There were a few positive things to take away from Jonathan Sanchez’s 80–pitch, three-inning start last night. He struck out seven, but I’m more impressed with how he struck them out. According to the TV radar gun, he struck out four on fastballs at 94 MPH, 92, 91 and 91. The last two were looking, with beautiful locations. Fastball location is important, even though Sanchez is deceptive enough to blow high fastballs past some hitters. (But not Chris Snyder — he hit a letter-high pitch about 2/3 up the bleachers.)
Two Ks came on sliders, swinging. That’s an excellent sign, as Sanchez’s off-speed stuff has taken longer to develop. (The last K came on Webb’s failed bunt attempt.)
Congratulations to Erick Threets on his big-league debut. Let’s hope Threets, Dan Giese, and Pat Misch get more appearances so we don’t have to suffer through more Scott Munter sightings. Grant has summed up the Munter Folly quite nicely here.
PLODAG: Nate Schierholtz for getting an RBI single and stealing a base off the reigning NL Cy Young winner.
Hey, how about Atchison? He's been getting the call and often lately and he's like the gasoline brigade for the longest time. It's like Bochy is purposefully losing by bringing Atchison in.
Great info on Sanchez, that's good to hear. Just looking at the pitching line, it just seemed like just one of those games where the hits conspire against you, much like how Big Daddy would have one of those games where he would get hit all over the place. Just looking at his IP plus K and BB, I would have thought he was doing well (besides the fact that the IP was so low).
Wow, Schierholtz has been doing real nice, eh? With Winn's re-emergence this year and his no-trade ending this year, perhaps we can get a good prospect for Winn and open up RF for Nate in 2008.