Outgloved (Pirates 8, Giants 7)

We live in interesting times. So many ways to win this ballgame, yet the Giants come out on the losing end. Thirteen hits, four of them homers -- but every one of them were solo shots. Ten runners left on base. Can't pin this on the offense, though. Seven runs ought to be more than enough. This one belongs to the guys wearing the gloves.

Cody Ransom has got to make that play in the eighth. As far as I can tell it's the only reason he's on the roster. Being a late-inning defensive replacement becomes pointless if you make an error. And Neifi got the glove on what would have been the last out in the ninth, but he couldn't hold on. Again ... a Gold Glove infielder with a sub-.300 OBP simply has to make every play to justify a place on the roster. In my book, anyway. As I've said before, I haven't a clue as to how the Giants evaluate talent.

Then the Pirates threw some hot leather at the Giants in the top of the ninth, highlighted by Redman's catch off Grissom.

I wonder if the acquisition of another lefty-swinging outfielder has had any influence on Michael Tucker. There sure was quite a contrast tonight. Tucker did everything but close the game, while Ledee still hasn't hit a ball with authority as a Giant. His grounder and hustle did score a run for the Giants, though.

Jon Miller had a good question tonight: When was the last time the Giants scored more than one run on a bases-loaded hit?

Comments

[Mark in DC]

It seems like we lose a brutal game in Pittsburgh every year. Two years ago Nen in the ninth with two outs gave up a two-run single to Giles. And if I remember correctly, Kent had hit a solo shot in the eighth or ninth to tie it up. So ... so long as we win two of out of three in Pittsburgh we'll be fine.

[Jefferson]

Why take out Brower there? Why put in Herges in the ninth? Ransom's goof was eminently nullifiable if Alou doesn't play with fire.

[Doug]

To cap off the eight run explosion against Cardinals, Ray Durham hit a bases clearing triple. That's the last one I can think of, and it was last month.

And where was Hermanson? If your going to move your second most effective starter out of the rotation in an effort to shore up the pen, then you need to actually use him in high leverage situations when the game is on the line. So far, Alou is willing to use him with a four run lead, but not in a tie game.

[Marty]

And by the way, terrible throw by Durham on the last play of the game. Double clutch, nowhere near home. Maybe he was stunned that the rocket Herges gave up stayed in the park.

And I'll hear no more of what a "gamble" it was to send Wilson home on that Mackowiak double. It's the only play to make; when you don't have a chance of losing and you can win, it's known as a freeroll.

[kintetsu]

A freeroll. Negreanu would be proud.

This was a brutal defensive game for the Giants. They simply cannot afford to give games like these away. Interesting that Felipe put in Ransom as a defensive replacement when he also had Neifi on the bench. Anyone seen Ransom's error totals in the minor leagues? The guy's not the all-glove wonder they make him out to be. Can't blame poor Cody. The dude hasn't STARTED A GAME SINCE JUNE 13!!! And that was a day after a doubleheader at Baltimore. Might as well send up a skywriter to tell him THE ORGANIZATION DOESN'T BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!

Hope is one thing, and as fans, we all need to have some of it. But if anyone here actually believes the Giants will make it to the postseason this year, well, I have some nice beachfront property in Globe, Arizona I'd like to sell you.

[Josh]

As expected, Deivi Cruz's average has dropped a bunch, just making me think even more what I've been saying since he became available: Rich Aurilia should've been brought back to start. I can't think of another player that would've energized the team like Richie would have. (And as for which other one--not two--shortstops should've been kept, I really wouldn't have cared.)

[Marty]

Kintetsu, five stars for the poker reference. Especially when he's one of my favorite players.