This one is on the manager. The Giants had their chance, heading into the sixth inning with a 4-0 lead. Barry Zito lied to himself and lied to his manager, and he should be held accountable for his irresponsible action; but Bochy has to know better.
…. The Giants had to swallow many bitter pills, starting with a 4-0 lead that vanished in two swings. Fielder hit a three-run homer in the sixth against Barry Zito, who started the inning with a two-hit shutout but admitted he was “a little gassed” after running from first to third in the top half.
Bochy has to be able to see, with his own eyes, that Zito was done after the two walks in the fifth inning that ended up causing no pain. But, no. Bochy and Righetti foolishly allowed Zito to go out and fact the top of the order to the third time. And then, after two more walks, two walks in which it was obvious that Zito could not control where the ball was going, that he was gassed, he walked out to the mound and asked him if he wanted to continue; which begs the question, why bother managing at all? Why bother having someone who can see the big picture, someone who can help the players get the most out of their abilities, someone who can plan for the many points in a game where decisions can make or break a team; if, when the time comes, you have no idea what you are doing?
…. “You can’t explain that,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “This is one of those games you can’t explain, what happened here. No question, that was as tough a game as you can have.”
What? You can’t explain it? Let me try. You allowed a pitcher who has been struggling for three years to stop himself from sliding into obscurity to face the top young power hitter in the game –with the game on the line– even though it was obvious to EVERYONE that you should have taken him out. There, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Look here, even the idiots at the SF Chron knew:
Barry Zito’s recent trend has been to pitch well early, then suddenly blow up. His last four starts:
June 27 vs. Brewers: Allowed no runs and 2 hits through five innings; allowed 2 walks and a three-run homer in the 6th.
June 21 vs. Rangers: Had a no-hitter through six; gave up 2 hits and 2 runs in the 7th.
June 15 vs. Angels: Allowed 2 hits and 1 run through three; gave up 6 hits and 6 runs in the 4th.
June 10 vs. D’backs: Allowed 2 hits and 1 run through four; gave up 5 hits and 3 runs in 5th.
In a game the Giants had in hand, Bruce Bochy decided to allow Barry Zito to pitch to the heart of the Brewers order even though Zito has shown no ability whatsoever to be able to handle the task; and now they get to talk about a tough loss, instead of Zito’s great start, or Pablo Sandoval’s first multi-homer game, or the team’s 40th win of the season.
This one’s on him.
PS…. Pablo Sandoval is becoming, as we speak, a monster. His June line is simply the best we’ve seen since Barry Lamar:
8 doubles, 8 home runs, 18 RBI, .405/.469/.786 1.255 OPS
UPDATE: Nice bounce back win, the Big Sadowski and Nate combine to salvage the series. 40-34 heading into St. Louis. Still last in the NL in runs scored, first in runs allowed. Still need a bat.
“$126 million chicken-choking choad”
Classic.
john,
please stop asking for a bat….sabean may end up trading the future to get one
the giants have a bat….its name is bowker
winn and/or rowand should be dealt for prospects
bring up john
I’m pleased that you worry the Giants may be listening to me.
Scary but true, the Giants appear to be looking at Jermaine Dye (35 years old) and Victor Martinez, (another catcher, 30 years old).
Would you trade the Big Sadowski for Martinez? I think I would.
Isn’t Martinez playing 1B now? I’m pretty sure Cleveland would want more for him than Sadowski, though.
Unc Joe,
Good to see you back. You were spot on regarding TI…and giving him a chance.
Bring Bowker up…and trade,designate, or release Lewis. Fred for whatever reason…has completely lost his confidense in Left.
Agree that Rowand shuld be dealt now…the Mets are desperate.
The Mets don’t need Rowand. They need Clinger, Radar, Hot Lips and the rest of the 4077 M.A.S.H. Hell, we’ll throw in Larry “Frank Burns” Baer if they take Zito off our hands.
Also, they’re 3rd in HRs Allowed and 3rd in OPS Against.
Still need a bopper, but I’m getting pretty excited about the pitching. Quick run down of the team stats, June 30 – for MLB not just the NL:
1st in Team ERA (tied w/Dodgers)
1st in Strikeouts
2nd in Batting Avg. Against
1st in Shutouts
2nd in Complete Games
1st in K/9
4th in K/BB
7th in WHIP
8th in DIP%
I’m going to paraphrase MGL of the Book Blog when I say this:
Anytime you have a pitcher whose “true talent” level is of a 4th/5th starter and you get into the 5/6th inning unscathed, you should feel EXTREMELY lucky and give him the hook at the slightest sign of trouble.
And especially when you have enough bullpen pitchers like the Giants do.
Can we get an amen from the Congregation? Hell Yeah!
A big Amen to that Brothers.
I didn’t see your earlier comment from two days ago, but I’m really concerned with Lewis at this point (not hitting the ball with much authority and his confusion in the outfield). Unfortunately, it seems like the only thing that’s going to get his mind straight is a change of scenery….
I have called every single of his bad late inning blow ups from the first batter, it’s always plain to see that he’s hit his wall and it’s time to go to the pen, but Big Head Bochy always seems to wait until Zito has given up enough runs to tie the game or cough up the lead completely.
Exactly the same non-managing horseshit that Dusty pulled with Woody in his latter years. Both managers refused to accept that they had pitchers who needed to be yanked at the 1st sign of trouble after the 5th inning, and winnable games were/are just repeatedly being pissed away.
I live on the east coast and this is the first time in my life I have been able to watch the Giants daily (thank you fios baseball package.) That being said, Bochy has been managing this team for a few seasons now, and how is it that me a few months into this season have such a better grasp for Zito’s stamins than the Manager of the team? I have called every single of his bad late inning blow ups from the first batter, it’s always plain to see that he’s hit his wall and it’s time to go to the pen, but Big Head Bochy always seems to wait until Zito has given up enough runs to tie the game or cough up the lead completely. I feel that with a better manager this season Zito would have at least 3 more wins because a real manager would have taken control of an obvious situation and gone to someone fresh in the pen to hammer down some outs. UGH Bochy you suck, Giants..you don’t suck nearly as bad as I thought.. watching them daily has been a pleasure
I am treating myself better these days. I refuse to watch any innings that Zito is pitching. And as a result I was starting to feel a little like this club had some fucking stones on those days when Zito isn’t around to limp wrist his way through yet another choke chain spectacular. And than your little tidbit from the Chron and your own particular insights got me all started up again.
It is his sense of entitlement and arrogant attitude that he was going to “mentor” Cain and Lincecum and the rest of the younger pitchers on this staff. When in effect all he has managed to do is become as one wag put it..”Mike Hampton with a guitar” and sucking off millions in payroll for far too many years. I can’t believe that the Giants are on the hook to him for the next 5 years as well.
All his off-season so-called mentoring of Brian Wilson has caused Wilson to come across as a complete stoner douche crybaby if yesterday’s 9th inning temper tantrum and most ridiculous reality show ever, is any example.
His representation by the biggest ego moneygrubber in baseball next to Selig; Scott Boras
His inability to man up even in middle innings, let alone anything after the seventh inning.
Pyrshitziki bothered me less, because as bad as he was, I knew we were going to be rid of his ass at the end of the season and we would never ever have to look at his chinless ugly ass mug again.
There is nothing more goddamn demoralizing than a grossly overpaid celebrity panty-sniffer like Zito, getting all kinds of preferential treatment on the field as well as off the field. Not even Lincecum receives that kind of ass-smack from Solar System Head
Thank god for useless throw-away non-prospects like Ryan Sadowski who toil away for 6 years and never even sniff an invite to the show, until due to further non-planning by Sabean, they have to give him his shot. How does he respond? He shoved it up Milwaukee’s ass for 6 innings of 4 hit, shutout ball before the bitter taste of the douche surfers’ double meltdown had a real chance to cause too much heartburn. And he never turned a hair.
Note to Zito and Wilson. Sadowski’s demeanor is called professionalism and the two of you assholes can’t even spell it.
Just to punctuate the difference….Jonathan Sanchez comes out in the ninth today, and smokes the cheap-shot artist formerly known as Fielder with his first pitch, and acts as if Prince tub-o doesn’t even exist. He then proceeds to strike out McGehee, Cameron, and Hart on 14 pitches making them look like they should have been wearing skirts instead of tight pants.
It was really great to see Renteria and Rowand step up too. Their combined 4 for 20 was really helpful. Way to show the way guys. Way to dig deep and show the minimum wagers “how to win” and “grind it out” playing ball “the Giants way”.
At least Rowand had done a little bit of hitting before this and manages to track down a few fly balls and keep the the occasional baserunner from getting too many extra bases. But if Renteria had any less range he would be a fucking sundial.
+mia,
That ranks with one of Dennis Miller’s rants there dude. Way to rip.
For the most part I agree with you. But, this one is more on Bochy and Wilson, than Zito. Renteria is not worth his contract, but he is not as bad as you make him out. Renteria is at least hitting with runners on…and his 31 rbi’s are far more than expected. Yeah…his range sucks. I didn’t like to see Wilson show Uribe up like that in the 9th…totally rank. Could have been a double play…should have at least been knocked down and kept in the infield. You never to that…period.
Rowand has been my whipping boy for two years,,,and frankly…his performance so far is surprising…in a good way. I’m eating crow big time…and hope it continues. His base running does need improvement.
It was good to see Sanchez drill Fielder…mainly for his dance with Camerron after the 3-run jack in the on-deck circle…not for the game winning celebration. Sanchez wants his job back…nothing like competition to light a fire under his ass.
John,
Two additional blunders you didn’t point out by Bochy in Saturdays game.
#1 Why isn’t Downs brought in for defensive purposes for the bottom of the 9th? Uribe is not a natural 2nd baseman and makes no sense with the lead to keep him in.
#2 Why pitch to Fielder with 2 outs and a base to work with. Only the 2nd rbi league leader with 72…and go for the righty match up with McGehee…who has never faced Wilson before.
If Aaron B is out there and reading this. The Gigantes can no longer afford to play Lewis…he is a defensive liability…and does not compensate for it with his other skills. Anybody…but Lewis, he has lost all confidense in Left.
Typical Bochy logic. Just when I thought he was beginning to keep his head in the game.
Pablo turned a great DP at 3rd today…and he will only get better.
Just an observation…if the Gigantes played at Miller Park…they would have at least 40 more hrs.
Stay hot Nate.
Just because they’re rants, doesn’t make the premises any less viable, Scott. (well, maybe a lil’ bit) Although I think sometimes the message gets lost in the blustery rhetoric. Which is okay I guess. I just want it to be interesting and provoke the occasional thought outside of the mainstream media thought-police lines
Here’s what I mean about Zito on a little more serious note. I mentioned Boras and Zito getting preferential treatment. So you don’t have to scroll up, here is the trend line for Zito as written by the Chronicle’s Henry Schulman:
————————————————————————–
Saturday vs. Brewers: Allowed no runs and 2 hits through five innings; allowed 2 walks and a three-run homer in the 6th.
June 21 vs. Rangers: Had a no-hitter through six; gave up 2 hits and 2 runs in the 7th.
June 15 vs. Angels: Allowed 2 hits and 1 run through three; gave up 6 hits and 6 runs in the 4th.
June 10 vs. D’backs: Allowed 2 hits and 1 run through four; gave up 5 hits and 3 runs in 5th.
——————————————————————————-
Now you and John chalk it up to Bochy’s, stubbornness, poor decision making or inheriting a failure gene from being born in France. But one thing Bochy does not lack is experience. He has been a manager for going on 15 years now. That’s over 2300 games; 20,000 innings in which he has been responsible for pitching changes. Now some may hold that Bochy simply has one game of managerial experience repeated 2300 times and never really learned anything. (like me) But that’s another argument for another time. I do know for a fact that he is not blind.
My point is simply this. If even simple sports writers like Schulman and astute bloggers such as the eminent denizens of OBM can forsee the Zito meltdowns, than simple logic, (unfettered by the antipathy for things Bochy) dictates that Bochy can see these things too. So what’s the deal you ask?
The Giants were not kidding when they said that Zito was going to be the new face of the franchise. As Bonds was given the run of his playing time (which his play and performance earned him) so has Zito been so empowered, as have dozens of other beneficiaries of multi-year, multi-million dollar contractual miscarriages over the years.
Just because he doesn’t sit in a recliner, doesn’t mean his $20 million superstar contract doesn’t let him get to call his own shots. That’s just the way Boras clients contracts work. Its that simple.
We don’t hear about the “special treatment” that Zito gets like we did with Bonds because Zito talks and walks and looks like the guys covering him. So, because he is a “nice guy”, they aren’t looking to put any edge on this situation. I get it. Really.
If I’m one of these msm hacks with a requirement for “access” under Baer’s sway, and know that the $126 million chicken-choking choad is going to be around until the second coming of Jesus Christ Superstar, and having just gone through 15 years of not-good-times with Sir Barry of Bonds, I can kind of understand why none of these guys wants to go after Zito on the record.
So when you see the deference with which Zito’s humiliating, embarrassing, infuriating and inevitable meltdowns are handled, don’t blame Bochy. This is on the Giants ownership and management group for capitulating to Boras as he yet again bends Giants fans over with his multi-year, multi-million strap-on breech loader…all in the misplaced hope that Milquetoast Barry would fill the empty seats left by the ouster of Bonds.
Meantime Ryan Sadowski is going to be sent back to the sphincter of California’s Madera County after coming up with the most clutch pitching job by a Giants pitcher this season, for his efforts. Because if he doesn’t perform his own personal little miracle in the house that Selig’s taxpayers built, the Giants are sitting back in third place behind the Rockies in the NL West after getting swept for the second time in four series.
Just because it isn’t September, did not make this game any less important. Especially coming on the heels of the most demoralizing loss of the season so far.
And in spite of the Giants ineptitude and chickenshit media-marketing driven management style, they are playing their best ball since 2004. Even a pig finds a gold nugget once in awhile
+mai,
You know I totally agree with you on the Giants Mgmt. If you remember our blogs from last year we crucified Zito on a daily basis…and I would rather have a Sadowski on my team than Zito anyday…if only for the upside value. Most players out of the University of Florida and SEC baseball in general…are mentally touch with talent. They’ve already player 3-4 years of minor league ball in college….so Sadowkski has paid his dues learning his trade for almost 10 years. He’s more than ready…and yes you are right…the Gigantes backed into this one. But, the minor league scouts and managers for the Gigantes said this was the next and upcoming talent. So, at least somewhere, Sabean has competent people…no thanks to himself…but, the Grizzlies coaches and managers know what they’re doing, and are good baseball people.
And you don’t want to get me going on Boras…that’s for the off-season. The Gigantes are playing too well to delve into that.
I think Sadowski will get at least two more starts…and I look for him to stick. Look for a trade to be made during the break if Sadowski pitches well.
Sundays game was HUGE…maybe the biggest so far this year. Getting swept by the Bre-Crew would have been crippling…limping into River City. Sadowski was nails…and deserves a chance to pitch himself back to the minors…or stay.
I would be happy to see Bochy and Zito in a package deal…or salary dump.
Need to split or take 3 of 4 from the Cards.
Looking forward to the “freak” show tonight.
Stay hot Timmy.
+mia,
Sorry about all the typo’s…got to catch a flight home.
+mia
I think you are being too hard on Rowand. He has an OPS of .842 right now with a lifetime OPS of .799. His fielding % right now is .994 with a lifetime of .988. Rowand has 348 total bases so far since becoming a Giant, 123 so far this season. He is having a better than average year.
More importantly, you do remember Dave Roberts? He of the .695 ~ .621 OPS and 174 Total Bases over two seasons as a Giant?
I am not a huge fan of Rowand’s but I don’t mind seeing him come to bat, not like Roberts, and certainly not like Pedro Feliz, both of whom would turn me into a shivering, swearing, puddle of despair whenever they stepped up to the plate.
As far as Zito goes, he is frustrating, and at some point, possibly as early as next year, barring a miracle, the Giants are going to have to eat his contract. Heads will roll, teeth will gnash, but unless Zito pulls his thumb out and starts throwing up regular quality starts he will have to go. Will Giants management have the strength of will to admit what everybody in baseball already knows? I don’t think they’ll have a choice. I think they have been recruiting young arms that they can pay league minimum so they can field a team despite eating the horrible bitter crow (or perhaps albatross) of Zito’s salary. And as long as I am way out on a limb let me add that I think that the Giants will sacrifice Brian Sabean to commemorate the event, and possibly Bochy as well.
Bill Neukom is a businessman/attorney with a record of being, well, I guess ‘competitive’ is a nice way to put it. I believe Sabean has been given this short period of ‘grace’ to correct the extraordinarily costly mistakes he has made and that Neukom has set a time limit (as well as a price cap) on this miracle. The entire PR spin on why Magowan stepped down as CEO doesn’t read right to me. I imagine there was a lot of dissatisfaction within the ownership group over two lost World Series, the steroid cluster, and a train of bad player signings of which Zito’s was the last straw. The ownership group saw their investment being mismanaged, the Giants brand name being tarnished, money being “thrown on the ground” as John so aptly puts it, and of course, you know I rather imagine that they really love baseball and want the team to win. So they looked around and decided Magowan wanted to spend more time with his family and that they would elevate from among their number he who most closely resembled a barracuda.
I think the ownership group will make some very hard decisions and take the necessary steps to correct the team’s course. I can imagine Neukom sitting at a table with them all, telling them the hard truths about winning in a cutthroat industry. Because these are all successful business people I believe they will cut their losses and make the right decision. They will hire a GM who has a distinguished pedigree in baseball. They will eat the costly contracts. They will retain the talented young players and add to their number. The Giants will return to dominance in the National League West.
If I didn’t believe these things, or at least fervently hope they are true, I couldn’t continue to be a Giants fan.
I guess I should have been more specific in my criticism of him, Robert. It was his bone-headed base running on Saturday in the Ninth. He was asleep standing on second base.
Even little leaguers are taught to know where opposing fielders are positioned prior to each pitch. When Sandoval hit a line drive up the middle, instead of breaking for third, he froze trying to pick up Cameron before finally taking off. That hesitation, caused by his lack of situational awareness/lack of focus/daydreaming/cranial-rectal affliction (something he suffers from in the field a lot as well) prevented him from scoring what should have been a routine run for a guy with his speed, and he ended up at third instead. Fortunately for him, Molina’s sacrifice fly allowed him to score and the two trailing runners (Winn and Sandoval) to move up…so the end result was no harm-no foul so to speak.
But it is just one more example of why this guy should not have a superstar long term contract and is probably a contributing factor in why he was let go by the White Sox and Phillies after his walk years.
Grittiness does not trump paying situational awareness. Lots of dead fighter pilots who had grit, game, and presence, but no situational awareness.
Very interesting observations about the Management Group:
———————————————————————————–
The ownership group saw their investment being mismanaged, the Giants brand name being tarnished, money being “thrown on the ground” as John so aptly puts it, and of course, you know I rather imagine that they really love baseball and want the team to win.
————————————————————————————-
I’m sure they do want the team to win. I am just not sure they know what that entails. Folks, some of whom have too much money for their own fucking good are used to instant gratification and the semi-celebrity status that being an “owner” entails. They want to win, yet they are not willing to risk the capital required if they are going to compete on a year-in and year-out basis against the big-spending teams in MLB. If they are, I have seen very little evidence of anything from Orville Redenbacher other than a lot of lawyerly double-speak since he took over from Magowan. But thats just my dos centavos.
I think you give Rowand a bit too much credit. His career OPS+ (to take out the ballpark effects of Chicago and especially Philadelphia) is only 105. He is having a very good year this year – 123 for a CF is a very good player, and he’s certainly on pace to more than earn his salary for this season. Last year his OPS+ was only 94 (so 6% below league average), and based on Fangraphs valuations he was only worth $6.1 milliion, far less than the $8 million we paid him (plus an $8 million signing bonus not included in that). The real problem is the $36 million he’s owed for the next 3 seasons. I’m glad he’s living up to his contract for this season, but it’s doubtful he’ll continue doing well for the next 3 years as he heads into his mid-30′s.
Of course we all know this already, but it’s just frustrating to think about. Even as well as he’s performed this year, it was still just a terrible contract given out by Sabean and is yet another move holding our franchise back. Just because Dave Roberts was yet another bad signing by Sabean doesn’t excuse another mistake trying to cover the first one…
And of course examples like+mia’s seem to happen all the time with Rowand. Base running errors, not hitting the cutoff, just plain holding the ball in the outfield instead of getting it in early (how many times were you told not to do that in T-Ball, seriously)…It’d be nice if the Giants management attempts to sell us on “gamers” actually came with baseball players that play the right way.