Ortiz Wins

Nice outing for Russ Ortiz. It will look worse than it actually was due to that 3-run shot in the ninth, but the guy delivered a fantastic outing, including a key hit in the first inning. I just love it when pitchers know what they are doing with a bat in their hands. It sounds nutty, but walking Winn to get to Ortiz probably was not a good idea. Didn't matter much, as Duke looked bad. (If you have MLB.com video access, take a look at the two-strike pitch he made to Linden in the first. Just awful.)

The number that jumps out in Ortiz's line is the one walk. That's right, one in 8 2/3 innings. That's so not Russ. (Hate to keep bringing up Web video, but the Pirates station did some cool things in the eighth as the announcers were trying to figure out what Ortiz was throwing. Great shots of Ortiz's grip as he delivers the ball.)

Black undershirt, red vest is not a good look for the Pirates. As Jack Wilson tore around the bases in the first inning, his white gloves conjured an image ...

Bonds' first homer was classic Bonds. Inside part of the plate, he turns on it and hits a laser out. Never even had a chance to hook, and you know that 95 percent of the hitters in the bigs would have just yanked that thing foul. Never get tired of watching that.

What is up with Adam LaRoche? He can't be this bad, and he's striking out a lot. I think I say this a lot, but maybe he should get his eyes checked.

Comments

[Frank]

Honest to God, you can say "quick," but that does not explain how Bonds is able to consistently keep that pitch fair. There is no way that ball does not hook foul, assuming it is not pulled foul. And he does it routinely. Incredible, to hit a ball, almost off the plate inside, so hard and it doesn't hook. Think what his numbers would be if he'd stayed in P'burgh.
And Russ was outstanding. I have felt from early in ST he would be a good #2-3 starter. Lucky us. He will give up walks and he will give up runs. But I think he will also have a sub 4 ERA.

[David M.]

I like this quote from Ortiz in the MLB.com story:

"It allows me to move on," said Ortiz (1-1). "I didn't realize how long it was until people reminded me.

One question for you, Russ. You forgot that you lost your last 12 decisions, over 16 starts and 31 appearances, going back to the end of Augst, 2005? That hasn't been the elephant-sized monkey on your back? Errr, thanks for reminding me ...?!?

He must have been seeing one fantastic hypnotherapist. But instead of working on the positive imagery for actually getting hitters out, he's been working on forgetting each game. What me worry?

BTW: I notice that the Giants site and the video from MLB.com isn't working in Safari on my Intel Mac and it takes forever to load. Firefox is fine and comes up quick.