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| What the Tejada? |
First of all, can this guy get a little respect?
Nine strikeouts, one walk, one earned run and only four hits in six innings. He pitched a great game, as did Cain.
Notes --
- Matt Cain's outing was interesting in one respect: 12 groundballs, which is quite unusual for him; but it worked. He only had four strikeouts, but managed to go seven innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. Take that, xFIP!
- Andres Torres has an achilles strain, and will get an MRI tomorrow. Great news that it's only a strain. (UPDATE: Or not?)
- On a similar note, Nate Schierholtz, who took over for Torres, had a great game: three hits in three at-bats. Ultimately, he's the guy that should get the bulk of the playing time in Torres' absence. The Giants are playing to win, and Schierholtz is a better option than Rowand.
- Dan Runzler didn't look so great out there tonight. I was a little nervous about him pitching to Albert Pujols in the eighth inning, but he managed to escape the jam -- a brilliantly-executed pick-off, followed by a walk to Pujols and a three-pitch strikeout against Colby Rasmus.
- Speaking of Colby Rasmus, this kid is extremely talented -- and his home run was nearly the difference in this game. But man, did he blow it in the ninth inning. He gift-wrapped that win for the Giants. I wonder if the average centerfielder would have even gotten to that ball? Nevertheless, he should have caught it. And it cost his team dearly.
- Aaron Rowand had his fair share of opportunities to help the Giants win this game (pLI of 2.61). But he didn't. 0 for 4, with a WPA of -.233; I'm not buying into his "hot streak" this season. He'll ultimately be the same Rowand as last year, with a little positive regression.
- Miguel Tejada -- you have to admire that at-bat of his in the ninth inning. He battled; nine tense pitches. He stayed alive, and crushed the ball (at first I thought it was a HR). Props to Tejada.
- Per Amy G, Mike Fontenot will get the start tomorrow over Tejada.
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