Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 4 vs. San Francisco

Hits

Charlie Blackmon

Hey, any time you can take Tim Lincecum out of the yard - spring training, postseason and all times in between - you've had a good day. So that means Blackmon's day was a good day just a couple pitches into the game as he led it off with a solo blast off the Giants ace. He then added a single, a stolen base and a run scored in the second, again off Lincecum, making it an excellent day.

Michael Cuddyer

Jim Tracy wanted to get Cuddyer into the lineup today to get him a look at Lincecum. It didn't take him long to get comfortable as he knocked a two-run triple over the head of right fielder Nate Schierholtz to cap a three-run first. Cuddyer would later add a run scoring single, giving him a three RBI day batting out of the sixth spot.

Jamie Moyer/Rex Brothers

Opposite ends of the age and velocity table, but equally as effective on the mound today. Moyer tossed a pair of scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. Brothers followed with his own scoreless frame. Good start for each in active competition.

Misses

Esmil Rogers

After an efficient debut on Saturday, the always inconsistent Rogers followed it up today with four walks and three hits allowed in ONE inning. Somehow the Giants only managed to score three times in the inning, but either way a miss here might be too nice. This is actually closer to a disaster for Rogers.

Got Their Work In

The Regulars

It was nice to have most of the regulars in today's lineup against Lincecum. Marco Scutaro, Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton and Cuddyer all started, and each played a role in the Rockies scoring five runs off Lincecum in the first two innings.

Jeremy Guthrie

His line: 3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB and 0 K.

Not the smoothest debut for Guthrie with three doubles allowed, but the no walks are always a good sign. That's how he's always managed to limit damage in the American League East and will be a big key to his success rate pitching in Denver.

Oh, yeah, and the score in case you're wondering

The Giants rallied for six in their final two at-bats (the three off Rogers and three more off some guy named Stephen Dodson) to pull out an 8-6  victory.

What's next

It's the Rockies vs. Royals on Thursday afternoon from Salt River Field. Audio from both teams will be available via MLB.com and the first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 MT.

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