When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

07.24.2008
I Won't Use the Word "....." For Fear of Jinxing the Giants

Let’s just say that with a win today the Giants would do something they haven’t done at home this year. Something that won’t make you weep, unless you have extra tears of joy to share.

I have a few thoughts on last night’s 6–4 victory, which I watched during happy hour at the Fort Miley Chophouse.

* Kevin Correia reinforced my theory that he has a focus problem. It’s hard to believe that he got tired. Even after the disastrous sixth inning, in which he gave up six hits and three runs, he’d only thrown 84 pitches. His control was spot-on all night, then suddenly he’s leaving pitches in the happy zone.

* Geno Espineli is funky, but he might have a hard time against righties because with his across-the-body motion he throws from the extreme first-base side of the mound. (Note: such a motion is often a caution flag for future injury.) Righties will have a nice long look at the ball as he delivers, even more so given the speed of his pitches — his fastball seems to top out around 85. On the broadcast last night Krukow said he throws “below the hitting speed.” Elbo brought up Mike Myers, the wacky submariner who had a run of success against lefties, but Espineli’s arm angle isn’t that extreme. Perhaps a better comparison is Jamie Moyer, who throws slow, slower, slowest with a similar cross-over step. I can’t find video at the moment, but I’ll bet Espineli’s cross-over is more pronounced than Moyer’s.

* Brian Wilson needs to throw inside more. I’ve noted this before, but last night’s appearance made it clear. Zimmerman singled on a pitch on the outside corner; when Wilson tried to come in tight to Flores, he beaned him. On a couple other occasions, Molina set an inside target and Wilson missed outside. It’s not a crisis, but he needs to work on it. If he can spot his fastball to both sides of the plate with consistency, Wilson will be devastating instead of merely get-the-job-done good.

* Between Rich Aurilia’s determination to fight off nasty two-strike pitches and Tim Flannery’s hoppy, skippy, arm-waving effort to guide Bowker home, Aurilia’s two-run double in the 8th inning last night is probably the play of the year so far. Flannery’s moves — click here and watch to the end of the clip — rank right up there with Ruben Rivera’s classic mad dash around the bases and JT Snow’s snag of wee Darren Baker in the 2002 World Series.



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[July 24, 2008 5:17 PM]  |  link  |  reply
reeky said

Flannery could have slid into home instead of Bowker...he was maybe 3 feet from the plate. I thought they were enforcing the coaches box more this year?!?

[July 24, 2008 5:43 PM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

If they lose the game today, I will keep you on my weep list!!! :^)

[July 24, 2008 5:46 PM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive replied to obsessivegiantscompulsive

Win with Winn catch!

Complete game shutout!

[July 25, 2008 1:59 AM]  |  link  |  reply
trilljester said

If anyone has not seen Ruben Rivera, this is it with Sportscenter (GAG me with a spoon) commentary.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qUBKuqqxDDU

Good old Marquis, saving the day.