Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Recap for G108 - Giants at Astros

Coming into today's game, the Giants had won three of five against the Astros. And in all three of those wins, they scored 8+ runs. Today was no different, as Brian Moehler and the Astros went down 10-6. Despite jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, Moehler couldn't hold it together, threw some bad pitches, threw one really bad pitch - a meatball for Eli Whiteside who hit his first home run (a grand slam, by the by) to put the Giants up 7-3.

Let's just do the thing:
Moehler: 6IP, 9H/6ER (7 total), 5K:1BB, 18/28 first-pitch strikes, 28/59 non-contact strikes (21 called:7 swinging)
Byrdak: 0.2IP, 1H/1ER, 1K, 2/3 FPS, 5/7 NCS (2c:3s)
Sampson: 0.1IP, 1H, 1K, 2/2 FPS, 5/6 NCS (2c:3s)
Fulchino: 1IP, 1K, 3/3 FPS, 4/9 NCS (2c:2s)
Arias: 1IP, 2H/2ER, 1K, 3/6 FPS, 1/8 NCS (1s)

The Giants were 5x10 with RISP, a fairly remarkable number, and Pablo Sandoval continued to take advantage of Astros pitching with a 3x4 day. After going 22 straight appearances without giving up an earned run, Alberto Arias has now given up 7ER in his last 7IP. On the one hand, though, Moehler was more efficient (at giving up runs), throwing only 89 pitches in six innings. Let's leave it at that, because that looks prettier. Alright, I'll say it. Since throwing 6.1IP scoreless against Washington on July 12, Moehler has given up 9ER in 17.2IP since the All-Star Break (1-1, 1ND).

The Astros did get some hits, a two-run double by Michaels (raising his batting average to .196), and a late two-run homer by Hunter Pence in the 9th. Pence and Lee had two-hit games, and everyone else - including Moehler and pinch-hitter Matt Kata - got a hit. The Astros just couldn't overcome the leaking pitching staff.

Pitch Count Hero: Jeff Keppinger - 26 pitches in 4AB
Pitch Count Punk: Pudge and Michaels - 13 pitches in 4AB.

And hey, the Astros drew a walk! Geoff Blum in the 8th.

Man of the Match: Jeez. I don't even know. Michaels had a pretty piss-poor defensive game, despite a two-run double. Hunter Pence's homer was too little, too late. Just because we don't get the opportunity often, how about Jason Michaels, the Line Drive of Love.

Goat of the Game: Brian Moehler. You have a chance to step up and be a hero in an injury-depleted rotation. And, uh, didn't.

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