Tag Archives: San Francisco Giants

Baseball, Sacramento River Cats

River Cats and Aces Seesaw but Reno Nabs Final Tally

Luciano, Wisely and Diaz Earn RBI Each

By: Jake Ward

Featured Photo by : Shawn Jonas

RENO, Nev. –  The Sacramento River Cats and the Reno Aces traded shots in the middle innings of the series finale of their six-game set, but it was Reno that had the last laugh to split the series as they secured a 6-4 victory on Sunday.

Luciano’s RBI Double in the 3rd inning

For a second straight game the River Cats (5-4) scored first but were unable to keep the lead, breaking the scoreless tie in the third with a two-out RBI double from Marco Luciano that scored Donovan Walton, who had reached with a walk. The Aces (5-3) answered with their swings in the bottom half in a similar fashion as a leadoff walk came around to score on an RBI single from Pavin Smith. 

Ramos’ Single in the 4th
Brett Wisely’s RBI Single in the 4th inning

To start the fourth the River Cats pulled back in front thanks to Brett Wisely, as he singled into left center that scored Heliot Ramos from second who had reached with a single of his own before advancing on a walk to Casey Schmitt.

It took an inning for the Aces to respond, but they did so with a trio of runs in the home half of the fifth on the strength of doubles from Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Garlick and a pair of free passes.

Yusniel Diaz’s RBI Single in the 6th

Trailing by two, Sacramento found a way to knot the game once again in the away half of the sixth with a rally started when Jakson Reetz was hit by a pitch and Wisely was issued a walk. Reetz did not wait long as he immediately came around to score on an RBI single to left center by Yusniel Diaz, while Wisley scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Walton. 

Walton’s Sacrifice Fly brings Wisely into score

The lead only lasted a half inning, as Reno responded with two of their own in the bottom of the sixth that was kicked off by a Sacramento error. Consecutive singles from Jancarlos Cintron, Barrosa and Almora Jr. resulted in both of the runs, and the inning was kept from getting worse when Barrosa was thrown out at third and gave Sacramento a way out of the frame.

Down but not out, the River Cats loaded the bases back-to-back walks to Heliot Ramos and Schmitt, finally filling when Reetz was hit by a pitch for a second time. Despite having the opportunity to take the lead, one of the year’s most clutch hitters Wisely was unable to capitalize and left them loaded.

After taking over for starter Spencer Howard, who allowed two runs on five hits in 4.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts, RJ Dabovich (0-1) was charged with the loss as he was tagged for four runs (three earned) in his only frame of work.

Keeping the River Cats in the game down the stretch was the trio of Justin Garza, Randy Rodriguez and Cody Stashak, who each combined on 2.0 scoreless innings with only two hits allowed.

Picking up the win for Reno was Blake Walston (1-0), who entered after the recently signed Joran Montgomery who was still ramping up for the Diamondbacks’ regular season. Walston went 2.2 innings and two earned runs on only one hit with four walks and two strikeouts. Down the stretch, Francisco Morales earned a hold with a clean 1.1. innings while Justin Martinez collected his second save of the campaign with a perfect ninth. 

All four Sacramento hits came from different bats, with the trio of Luciano (1-for-5, double), Wisely (1-for-3, run) and Diaz (1-for-3) responsible for most and an RBI each. 

Having completed their first six-game series with a split, the River Cats will now return home for their first six-game set at Sutter Health Park beginning on Tuesday against the El Paso Chihuahuas with first pitch at 6:45 p.m.

San Francisco Giants

Conforto’s 3rd homer in 5 games not enough to spark Giants

By : Maria Guardado

@mi_guardado

LOS ANGELES — Michael Conforto was one of the San Francisco Giants‘ biggest free-agent additions last season, but he’s flown more under the radar following the arrival of several newcomers like Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman and Jorge Soler this year.

Despite the lack of fanfare, Conforto has quickly emerged as one of the club’s hottest hitters to start the year.

Conforto continued his early-season power surge by crushing his team-high third home run in five games, but it wasn’t enough in an 8-3 loss to the Dodgers in Monday night’s series opener at Dodger Stadium.

The Giants were held scoreless by left-hander James Paxton through the first five innings before Conforto put them on the board with a towering solo shot off reliever Ryan Brasier in the top of the sixth. Conforto fell behind 0-2, took a ball and fouled off two straight sliders before yanking the next one just inside the right-field foul pole for a 384-foot blast that cut the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1.

“I caught it pretty flush and there was pretty good spin on it, so not much hook,” Conforto said. “It was the third straight slider, so my third chance on it. I put a pretty good swing on it and kept it fair.”

Conforto’s homer provided a brief spark, but the Giants couldn’t cash in on multiple scoring opportunities, finishing 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 on base. San Francisco’s bullpen couldn’t keep it close after that, as Teoscar Hernández broke the game open with a three-run homer off submariner Tyler Rogers in the bottom of the sixth.

The Dodgers also tacked on a pair of insurance runs against right-hander Nick Avila, who gave up RBI knocks to Mookie Betts and Will Smith after coming in to make his Major League debut in the seventh.

San Francisco’s bullpen has now allowed 20 runs over 18 innings, resulting in a Major League-high 10.00 ERA over the first five games of the season. Every reliever aside from Landen Roupp has given up at least one run thus far, though the group is light on experience after introducing four rookies — Avila, Roupp, Erik Miller and Kai-Wei Teng — into the mix early this year.

“We can be better,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We also have some guys coming, and that’s going to be key for us. Whether it’s Blake [Snell], whether it’s Alex [Cobb]. Certainly Robbie Ray down the road. Closing games out is going to be key for us.”

The latest late-inning stumble overshadowed a solid season debut for rookie right-hander Keaton Winn, who gave up three runs over five innings in his 10th career Major League appearance (his sixth start). Winn struck out six and walked one while leaning on his trademark splitter, which he threw 42% of the time and used to induce seven of his 14 whiffs. He also topped out at 98.2 mph with his fastball and mixed in 20 sliders, one shy of his entire total from the 2023 campaign.

Winn missed time with mild right elbow inflammation at the beginning of Spring Training, but he managed to recover in time to earn a spot on the Giants’ Opening Day roster. He drew a tough assignment in his first appearance of the season, as he was tasked with taking on a Dodgers lineup that features perhaps the most vaunted top of the order in the Majors in Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freeman. The trio didn’t disappoint on Monday, combining to go 6-for-11 with three RBIs and six runs scored.

“That’s a lot of high-powered guys, for sure,” Winn said. “You’ve really got to focus up and make pitches, especially the first five guys.”

While the Giants’ lineup couldn’t break through against Paxton on Monday, Conforto’s hot start bodes well for their ability to put together better offensive showings in the future. The 31-year-old left fielder underwhelmed at the plate last season after missing the entire 2022 campaign due to right shoulder surgery, but he already looks like he’s in a better offensive rhythm after going through a rehab-free Spring Training this year.

“It’s a good start,” Conforto said. “There’s a lot of good things. There’s still some at-bats that I feel like I’m missing some pitches and could get some things going and get on base a little bit more. But overall, it’s nice to see the ball leave the ballpark. I’m just going to keep working and trying to put together great at-bats and help the team win.”

Conforto didn’t get a chance to start against many lefties toward the end of last season, but he’s already homered off one southpaw — Padres reliever Tom Cosgrove — and should have an opportunity to reestablish himself as an everyday player if he can sustain this level of productivity moving forward.

“It’s been great,” Melvin said. “He’s been in there basically every day. He had a big homer off a lefty, too. We talked about the year after you have that surgery. He looks like he’s playing really well and playing with a lot of confidence.”

Maria Guardado covers the Giants for MLB.com. She previously covered the Angels from 2017-18.

Sacramento River Cats

River Cats Fight To The End, Split Doubleheader

Whisenhunt Dazzles in Game One, Ramos Homers in Game Two

By Jake Ward (RiverCats Media Relations)

March 31, 2024

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Fans of pitching were in for a treat in the doubleheader on Sunday between the Sacramento River Cats and the Salt Lake Bees, as the two sides kept each other at bay and wound up splitting the twin bill after Sacramento took game one by a 1-0 final but saw the Bees capture game two in extra innings, 3-2.

Game One (7 Innings)

Pitching was the theme in the first of the day’s twin bill, and shining was none other than the No. 3 prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, Carson Whisenhunt. He punched out the first batter he faced, struck out the side in the second, and ended his day after three innings by recording six of his nine outs via the strikeout. Each of his punchouts ended with a whiff by a Bees (1-2) batter, and he yielded just one hit without a walk.

Following the groove of the lefty for the River Cats (2-1) was right-hander Spencer Bivens (1-0), who picked up where Whisenhunt left off by striking out two in the fourth, the latter of which came with runners at the corners to leave them stranded.

It takes two to duel, as despite a leadoff single from Heliot Ramos, Sacramento was held off base in each the second and third innings by Zach Plesac. Finally in the fourth the River Cats broke through against Plesac thanks to the duo of Casey Schmitt and last night’s walk-off hero Brett Wisely. Wisely walked and was able to swipe second to put himself in scoring position, when Schmitt tallied his first hit of the season that sailed into center field and produced what would be the game’s only run.

Bivens kept his momentum going through the sixth, as a walk to Jack Lopez in the top of the fifth was erased when Lopez was caught stealing. Next time out, Bivens worked around a one-out ground rule double by Livan Soto to end the sixth.

Taking over to start the seventh was right-hander Cody Stashak (S, 1), who worked a quick and clean seventh for his first save since he was a member of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on May 20, 2019. Despite his dominant outing, Whisenhunt earned a no-decision.

One day after logging 14 strikeouts in their season-opening contest, which was the most in a season-opener in Sacramento history since at least 2005, the River Cats collected another 11 punchouts in their campaign’s second game. Last year in 2023, there were only 10 instances of Sacramento logging 11 or more strikeouts in consecutive games (high of four from 6/13-6/16).

Charged with the loss for Salt Lake was Plesac, who lasted 5.0 innings and allowed just two hits and a pair of walks while striking out four. Former San Francisco Giant Hunter Strickland tossed the sixth and allowed one hit with a strikeout.

Both teams had just three hits in the contest, and only Soto of Salt Lake had a multi-hit game. For the River Cats, the trio of hits came from Ramos, Schmitt and David Villar, while the only run was scored by Wisely after his walk. The game was the fastest seven-inning game in Sacramento history at one hour and 38 minutes, topping the season opening contest between these same two teams from last year on April 1, 2023 by one minute (one hour, 39 minutes).

Game Two (9 Innings)

Continuing the low-scoring theme of the day, game two of the doubleheader did not see a run through the originally scheduled seven innings. It was not until the eighth inning that the Bees broke through on the scoreboard, taking advantage of the free runner on second base with a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third, where they scored easily on a single by Jordyn Adams. Salt Lake continued the offensive and loaded the bases, ultimately scoring once more on a bases loaded walk.

On the first pitch of the home half of the eighth the River Cats answered, as Heliot Ramos hammered the first offering to straightaway center field for a two-run homer. The first of the year by Ramos was reminiscent of his pair of walk-off home runs in 2023, getting out of the park in a hurry and energizing the home crowd.

Moving into the ninth, it seemed as if Sacramento would escape the inning without allowing a run, but the throw to first from Otto Lopez on a would-be inning-ending double play sailed wide and into the Bees’ dugout, allowing the run to score. The River Cats would then go down in order to bring an end to the game.

Both teams were able to put runners on in the early going, but both had a runner picked off in the first. Each team had one hit in the third and fourth innings but failed to get anything to materialize.

Sacramento starter Mason Black went five innings and scattered four hits, striking out five in the process but left with a no-decision. RJ Dabovich made his season debut and worked 1.1 scoreless innings, while Tanner Andrews (0-1) yielded an unearned run in 1.2 innings but was also charged with the loss.

Earning credit for the victory was Zac Kristofrak (1-0), as he tossed 1.2 scoreless frames while walking and striking out one. Davis Daniel, Salt Lake’s starter, also was rendered a no-decision despite his six frames of work, allowing five hits and punching out five.

Luciano collected the only multi-hit game in the second half of the day for Sacramento, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Also logging hits was Ismael Munguia, Blake Sabol, Lopez and Pinder.

With the first homestand in the books, Sacramento will now hit the road for their first six-game set, which begins on Tuesday at Greater Nevada Field in Reno, Nev. as the River Cats take on the Reno Aces beginning Tuesday at 2:05 p.m.

San Francisco Giants

Whisenhunt displays electric stuff in brief Triple-A season debut

https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/topic/mlb-pipeline-coverage

By: Jesús Cano

@jesus_cano88

The Giants are already loaded with a starting rotation consisting of Logan Webb, Blake Snell, Jordan Wicks and Kyle Harrison, but a young arm is strong-arming his way toward San Francisco.

In his 2024 debut, Carson Whisenhunt struck out six batters while allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings in Triple-A Sacramento River Cats 1-0 win over Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon at Sutter Health Park.

“It’d be really cool to get the opportunity to go up there and be with those guys,” Whisenhunt said. “I’m trying not to look that far ahead. Just trying to get back into the field and take care of things. And if I get the opportunity to go out there, I’ll take advantage of it.”

MLB Pipeline’s No. 80 overall prospect allowed just one hit — a single grounded to right field by Livan Soto, the second batter he faced — and racked up 12 swings-and-misses.

The 23-year-old’s arsenal is equipped with a sinker, a slider and a curveball. On Sunday, Whisenhunt generated five whiffs with his sinker, which topped at 95 mph. His changeup accounted for seven whiffs.

“I’ve been working on a bunch of different things through Spring Training and the offseason,” Whisenhunt said. “I feel like all of my pitches were really good today. There were a few misses that I can work on and get better at, but for just that first time back out there, an actual game felt really good.”

Whisenhunt put himself on the map last year. In 16 appearances, he posted a 2.45 ERA and held hitters to a .177 average-against in 58 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A. He ascended from the club’s No. 8 prospect slot to No. 3 this season.

“I’m not trying to do too much on the mound,” Whisenhunt said about last season’s success. “I’m trying not to overthink it or do anything out of the ordinary. Coming into this year, I’m trying to keep that same mindset, just trying to stay myself.”

His numbers are even more impressive when you consider that he was shut down late last July with a left elbow sprain. Remaining healthy was a key priority for Whisenhunt during the offseason.

Having already mastered his changeup and sinker, the East Carolina product also spent time working on command and developing his curveball. He only threw it twice for the River Cats in Sunday’s game, but already feels like progress has been made.

San Francisco Giants

Giants agree to two-year contract with left-handed pitcher Blake Snell

March 19, 2024

Blake Snell

Scottsdale, Ariz. – The Giants and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner LHP Blake Snell agreed to terms on a two-year Major League contract worth $62 million, which includes an opt-out following the 2024 season. Snell will earn a $15 million salary in 2024 while also receiving a $17 million signing bonus, payable on January 15, 2026. Snell will earn $30 million in 2025, of which $15 million will be deferred and paid on July 1, 2027. Snell will also make an annual donation to the Giants Community Fund, which includes $160,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025. 

Snell, 31, posted a 14-9 record with a 2.25 ERA over 32 starts last season en route to his second Cy Young Award (first in the NL). Snell, who previously won the award in the American League with Tampa Bay in 2018, joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Max Scherzer, Gaylord Perry, and Roy Halladay as the only players in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. 

In addition to winning his second Cy Young, Snell also led the Majors in ERA for the first time in his career with his 2.25 figure in 2023 (he led the AL with his 1.89 ERA in his other Cy Young year in 2018). He also led the Majors last season in opposing batting average (.181), opponent slugging percentage (.286), opponent OPS (.579), and hits allowed per 9.0 innings (5.75). His 234 strikeouts were tied for third-most in the Majors behind ATL’s Spencer Strider (281) and TOR’s Kevin Gausman (237). 

Named The Sporting News 2023 National League Starter of the Year, Snell last year posted career-bests in starts, strikeouts, and opponents slugging percentage and came just two outs shy of matching a career-high in innings pitched (180.0). He also had the best bWAR among pitchers (6.0) in the NL. 

Snell was selected by Tampa Bay in the supplemental first round (52nd overall) of the 2011 Draft out of Shorewood High School in Shoreline, WA. The lefty made his MLB debut in 2016 and had a breakout season in 2018, when he earned his first Cy Young award after going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA across 31 starts. He finished ninth in the MVP voting that season and was named an American League All-Star. 

In 191 career starts, Snell has gone 71-55 with a 3.20 ERA and 1,223 strikeouts across his eight seasons with the Rays (2016-2020) and Padres (2021-2023). In 12 career Postseason games (10 starts), Snell is 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. 

With the addition of Snell, the Giants’ 40-man roster is currently at 40 players.

San Francisco Giants

GIANTS NAME DUSTY BAKER SPECIAL ADVISOR TO BASEBALL OPERATIONS

January 18, 2024

Photos By : Shawn Jonas

Dusty Baker is back with the Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Giants today announced that former manager Dusty Baker will return to the organization as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations and will perform duties both on the baseball and business side.

      “We are so excited to welcome Dusty back into the Giants organization,” said Giants President and CEO Larry Baer. “Dusty’s experience, knowledge, and the success he’s had in his 50 years of baseball will be an invaluable piece to the success and continued development of our baseball operations efforts both on and off the field.” 

      “I was fortunate enough to get to know Dusty when we overlapped in the organization in 2019, and I’m excited to get to work with him again,” said Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. “We’ve had a chance to meet in person and discuss our shared vision of bringing championship baseball back to San Francisco. I learn something new in every interaction with him and look forward to leaning on his experience and perspective on the game.”

Baker and Melvin chat.

      “I’m thrilled to be on the same team as Dusty again,” said Giants Manager Bob Melvin. “He’s been a great friend and mentor to me over the years. More than anything, I don’t have to manage against him anymore. Welcome home Bake.”

      “I’ve enjoyed my stops at various places but I’m happy to be back home,” said Baker. “I look forward to providing guidance to the organization and helping the Giants get back to the top in a very tough division.”

      Baker will join the Giants & KNBR FanFest Tour for the first stop in Sacramento this Saturday, January 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Sutter Health Park – Home of the Sacramento River Cats.

      The three-time National League Manager of the Year returns to the Giants organization after serving the previous four seasons as the manager of the Houston Astros, where he posted a combined record of 320-226 (.586), leading the Astros to two trips to the World Series, including his first championship as a manager in 2022. In four years with Houston, Baker reached the American League Championship Series four times, won three consecutive AL West division titles (2021-23), two AL pennants (2021-22), and one World Series, beating the Phillies in six games in 2022. He is the oldest manager to win a World Series.

      Before his stint with the Astros, Baker was a Special Advisor to the CEO for the Giants for two years (2018-19).

      Baker, 74, finished his 26-year managerial career as one of the most accomplished managers in history. His 2,183 wins in the regular season are the seventh-most in history and he’s the only manager to lead five different teams to the postseason. During his 26-year managerial career, he posted a 2,183-1,862 (.540) record with the San Francisco Giants (1993-2002), Chicago Cubs (2003-06), Cincinnati Reds (2008-13), Washington Nationals (2016-17) and Houston Astros (2020-2023). Baker produced 13 Postseason teams, including 10 division championships (San Francisco, 1997 and 2000; Chicago, 2003; Cincinnati, 2010 and 2012; Washington, 2016 and 2017; Houston, 2021, 2022, 2023), and three wild card appearances (San Francisco, 2002; Cincinnati, 2013; Houston 2020).

      Baker’s coaching career started as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants in 1988 and he then spent the following four years (1989–92) as the hitting coach before being named manager in 1993. In his very first year as Giants manager, he won the 1993 NL Manager of the Year award, leading the team to a 103–59 record, which was the second-best record in baseball that year. His Giants teams went on to win division titles in 1997 and 2000 and the National League pennant in 2002. His 840 wins with San Francisco rank third-most in team history behind Bruce Bochy (1,052) and Hall of Famer John McGraw (2,583).

      A career .278 hitter, Baker played 19 seasons in the big leagues and compiled 242 home runs, 320 doubles, 23 triples, and 1,013 RBI. He finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice (1980 and 1981), and from 1980-82 he hit .303, averaging 20 home runs, 20 doubles, and 78 RBI a year while earning two Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove, and two All-Star selections.

      Baker currently resides in Sacramento, CA with his wife, Melissa, and has two children, Natosha and Darren, and a pair of grandchildren. He is a 1967 graduate of Del Campo High School (Carmichael, CA) and attended American River College (Sacramento, CA). Baker was inducted into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and the California Black Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2015, he was enshrined in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.