn't going to happen.
Oh, and Jason: Mick LaSalle sucks. Lars Von Trier does not.
# posted by Fury @ 10:16 AM
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
A as in Aardsma
David Aardsma, who last year was the closer for Rice University, out-shined his fellow Houstonian Andy Pettitte to get his first major league win. Actually Aardsma is from Colorado, but he did have 33 friends and family in the stands at Minute Maid Park last night. Aardsma also set aside an even bigger legened of the game last night. Next time they publish the Baseball Encyclopedia, he'll be the first player listed, bumping Henry Aaron to number two.
The game was an example of lost chances for the Astros. Brett Tomko had problems with command especially in the first two innings. He racked up a 62 pitch count in the first two frames, although he only gave up a run early. Key for Tomko was getting Adam Everett and Jeff Bagwell (who looks old) to strike out with the bases loaded in the first. Tomko didn't get an out in the fifth before Cap'tn Hook Alou came out to get the ball. Giants relievers didn't fare much better keeping the Astros off the basepaths. Even Aardsma gave up three hits in his two innings. All-in-all, the Astros left 16 runners on base. Meanwhile Pettitte was finding out what it is like to pitch at the Juice Box. He lasted 5 and a third innings, surrendering 11 hits and six runs. His nemesis? Neifi Perez, who went four for four on the day. Key being a two-out bases-loaded double that cleared the bases in the fourth.
Welcome home Andy.
Roger Clemens goes up against Jerome Williams as the Giants go for the sweep Wednesday.
# posted by Fury @ 9:00 AM
Monday, April 05, 2004
3-Run Luck
Jimy Williams could well be on thin ice this year if the Astros don't get off to a hot start. He sure showed that he might be well on his way to helping it along. With the Giants looking up at a three run deficit in the eighth inning, Williams watched Roy Oswalt give up singles to both Ray Durham and Michael Tucker around a JT Snow strikeout.
With Oswalt nearing the 100-pitch mark and Barry Bonds coming up in the top of the 8th, you’d think time to go to the best bullpen in the NL, right? Yeah, not really. First pitch Bonds sees he tomahawks a line drive into the right field bleachers. Tie game. A three-run homer.
And yes, you’d have to imagine that Williams knew that there was indeed a base open and a three-run jack would tie the game. Bonds only had three three-run homers last year, and they all came with a significant run difference in the game. As a matter of fact, Bonds had almost as many walks (38) as he had at bats (45) with two men on last year. Let the second-guessing begin.
After F-Rod gets the Astros out in order, Octavio Dotel comes out and premieres as the team’s new closer. He promptly pegs Tony Torcado in the foot on a curveball. After a sacrifice bunt by Durham, Dotel loses control of
another curve, pushing the runner to third base. Snow golfs a low fastball for a flyout to right, the runner tags, 5-4 Giants.
But the Astros also had some bad luck on opening night. Both Craig Biggio and Jeff Kent were called out for making contact with a batted ball outside of the box. Kent’s was exceptionally painful, coming with two outs and the bases loaded and Kirk Rueter looking like he might be toast. Mark it in your scorebook as 2-unassited.
# posted by Fury @ 6:48 PM