Snake Bytes: Settling for the Split

Arizona 4, LA Angels 5

A two-run homer run by Paul Goldschmidt in the ninth was not quite enough to get Matt Koch off the hook for having a shaky fifth inning.

Koch Beats Himself in Fifth

Matt Koch hit a batter to open the fifth and then hit a second batter to load the bases with Mike Trout coming to the plate. Trout promptly cleared the bases, hitting the first pitch he saw for a bases-clearing single to center field. The offense tried to recover. Paul Goldschmidt did his thing, hitting a two-run homer in the ninth, but it just wasn’t enough.

Bradley Dealing with Cracked Fingernail

Bradley has flashed his devastating curveball less frequently than expected lately. It turns out, this could be because he is dealing with a lingering injury in the form of a cracked fingernail on his throwing hand.

Ray Turns in Strong Second Rehab Outing

The left-hander allowed only one run in 4.1 innings of work in Reno, striking out nine batter in the 66-pitch outing.

Yoshi Hirano’s Deception Key to Success

Anyone wondering how Yoshi Hirano is having so much success with only two pitches, one of which is an average fastball should have a look at just how the Japanese import is able to disguise the pitches.

Around MLB

Hunter Strickland Breaks Hand Having Tantrum

The Giants’ bad luck with injuries continues. This time though, it was the lack of maturity on the part of their closer that cost them his services for the next eight weeks or so.

Giants’ Beanball Antics Disgracing Game

What is it that so upset Hunter Strickland that he punched a locker and broke his hand? Apparently it was Lewis Brinson of the .180 batting average and the Miami Marlins. Didn’t the Giants see what happens when the Pirates hit Chris Owings? Good things just don’t come from hunting weak hitters, and even SF’s beat writers have had enough.