Well, today was opening day and the start of a new season for the San Francisco Giants. Over the past 3 years, we have won the world series twice and after sweeping the Tigers last year to be the world champions, here we are today at Dodger stadium, starting a three game series in defense of our title.
Sandy Kofax gets to throw out the first pitch. Then the battle is on. Matt Cain and Clayton Kershaw. Last year, it was Vogey battling it out with Kershaw most of the time. The year before that, it was Lincecum.
The game started and in the first, we seemed to be working Kershaw when Sandoval got a base hit. Posey was up next and worked the count to 3-2 before striking out to end the inning.
Cain seemed off in the first. Had a lot of 3-2 counts. Had two runners on base for Matt Kemp after hitting Ellis. Cain grinded away for 13 pitches before striking out Kemp. Crawford ran to third later on in the inning and was thrown out. By the end of the inning, Cain had 30 pitches and I wondered if it was going to be a short night for him.
After that, Cain seemed to settle down, striking out the side at one point. Unfortunately, Kershaw went through the Giants lineup without any problems and the score was knotted at 0-0 all the way to the bottom of the 8th inning.
By then, Cain was out of the game and it was Kershaw who hit a homer off Kontos. Tough enough to give up a homer but to the opposing pitcher. The inning only got worse as Bochy brought in Casilla and Affeldt and by the time the inning ended, we were down 4-0.
Yes, that’s the way the game ended. Tough way to start the season but not as bad as last season when the D’Backs swept us and Lincecum was out of the game earlier.
So for today, the crowd was happy and the record breaking $230 payroll of the Dodgers won the first game. Still, it’s 162 games so it will be a long season.
As Baggs reported after the game, Sandoval seems to be fine and no irritation in his elbow. Announcers at ESPN point at Sandoval’s weight and says that it continues to be a problem. Supposedly, Bochy is upset but hopefully that won’t be a problem for the Kung Fu Panda.
Being a Giant fan means seeing the bats go quiet. Bum will be on the mound tomorrow as we will try to even the series.
Go Giants.
Rick Holman
Sandy Kofax gets to throw out the first pitch. Then the battle is on. Matt Cain and Clayton Kershaw. Last year, it was Vogey battling it out with Kershaw most of the time. The year before that, it was Lincecum.
The game started and in the first, we seemed to be working Kershaw when Sandoval got a base hit. Posey was up next and worked the count to 3-2 before striking out to end the inning.
Cain seemed off in the first. Had a lot of 3-2 counts. Had two runners on base for Matt Kemp after hitting Ellis. Cain grinded away for 13 pitches before striking out Kemp. Crawford ran to third later on in the inning and was thrown out. By the end of the inning, Cain had 30 pitches and I wondered if it was going to be a short night for him.
After that, Cain seemed to settle down, striking out the side at one point. Unfortunately, Kershaw went through the Giants lineup without any problems and the score was knotted at 0-0 all the way to the bottom of the 8th inning.
By then, Cain was out of the game and it was Kershaw who hit a homer off Kontos. Tough enough to give up a homer but to the opposing pitcher. The inning only got worse as Bochy brought in Casilla and Affeldt and by the time the inning ended, we were down 4-0.
Yes, that’s the way the game ended. Tough way to start the season but not as bad as last season when the D’Backs swept us and Lincecum was out of the game earlier.
So for today, the crowd was happy and the record breaking $230 payroll of the Dodgers won the first game. Still, it’s 162 games so it will be a long season.
As Baggs reported after the game, Sandoval seems to be fine and no irritation in his elbow. Announcers at ESPN point at Sandoval’s weight and says that it continues to be a problem. Supposedly, Bochy is upset but hopefully that won’t be a problem for the Kung Fu Panda.
Being a Giant fan means seeing the bats go quiet. Bum will be on the mound tomorrow as we will try to even the series.
Go Giants.
Rick Holman