Mets 7, Giants 4: The run run run part last night belonged to the Mets, who stole seven bases and made Jonathan Sanchez and Brian Wilson look like they had one too many bong hits* before taking the field. “Baserunners? Whoa. How’d those guys get there?”
The ouch part belonged to Edgar Renteria, who is likely to go on the DL after straining a leg muscle. He hurt it beating out an infield hit that scored the tying run in the 8th. Edgar might have lost a step, but not for lack of trying.
I won’t dwell on the loss too much, other to say Brian Wilson sometimes has no idea where his fastball is going, and throwing it down the middle is just as bad as throwing it a foot outside. He’d do better to lose a few MPH and gain more command.
I’m more interested in what the Giants will do if Renteria is disabled. The beat writers, all two of ‘em that are left, both note it might be time to raise Jesus Guzman from Fresno. He’s on a tear, Rich Aurilia is a couple weeks away from getting released if he keeps hitting .150 (my own speculation), and the Giants have three games in Seattle next weekend, perfect for Guzman to DH.
Or is it? The DH is also a perfect way to rest Bengie Molina but keep his bat in the lineup. Hmm, dilemma. It all comes down to Guzman’s glove. I haven’t seen scouting reports, but he’s been trying to learn first base in Fresno. If he’s making as much progress on D as he is with the bat — his current line is .355 / .374 / .587 — the temptation might be too strong to bring him up and give him a whirl, interleague or not.
Don’t expect miracles from Jesus, but his major-league projection from this small sample size, .311 / .329 / .492, is far better than what the Giants have gotten from their first basemen so far. Warning to everyone frustrated by one-pitch at-bats: Note the slim difference between Guzman’s batting average and OBP. Jesus doesn’t walk much, so the Giants would only compound their historical hackiness.
My call: if his glove is now adequate, bring him up ASAP and let him get regular hacks. Ishikawa can still play against certain right handers and as a late defensive replacement. If Guzman’s not ready for big-league leather, don’t bring him up for the occasional pinch-hit and one or two starts in Seattle.
* Hey kids, if you’re out there, listen to your Uncle Lefty: one bong hit is one too many.
