sf giants press clips sunday, july 16,...
TRANSCRIPT
1
SF Giants Press Clips
Sunday, July 16, 2017
San Francisco Chronicle
Bumgrner fine, but Giants lose in 9th
on Sanchez homer
John Shea
SAN DIEGO - Madison Bumgarner took the mound with his old swagger and a new challenge to
prove himself all over again.
Bumgarner’s first career trip to the disabled list, courtesy of his dirt-bike accident on that
fateful off day in Colorado, shelved him nearly three months and helped turn the Giants’ season
into disarray.
Returning Saturday night with his team embarrassingly buried in the cellar, Bumgarner threw
102 pitches over seven innings, then watched the Giants fall 5-3 to the Padres on old
friend Hector Sanchez’s walkoff homer.
Sanchez, a former Giants catcher, hit a two-run shot off Steven Okert, who replaced Cory
Gearrin one batter in the final inning. Jabari Blash opened with a single and was sacrificed
by Erick Aybar.
Sanchez beat his old team on a night Bumgarner made his first start since April 19, the day
before he sustained shoulder and rib injuries
Bumgarner took the mound with his old swagger and promptly struck out all three batters he
faced in the first inning, Manuel Margot on an 3-2 curve, Carlos Asuaje on a 2-2 cutter and Wil
Myers on a 1-2 curve.
He needed 19 pitches to finish the inning and threw just seven more in the second. Two batters
into the third, Matt Szczur slammed a 2-2 curve over the wall in left field, the first hit
2
Bumgarner yielded in the majors since April 19.
That was the day before his dirt-bike accident in Colorado that sent him to the disabled list for
the first time and helped send the Giants’ season into disarray.
Without Bumgarner, the Giants went 29-46 and never put a dent in the division race. Many
issues ruined their season, and Bumgarner’s absence is as big as any.
Johnny Cueto became the No. 1 pitcher but struggled on the mound and with his health, and
the rotation struggled in general, ranking 25th in the majors in ERA (4.96) heading into
Saturday, the day Bumgarner was reinstated from the DL.
Bumgarner was handed a 2-0 lead before taking the mound. Hunter Pence’s two-run single off
Jhoulys Chacin followed singles by Eduardo Nuñez and Buster Posey and a walk to Brandon
Crawford that loaded the bases with two outs.
Buster Posey nearly put the Giants ahead 6-0 in the second inning, but his deep fly to left
dropped in Szczur’s glove, a few feet of a grand slam.
Jabari Blash trashed Bumgarner’s 2-1 lead with a two-run homer in the fourth. Bumgarner
walked the leadoff man, Asuaje, and Blash cleared the center field wall two outs later. Like the
Szczur homer, Blash’s came on a 2-2 pitch.
Joe Panik tied the score 3-3 when opening the sixth with a home run, and Bumgarner finished
his night with three scoreless innings. It was his fourth start, and he remains winless.
With the game in the hands of the bullpen, Hunter Strickland put two of his first two batters
aboard in the eighth but got Allen Cordoba to hit into a routine double play.
San Francisco Chronicle
Giants’ Johnny Cueto goes on DL, blister issue not going away
John Shea
SAN DIEGO — In Johnny Cueto’s words, Johnny Cueto isn’t Johnny Cueto.
The right-hander went on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with further blister issues, another
blow to his rough season.
“It’s really bad,” Cueto said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “I didn’t want to go on the DL. I
wanted to help the team. But at the same time, I think I’m hurting the team because it’s not
Johnny Cueto pitching out there. I feel sometimes like I’m a rookie. I don’t know where the
ball’s going.”
3
Cueto lasted just four innings in Friday’s start, abbreviated because of hot spots on two fingers
and his thumb, and said he thinks his problem is related to what he believes are different
baseballs this year.
Like Cueto, manager Bruce Bochy said he has noticed the seams are higher and agreed there’s
a link to the flurry of pitchers developing blisters.
“I think there is, yeah,” Bochy said. “I think there’s enough evidence to show they might be a
little bit higher. He’s pitched a long time. For Johnny to make a comment, there are times we’ve
grabbed a baseballs and seams seemed a little bit higher.”
Cueto said he feels a burning sensation in his fingers when throwing any of his pitches. He
won’t throw for at least five days and hopes to be activated shortly after 10 days.
With the trade deadline July 31, Cueto was going to be a hot commodity. His trade value has
taken a hit, but he’s not worried about that.
“If they want to trade me, that’s fine, but I’m not thinking about that,” Cueto said. “My whole
mind-set is to be here to help the team. It’s their decision.”
Cain, again: With Cueto going on the DL and Madison Bumgarner activated, Matt Cain will
return to the rotation and start Wednesday against the Indians. Cain was bumped by
Bumgarner, but now he’ll take Cueto’s turn.
Sandoval love: Bochy said it was unfortunate that Pablo Sandoval, midway through his five-
year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox, was designated for assignment.
“I hate to see that happen,” Bochy said. “I think the world of Pablo. He was like my son. I
appreciate all he did to contribute to our success here.
“He’ll be fine. He’s got enough to live on.”
John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicle’s national baseball writer.
Leading off
4
Hot prospects: The Giants’ top two picks from the June draft are raking in the Arizona rookie
league. Heliot Ramis, 17, is 17-for-40 (.425) with 10 extra-base hits, and Jacob Gonzalez, 19, is
18-for-39 (.462) with seven extra-base hits.
— John Shea
On deck
Sunday
at Padres
1:40 p.m. NBCSBA
Samardzija (4-10)
vs. Cahill (3-3)
Monday
vs. Indians
7:15 p.m. NBCSBA
Tomlin (5-9)
vs. Moore (3-9)
Tuesday
vs. Indians
7:15 p.m. NBCSBA
Clevinger (5-3)
vs Blach (6-5)
5
San Francisco Chronicle
Giant’ Bochy, Indians’ Francona to have heart-felt meeting
Henry Schulman
The Giants will host the Indians in a three-game series at AT&T Park beginning Monday night,
undoubtedly the first in big-league history pitting two managers who had heart-ablation
procedures during the season.
Francona returned to the dugout in Oakland on Friday night after undergoing the procedure in
Cleveland on July 6 to correct a heart arrhythmia. Bochy had the same procedure in San Diego
on April 17.
Francona said Saturday he vaguely knew Bochy had a heart issue but was not aware the Giants
manager had the same procedure, in which a portion of tissue is burned to prevent the
irregular heartbeat.
"I'll talk to Boch when I see him," Francona said. "I love Boch. Everybody loves Boch."
Bochy repeatedly couched his issue as minor, but Francona's symptoms were worse. He twice
had to leave the dugout during games when he felt he was going to black out. Francona said his
heart rate soared to 200 and doctors were surprised he was able to function at all.
Francona's procedure was more complicated, too, because of other associated healthy issues.
Bochy returned to the dugout two nights after his ablation and a flight from San Diego to
Kansas City. Francona was to manage the All-Star Game six nights after his procedure but
backed out. He said Saturday he was healthy enough to fly to Miami and work but felt he owed
it to the Indians to return fresh for the second half. His bench coach, Brad Mills, skippered the
American League to a 2-1 victory.
Francona addressed his health at length Friday night. When asked how he came through that
night's game, he said, "I wasn't very happy we lost. I'm tired of talking about myself. I'm fine."
6
He proved it when he good-naturedly aired out a reporter for interrupting one of his answers.
An Indians coach walking through his office at that moment said, "He's himself again."
San Jose Mercury News
Giants remain winless in Madison Bumgarner’s starts after Hector Sanchez’s home run wins it
for Padres
Andrew Baggarly
SAN DIEGO – Madison Bumgarner ascended a major league mound again in the Giants’ 5-3 loss
Saturday afternoon, and it hardly mattered that his team was buried by 27 games in the NL
West.
The only distance that matters to Bumgarner is 60 feet, 6 inches. Every waking moment
provides an opportunity to beat someone at something. This is the pitcher who turned patio
furniture roping into a competitive sport.
So when Bumgarner stared down the San Diego Padres and struck out the first three batters he
faced, you had to wonder: could he just go ahead and pitch every inning in the rest of this
Giants season?
Of course, he cannot. He didn’t stay perfect on the mound at Petco Park, either. Matt Szczur hit
a solo home run in the third inning. Then Bumgarner hung a curveball that Jabari Blash hit for a
two-run shot in the fourth.
And while the Giants are no longer waiting for their ace to return, they’re still waiting for their
first victory in a game that he started this season.
Joe Panik hit a tying home run in the sixth inning but the Giants couldn’t push ahead, and then a
familiar face spoiled Bumgarner’s return. Padres catcher Hector Sanchez connected for a two-
run home run against Steven Okert in the ninth inning to send the Giants to their fifth loss in
five Bumgarner starts this season.
Jabari Blash hit a leadoff single against Cory Gearrin and the Padres executed a sacrifice bunt
before Sanchez, who toted a .154 average into the game, connected on a 407-foot drive to left
field.
The game was lost much earlier, though.
The Giants came within a millimeter of handing Bumgarner a 6-0 lead in the second inning.
7
They scored twice in the first against Jhoulys Chacin despite squinting into a mix of golden sky
and shadow, as Hunter Pence lined a two-run single. They loaded the bases in the second
inning, too, but Buster Posey’s deep drive to left field settled in Szczur’s glove with his back
against the wall.
Chacin’s back was against something firm as well. He was approaching 60 pitches through two
innings, and it appeared the Padres bullpen would be tasked with soaking up innings.
But the Giants stranded Brandon Crawford following a leadoff double in the third, and they
didn’t get another runner to second base until Panik hit a tying home run in the sixth.
Bumgarner was starting for the first time since he separated his pitching shoulder April 20 in a
dirt bike accident.
He was not in midseason form, which was to be expected. His fastball averaged 89-90 mph but
he had enough movement with his cutter and curve to keep the Padres off balance. He worked
a seven-pitch second inning and only paid for the two home run balls.
Bumgarner allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out five.
San Jose Mercury News
Giants Notes
Andrew Baggarly
SAN DIEGO – Here’s a little slice of life for the Giants in 2017:
On the day they welcome Madison Bumgarner back to their rotation, they cleared roster space
for him by putting Johnny Cueto on the disabled list.
Bumgarner will take the mound Saturday at Petco Park for his first major league start since the
April 20 dirt bike accident that resulted in a separated pitching shoulder.
They hope that Cueto’s stint will be much shorter, but there’s no way to be certain. He has hot
spots on his index and middle fingers, plus his thumb – issues that began in his final exhibition
start and have bothered him off and on all season.
“It’s really bad,” Cueto said through Spanish interpreter Erwin Higueros. “I didn’t want to go to
the DL. I want to help the team. But right now I feel I’m hurting the team. I can’t feel my
pitches.
8
“I don’t feel like Johnny Cueto. I’m feeling sometimes like I’m a rookie. I don’t know where the
ball is going.”
Cueto was pulled after throwing 82 pitches in four innings Friday night before the hot spots
could form into blisters. He said he hoped that he would build up calluses while pitching
through the issue in April and May.
“But they came back,” he said.
Cueto expounded a bit on what he said Friday night: a harder ball and higher seams likely are
contributing to a blister issue that has affected an alarming number of pitchers throughout the
league.
Cueto made it clear that the sensation in his fingers was due to friction with the baseball, and
not numbness or tingling or any kind of nerve or circulatory issue that often can be a symptom
of a more significant arm injury.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy also said that he is convinced by anecdotal evidence that the ball
is a factor.
“Yeah, I think there is (a link),” Bochy said. “I think there’s enough evidence that they might be
a little higher, the seams. Johnny, he’s pitched for a long time and for him to make a comment
… and there’s times we’ve gripped a ball and there’s evidence the seams could be a little
higher.
“They’re all different in how they grip the ball. Some (pitchers), it may affect and some it may
not. (Santiago) Casilla last year had issues with blisters.”
Matt Cain, who had ceded his rotation spot to Bumgarner, will now take Cueto’s turn
Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians, and then again July 24 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cueto said he would not pick up a baseball for at least five days.
At most, he would start just one game prior to the July 31 trade deadline – significantly
dimming the already remote chance that the Giants would find a deal that would sufficiently
motivate them to move him. It’s also unlikely but theoretically possible that Cueto could be
dealt in August, if he were to clear waivers.
Cueto said the DL stint doesn’t change his thoughts about being traded. He said it wasn’t in his
mind either way.
“If they trade me, fine, but my whole mindset is I’ll be here to help the team,” he said.
9
San Jose Mercury News
If Pablo Sandoval truly wants to be a Giant again, here’s how it could happen
Andrew Baggarly
SAN DIEGO – Could Pablo Sandoval reunite with the Giants?
Well sure. He meets the qualifications to be honored with a plaque on their Wall of Fame. He’ll
no doubt be invited and encouraged to take part in the reunions for the 2010, 2012 and 2014
World Series champion teams.
The Giants like to “line up the action figures” as often as possible for their fans. So yes, I expect
we will see a day in the near future when Sandoval and the Giants embrace in a warm and
happy reunion.
Oh wait. That’s not the question you were wondering about, was it?
Will Sandoval, soon to be cut loose as a $50 million sunk cost by the Boston Red Sox, resume his
playing career with the Giants?
I attempted to answer that question on Friday, and the short answer is no. But since then,
a national report from Jon Heyman said Sandoval would “love” to come back to the Giants, and
“word is that some Giants people have spoken behind the scenes about the possibility, and
suggest it could be a consideration.”
Here is a theoretical behind-the-scenes conversation that would make the above statement
technically accurate:
Official 1: “Hey, do we want a virtually free Pablo Sandoval?”
Official 2: “HAHAHAHAHHA.”
For complete Giants coverage follow us on Flipboard.
In other words, Sandoval will not be on the Giants roster in a week.
But if he really, truly does want to come back, then maybe he can. Here’s what the process
might look like:
–Sandoval agrees to a minor league contract with no guarantees, no opt-out dates and no
promises.
–Sandoval reports to the Giants’ minor league complex in Arizona, where it is currently 228
degrees in the shade, and that is only a slight exaggeration.
–Sandoval commits himself to a fitness and rehab routine, and once he is cleared to play, he
joins a minor league roster of the Giants’ choosing and plays where and when he is told.
10
–Sandoval not only uses minor league at-bats to prove he still has skills that can work at the
major league level, but he uses that time to prove his commitment to an organization that
spent years encouraging him and showing patience in him and trying to nurture the best out of
him only to get spurned by him as a free agent – and then get smack talked about them on his
way out the door. (He took the final out ball from the 2014 World Serieswith him, too.)
–If Sandoval shows he has something left, and if the Giants have a current roster need where
activating him makes sense, then he could be back with them as a big leaguer. But that’s a lot of
ifs. And that’s going to take a lot of time.
It’s important to remember that the Giants give more second chances than any organization in
baseball. They brought back Ryan Vogelsong and Travis Ishikawa and Conor Gillaspie and Kevin
Frandsen for second and third tours. You probably didn’t notice, but they even recently re-
signed former prospects Seth Rosin and Cody Hall during this season.
They don’t only bring back former favorites that everyone is pulling for, either. They have
reunited with players even when it didn’t end well the first time around, or when there were
some hard feelings that might have otherwise made things awkward.
It’s a long-established pattern that has become more pronounced since Bobby Evans became
GM, because it’s not in his nature to hold grudges or be dismissive of players over past
disagreements.
And there is this from Manager Bruce Bochy: “I think the world of Pablo. He was like my son. I
appreciate all he did to contribute to our success here.”
There’s also this from Bochy: “But he’ll be fine. He’s got enough to live on.”
So yes, on some level, the Giants would not totally, completely, absolutely rule out re-signing a
30-year-old player who was a former World Series MVP and might retain some level of major
league skills. But they also have a roster that needs to get younger and more athletic, not the
other way around. When making baseball decisions, they will prioritize pragmatism over
nostalgia. If they only want the Panda back to revel in the past glory, they’ll wait until the 10-
year reunion in 2020.
Could Sandoval continue his career in a Giants uniform? Yes. But it would have to be under
certain, stringent terms. And it would not begin with Sandoval anywhere near the active, major
league roster. It would mean months of proving himself, in more ways than one. It would
require dedication and desire and delayed gratification from a player who has not displayed
those attributes except in small, concentrated bursts.
Would Sandoval “love” that idea? That’s a question only he can answer.
11
MLB.com
Giants fall to walk-off in Bumgarner’s return
AJ Cassavell and Chris Haft
SAN DIEGO -- For the most part, Madison Bumgarner was sharp over seven frames in his first
start back from the disabled list Saturday night. But two innings after his exit, his former
teammate Hector Sanchez stole the show and spoiled his return.
Sanchez, a late entry into the Padres' starting lineup after Austin Hedges was scratched,
launched a walk-off two-run blast off the Western Metal Building, sending the Padres to a 5-3
victory. It was the first career walk-off homer for Sanchez, who spent five seasons with the
Giants from 2011-15.
Full Game Coverage
Bumgarner allowed three runs on four hits, while striking out five in his first start since he
injured his shoulder in a dirt-bike accident April 20. He allowed a solo homer to Matt Szczurin
the third and a two-run shot to Jabari Blash in the fourth, but the Padres didn't do much
damage otherwise.
Padres starter Jhoulys Chacin withstood a rocky first couple of frames, before settling in for six
innings of three-run ball. Joe Panik took Chacin deep in the sixth, tying the game at 3, but the
veteran right-hander was otherwise sharp over the final four frames.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Blashtoff: Blash was red-hot at Triple-A El Paso before his callup Friday night. That's carried
over to the big league level. He launched a Statcast-projected 427-foot blast to straightaway
center field against Bumgarner, putting the Padres on top in the fourth after their sluggish start.
Blash's single also sparked the ninth-inning rally.
Settling down: Fifty-seven pitches into his outing, Chacin had recorded just five outs, and the
Giants were threatening to blow the game open. With the bases loaded in the second, Buster
Posey sent a deep fly to left, but Szczur tracked it down a couple of steps in front of the wall. It
marked an early turning point, as Chacin found a bit of a groove from there. He allowed a cue-
shot double to Brandon Crawford to start the third, but held the Giants hitless otherwise over
the next three frames.
12
MLB.com
Bumgarner solid in first start off disabled list
Chris Haft
SAN DIEGO -- Madison Bumgarner immediately reacclimated himself to the task of pitching,
recording a quality start Saturday night against the San Diego Padres in his comeback outing, an
eventual 5-3 Giants loss.
After striking out the side in the first inning, Bumgarner was less spectacular but still efficient.
He worked seven innings, allowing three runs and four hits. He also walked two and struck out
five before leaving the game with the score tied, 3-3.
Full Game Coverage
Bumgarner's only struggle was avoiding the long ball. He retired the first seven batters he faced
before Matt Szczur homered in the third inning. One inning later, Jabari Blash belted a two-run
homer.
Making his first appearance since April 19, one day before he sustained multiple injuries in a
dirt-bike accident that sidelined him, Bumgarner needed 20 pitches to set down the Padres in
the first.
Leadoff batter Manuel Margot fouled off three 3-2 pitches, then checked his swing on an 80
mph curveball. First-base umpire Tom Woodring ruled Margot went through just enough for
strike three.
Bumgarner then displayed his renowned cut fastball, using it to slip called third strikes
past Carlos Asuaje and Wil Myers.
MLB.com
Samardzija wraps up series vs. Padres
Nathan Ruiz
Concluding a brief homestand, Trevor Cahill and the Padres face Jeff Samardzija and the Giants
on Sunday to complete the teams' series at Petco Park.
Samardzija pitched against San Diego in late April, going seven innings, striking out five Padres
and allowing three runs (two earned). Samardzija has pitched effectively since the calendar
13
turned to June, lasting at least six innings in seven straight starts.
Full Game Coverage
Cahill has started against the Giants the third-most times of any team in his career, but he
hasn't started against them since consecutive outings in April 2014 as a member of the D-backs.
Pitching in relief with the Cubs last season, he threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings against San
Francisco in three appearances.
Making his third start since coming off the disabled list, Cahill should be extended enough to
pitch with few limitations. He allowed three home runs in five innings against the Phillies in his
final start before the All-Star break.
Things to know about this game
• Samardzija hasn't walked a right-handed batter since June 21, a streak that spans 53 plate
appearances.
• Padres catcher Austin Hedges was scratched from Saturday's lineup for precautionary reasons
and was replaced by former Giant Hector Sanchez. Hedges' 13 home runs led National League
catchers entering Saturday's game.
• The Padres will be without right-hander Kirby Yates for Sunday's finale. Yates and his wife,
Ashlee, had a daughter, Oaklee, on Friday. Yates has a 1.93 ERA in 30 games with San Diego and
is expected to rejoin the team Monday.
MLB.com
Cueto swaps places with Bumgarner on DL
Chris Haft
SAN DIEGO -- Any satisfaction the Giants derived from welcoming Madison Bumgarnerback to
their starting rotation was muted Saturday as they placed co-ace Johnny Cueto on the 10-day
disabled list with blisters, as his malady was officially termed.
Ideally, Cueto will miss just one or two starts. But the right-hander emphasized he won't leave
14
the DL until the burning sensation he feels in the middle three fingers of his throwing hand has
subsided.
Full Game Coverage
Cueto, who's 6-7 with a 4.59 ERA in 19 starts, said he will begin the healing process by
refraining from throwing for at least five days. He is having ointment applied to his fingers in
hopes that will ease his discomfort, which he compared -- speaking English -- to being pricked
by "a needle."
Cueto felt upset after his outing in Friday night's series opener against the Padres. Cueto
allowed three runs and six hits in four innings, his shortest performance as a Giant. He also
walked three and struck out five.
"I wanted to help the team, but at the same time I think I'm hurting the team because it's not
Johnny Cueto who's pitching out there," he said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. "I feel
sometimes like I'm a rookie. I don't know where the ball's going."
Ironically, Cueto's malady virtually assures he'll remain with San Francisco past the July 31 non-
waiver Trade Deadline, since his iffy health will make him impossible to deal if the Giants
wanted to do so. Cueto remained unmoved when a reporter raised this subject.
"I don't think about that stuff," he said. "Like I said before, it's a team decision if they want to
trade me. That's fine. But I'm not thinking about it. My whole main mindset is that I'm going to
be here to help the team."
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Matt Cain, who was assigned to the bullpen when the club
believed it would have both Cueto and Bumgarner in the rotation's 1-2 spots, will return to the
role he held for nearly 12 seasons. He'll take Cueto's scheduled turn Wednesday against
Cleveland at AT&T Park.
The luckiest Giant to emerge from all this was infielder Miguel Gomez, who was vulnerable to
being returned to the Minors had Cueto remained healthy. Summoned from Double-A
Richmond on July 7, Gomez has impressed Bochy with his clutch hitting. Examples include an
eighth-inning RBI single that tied the score against Miami last Sunday and a sacrifice fly in
Friday's 5-4 victory here.
15
"He has the ability to get the good part of the bat on the ball," Bochy said.
CSNbayarea.com
Bumgarner goes seven strong in first MLB start since April 19
Alex Pavlovic
SAN DIEGO — Over seven innings Saturday night, Madison Bumgarner quieted any doubters.
The ace returned to the mound after nearly three months on the disabled list and looked very
much like his old self. In his first start since a season-altering dirt bike crash on April 20,
Bumgarner allowed just four hits and three earned runs. He walked two and struck out five.
Bumgarner left with the Giants and Padres tied at three after seven.
Bumgarner has always had a sense of the moment, and he returned with a bang, striking out
the side. His first big league pitch since April 19 was a 90 mph fastball to Manuel Margot, who
later check-swinged over the top of a 3-2 pitch. Bumgarner then froze Carlos Asuaje with a 90
mph fastball at the knees. After misjudging Wil Myers’ pop-up in foul territory, he struck Myers
out on a sharp cutter.
Bumgarner cruised through the second on just seven pitches and got old friend Hector Sanchez
to pop up to open the third. Any thoughts of something really special were put to an end right
there, as Matt Szczur crushed a solo homer to left.
It took until Monday, Bumgarner’s last rehab outing, for him to lock in with his breaking
pitches. He had an issue in the fourth inning Saturday, hanging a 2-2 curveball to Jabari Blash
that was crushed over the wall in center. The two-run shot gave the Padres a 3-2 lead.
Bumgarner worked around a bunt single in the fifth and a two-out double in the sixth, finishing
the latter inning at 83 pitches, three shy of his high during a rehab assignment. He walked
Szczur with two outs in the seventh but got pinch-hitter Corey Spangenberg to pop up on his
102nd and final pitch.
Bumgarner tried to walk toward the corner of the dugout when he returned, but Bruce Bochy
found him for the “you’re done” handshake. The seven-inning performance was just the second
by a Giants starter in the last 16 games.
16
CSNbayarea.com
Giants lose to Padres on Hector Sanchez walk-off home run
Alex Pavlovic
SAN DIEGO -- Hector Sanchez hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning and the San
Diego Padres beat San Francisco 5-3 on Saturday night to spoil the return of Giants
ace Madison Bumgarner.
Bumgarner pitched seven innings in his first start since being injured in a dirt bike accident
three months ago. He left with the score tied at 3 after allowing four hits, including home runs
by Matt Szczur and Jabari Blash, while striking out five and walking two.
Blash started the winning rally when he singled leading off the ninth against Cory Gearrin(3-3)
and advanced on Erick Aybar's sacrifice bunt against Steven Okert. Sanchez then drove a pitch
off the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner for the win. It was his fourth.
Sanchez started at catcher because Austin Hedges was held out as a precaution after taking a
foul ball off his mask on Friday night.
Brandon Maurer (1-4) pitched the ninth for the win.
The Giants lost for the sixth time in eight games. It was San Diego's sixth win in nine games.
Bumgarner was making his first start since April 19 at Kansas City. The next day, he wiped out
while riding a dirt bike on a day off in Denver, spraining the AC joint in his left shoulder and
suffering bruised ribs.
The lefty retired the first seven batters before Szczur homered to left, his third. Bumgarner
walked Carlos Asuaje leading off the fourth and retired the next two batters before Blash drove
a two-run shot an estimated 424 feet to straightaway center field for a 3-2 lead. It was his
second.
Joe Panik tied it at 3 with a solo shot to right leading off the sixth, his sixth.
Jhoulys Chacin gave up three runs and six hits in six innings, struck out four and walked four.
He labored through a 34-pitch first inning, when he loaded the bases on two walks and a single
before allowing a two-run single by Hunter Pence.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Giants: Johnny Cueto was placed on the 10-day DL with blisters on the tips of his right thumb,
forefinger and middle finger. Cueto (6-7, 4.59 ERA) left Friday night's game after four innings
17
because of the blisters. He also was affected by blisters on two fingers in May. With Cueto
expected to miss at least two starts, Matt Cain moves back into the rotation.
Padres: Hedges was scratched a few hours before the game as a precaution after taking a foul
ball off his mask Friday night.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Jeff Samardzija (4-10, 4.58 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale. His 10 losses
are tied for the most in the NL.
Padres: RHP Trevor Cahill (3-3, 3.38 ERA) is scheduled to make his third start since coming off
the DL (strained right shoulder).
SI.com
MLB rumors: Multiple teams interested in Giancarlo Stanton
Scooby Axson
The second half of the MLB season is underway and rumors are already starting to fly about
deals that could be made before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.
As teams scramble to get a foothold of their positions in their respective divisions, injuries
have already derailed some teams potential at a postseason berth.
The first big deal went down on Thursday as the Chicago Cubs got Jose Quintana from the
Chicago White Sox for four prospects.
Here is the latest news and rumors from around the league.
Rumors and News
• The Texas Rangers could trade Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels. Hamels can block trades to 20
teams, but the team would like a lot of compensation if they ended up trading both players.
(Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com)
• Multiple teams are interested in Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton would have
18
to waive his no trade clause in order to be dealt. (Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports)
• The Dodgers have interest in Orioles closer Zach Britton. (Jon Heyman, FanRag Sports)
• The Diamondbacks are showing significant interest in Marlins right–hander David Phelps.
(Craig Mish, Sirius XM Radio)
• The Yankees and Padres have discussed Brandon Maurer in trade talks. (Joel
Sherman, New York Post)
• The Phillies have been vocal in their desire to acquire Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich.
They would be willing to take on “bad money” contracts to do so. (Ken Rosenthal, Fox
Sports)
• The Cubs did inquire to the Detroit Tigers on Justin Verlander within last month, but the
talks never gained steam. (Jon Morosi, MLB Network)
Injuries
• Cleveland Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall is expected to be placed on the 10-day
disabled list with a right calf strain.
• White Sox pitcher Nate Jones is out for the season after undergoing surgery to have nerve
repositioned in his right elbow.
• Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is expected to join the lineup on Friday against
the Cubs. Davis has been out since June 13 with a right oblique strain.
19
ESPN.com
The biggest defensive holes contenders need to fill
Brian Reiff
Now that the All-Star Game is past, the next item on the MLB calendar is the July 31 trade
deadline. Although it's still more than two weeks away, names are already being floated around
as potential trade targets as teams looks to gain an edge over one another. The
competitiveness in the American League -- every team is within 7½ games of the wild-card
spots -- should ensure that plenty of teams will be looking to improve before the deadline
passes, while National League teams will hope to bolster their lineups for their playoff runs. The
big-name players attract most of the attention during this time of the year, but there are other
ways for teams to improve besides paying exorbitant prices for the top hitters and pitchers.
Many of the contending teams have struggled defensively at one position or another, and fixing
that defensive hole could be the deciding factor as to whether they are playing in October. Here
are some teams with clear defensive holes and some ideas of how I think they could address
them.
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox -- Third base
The AL East rivals have both excelled offensively this season, scoring the second- and fourth-
most runs in the AL, respectively. The difference between them has been their defense -- while
the Yankees have saved just the sixth-fewest runs in the AL, according to defensive runs saved
(DRS), the Red Sox have saved the second most, helping them open up their 3½-game lead in
the division.
The entire infield has been a concern for the Yankees defensively, as they're one of only two
teams whose fielders have cost them runs at each of the four infield positions. And while first
base has been the most-discussed area of improvement, third base has actually been one of
their biggest liabilities on the defensive side of the ball, with Chase Headley having cost the
team five runs with his glove and Ronald Torreyes costing another one.
Headley has been effective in the past, saving a combined 19 runs at third base between 2013
and 2016, but this year he has struggled with his range. This is his first season as a full-time time
player in which he has made fewer plays than average to both his left and his right, and it's
unlikely he'll rebound considering he's already 33 years old. The obvious replacement for him
would have been top prospect Gleyber Torres, but after Torres underwent Tommy John surgery
just last month, the team should be looking for help in the trade market.
Worst Defensive Infields, DRS By Position
TEAM 1B 2B 3B SS INFIELD
20
Worst Defensive Infields, DRS By Position
TEAM 1B 2B 3B SS INFIELD
Mets 1 -6 -10 -15 -30
Yankees -3 -7 -6 -1 -17
Padres -5 -3 -3 -4 -15
Athletics -9 1 2 -9 -15
Orioles -6 -7 3 -4 -14
The Red Sox have been one of the best teams defensively, but they've still been hurt by their
fielders at shortstop and third base. Xander Bogaerts more than makes up for his below-
average defense with his bat, but at third base, the team has already moved on from their
initial starter, Pablo Sandoval, who has cost the team six runs in just over 200 innings of
work. Deven Marrero and Tzu-Wei Lin have gotten the starts during Sandoval's most recent
stint on the disabled list, and they have proven themselves capable defensively, but the team
might still be looking for a more experienced option as it attempts to win its fourth World
Series in 14 years.
The most obvious target for both teams is Todd Frazier, as the White Sox have made it clear
they are sellers in this year's trade market. He'll certainly be a boost to both teams on defense,
having saved his team at least five runs at the position in three of the past four years and on
pace to do so again. More than that, he would represent an improvement on the offensive side
as well, with an OPS of .779, fifth highest in the AL among qualified third basemen.
Both teams have apparently also expressed interest in Martin Prado, the third baseman for
the Miami Marlins. His offensive numbers are not as impressive as Frazier's, but his defense
makes up for it, as he has saved his team 23 runs since 2014, tied for the eighth most among
third basemen and nine more than Frazier. He also has the defensive versatility to play all
around the diamond or even in the outfield, which could prove useful for contending teams,
especially the injury-plagued Yankees.
Tampa Bay Rays -- Second base
While they might not get as much media attention as their big-market division opponents, the
Rays are actually tied with the Yankees, with each holding a one-game lead over the Twins for
the wild-card spots. To contend in the competitive American League, the Rays also will probably
be buyers come deadline time. They've been the best team defensively this season, with their
fielders combining to save 35 runs and their shifts saving another 21. Offense hasn't been a
problem either, as they've scored only three fewer runs than the Red Sox.
The main area of concern for them has been second base, the only position at which the team
has been below average defensively. Brad Miller is the primary culprit here, as he has cost his
team six runs, third most at the position. In fact, he has cost his team runs in the field every
21
season of his career. While he certainly hasn't been as harmful at second base as he was at
shortstop last year (minus-14 DRS), the fact remains that Miller has been the weak link in what
has otherwise been an elite defensive unit, even with former Fielding Bible award winner and
constant presence atop the DRS leaderboard Kevin Kiermaiermissing the past month of the
season. Miller used to make up for his defensive shortcomings with a solid bat, as he had
posted an OPS of at least .730 in each of the past two seasons. This year, he has posted just a
.693 mark and his power has seemingly disappeared, which might prompt the Rays to make a
move.
Second Base DRS Trailers
PLAYER TEAM DRS
Daniel Murphy Nationals -14
Jonathan Schoop Orioles -8
Brad Miller Rays -6
Joe Panik Giants -5
Asdrubal Cabrera Mets -5
Starlin Castro Yankees -5
Their internal options to replace Miller are Tim Beckham and Daniel Robertson, neither of
whom have particularly stood out with their offensive or defensive numbers. Looking outside
the organization, one possible target might be Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie,
whose name has been thrown around in trade rumors. Traditionally a shortstop, Lowrie was
moved to second base full time last year and didn't impress, costing the Athletics eight runs. He
seems to have adjusted to the position now, as he has been an average second baseman in the
field, which is more than can be said for Miller. What's more, Lowrie would be a significant
improvement offensively, as his .805 OPS is sixth highest among qualified second basemen.
Even if he didn't take the full-time job, the switch-hitting Lowrie could fit in as a platoon-mate
for Miller, who has .769 career OPS against righties that drops to .617 against lefties.
A more defensive-minded option to try and trade for would be Marlins second baseman Dee
Gordon, who has also apparently already generated interest from several teams. Gordon has
saved 18 runs at second base since 2015, second most in baseball, and his four runs saved this
year are tied for the sixth most. The former NL batting champion can also provide some value at
the plate, as his .701 OPS this season is higher than Miller's. The Rays would further appreciate
his 32 stolen bases, as they currently have the ninth-lowest stolen base success rate in MLB.
Either of Gordon or Lowrie would represent an improvement for the Rays, which they'll need to
keep themselves ahead of the pack in the American League.
Colorado Rockies -- Catcher
Despite having the fifth-best record in MLB, the Rockies find themselves third in their own
division behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. They're 9½ games off the
22
division lead, which would normally indicate a team looking to sell at the deadline, but they
also have a 7½-game hold on the second wild-card spot, so they'll almost certainly fancy
themselves contenders. The Rockies have been an above-average defensive team this season,
but that's in large part due to Nolan Arenado and his NL-leading 16 runs saved. The rest of their
fielders haven't been quite as good, with their catchers bringing up the rear, having cost the
team 13 runs this season.
Much of that comes from their poor framing skills, as they've combined to cost their team 12
runs based on those alone. Called strike percentages for Rockies catchers are significantly
below average, especially when it comes to pitches in the upper corners of the strike zone.
They've also been less successful at stealing strikes on pitches off the plate, regardless of their
positioning around the zone.
Called strike rates
Baseball Info Solutions
None of them have been particularly effective at the plate either, as Tony Wolters leads the
group with a .676 OPS. Combine those two factors, and you'll see that the Rockies' catchers
have been one of the worst position groups in baseball, worth minus-0.3 wins above
replacement (WAR), according to FanGraphs.
They've seemingly run out of options currently on the team, so the Rockies look as if they will
need to turn to the trade market if they want to improve the position. One player who could be
available is Atlanta Braves catcher Tyler Flowers, who would certainly fit in well with what the
Rockies need. Flowers has an .838 OPS, near the top of the league among catchers, so he could
immediately step in and provide an offensive boost over what the Rockies have gotten so far.
Flowers also is one of the best receiving catchers, saving more runs with his framing than any
other catcher since 2015.
Strike Zone Runs Saved Leaders, 2015-Present
NAME STRIKE ZONE RUNS SAVED
Tyler Flowers 42
Yasmani Grandal 30
Buster Posey 19
Russell Martin 19
Miguel Montero 18
Diamondbacks -- Left field
In a similar situation to the Rockies, the Diamondbacks will also want to improve their team, if
not to catch the Dodgers then at least to hold off the defending World Series champion Cubs
23
and their inevitable late-season push. One area in which they might look to do so is left field,
where their fielders have cost the team 13 runs.
Yasmany Tomas has been the biggest contributor to that, costing the team six runs in his 42
games there. He has been injured since June 2 though, as Daniel Descalso and Chris
Herrmann have taken on most of the left-field duties. They've actually been worse than Tomas
on a per-inning basis, costing the team five and three runs, respectively, each in under 200
innings of work. Tomas also leads the way in terms of offensive production with a .758 OPS, but
that number is deceptive playing in hitter-friendly Chase Field, which saw the Diamondbacks
and their opponents score 22 percent more runs than they did in Diamondbacks' road games in
2016, according to the Bill James Handbook. Tomas' OPS+, which adjusts OPS for park and
league context, is below average, as are those of the other Diamondbacks' left fielders.
Even when Tomas comes back from his injury, it might be in the Diamondbacks' best interests
not to put him back in left field. Instead, they should look at other options to fix up the
defensive hole that he and others have created. One internal option could be utilityman Chris
Owings, who has played just 1⅓ innings in left field but has proven himself capable in right with
two runs saved in just over 200 innings. Owings is more useful as a utility player, though, as he
has played over 90 innings at three different positions this season and will be needed at
shortstop now more than ever with Nick Ahmed expected to be on the disabled list until late
August.
If the team decides to look elsewhere, the Royals' Lorenzo Cainwould be a nice fit if the Royals
fall from contention. Set to be a free agent after the season, the Royals could entertain offers
for their veteran center fielder if they start to lose ground in the AL Central or wild-card races.
Cain has been one of the most consistent defensive producers in the outfield, saving 11 or more
runs each of the past four years and on pace to approach that mark again this season. He also
has held his own at the plate, posting a .782 OPS this season and a .757 career mark.
Cain would be an improvement on both offense and defense for the Diamondbacks, but they're
already financially committed to Tomas in the long term -- he's in the third year of a six-year,
$68.5 million contract. It would be a difficult decision to bench Tomas down the stretch once
he's back from the DL, but it might be the best move for a team looking to win this season.
Thanks to Baseball Info Solutions' Alex Vigderman for assistance with the data visualization.
Statistics are through the All-Star break.