Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: Sandoval, Vogelsong live in moment to beat Dodgers
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 - 11:30pm
Follow @csnbaggs

SAN FRANCISCO – Baseball makes no apologies for being a game of failure. But it does extend an olive branch of sorts.

It comes in the form of opportunity. There is nearly always another game, another inning, another at-bat or even the next pitch. Especially in April, there is always another chance for redemption. (And sometimes in October, too. You can ask Barry Zito about that one.)

[RELATED: Instant Replay: Posey, Sandoval push Giants past Dodgers]

So it happened Wednesday night for Ryan Vogelsong, 12 days after he was unable to fashion a win out of an 8-0 lead at Dodger Stadium in his season debut. So it happened for Pablo Sandoval, whose make-good moment involved a significantly tighter time frame.

Two pitches after Sandoval took the ugliest of guess hacks at a first pitch from lefty J.P. Howell, the Giants’ No.3 hitter reacted to an ankle-high sinker and dumped it into center field for the tiebreaking hit.

The Giants made it stand up in a 2-1 victory over their archrivals – their sixth consecutive one-run game. They’ve won four of them, including two against the deep-pocketed Dodgers here to position themselves for a try at a sweep.

“That’s our style,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who hasn’t forgotten old memes. “We’ve been like this for awhile – for years. It’s good for the guys to know every play, every pitch counts.”

It’s that realization that makes it so much easier to put past failures behind them. The present tense counts just as much. More, even.

So it didn’t matter that the Giants’ heroes on Bochy’s birthday, aside from four stalwart relievers, were a .186-hitting third baseman and a No.5 starter who entered with an 8.00 ERA.

“I don’t care about my numbers,” said Sandoval, making some kind of statement for a guy in his free-agent walk year. “Why (not)? It’s part of the game. Stay humble and do the best that I can up there.”

It was that first wild swing that made Sandoval take a deep breath.

“After that pitch, I just said, `Calm down. Play pepper. You’ve got a big field out there,’” he said. “That’s what I did in that situation.”

Sandoval broke his bat on the single and bruised his knuckles but said he would be fine. The Dodgers’ Hanley Ramirez looked to be in considerably more pain when Vogelsong hit him with a two-seamer that ran too far inside in the seventh inning. Ramirez spiked his helmet but to the Dodgers’ great fortune, X-rays did not reveal a fracture.

Vogelsong said as he watched Ramirez stomp around in pain, he didn’t flash back to the pitch that crushed his own hand last season.

“It’s unfortunate to see it happen,” he said, “but at the same time, I’ve got to be able to throw inside.”

That’s the attack-mode mentality Vogelsong displayed all night as he pumped first-pitch strikes and got the Giants back in the dugout quickly. Even when he appeared to miss Buster Posey’s glove, he kept the ball off the barrel and the Dodgers off balance. That’s what can happen when you throw pitches with conviction, he said.

It would be so easy for a 36-year-old pitcher like Vogelsong, coming off a miserable season, to lose faith in himself. But he’s also wizened enough to know that one start has no bearing on the next, unless he lets his brain become a blotter for bad memories.

He insisted all along that it would take one mechanical wrench turn to get his pitches to take the shape he wanted.

“It all kind of came together tonight,” he said. “I was focused on just repeating it and letting the ball go where it goes.”

It still took Jean Machi making two defensive plays and getting a double-play grounder to strand both of Vogelsong’s runners in the seventh. And it took a bullpen with the league’s second best ERA to protect a one-run lead after Sandoval provided it.

The teams that pile up 90-plus wins are skilled at finding different ways to come out on top: A dominant start here, a slugfest there, a late-inning comeback now and then. But for the Giants, in this ballpark, they absolutely must be able to win these tug-of-war, one-run games. So far, they’re showing the ability to pull the rope.

And if they slip one night, the next opportunity is usually a day away.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

YSTL: Sharks must stay aggressive in Game 2 vs. Kings
YSTL: The Warriors-Clippers animosity is real but will be dialed down
YSTL: Clippers setting verbal tone for playoff series vs. Warriors
Sheppard: "It's not that we kind of let off, it was just kind of a few brain farts here and there."

Giants

LIVE: Giants vs. Padres
Posey banged up but available off bench for Giants
Giants lineup: No Posey, Blanco in left
Rangers converting Scott Cousins from outfielder to pitcher
Read More

Athletics

Sean Doolittle thrilled with new five-year contract
LIVE: Astros vs. A's
A's lineup: Crisp back from injury, leading off in center
A's agree to terms with Doolittle on five-year contract
Read More

Sharks

Sharks' third line had good, bad moments in Game 1
Sharks kept things light during power outage
Kings unhappy with start against Sharks
Torres, fourth line set tone early for Sharks in Game 1
Read More

49ers

49ers, Ravens to participate in four preseason practices
If 49ers decline option on Smith, Baalke's 2011 draft takes a hit
49ers in wait-and-see mode with Kaepernick, Smith
Crews begin installing sod at Levi's Stadium
Read More

Raiders

Raiders finalize preseason schedule
Rolando McClain reinstated from reserve/retired list
Kaelin Burnett signs Raiders contract tender
Jets sign former Titans RB Chris Johnson
Read More

Warriors

Report: Grizzlies' Calathes suspended for violating drug policy
Curry named Western Conference Player of the Month
Warriors recall Ognjen Kuzmic from Santa Cruz
NBA commissioner Silver wants age limit change
Read More

NCAA

Jabari Parker declares for NBA draft
NCAA approves unlimited meals, snacks for athletes
Cal hires Tennessee's Martin as next basketball coach
Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike drafted No. 1 by Sun
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

LIVE: Giants vs. Padres
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Posey banged up but available off bench for Giants
Giants lineup: No Posey, Blanco in left
(14)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Toe the Rubber: Matt Cain vs. Tyson Ross
Toe the Rubber: Matt Cain vs. Tyson Ross
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Rangers converting Scott Cousins from outfielder to pitcher
Rewind: Bochy considers Operation Panda Drop

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Posey banged up but available off bench for Giants
  • Rewind: Bochy considers Operation Panda Drop
  • Instant Replay: Giants fail to sweep Dodgers again
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Sean Doolittle thrilled with new five-year contract
(1)
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

Sean Doolittle thrilled with new five-year contract
(1)
A's lineup: Crisp back from injury, leading off in center
(1)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Melvin on Doolittle's deal: 'If both sides are happy, I'm happy'
Melvin on Doolittle's deal: 'If both sides are happy, I'm happy'
See more >

A's TALK

A's agree to terms with Doolittle on five-year contract
A's surge as rest of division simply tries to heal

A's INSIDER

  • Bochy: Sandoval 'bouncing around like a cat'
  • Vogelsong returns to form in win over Pirates
  • Instant Replay: Vogelsong helps Giants salvage series split
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Sharks' third line had good, bad moments in Game 1
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks kept things light during power outage
(1)
Kings unhappy with start against Sharks
(3)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

YSTL: Sharks must stay aggressive in Game 2 vs. Kings
YSTL: Sharks must stay aggressive in Game 2 vs. Kings
See more >

Features

Torres, fourth line set tone early for Sharks in Game 1
Rewind: Two strong periods enough for Sharks in Game 1 win

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Cardinals leaning on surgically-repaired Carpenter in Game 2
  • Instant Replay: Giants' comeback falls short in Game 1 loss
  • Kelly to miss first two NLCS games, at least
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Report: Grizzlies' Calathes suspended for violating drug policy
Y! Sports

More Stories

Curry named Western Conference Player of the Month
(1)
Warriors recall Ognjen Kuzmic from Santa Cruz
(1)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: The Warriors-Clippers animosity is real but will be dialed down
YSTL: The Warriors-Clippers animosity is real but will be dialed down
See more >

Features

NBA commissioner Silver wants age limit change
Vegas pegs Warriors' Curry to outscore Clippers' Paul

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Poole's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot unveiled
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings' 'new era' off to slow start
(2)
Associated Press

More Stories

Kings fall to Suns in season finale
Kings look to close season with win over Suns
See more >

Watch

Malone: First season as Kings coach full of its 'ups and downs'
Malone: First season as Kings coach full of its 'ups and downs'
See more >

Features

Kings' Cousins suspended for 16th technical foul
Cousins powers Kings past T'wolves 106-103

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

49ers, Ravens to participate in four preseason practices
(6)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

If 49ers decline option on Smith, Baalke's 2011 draft takes a hit
(131)
49ers in wait-and-see mode with Kaepernick, Smith
(127)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Turf laid at Levi's Stadium
Turf laid at Levi's Stadium
See more >

DRAFT CENTRAL

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Raiders finalize preseason schedule
(3)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Rolando McClain reinstated from reserve/retired list
(13)
Kaelin Burnett signs Raiders contract tender
(13)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Football vs Futbol: Raiders take on Earthquake on pitch
Football vs Futbol: Raiders take on Earthquake on pitch
See more >

DRAFT CENTRAL

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Wondo helps Earthquakes tie Crew
(3)
Associated Press

More Stories

Looking for first win of season, Earthquakes host Crew
Earthquakes sign GM to extension
(1)
See more >

Watch

Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Posey banged up but available off bench for Giants
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Seven worst losses of Warriors' season
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers, Ravens to participate in four preseason practices
(6)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders finalize preseason schedule
(3)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks' third line had good, bad moments in Game 1
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Sean Doolittle thrilled with new five-year contract
(1)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Expect Kings to push back in Game 2 vs. Sharks

TOP STORIES

  • LIVE: Giants vs. Padres
  • Posey banged up but available off bench for Giants
  • Giants lineup: No Posey, Blanco in left

Say Hey Tuesdays

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike drafted No. 1 by Sun
Stanford's Ogwumike wins Wooden award

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

YSTL: Sharks must stay aggressive in Game 2 vs. Kings
YSTL: Sharks must stay aggressive in Game 2 vs. Kings
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California