Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Strickland a bright note as Giants lose a Coors Field special
Share This Post
Comments
Monday, September 1, 2014 - 8:15pm
Follow @csnbaggs

Programming note: For all the day’s sports news, tune in to SportsNet Central tonight at 6 p.m., 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

DENVER – The Giants’ 10-9 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Monday will drop into the haze as another of those crazy, Coors Field games where no lead was safe, every extra out was a swig of strychnine and the Giants failed to hold onto a five-run advantage.

Unless it’s remembered for something else.

“He hit 100?” said Hunter Pence, his eyes hopefully wide. “It looked like he was throwing hard. 

For the first time in his baseball life, Hunter has another Hunter as a teammate. And this one, Hunter Strickland, blew straight fuel after the Giants had fallen behind in the eighth inning.

[RELATED: Instant Replay: Giants' rally comes up short against Rockies]

Strickland threw 16 fastballs in a scoreless eighth inning. Twelve of them hit 98 mph. Three hit 99. One touched 100.

“You have to like the way the first two guys got on and he kept his poise out there,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s got a great arm and he’s a tough kid. He kept his composure.”

Despite giving up two singles, Strickland sped up Nolan Arenado’s bat before getting him to pop up a slider. Then he benefited from a would-be basestealer getting thrown out at second base before escaping on a ground out.

Unlike Brian Wilson, who made his debut on the same Coors Field mound in 2006, he didn’t rip an oblique in the process.

This is an important month for Strickland and for the Giants, who will be stretched to address several roster issues in the offseason. One of them is right-hander Sergio Romo, who will be a free agent and command at least $5 million per season. If they feel they have an able replacement in Strickland, they could redirect those funds toward re-signing Pablo Sandoval, Jake Peavy, Ryan Vogelsong or all of the above.

Strickland, who blew out his elbow ligament while closing a game in May of last season for Single-A San Jose, certainly has Wilson’s maniacal workout habits. He also has some edge to his personality, if fewer quirks.

It’s clear the Giants were sitting up and taking notes as he entered in the eighth. They remembered seeing him throw hard even though he was barely halfway through his rehab workload in the spring.

“He’s an absolute animal of a workout guy,” said Pence, which coming from him, are gilded words. “We weren’t too surprised to see him up here and there’s a lot of excitement to see him on the mound.”

He nearly became the winning pitcher, but the Giants could only tie with two runs in the ninth inning. Then Romo, pitching for the second time after appearing in the May 22 suspended game earlier in the day, gave up Colorado’s winning run in the bottom of the inning.

With runners at the corners and left-handed hitting Charlie Blackmon at the plate, Bochy could have ordered Romo to issue an intentional walk. But the manager seldom likes to load the bases and give his pitcher no margin for error. Romo likely was under orders to pitch around Blackmon, and a first-pitch two-seamer was nearly picked out of the dirt and flung into right field for the game winner. (If you want to pin this one on Bruce Bochy, ask why he stuck with Jean Machi -- a pitcher whose splitter doesn't work too well here -- for so long in the seventh.)

In the end, it was another Coors Field special. Tim Hudson and the bullpen couldn’t hold a five-run lead in the sixth inning. Pence’s three-run home run and three RBI hits from Brandon Crawford wasn’t enough.

And Hudson remained winless for his career at Coors. He even took two no-decisions in one day, since he started the May 22 game and threw three innings before a rain delay washed him out.

“We had the game in hand,” Hudson said. “When it’s 7-2, you feel you’ve got a chance to win a ballgame. But 7-2 here isn’t that big a lead. You want to go to that ninth inning with a lead because, I mean, you can give up a broken-bat homer here.

“Nothing really seems secure.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Posey impressed how Giants 'grinded away'
Norris: 'We were one swing away from winning the ballgame'
Bochy details how Kontos got 'some momentum going'
Gray: 'Final number all that matters'

Giants

Rewind: Giants reaping benefits from farm system in pennant race
Instant Replay: Posey, Susac power Giants past Rockies 12-7
Brett Bochy goes from bat boy to big leaguer with Giants
Gary Brown reacts to first big league call-up
Read More

Athletics

Instant Replay: Gray roughed up, Mariners edge A's 6-5
A's injury updates: Doolittle feels good after throwing session
Freiman, Pomeranz enjoy time down on the farm
A's lineup: Gentry in center, Freiman at first
Read More

Sharks

Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
Sharks Outlook: Hamilton still trying to break through
Sharks Outlook: Desjardins gives fourth line some attitude
Sharks Outlook: Demers must build on strong season
Read More

49ers

49ers Quick Hits: No wiggle room with McDonald
Unofficial 49ers depth chart lists Ellington as return specialist
San Jose Police: 'The victim had visible injuries'
Vernon Davis: 'I didn't see anything'
Read More

Raiders

Raiders injury update: Roach remains out of practice
Carr: 'I ended up in a great spot'
Welker suspended four games, violated PED policy
Schaub: 'I'm definitely disappointed'
Read More

Warriors

Warriors sign Craft, two other free agents
Report: Smart a 'strong candidate' to join Heat coaching staff
Unbeaten US routs New Zealand 98-71 at Worlds
Down at half, Team USA rallies to beat Turkey 98-77
Read More

NCAA

Ray Ratto's Top 25 college football rankings — Week 2
USC routs Fresno State 52-13 in season opener
Goff, Jefferson lead Cal over Northwestern 31-24
No. 11 Stanford routs UC Davis 45-0 in opener
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly
  • Amy G
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Giants reaping benefits from farm system in pennant race
(2)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Instant Replay: Posey, Susac power Giants past Rockies 12-7
(2)
Brett Bochy goes from bat boy to big leaguer with Giants
(1)
See more >

More Stories

Gary Brown reacts to first big league call-up
(8)
MRI shows strained oblique for Giants' Michael Morse
(6)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Posey impressed how Giants 'grinded away'
Posey impressed how Giants 'grinded away'
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Giants reaping benefits from farm system in pennant race
  • Instant Replay: Posey, Susac power Giants past Rockies 12-7
  • Brett Bochy goes from bat boy to big leaguer with Giants
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Gray roughed up, Mariners edge A's 6-5
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

A's injury updates: Doolittle feels good after throwing session
Freiman, Pomeranz enjoy time down on the farm
See more >

More Stories

A's lineup: Gentry in center, Freiman at first
A's recall Pomeranz, Freiman from Single-A
See more >

A's VIDEO

Norris: 'We were one swing away from winning the ballgame'
Norris: 'We were one swing away from winning the ballgame'
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
(1)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks Outlook: Hamilton still trying to break through
(5)
Sharks Outlook: Desjardins gives fourth line some attitude
(4)
See more >

More Stories

Sharks Outlook: Demers must build on strong season
(10)
Sharks announce training camp start date, futures games
(2)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

YSTL: Sharks make statement by removing Thornton as captain
YSTL: Sharks make statement by removing Thornton as captain
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
  • Sharks Outlook: Hamilton still trying to break through
  • Sharks Outlook: Desjardins gives fourth line some attitude
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Warriors sign Craft, two other free agents
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Report: Smart a 'strong candidate' to join Heat coaching staff
Unbeaten US routs New Zealand 98-71 at Worlds
(5)
See more >

more stories

Down at half, Team USA rallies to beat Turkey 98-77
(1)
Sterling says Clippers deal started with two numbers
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: Curry taking charge of Team USA
YSTL: Curry taking charge of Team USA
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Friday Five: Warriors' five best players since 1988
  • Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (8.22.14)
  • Joe Mixon: A star dims in an instant
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Report: Kings shipping G Terry to Houston
Y! Sports

More Stories

Report: Cousins cemented USA roster spot long before cuts
(2)
Kings interested in Russian guard Dmitry Kulagin
See more >

More Stories

USA routs Slovenia in final exhibition before World Cup
Final 12-man Team USA roster has local flavor
See more >

Kings Video

Spears: Cousins' status for Team USA in doubt after injury
Spears: Cousins' status for Team USA in doubt after injury
See more >

Fantasy Hoops

  • Fantasy news, analysis, draft guide, cheatsheets, projections & more
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

49ers Quick Hits: No wiggle room with McDonald
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Unofficial 49ers depth chart lists Ellington as return specialist
(36)
San Jose Police: 'The victim had visible injuries'
(40)
See more >

More stories

Vernon Davis: 'I didn't see anything'
(78)
Boone believes he can be 'very effective' in opener
(17)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Boone: 'It's good to be back; I'm happy with the outcome'
Boone: 'It's good to be back; I'm happy with the outcome'
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • 49ers Quick Hits: No wiggle room with McDonald
  • Unofficial 49ers depth chart lists Ellington as return specialist
  • San Jose Police: 'The victim had visible injuries'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders injury update: Roach remains out of practice
(1)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Carr: 'I ended up in a great spot'
(2)
Welker suspended four games, violated PED policy
See more >

More Stories

Schaub: 'I'm definitely disappointed'
(7)
Raiders draft class in position to make immediate impact
(1)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiders Quick Hits: Why Allen change his stance on starting QB?
Raiders Quick Hits: Why Allen change his stance on starting QB?
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • 49ers' Culliver arrested in San Jose
  • Kaepernick doesn't need headphones to tune out distraction
  • 49ers injury report: Rogers questionable, but insists he'll play
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake play to 1-1 draw
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Quakes face RSL looking to end four-game winless streak
(1)
Union score twice late to win 4-2 over Quakes
(2)
See more >

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Rewind: Giants reaping benefits from farm system in pennant race
(2)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Friday Five: Warriors' five best players since 1988
(11)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers Quick Hits: No wiggle room with McDonald
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders injury update: Roach remains out of practice
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
(1)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Instant Replay: Gray roughed up, Mariners edge A's 6-5
See more >

RAY RATTO

Isn't it swell Harbaugh declares 49ers policy before Baalke?

TOP STORIES

  • Instant Replay: Posey, Susac power Giants past Rockies 12-7
  • Brett Bochy goes from bat boy to big leaguer with Giants
  • Gary Brown reacts to first big league call-up

SAY HEY TUESDAY

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

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

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

No. 11 Stanford routs UC Davis 45-0 in opener
Ex-Stanford star Ogwumike wins WNBA Rookie of the Year

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • 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

Posey impressed how Giants 'grinded away'
Posey impressed how Giants 'grinded away'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California