Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Edgar Renteria might retire after this season. Renteria has had three trips to the disabled list this year. Renteria also acknowledged he didn’t live up to the deal (2-yrs 18.5 Million).
Renteria said, “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. If they pay me to play, I just want to give back, not get injured. that’s me.”
Side Notes
Juan Uribe hit two homers in the same inning. Last time that was done by a Giant was in 2007 by Bengie Molina. Did I forget to mention that one of the homers by Uribe was a grand slam? The last time two homers by a Giants in the same inning and one was a grand slam was hit by Willie McCovey in 1977.
Ann Killion of Sports Illustrated has a piece on Buster Posey that ran this week in the magazine. It’s a very good article for you die hard Posey fans. In the article it says Joe Torre said Posey deserves the award (Rookie of the Year) because of “the position he’s playing and offensively what he’s done.”
I asked Ann how she’s feeling about the Giants chances to make the playoffs.Ann said, “I’m feeling pretty optimistic. Posey is key. The pitching staff seems to righted itself. Will be an exciting week & a half!”
Side Notes
Ed Price of FanHouse.com said (via twitter) the Giants have gone 20 games without allowing more than 4 runs. No team has done that in 21 straight since 1981 A’s. Last team with 22 was the 1972 Cubs.
Torres Updated
Andres Torres is hoping he an return this weekend against the Colorado Rockies. His spark at the top of the Giants lineup is surely missed!
The San Francisco Giants start their final road trip of the season, so I asked Giants Beat writer Chris Haft if he’s worried about the Padres, Rockies or Braves. Haft said he’s “worried” about all the Giants competitors. The Giants need to take care of their own business. If they do that, it doesn’t matter what the Padres, Rockies or Braves do.
Side Notes
Mychael Urban tweets that Jose Guillen is taking throws at first base during batting practice with a first baseman’s glove. Things to think about to get the best bats in the lineup at all times.
Buster Posey has 117 hits so far this season. That’s the most by a Giants rookie since Marvin Benard hit 121 in 1996.
I recently had a little conversation with Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via email), and I asked him if he thinks the San Francisco Giants will end up on top of the NL West when it’s all said and done?
Crasnick said, “I’m starting to like their chances, given the way the pitchers are ramping it up in September. The Padres are on fumes, and the Rockies now have to go on the road, where they haven’t played well all season.”It’s always nice to see the Giants get some love from someone with ESPN. =)
The San Francisco Giants are playing their last game against the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight. The Giants are 9-8 against the Dodgers this year. I’m hoping after tonight it will be 10-8, so we can win the season series, and most importantly tonight’s game!
Key To The Game
Giants are 57-18 when scoring first, so let’s hope Jonathan Sanchez pitches 3 up and 3 down to start the game. Then a leadoff homer sounds like a nice way for us to start off the game offensively. I really don’t care how they score. We just need our bats to wake up, so we don’t have to hope for another outstanding start from our pitching staff.
One For The Record Books
Matt Cain is the first Giants pitcher with 200 IP in 4 consecutive seasons since 1970.
Hurt But Ready To Play!
Jose Guillen had an epidural shot for a bulging disk in his neck. Guillen is expected in the lineup tonight.
The San Francisco Giants are still not sure if they will be starting the season off in Taiwan against the Diamondbacks. If they do it will be a 2 game series. The games will be considered home games for the Diamondbacks and will be held at the end of March. The Giants would then fly back and get in 2 more exhibition games against the A’s, and then continue the season in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on Friday April 1st.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says, players would earn $10,000 apiece for going to Taiwan and are negotiating to ensure coaches and other team employees get the same. Now I need to figure out how to be a team employee by the end of March!
David Biderman of The Wall Street Journal says a study was done that a 48% increase in a team’s attendance makes that team score an extra run every game. He said if the Padres had 100% attendance in every home game this season they would have 3.41 additional wins. I guess Giants fans are sure glad they would rather surf instead of going to watch their team play.
The San Francisco Giants center fielder Andres Torres had his appendix removed Sunday morning and will be out for at least 10 days. It’s more than likely he will be out for a few weeks. I know Giants fans really don’t want to see Aaron Rowand back in the leadoff spot. I’m sure Cody Ross will get a lot of playing time in center as well.
Record with Torres batting leadoff is 57-40, and 23-23 when he wasn’t.
San Bruno Fire Victims
The Giants will donate $3 from every ticket sold for Tuesday nights game (vs. Dodgers) to the City of San Bruno Glenview Fire Victims Fund.
Last 10 Games
Giants went 7-3 on the trip and have made up 3 games on the Padres during that stretch. It’s still a 3-team race, cause the Rockies are only 1 1/2 games back. Did I forget to mention that they are on a 10 game winning streak?
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News tells us Pablo Sandoval was relieved that his mother, safely evacuated the house he is renting in San Bruno. Sandoval’s mother went to stay with her other son Michael who plays for the San Jose Giants.
Jeremy Affeldt plans to fly home after Sunday’s game (his wife could go into labor any day), and plans to only miss Tuesdays game against the Dodgers.
Brandon Belt was named to The Sporting News All-Minor League team. He hit .352 with 23 homers and 112 RBI’s in all three levels (combined).
Roster Update
The Giants have called up infielder Ryan Rohlinger.
The folks at Grimy Ink that brought us the Tim Lincecum and Buster Posey shirts are having a tailgate party! It will be on Friday September 17th at 5pm as the Giants take on the Brewers.
Early Bird special $30 if paid by September 12th. After September 12th the price will be $40.
Included In The Price
Each person will receive a ticket to the game (Bleacher Seats $24 Value), open bar, food (cooked by their executive chef) and the Grimy Ink exclusive Buster Posey shirt (if you don’t already have one).
There is only 200 tickets available and it will sell out!
Any questions about the event can be directed to customerservice@grimyink.com.Get a group of friends together and have a great time out at the Grimy Ink event! Go to GrimyInk.com to purchase your tickets to the event. I look forward to seeing you there!
Just wanted to get a quick post out there for you HARDCORE Giants fans. The San Francisco Giants start a 10 game road trip tomorrow against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The San Diego Padres will be home for 10 games starting tomorrow, so we should see where the Giants stand after this road trip..
Scoreboard Watch
Giants are 3 GB of the Padres in the NL West
Giants are 1.5 GB of the Phillies right now in the NL Wildcard
Side Notes
Tim Lincecum went 0-for-August, and got his first win last night since July 30th.
Darren Ford made his major league debut as a pinch runner. He scored the winning run, and it was also his first time ever in a major league park. Oh and did I forget to mention he also didn’t arrive to the game till the 2nd inning. Talk about a crazy day for Ford.
Ford was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 in the Ray Durham trade.
