Today, we only have one game on, which is Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin for Amur and Jeff Glass for Sibir are playing in goal. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a power play goal by Nikita Zaitsev, powered by Jori Lehtera and Konstantin Glazachev. Sibir added on as Lehtera scored an unassisted power play goal. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period on a Dmitry Tarasov goal, set up by Jakub Petruzalek. Amur tied the game when Petruzalek scored an unassisted goal. Novosibirsk took the lead back in the third period on another Lehtera goal, with Jonas Enlund getting the lone assist. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Lehtera, Petruzalek, and Glass (37 for 39 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 20
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part twenty talks about the epic journey of pitcher Ryan Vogelsong.
Ryan Vogelsong was born on July 22, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His family moved to Pennsylvania as Vogelsong was growing up, and he graduated from Octorara High School in Atglen, Pennsylvania. He went on to play college baseball from 1996-1998 at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where he was drafted in his third year by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 draft. Vogelsong's professional carer began in the Class A Short-Season Northwest League with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Keizer, Oregon. He excelled in ten starts here, pitching to a 1.77 earned run average, with sixty-six strikeouts in fifty-six innings. He was promoted to the Class A Advanced California League to make four starts near the end of the season, but he struggled mightily in those appearances. He stayed with San Jose for the 1999 season, and improved his statistics to a 2.45 earned run average with eighty-six strikeouts in sixty-nine and two-thirds innings pitched. This earned him a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Shreveport Captains of Shreveport, Louisiana. Again, in the short stint with a new team, Vogelsong struggled, but he was able to right the ship in 2000 by staying with the Captains. In the next season, he pitched to 4.23 earned run average, with 147 strikeouts in 155 and 1/3 innings, before getting his first major league call up, making his debut on September 7th. He appeared with San Francisco in a relief role, pitching in four games for six innings without allowing a run. Vogelsong was assigned to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies in 2001, where he pitched a portion of the season with a 2.79 earned run average, as well as fifty-three strikeouts in fifty-eight innings. Vogelsong returned to San Francisco in late May, and pitched there until he was traded on July 30th with Armando Rios to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for Jason Schmidt and John Vander Wal. He made two horrendous appearance with the Pirates in September, working out of the bullpen after posting a 3.98 earned run average with thirty-three strikeouts in thirty-one and two-thirds innings with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He suffered an arm injury in his second major league appearance with Pittsburgh, and underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, which cause him to sit out most of the 2002 season. He made rehabilitation appearances in 2002 with the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats of Lynchburg, Viriginia in the Carolina League, before moving along to the Class AA Altoona Curve in Altoona Pennsylvania, playing in the eastern League. For the year, he had statistics of a 6.22 earned run average, with fifty-five strikeouts in fifty-nine and one-third innings. He returned to play with the Nashville Sounds in 2003 for most of the season, posting a 4.29 earned run average, 146 strikeouts, and 149 innings of work. He also made six major league appearances for Pittsburgh, which were either really good or really bad. He worked in a number of roles with the Pirates, and stuck with them for the entire 2004 season, pitching mostly as a starter. This backfired, and he had a 6-13 record with seven no-decisions and five relief appearances in which he produced a 6.50 earned run average, ninety-two strikeouts, and 133 innings pitched. The Pirates shifted Vogelsong to the bullpen for 2005, where he pitched in forty-four games. He worked mostly in a long relief role, and he accumulated a 4.43 earned run average as well as fifty-two strikeouts in eighty-one and one-third innings. Vogelsong continued to work from the bullpen in 2006, appearing in twenty games. He posted a 6.39 earned run average and twenty-seven strikeouts over thirty-eight innings, and was logically sent down after June 22nd to pitch with the new Class AAA Pirates affiliate in the International League, the Indianapolis Indians. While experiencing modest success as a starter with the Indians by posting a 2.66 earned run average while striking out forty-three over sixty-seven and two-thirds innings, Vogelsong elected for free agency at the end of the season. No one offered a contract, so Vogelsong began his overseas journey. He found himself pitching with the Hanshin Tigers in Nishinomiya, Japan of Nippon Professional Baseball's Japan Central League in 2007. He made twenty starts, accumulating a 4.13 earned run average in 106 and 2/3 innings, while striking out ninety-one. He hit his first home run at any level on April 12, 2007. He pitched with Hanshin again in 2008, making twelve starts with a 3.99 earned run average, fifty strikeouts, and sixty-five and one-third innings. The 2009 season saw another change for Vogelsong, as he pitched with the Orix Buffaloes of Osaka, Japan in the Japan Pacific League. Here, he was used as a reliever in thirty games, pitching to a 4.54 earned run average and fifty-six strikeouts in forty-one and two-thirds innings. On January 7, 2010, Vogelsong was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate in Allentown, Pennsylvania, pitching for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League. He made twenty-five appearance (seven starts), pitching to a 4.91 earned run average with seventy-three strikeouts in fifty-eight and two-thirds innings, before being released by the Phillies on July 15th. On July 27th, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Vogelsong and assigned him to the Class AAA Salt Lake City Bees of Salt Lake City, Utah in the Pacific Coast League. He made seven starts and one relief appearance here, with a line of a 4.66 earned run average, with thirty-seven strikeouts in thirty-six and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong was granted free agency at the end of the season, and he was discovered by the organization that drafted him, the San Francisco Giants. He spent the winter pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, which he later said had a huge effect on his future performance. The Giants placed him with Fresno again, but an early season injury to Barry Zito gave Vogelsong a chance to return to the major leagues for the first time in five years. He stepped into Zito's fifth slot in the rotation, and excelled in the role for the Giants. He was selected by his own manager, Bruce Bochy, for the 2011 All-Star Game, although he did not make an appearance in the game itself. He experienced a second half regression, but maintained his spot in the rotation, and ended the year as arguably the best starter on a San Francisco staff that presumably had three other aces in Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Madison Bumgarner. He ended the year with a 2.71 earned run average, as well as 139 strikeouts in 179 and 2/3 innings, although his 13-7 record was deceiving. Five of his losses came during a power outage for the Giants offense. He was named the 2011 Willie Mac Award winner for his demonstration of spirit and leadership that the award's namesake, Willie McCovey, frequently showed for the Giants, as well as being named Giants breakout player of the year. Vogelsong began 2012 on the disabled list, and returned after two more rehabilitation starts in Fresno to pitch with the Giants. While his numbers were not as good as the year before, he held a 14-9 record with eight no-decisions, while posting a 3.37 earned run average and 158 strikeouts in 189 and 2/3 innings. He was snubbed for the All-Star Game despite having the lowest earned run average in the National League midway through the season, but he did not let it deter him from a team-first philosophy. Vogelsong was a vital part of the Giants postseason rotation as well, with a 3-0 record as well as one no-decision. He saved the San Francisco on a handful of occasions, beginning a three-game win streak against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series to avoid a first round elimination. While he did not get the win in that game, the team won in the tenth inning. Vogelsong also had two wins against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, evening the seven-game set in both Game 2 for a 1-1 series tie and then by forcing a decisive Game 7 after defeating the Cardinals again at home in Game 6. His postseason finale was five and two-thirds shutout innings in Game 3 against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, which placed the Tigers in a stranglehold they failed to escape the next day when Matt Cain clinched a San Francisco World Series Championship. His postseason numbers were a 1.09 earned run average and twenty-one strikeouts in twenty-four and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong's long and winding journey tells us a lot about our own lives as well, showing that determination, perseverance, and second chances can put us on top of the world. Originally though of as a castoff, Vogelsong did whatever was necessary to return to Major League Baseball, and was rewarded by the Giants. He in turn helped them to a championship, so far the pinnacle for a thirty-five year old who hopes to continue his newfound success in the years ahead.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Ryan Vogelsong was born on July 22, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His family moved to Pennsylvania as Vogelsong was growing up, and he graduated from Octorara High School in Atglen, Pennsylvania. He went on to play college baseball from 1996-1998 at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where he was drafted in his third year by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 draft. Vogelsong's professional carer began in the Class A Short-Season Northwest League with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Keizer, Oregon. He excelled in ten starts here, pitching to a 1.77 earned run average, with sixty-six strikeouts in fifty-six innings. He was promoted to the Class A Advanced California League to make four starts near the end of the season, but he struggled mightily in those appearances. He stayed with San Jose for the 1999 season, and improved his statistics to a 2.45 earned run average with eighty-six strikeouts in sixty-nine and two-thirds innings pitched. This earned him a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Shreveport Captains of Shreveport, Louisiana. Again, in the short stint with a new team, Vogelsong struggled, but he was able to right the ship in 2000 by staying with the Captains. In the next season, he pitched to 4.23 earned run average, with 147 strikeouts in 155 and 1/3 innings, before getting his first major league call up, making his debut on September 7th. He appeared with San Francisco in a relief role, pitching in four games for six innings without allowing a run. Vogelsong was assigned to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies in 2001, where he pitched a portion of the season with a 2.79 earned run average, as well as fifty-three strikeouts in fifty-eight innings. Vogelsong returned to San Francisco in late May, and pitched there until he was traded on July 30th with Armando Rios to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for Jason Schmidt and John Vander Wal. He made two horrendous appearance with the Pirates in September, working out of the bullpen after posting a 3.98 earned run average with thirty-three strikeouts in thirty-one and two-thirds innings with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He suffered an arm injury in his second major league appearance with Pittsburgh, and underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, which cause him to sit out most of the 2002 season. He made rehabilitation appearances in 2002 with the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats of Lynchburg, Viriginia in the Carolina League, before moving along to the Class AA Altoona Curve in Altoona Pennsylvania, playing in the eastern League. For the year, he had statistics of a 6.22 earned run average, with fifty-five strikeouts in fifty-nine and one-third innings. He returned to play with the Nashville Sounds in 2003 for most of the season, posting a 4.29 earned run average, 146 strikeouts, and 149 innings of work. He also made six major league appearances for Pittsburgh, which were either really good or really bad. He worked in a number of roles with the Pirates, and stuck with them for the entire 2004 season, pitching mostly as a starter. This backfired, and he had a 6-13 record with seven no-decisions and five relief appearances in which he produced a 6.50 earned run average, ninety-two strikeouts, and 133 innings pitched. The Pirates shifted Vogelsong to the bullpen for 2005, where he pitched in forty-four games. He worked mostly in a long relief role, and he accumulated a 4.43 earned run average as well as fifty-two strikeouts in eighty-one and one-third innings. Vogelsong continued to work from the bullpen in 2006, appearing in twenty games. He posted a 6.39 earned run average and twenty-seven strikeouts over thirty-eight innings, and was logically sent down after June 22nd to pitch with the new Class AAA Pirates affiliate in the International League, the Indianapolis Indians. While experiencing modest success as a starter with the Indians by posting a 2.66 earned run average while striking out forty-three over sixty-seven and two-thirds innings, Vogelsong elected for free agency at the end of the season. No one offered a contract, so Vogelsong began his overseas journey. He found himself pitching with the Hanshin Tigers in Nishinomiya, Japan of Nippon Professional Baseball's Japan Central League in 2007. He made twenty starts, accumulating a 4.13 earned run average in 106 and 2/3 innings, while striking out ninety-one. He hit his first home run at any level on April 12, 2007. He pitched with Hanshin again in 2008, making twelve starts with a 3.99 earned run average, fifty strikeouts, and sixty-five and one-third innings. The 2009 season saw another change for Vogelsong, as he pitched with the Orix Buffaloes of Osaka, Japan in the Japan Pacific League. Here, he was used as a reliever in thirty games, pitching to a 4.54 earned run average and fifty-six strikeouts in forty-one and two-thirds innings. On January 7, 2010, Vogelsong was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate in Allentown, Pennsylvania, pitching for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League. He made twenty-five appearance (seven starts), pitching to a 4.91 earned run average with seventy-three strikeouts in fifty-eight and two-thirds innings, before being released by the Phillies on July 15th. On July 27th, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Vogelsong and assigned him to the Class AAA Salt Lake City Bees of Salt Lake City, Utah in the Pacific Coast League. He made seven starts and one relief appearance here, with a line of a 4.66 earned run average, with thirty-seven strikeouts in thirty-six and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong was granted free agency at the end of the season, and he was discovered by the organization that drafted him, the San Francisco Giants. He spent the winter pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, which he later said had a huge effect on his future performance. The Giants placed him with Fresno again, but an early season injury to Barry Zito gave Vogelsong a chance to return to the major leagues for the first time in five years. He stepped into Zito's fifth slot in the rotation, and excelled in the role for the Giants. He was selected by his own manager, Bruce Bochy, for the 2011 All-Star Game, although he did not make an appearance in the game itself. He experienced a second half regression, but maintained his spot in the rotation, and ended the year as arguably the best starter on a San Francisco staff that presumably had three other aces in Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Madison Bumgarner. He ended the year with a 2.71 earned run average, as well as 139 strikeouts in 179 and 2/3 innings, although his 13-7 record was deceiving. Five of his losses came during a power outage for the Giants offense. He was named the 2011 Willie Mac Award winner for his demonstration of spirit and leadership that the award's namesake, Willie McCovey, frequently showed for the Giants, as well as being named Giants breakout player of the year. Vogelsong began 2012 on the disabled list, and returned after two more rehabilitation starts in Fresno to pitch with the Giants. While his numbers were not as good as the year before, he held a 14-9 record with eight no-decisions, while posting a 3.37 earned run average and 158 strikeouts in 189 and 2/3 innings. He was snubbed for the All-Star Game despite having the lowest earned run average in the National League midway through the season, but he did not let it deter him from a team-first philosophy. Vogelsong was a vital part of the Giants postseason rotation as well, with a 3-0 record as well as one no-decision. He saved the San Francisco on a handful of occasions, beginning a three-game win streak against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series to avoid a first round elimination. While he did not get the win in that game, the team won in the tenth inning. Vogelsong also had two wins against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, evening the seven-game set in both Game 2 for a 1-1 series tie and then by forcing a decisive Game 7 after defeating the Cardinals again at home in Game 6. His postseason finale was five and two-thirds shutout innings in Game 3 against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, which placed the Tigers in a stranglehold they failed to escape the next day when Matt Cain clinched a San Francisco World Series Championship. His postseason numbers were a 1.09 earned run average and twenty-one strikeouts in twenty-four and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong's long and winding journey tells us a lot about our own lives as well, showing that determination, perseverance, and second chances can put us on top of the world. Originally though of as a castoff, Vogelsong did whatever was necessary to return to Major League Baseball, and was rewarded by the Giants. He in turn helped them to a championship, so far the pinnacle for a thirty-five year old who hopes to continue his newfound success in the years ahead.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Friday, November 16, 2012
KHL November 16th 2012
Another eleven games on the schedule in the KHL, starting with...
Avangard Omsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin of Traktor and Karri Ramo of Avangard are set to start. Omsk led off in the first period as Georgijs Pujacs scored with the help of Sergei Kalinin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Jan Bulis goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Traktor took the lead in the second period as Vladimir Antipov scored, and Yegor Dugin was credited with the assist. Avangard retied the game on a Dmitry Syomin goal, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. Chelyabinsk pulled back ahead as Konstantin Panov scored, assisted by Dugin and Antipov. Omsk retied it in the third period with another goal by Syomin, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin on the power play. The game required a shootout to determine the winner, which was Traktor by a 4-3 margin after shootout tallies from Panov and Kuznetsov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Syomin, and Panov, while Dugin and Antipov get the honorable mentions.
To the north, as Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg and Edgards Masalskis for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk was first on the board with a first period goal from Rinat Ibragimov, assisted by Igor Magogin and Igor Skorokhodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Viktor Antipin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period as Artyom Bulyansky put away an unassisted goal. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead in the third period when Marek Troncinsky scored, via Stanislav Bocharov and Anton Krysanov. Metallurg got one back with Denis Platonov scoring, thanks to Mozyakin. They failed to tie the game, leaving the 3-2 win with Yugra, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Troncinsky, and Bulyansky.
South into Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in the blue paint. Astana quickly scored in the first period as Roman Starchenko scored, with the help of Konstantin Rudenko and Victor Hedman. Barys added on with an Alexei Litvinenko power play goal, powered by Talgat Zhailauov and Andrei Gavrilin. Astana struck again when Nigel Dawes potted the puck, with a lone assist credited to Dustin Boyd. Avtomobilist pulled Lobanov at this time in favor of Christopher Holt. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Gusev. Barys answered in the second period on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Dawes. Avtomobilist replied as Fyodor Malykhin netted the puck, and Nikita Tryamkin and Evgeny Lapenkov were credited with the assists on the power play goal. Astana scored again in the third period on an unassisted Litvinenko power play goal. Barys padded the lead as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, guided in by Novopashin and Hedman. Astana finished the scoring at 7-2 when Dmitry Upper scored a goal, made possible by Rudenko. The three stars belong to Litvinenko, Dawes, and Novopashin, while Hedman and Rudenko get the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, we land in Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek for Lev and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv are in between the pipes. Praha got going in the second period as Nathan Oystrick scored an unassisted goal. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period when Alexander Chernikov potted the puck, thanks to Yury Petrov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv won it 2-1 in overtime as Staffan Kronwall scored, with a lone assist from Sergei Plotnikov. Kronwall, Sanford (34 for 35 in saves), and Chernikov earn the three stars.
Northeast and back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets host Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal receive the starting nods. Cherepovets began in the first period as Alexander Fedoseyev scored, with guidance from Teemu Laasko. Severstal extended the lead in the second period on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, fueled by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexei Medvedev. Moscow got on the board as Richard Gynge potted the puck, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. Dynamo tied the game in the third period when Dominik Granak scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Cherepovets regained the lead on a Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal made it 4-2 after Backstrom was called for hooking on the breakaway, which resulted in a successful penalty shot by Zemchenko. This was a final, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Ketov, and Koshechkin (33 for 35 in saves).
A little to the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are wearing the pads. Moscow was first on the board in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal with a lone assist by Pavel Datsyuk. Radulov added on to CSKA lead later with his second goal of the game, assisted by Yakov Rylov and Datsyuk, also on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Mikhail Varnakov scored, with the help of Alexander Syomin. Moscow shot back as Patrick Davis netted the puck, thanks to Janis Sprukts. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Niklas Persson scored, guided in by Ilya Zubov. Moscow kept going in the third period when Vladimir Zharkov struck with a power play goal, powered by Persson and Maxim Kondratyev. CSKA put the game away at 6-1 with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, set up by Datsyuk, who got the three-assist sock trick, and Rylov. The three stars belong to Radulov, Datsyuk, and Persson, with an honorable mention for Rylov and Stana (26 for 27 in saves).
Speaking of Moscow, we head southwest to there as Spartak hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Sergei Borisov of Spartak are in the creases. Kazan struck first in the first period as Ilya Nikulin scored, thanks to Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Denis Kulyash potted the puck, with the help of Evgeny Skachkov and Lukoyanov. Moscow got on the board in the second period when Andrei Shefer scored, fueled by Oleg Petrov and Alexander Suglobov. Kazan answered in the third period on a Lauris Darzins goal, made possible by Denis Golubev and Evgeny Medvedev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Lukoyanov, Kulyash, and Barulin (39 for 40 in saves).
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus for Slovan and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant are the designated goalies. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Peter Olvecky goal, courtesy of Andrej Sekera. Slovan extended the lead in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored, thanks to Martin Stajnoch and Lubomir Visnovsky. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars went to Janus (28 save shutout), Olvecky, and Bliznak.
To the south, Vityaz Chekhov welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz tend the twines. Chekhov led off in the first period as Alexei Badyukov scored, with a lone assist from Nikita Dvurechensky. Vityaz added on as Brian Fahey scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA tied it in the third period as Martensson scored, with the help of Maxim Chudinov. St. Petersburg took the lead late on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, set up by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Kucheryavenko with just forty-two seconds remaining. They held on for the win, and the three stars were given to Martensson, Kovalchuk, and Badyukov.
Further south, Donbass Donetsk brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev and Jan Laco for Donbass guard the cages. Ufa was first on the board with a first period goal by Alexander Stepanov, fueled by Oleg Saprykin and Sergei Yemelin. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Belukhin scored, thanks to Denis Kochetkov and Tomas Matousek. Donbass took the lead on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donetsk extended the lead in the third period on a Tuomas Kiiskenen goal, assisted by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass iced the game at 4-1 when Kochetkov scored, and the helpers came from Belukhin and Matousek. This was a final, with the three stars going to Belukhin, Kochetkov, and Laco (28 for 29 in saves), while Matousek gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end in Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Maxim Sokolov for Neftekhimik are in net. Riga began with a first period power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Alexander Seluyanov. Dinamo retook the lead as Alexandre Giroux scored, thanks to Nizivijs. Riga padded the lead with a Miks Andrasis goal, courtesy of Jamie Johnson. Neftekhimik got one back as Stanislav Alshevsky potted the puck, with the help of Yaroslav Alshevsky and Pyotr Khokhryakov. Dinamo responded in the second period as Maris Bicevskis scored a goal, helped along by Guntis Galvins and Raitis Ivanans. Riga struck again with a Gints Meija goal, pushed in by Daugavins and Bicevskis. Nizhnekamsk got one back as Pestushko scored, via Petr Koukal and Mamashev. Neftekhimik pulled closer with an unassisted goal by Tomas Netik. Dinamo answered on a Martins Karsums goal, guided in by Johnson and Arvids Rekis. The third period stood in stark contrast to the other two, with no scoring leaving the final as a 6-4 Dinamo win. The three stars are given to Daugavins, Pestushko, and Bicevskis, while the honorable mentions go to Nizivijs, Mamashev, and Johnson.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Avangard Omsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin of Traktor and Karri Ramo of Avangard are set to start. Omsk led off in the first period as Georgijs Pujacs scored with the help of Sergei Kalinin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Jan Bulis goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Traktor took the lead in the second period as Vladimir Antipov scored, and Yegor Dugin was credited with the assist. Avangard retied the game on a Dmitry Syomin goal, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. Chelyabinsk pulled back ahead as Konstantin Panov scored, assisted by Dugin and Antipov. Omsk retied it in the third period with another goal by Syomin, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin on the power play. The game required a shootout to determine the winner, which was Traktor by a 4-3 margin after shootout tallies from Panov and Kuznetsov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Syomin, and Panov, while Dugin and Antipov get the honorable mentions.
To the north, as Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg and Edgards Masalskis for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk was first on the board with a first period goal from Rinat Ibragimov, assisted by Igor Magogin and Igor Skorokhodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Viktor Antipin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period as Artyom Bulyansky put away an unassisted goal. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead in the third period when Marek Troncinsky scored, via Stanislav Bocharov and Anton Krysanov. Metallurg got one back with Denis Platonov scoring, thanks to Mozyakin. They failed to tie the game, leaving the 3-2 win with Yugra, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Troncinsky, and Bulyansky.
South into Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in the blue paint. Astana quickly scored in the first period as Roman Starchenko scored, with the help of Konstantin Rudenko and Victor Hedman. Barys added on with an Alexei Litvinenko power play goal, powered by Talgat Zhailauov and Andrei Gavrilin. Astana struck again when Nigel Dawes potted the puck, with a lone assist credited to Dustin Boyd. Avtomobilist pulled Lobanov at this time in favor of Christopher Holt. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Gusev. Barys answered in the second period on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Dawes. Avtomobilist replied as Fyodor Malykhin netted the puck, and Nikita Tryamkin and Evgeny Lapenkov were credited with the assists on the power play goal. Astana scored again in the third period on an unassisted Litvinenko power play goal. Barys padded the lead as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, guided in by Novopashin and Hedman. Astana finished the scoring at 7-2 when Dmitry Upper scored a goal, made possible by Rudenko. The three stars belong to Litvinenko, Dawes, and Novopashin, while Hedman and Rudenko get the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, we land in Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek for Lev and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv are in between the pipes. Praha got going in the second period as Nathan Oystrick scored an unassisted goal. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period when Alexander Chernikov potted the puck, thanks to Yury Petrov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv won it 2-1 in overtime as Staffan Kronwall scored, with a lone assist from Sergei Plotnikov. Kronwall, Sanford (34 for 35 in saves), and Chernikov earn the three stars.
Northeast and back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets host Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal receive the starting nods. Cherepovets began in the first period as Alexander Fedoseyev scored, with guidance from Teemu Laasko. Severstal extended the lead in the second period on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, fueled by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexei Medvedev. Moscow got on the board as Richard Gynge potted the puck, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. Dynamo tied the game in the third period when Dominik Granak scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Cherepovets regained the lead on a Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal made it 4-2 after Backstrom was called for hooking on the breakaway, which resulted in a successful penalty shot by Zemchenko. This was a final, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Ketov, and Koshechkin (33 for 35 in saves).
A little to the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are wearing the pads. Moscow was first on the board in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal with a lone assist by Pavel Datsyuk. Radulov added on to CSKA lead later with his second goal of the game, assisted by Yakov Rylov and Datsyuk, also on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Mikhail Varnakov scored, with the help of Alexander Syomin. Moscow shot back as Patrick Davis netted the puck, thanks to Janis Sprukts. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Niklas Persson scored, guided in by Ilya Zubov. Moscow kept going in the third period when Vladimir Zharkov struck with a power play goal, powered by Persson and Maxim Kondratyev. CSKA put the game away at 6-1 with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, set up by Datsyuk, who got the three-assist sock trick, and Rylov. The three stars belong to Radulov, Datsyuk, and Persson, with an honorable mention for Rylov and Stana (26 for 27 in saves).
Speaking of Moscow, we head southwest to there as Spartak hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Sergei Borisov of Spartak are in the creases. Kazan struck first in the first period as Ilya Nikulin scored, thanks to Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Denis Kulyash potted the puck, with the help of Evgeny Skachkov and Lukoyanov. Moscow got on the board in the second period when Andrei Shefer scored, fueled by Oleg Petrov and Alexander Suglobov. Kazan answered in the third period on a Lauris Darzins goal, made possible by Denis Golubev and Evgeny Medvedev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Lukoyanov, Kulyash, and Barulin (39 for 40 in saves).
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus for Slovan and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant are the designated goalies. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Peter Olvecky goal, courtesy of Andrej Sekera. Slovan extended the lead in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored, thanks to Martin Stajnoch and Lubomir Visnovsky. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars went to Janus (28 save shutout), Olvecky, and Bliznak.
To the south, Vityaz Chekhov welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz tend the twines. Chekhov led off in the first period as Alexei Badyukov scored, with a lone assist from Nikita Dvurechensky. Vityaz added on as Brian Fahey scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA tied it in the third period as Martensson scored, with the help of Maxim Chudinov. St. Petersburg took the lead late on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, set up by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Kucheryavenko with just forty-two seconds remaining. They held on for the win, and the three stars were given to Martensson, Kovalchuk, and Badyukov.
Further south, Donbass Donetsk brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev and Jan Laco for Donbass guard the cages. Ufa was first on the board with a first period goal by Alexander Stepanov, fueled by Oleg Saprykin and Sergei Yemelin. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Belukhin scored, thanks to Denis Kochetkov and Tomas Matousek. Donbass took the lead on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donetsk extended the lead in the third period on a Tuomas Kiiskenen goal, assisted by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass iced the game at 4-1 when Kochetkov scored, and the helpers came from Belukhin and Matousek. This was a final, with the three stars going to Belukhin, Kochetkov, and Laco (28 for 29 in saves), while Matousek gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end in Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Maxim Sokolov for Neftekhimik are in net. Riga began with a first period power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Alexander Seluyanov. Dinamo retook the lead as Alexandre Giroux scored, thanks to Nizivijs. Riga padded the lead with a Miks Andrasis goal, courtesy of Jamie Johnson. Neftekhimik got one back as Stanislav Alshevsky potted the puck, with the help of Yaroslav Alshevsky and Pyotr Khokhryakov. Dinamo responded in the second period as Maris Bicevskis scored a goal, helped along by Guntis Galvins and Raitis Ivanans. Riga struck again with a Gints Meija goal, pushed in by Daugavins and Bicevskis. Nizhnekamsk got one back as Pestushko scored, via Petr Koukal and Mamashev. Neftekhimik pulled closer with an unassisted goal by Tomas Netik. Dinamo answered on a Martins Karsums goal, guided in by Johnson and Arvids Rekis. The third period stood in stark contrast to the other two, with no scoring leaving the final as a 6-4 Dinamo win. The three stars are given to Daugavins, Pestushko, and Bicevskis, while the honorable mentions go to Nizivijs, Mamashev, and Johnson.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 19
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part nineteen is about eccentric reliever Brian Wilson.
Brian Wilson was born on March 16, 1982, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and attended Londonderry High School there as well. During his teen years, Wilson matured quickly due to his father's five-year battle with cancer, which he, tragically, ultimately lost. This developed a rough edge for Wilson, and led him to challenge authority on occasion, but his fiery personality did not deter the Cleveland Indians from drafting him out of high school in the 2000 draft. Wilson, a thirtieth round selection, opted not to sign, and went to college at Louisiana State University. He was in his junior year of college, where he was excelling at baseball, when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Despite the extensive rehabilitation ahead, Wilson was a twenty-fourth round pick of the San Francisco Giants. He finally made a professional debut in 2004, pitching with the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the South Atlantic League at the Class A level. In twenty-three appearances (three starts; he opted to become a reliever after a lack of success starting) he pitched to a 5.34 earned run average with forty-one strikeouts in fifty-seven and one-third innings. He worked his way through the ranks in 2005, beginning with San Francisco's new Class A affiliate, the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia, in the South Atlanta League first, where he pitched in twenty-six games, over half of his total for the season. Notably, he worked in a closer role for part of the season, throwing thirteen saves while posting a 0.82 earned run average with thirty strikeouts in thirty-three innings. He stepped up to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League next, where his numbers read 0.57 for earned run average, eight saves, twenty-two strikeouts, fifteen and two-thirds innings of work, all over fifteen games. He made a late season stint with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League, where he threw a 3.97 earned run average in eleven and one-third innings with thirteen strikeouts. Wilson bounced around a bit in 2006, starting with the Grizzlies but earning a major league call up, where he made his major league debut on April 23, 2006. While it wasn't known when he was pitching, he injured himself in the first of two innings he pitched, and he was placed on the disabled list after that. He made his rehabilitation appearance with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced California League. Wilson appeared in five games before returning to Fresno, where he stayed for nearly a month before rejoining the major league Giants. Overall, the back-and-forth season saw Wilson pitch to a 2.89 earned run average in Fresno and a 5.40 in San Francisco. He totaled fifty-three strikeouts for the year as well as fifty-nine innings. Wilson was the designated closer for San Francisco in the 2007 spring training, but struggled in the role and was sent down to the Grizzlies for most of the year. Here, he had a line of a 2.10 earned run average, eleven saves, thirty-seven strikeouts, and thirty-four and one-third innings. He returned to the majors on August 11th, and closed out six games while posting a 2.28 earned run average with eighteen strikeouts in twenty-three and two-thirds innings. Wilson was named the full-time closer ahead of the 2008 season, and finally had his breakthrough season, earning an All-Star bid midway through the season. While his overall numbers of a 4.62 earned run average with sixty-seven strikeouts in sixty-two and one-third innings were unimpressive to many, his forty-one saves in forty-seven chances spoke well of progress. Wilson kept the closer role in 2009, and rewarded the team's faith in him with thirty-eight saves in forty-five chances, while holding a 2.74 earned run average, nearly two runs lower than the previous season. He also struck out eighty-three batters in seventy-two and one-third innings in one of his heaviest professional workloads. He also became a local star through his Life of Brian reality show. The media attention and strong pitching both continued in 2010, as he earned his second All-Star nomination en route to a dominant 1.81 earned run average, ninety-three strikeouts, and seventy-four and two-thirds innings. Additionally, Wilson led the National League in saves with forty-eight, and blew just three save chances all season. With stability in pitching across the board, the Giants made a postseason appearance, with Wilson making ten appearance against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in the playoffs. His first playoff appearance could be attributed to butterflies (although with the cool and calm Wilson, this is not a solid assumption), as he blew a save by allowing an unearned run against the Braves in two innings of work. Over the next nine and two-thirds innings, Wilson was virtually unhittable, allowing nine baserunners while striking out sixteen batters, and throughout the time he posted a perfect 0.00 earned run average. Wilson capped the run off with a Game 5 strikeout in the World Series against the Rangers, allowing the Giants to claim a World Series title that Wilson had a very big role in making happen. His predominant jet-black beard gained a fair amount of TV time throughout the run, and the Fear the Beard campaign that Wilson and teammate Sergio Romo put together got widespread attention. The attention did not subside in 2011, and Wilson didn't either. He remained an elite closer, while pitching to a 3.11 earned run average with fifty-four strikeouts in fifty-five innings, while also turning thirty-six saves. He also pitched in his third All-Star Game, recording the save as the National League won, under the watchful eye of his manager Bruce Bochy. However, Wilson and the Giants appeared to have a bit of a championship hangover, and failed to make the playoffs. The 2012 season was sour for Wilson as well, as he pitched in only two games before suffering another arm injury requiring Tommy John surgery on April 12th. The surgery was on April 19th, and Wilson remained upbeat in the dugout, supporting his Giants teammates as he was left a spectator for their second World Series Championship in three years. While the list of players to be successful after two Tommy John surgeries is short, Wilson likely hopes he can return to an elite level and help San Francisco defend their title in 2013.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Brian Wilson was born on March 16, 1982, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and attended Londonderry High School there as well. During his teen years, Wilson matured quickly due to his father's five-year battle with cancer, which he, tragically, ultimately lost. This developed a rough edge for Wilson, and led him to challenge authority on occasion, but his fiery personality did not deter the Cleveland Indians from drafting him out of high school in the 2000 draft. Wilson, a thirtieth round selection, opted not to sign, and went to college at Louisiana State University. He was in his junior year of college, where he was excelling at baseball, when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Despite the extensive rehabilitation ahead, Wilson was a twenty-fourth round pick of the San Francisco Giants. He finally made a professional debut in 2004, pitching with the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the South Atlantic League at the Class A level. In twenty-three appearances (three starts; he opted to become a reliever after a lack of success starting) he pitched to a 5.34 earned run average with forty-one strikeouts in fifty-seven and one-third innings. He worked his way through the ranks in 2005, beginning with San Francisco's new Class A affiliate, the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia, in the South Atlanta League first, where he pitched in twenty-six games, over half of his total for the season. Notably, he worked in a closer role for part of the season, throwing thirteen saves while posting a 0.82 earned run average with thirty strikeouts in thirty-three innings. He stepped up to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League next, where his numbers read 0.57 for earned run average, eight saves, twenty-two strikeouts, fifteen and two-thirds innings of work, all over fifteen games. He made a late season stint with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League, where he threw a 3.97 earned run average in eleven and one-third innings with thirteen strikeouts. Wilson bounced around a bit in 2006, starting with the Grizzlies but earning a major league call up, where he made his major league debut on April 23, 2006. While it wasn't known when he was pitching, he injured himself in the first of two innings he pitched, and he was placed on the disabled list after that. He made his rehabilitation appearance with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced California League. Wilson appeared in five games before returning to Fresno, where he stayed for nearly a month before rejoining the major league Giants. Overall, the back-and-forth season saw Wilson pitch to a 2.89 earned run average in Fresno and a 5.40 in San Francisco. He totaled fifty-three strikeouts for the year as well as fifty-nine innings. Wilson was the designated closer for San Francisco in the 2007 spring training, but struggled in the role and was sent down to the Grizzlies for most of the year. Here, he had a line of a 2.10 earned run average, eleven saves, thirty-seven strikeouts, and thirty-four and one-third innings. He returned to the majors on August 11th, and closed out six games while posting a 2.28 earned run average with eighteen strikeouts in twenty-three and two-thirds innings. Wilson was named the full-time closer ahead of the 2008 season, and finally had his breakthrough season, earning an All-Star bid midway through the season. While his overall numbers of a 4.62 earned run average with sixty-seven strikeouts in sixty-two and one-third innings were unimpressive to many, his forty-one saves in forty-seven chances spoke well of progress. Wilson kept the closer role in 2009, and rewarded the team's faith in him with thirty-eight saves in forty-five chances, while holding a 2.74 earned run average, nearly two runs lower than the previous season. He also struck out eighty-three batters in seventy-two and one-third innings in one of his heaviest professional workloads. He also became a local star through his Life of Brian reality show. The media attention and strong pitching both continued in 2010, as he earned his second All-Star nomination en route to a dominant 1.81 earned run average, ninety-three strikeouts, and seventy-four and two-thirds innings. Additionally, Wilson led the National League in saves with forty-eight, and blew just three save chances all season. With stability in pitching across the board, the Giants made a postseason appearance, with Wilson making ten appearance against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in the playoffs. His first playoff appearance could be attributed to butterflies (although with the cool and calm Wilson, this is not a solid assumption), as he blew a save by allowing an unearned run against the Braves in two innings of work. Over the next nine and two-thirds innings, Wilson was virtually unhittable, allowing nine baserunners while striking out sixteen batters, and throughout the time he posted a perfect 0.00 earned run average. Wilson capped the run off with a Game 5 strikeout in the World Series against the Rangers, allowing the Giants to claim a World Series title that Wilson had a very big role in making happen. His predominant jet-black beard gained a fair amount of TV time throughout the run, and the Fear the Beard campaign that Wilson and teammate Sergio Romo put together got widespread attention. The attention did not subside in 2011, and Wilson didn't either. He remained an elite closer, while pitching to a 3.11 earned run average with fifty-four strikeouts in fifty-five innings, while also turning thirty-six saves. He also pitched in his third All-Star Game, recording the save as the National League won, under the watchful eye of his manager Bruce Bochy. However, Wilson and the Giants appeared to have a bit of a championship hangover, and failed to make the playoffs. The 2012 season was sour for Wilson as well, as he pitched in only two games before suffering another arm injury requiring Tommy John surgery on April 12th. The surgery was on April 19th, and Wilson remained upbeat in the dugout, supporting his Giants teammates as he was left a spectator for their second World Series Championship in three years. While the list of players to be successful after two Tommy John surgeries is short, Wilson likely hopes he can return to an elite level and help San Francisco defend their title in 2013.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday Night Football Week 11 2012
Thursday Night Football headlines the last of the bye weeks (and therefore the last of my partial-workload weeks as well). Tonight's games is a battle between AFC East... cellar dwellers, as the Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo began with a 79 yard punt return by Leodis McKelvin for a touchdown, and Rian Lindell made the extra point. The Bills added on as Lindell booted a 32 yard field goal. Miami replied on the ensuing kickoff with a 96 yard return for a touchdown by Marcus Thigpen, and Dan Carpenter handled the extra point. Buffalo replied with a 34 yard field goal. The Bills continued in the second quarter as Lindell was true on a 42 yard field goal. Buffalo got some more as Lindell knocked in a 19 yard field goal. The Dolphins pulled back a bit in the fourth quarter as Ryan Tannehill passed 2 yards to Davone Bess for a touchdown, and Carpenter made the PAT. They failed to tie the game, losing 19-14, with both teams now at 4-6.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
KHL November 15th 2012
It was brought to my attention (by myself of all people) that I had the hosting and visiting teams backwards so far in my KHL posts. I apologize for the confusion, and hope that my North American behavior in reading box scores causes no further trouble. Anyway, today's game is actually being played in Novokuznetsk, with Metallurg hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin for Amur and Alexander Lazushin for Metallurg are the masked men. The scoring didn't start until the third period, when Novokuznetsk led off with a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, courtesy of Randy Robitaille. Metallurg extended the lead with a Dmitry Megalinsky power play goal, powered by Kagarlinsky. Novokuznetsk padded the lead as Alexei Yefimov scored, with the help of Alexander Mereskin. Khabarovsk got on the board as Andrei Stepanov scored a power play, assisted by Vladimir Loginov and Alexander Loginov. Amur got closer as Juha-Pekka Hytonen scored an unassisted goal. Metallurg iced the game at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Anton Lazarev, set up by Kagarlitsky. The three stars of the game belong to Kagarlitsky, Lazushin (35 for 37 in saves), and Yefimov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 18
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part eighteen is about speedy outfielder Gregor Blanco.
Gregor Blanco was born on December 12, 1983, in Caracas, Venezuela. He attended Ignacio Martin Burk High School in Valera, Venezuela, and was signed by the Atlanta Braves at the age of sixteen on July 4, 2000 after going undrafted. He finished his schooling in Venezuela, and moved along to play with the Class A Macon Braves of Macon, Georgia in 2002. While with Macon in the South Atlantic League, Blanco hit to a .271 batting average, as well as nine triples and forty stolen bases. This early speedster reputation is still with Blanco to this day. He advanced to the Class A Advanced Carolina League in 2003 and 2004, playing both seasons in full with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in South Carolina. Over the two seasons, he hit to a .269 batting average, while amassing sixteen triples and fifty-nine stolen bases. Throughout his first three years in the minors, he also accumulated twenty home runs and 113 runs batted in. His defense early on was the weakest part of his game, but he looked like a decent prospect in most regards. In 2005, Blanco continued his slow progression through the minors, moving on to the Class AA Mississippi Braves of Jackson, Mississippi. He also played about a half of a season in 2006 here, and over the one and a half season, he hit .265 with fifteen triples and six home runs, as well as forty-six runs batted in and forty-five stolen bases. More importantly, he reduced the number of errors he made while playing all positions in the outfield, primarily center field. For the rest of 2006 and all of 2007, Blanco was assigned to play in the Class AAA International League with the Richmond Braves of Richmond, Virginia. Closing out 2006, he improved his numbers to a .294 batting average, with a triple and fourteen stolen bases, although he failed to hit a home run. The next year, he played the entire season, amassing a .282 batting average with five triples, three home runs, thirty-five runs batted in and twenty-three stolen bases. The performance was enough for Blanco to play the entire season with the Braves in Atlanta in 2008. He made his major league debut on March 30, 2008, and worked primarily as a pinch hitter before taking over the starting job in center field from Jordan Schafer. His role was further solidified after May 26th saw Mark Kotsay get injured. Blanco ended the season hitting .251 with four triples, one home run (his first major league home run was hit on May 27th), thirty-eight runs batted in, and thirteen stolen bases. While he was slowing down on the basepaths, his fielding was greatly improved, and he only made two errors all season, both in left field. He struggled to repeat the modest success he achieved for the 2009 season, being sent down to the new Atlanta Braves Class AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves of Lawrenceville, Georgia. His numbers there for the season were a .228 batting average, one triple, two home runs, thirty runs batted in, and ten stolen bases. In the majors, his statistics were worse, as he posted a miniscule .186 average with one triple, one run batted in, and two stolen bases. He rebounded in 2010, starting the year in Gwinnett and hitting .286 over forty-four games, with one home run, eleven runs batted in, and nine stolen bases, earning a late May call up. He was not sent back down, staying in Atlanta until he was traded with Jesse Chavez and Tim Collins to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth. for the whole season, he hit to a .283 batting average with four triples, one home run, fourteen runs batted in and eleven stolen bases. Blanco was a disappointment to the Royals, who had him playing with the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs of Syracuse, New York in the International League for 2011. His numbers suffered here, as he only hit .203 with two triples, three home runs, ten runs batted in, and fifteen stolen bases before being traded to the Washington Nationals on May 8, 2011. He was promptly assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers of Omaha, Nebraska of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, and he stayed there for the entire season, hitting .196 with just four runs batted in and nine stolen bases in a very limited role. Blanco was a free agent after the season, but the San Francisco Giants signed Blanco to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation on November 19, 2011. Blanco made the team out of spring training, again working in a fourth outfielder role for the first half of the season. On the highlight reel, Blanco's defense came into prominence as he once again robbed Jordan Schafer, now of the Houston Astros, during Matt Cain's perfect game by making a spectacular diving catch on the warning track to preserve the historic bid. Blanco made further headlines when the news of Melky Cabrera's suspension for performance-enhancing drugs came out, and after August 15, 2012, he had the starting left field role. He ended the regular season hitting .244 with five triples and home runs apiece, as well as producing thirty-four runs batted in, and he also saw a speed resurgence with twenty-six stolen bases. He was on the postseason roster, playing in every playoff game for the Giants. He knocked in five runners over the postseason with just three specific hits (two triples and a double), and his postseason highlight would be World Series Game 3 triple that gave the Giants a second inning lead, en route to their sixth straight victory and the eventual title of World Series Champions. As well as that key hit, Blanco also maintained strong defense, a critical component of the Giants' championship character.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Gregor Blanco was born on December 12, 1983, in Caracas, Venezuela. He attended Ignacio Martin Burk High School in Valera, Venezuela, and was signed by the Atlanta Braves at the age of sixteen on July 4, 2000 after going undrafted. He finished his schooling in Venezuela, and moved along to play with the Class A Macon Braves of Macon, Georgia in 2002. While with Macon in the South Atlantic League, Blanco hit to a .271 batting average, as well as nine triples and forty stolen bases. This early speedster reputation is still with Blanco to this day. He advanced to the Class A Advanced Carolina League in 2003 and 2004, playing both seasons in full with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in South Carolina. Over the two seasons, he hit to a .269 batting average, while amassing sixteen triples and fifty-nine stolen bases. Throughout his first three years in the minors, he also accumulated twenty home runs and 113 runs batted in. His defense early on was the weakest part of his game, but he looked like a decent prospect in most regards. In 2005, Blanco continued his slow progression through the minors, moving on to the Class AA Mississippi Braves of Jackson, Mississippi. He also played about a half of a season in 2006 here, and over the one and a half season, he hit .265 with fifteen triples and six home runs, as well as forty-six runs batted in and forty-five stolen bases. More importantly, he reduced the number of errors he made while playing all positions in the outfield, primarily center field. For the rest of 2006 and all of 2007, Blanco was assigned to play in the Class AAA International League with the Richmond Braves of Richmond, Virginia. Closing out 2006, he improved his numbers to a .294 batting average, with a triple and fourteen stolen bases, although he failed to hit a home run. The next year, he played the entire season, amassing a .282 batting average with five triples, three home runs, thirty-five runs batted in and twenty-three stolen bases. The performance was enough for Blanco to play the entire season with the Braves in Atlanta in 2008. He made his major league debut on March 30, 2008, and worked primarily as a pinch hitter before taking over the starting job in center field from Jordan Schafer. His role was further solidified after May 26th saw Mark Kotsay get injured. Blanco ended the season hitting .251 with four triples, one home run (his first major league home run was hit on May 27th), thirty-eight runs batted in, and thirteen stolen bases. While he was slowing down on the basepaths, his fielding was greatly improved, and he only made two errors all season, both in left field. He struggled to repeat the modest success he achieved for the 2009 season, being sent down to the new Atlanta Braves Class AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves of Lawrenceville, Georgia. His numbers there for the season were a .228 batting average, one triple, two home runs, thirty runs batted in, and ten stolen bases. In the majors, his statistics were worse, as he posted a miniscule .186 average with one triple, one run batted in, and two stolen bases. He rebounded in 2010, starting the year in Gwinnett and hitting .286 over forty-four games, with one home run, eleven runs batted in, and nine stolen bases, earning a late May call up. He was not sent back down, staying in Atlanta until he was traded with Jesse Chavez and Tim Collins to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth. for the whole season, he hit to a .283 batting average with four triples, one home run, fourteen runs batted in and eleven stolen bases. Blanco was a disappointment to the Royals, who had him playing with the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs of Syracuse, New York in the International League for 2011. His numbers suffered here, as he only hit .203 with two triples, three home runs, ten runs batted in, and fifteen stolen bases before being traded to the Washington Nationals on May 8, 2011. He was promptly assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers of Omaha, Nebraska of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, and he stayed there for the entire season, hitting .196 with just four runs batted in and nine stolen bases in a very limited role. Blanco was a free agent after the season, but the San Francisco Giants signed Blanco to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation on November 19, 2011. Blanco made the team out of spring training, again working in a fourth outfielder role for the first half of the season. On the highlight reel, Blanco's defense came into prominence as he once again robbed Jordan Schafer, now of the Houston Astros, during Matt Cain's perfect game by making a spectacular diving catch on the warning track to preserve the historic bid. Blanco made further headlines when the news of Melky Cabrera's suspension for performance-enhancing drugs came out, and after August 15, 2012, he had the starting left field role. He ended the regular season hitting .244 with five triples and home runs apiece, as well as producing thirty-four runs batted in, and he also saw a speed resurgence with twenty-six stolen bases. He was on the postseason roster, playing in every playoff game for the Giants. He knocked in five runners over the postseason with just three specific hits (two triples and a double), and his postseason highlight would be World Series Game 3 triple that gave the Giants a second inning lead, en route to their sixth straight victory and the eventual title of World Series Champions. As well as that key hit, Blanco also maintained strong defense, a critical component of the Giants' championship character.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
KHL November 14th 2012
Eleven of a possible thirteen games on, so it's a busy day as the KHL gets back to business. The first game comes from...
Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo of Avangard and Ari Ahonen of Metallurg are in goal. Magnitogorsk led off with a first period goal by Sergei Mozyakin, made possible by Viktor Antipin, a power play goal. Omsk tied the game in the second period as Alexander Popov scored, with a lone assist from Tomas Zaborsky. Avangard took the lead as Sergei Kostitsyn netted a power play goal, powered by Nikita Nikitin and Zaborsky. Metallurg retied the game in the third period as Dmitry Kazionov recorded an unassisted goal. Omsk won the game 3-2 in overtime as Kirill Lyamin scored with thirty seconds left, courtesy of Nikitin and Kostitsyn. The three stars belong to Kostitsyn, Nikitin, and Zaborsky.
A bit to the northeast, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov of Yugra and Evgeny Lobanov of Avtomobilist are in the creases. Stanislav Zhmakin put Yekaterinburg on the board first in the second period with a goal fueled by Nikolai Pronin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied the game in the third period as Igor Skorokhodov notched a goal, with guidance from Marek Troncinsky. The game went into a shootout, where Skorokhodov potted two goals for Yugra, besting Fyodor Malykhin's lone goal for Avtomobilist. Yugra picked up a 2-1 win, with Skorokhodov, Zhmakin, and Biryukov (40 for 41 in saves) getting the three stars.
Back south a touch to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor welcomes Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev for Barys and Michael Garnett for Traktor are in between the pipes. Chelyabinsk got started in the first period as Maxim Karpov scored, with a lone assist by Andrei Popov. Traktor added on as Andrei Kostitsyn scored, thanks to Deron Quint and Gennady Razin. Astana got one back in the second period with Dmitry Upper scoring, fueled by Alexei Litvinenko and Konstantin Rudenko. Chelyabinsk shot back when Anton Glinkin scored, passed from Jan Bulis (of Pass It to Bulis blogosphere fame). Traktor kept going with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal via Petri Kontiola and Konstantin Panov. Barys answered as Talgat Zhailauov netted the puck, assisted by Litvinenko and Konstantin Pushkaryov. Chelyabinsk extended their lead as Panov potted a goal, with the help of Yegor Dugin and Vladimir Antipov. Astana replaced Yeremeyev with Pavel Poluektov, and scored the next goal as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, pushed through by Dustin Boyd and Nikolai Antropov. Traktor iced off the game with an unassisted third period goal from Dugin to produce the 6-3 final score. The three stars belong to Panov, Dugin, and Litvinenko.
Well to the west, Slovan Bratislava hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Semyon Varlamov for Lokomotiv and Branislav Konrad for Slovan receive the starting nods. Yaroslavl began in the first period with a Maxim Trunyov goal, passed from Roman Lyuduchin. Lokomotiv extended the lead in the second period with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, assisted by Viktor Kozlov. Yaroslavl added on in the third period with an Artyom Anisimov goal, set up by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Yakovlev. Lokomotiv iced the game with a Lyuduchin unassisted goal for a 4-0 final. The three stars go to Varlamov (32 save shutout), Lyuduchin, and Trunyov.
Slightly to the northwest, Lev Praha hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Votaly Koval for Torpedo and Tomas Popperle for Lev are the starting goalies. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period as Alexei Ugarov scored, with assistance from Matt Ellison and Mikhail Varnakov on the power play. Praha tied it with a Jakub Klepis netted the puck, with the help of Ondrej Nemec. Lev took the lead when Zdeno Chara scored a power play goal, powered by Jiri Novotny and Jakub Voracek. Praha extended the lead in the second period as Novotny scored, guided in by Roman Cervenka and Voracek. Torpedo tried to rally back in the third period as Juuso Hietanen scored, thanks to Dmitry Makarov and Alexander Yevseyenkov. They got no closer, losing 3-2 to Lev, with the three stars being Novotny, Voracek, and Chara.
Back east, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Spartak Moscow. Sergei Borisov for Spartak and Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev are the masked men. Moscow quickly opened with a first period goal by Mikhail Zhukov, assisted by Alexander Suglobov. Ufa tied it on a Yury Trubachyov goal, made possible by Nikita Filatov and Denis Parshin. Salavat Yulaev took the lead on a Igor Mirnov goal, courtesy of Antti Pihlstrom and Alexei Kaigorodov. Spartak tied it in the third period as Suglobov recorded an unassisted and shorthanded goal tie tie the game. Ufa won the game with goals by Parshin and Trubachyov in the shootout, for a 3-2 final. The three stars go to Trubachyov, Suglobov, and Parshin.
Speaking of Moscow, we head there as Dynamo hosts Vityaz Chekhov. Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz and Alexi Volkov for Dynamo are all padded up. Chekhov was first to score in the first period with a Alexander Korolyuk goal, fueled by Artemy Panarin and Dinar Khafizullin. Moscow tied it as Nicklas Backstrom scored, with the help of Alexander Ovechkin and Richard Gynge. Vityaz took the lead back with a Brian Fahey goal, set up by Vladimir Malevich and Josh Hennessy. Chekhov extended the lead in the second period on a Anton Korolyov goal, assisted by Evgeny Timkin. Dynamo pulled back in the third period as Backstrom notched his second goal of the game, guided in by Filip Novak. Moscow pulled even with a Konstantin Volkov goal, thanks to Janne Jalasvaara. Dynamo completed the comeback in overtime as Backstrom put away an unassisted goal to complete his hat trick and a 4-3 victory. The three stars are Backstrom, Volkov, and Korolyov.
Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow hosts Atlant Moscow Oblast (for North America, an Oblast is like what we call a State). Stanislav Galimov for Atlant and Rastislav Stana for CSKA play in the blue paint. CSKA got going in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored, with a lone assist provided by Sergei Shirokov on the power play. CSKA extended the lead to 2-0 in the third period on an Ilya Zubov goal, fueled by Radulov and Evgeny Ryasensky. This was a final, with Radulov, Stana (14 save shutout), and Zubov getting the three stars.
To the west, with SKA St. Petersburg hosting Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne for Dinamo and Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA make up the NHL-level goalie battle. St. Petersburg opened early in the first period as Patrick Thoresen scored an unassisted goal. SKA extended the lead on a Maxim Rybin goal, fueled by Thoresen and Dmitry Vorobyov. Minsk got on the board in the second period as Teemu Laine scored, with assists credited to Tim Stapleton and Cory Murphy. St. Petersburg replied in the third period as Viktor Tikhonov scored, with the helped of Kevin Dallman and Vladimir Tarasenko. SKA iced the game at 4-1 with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, passed from Igor Makarov. The three stars are awarded to Thoresen, Bobrovsky (43 for 44 in saves), and Rybin.
Back east again, as Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco for Donbass and Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik tend the twines. Donetsk quickly scored in the first period as Sergei Varlamov scored, thanks to Alexei Ponikarovsky and Ruslan Fedotenko. Donbass extended the lead in the second period with a Peter Podhradsky goal, fueled by Fedotenko and Varlamov. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with an unassisted Oskar Osala goal. Neftekhimik tied the game in the third period with a power play goal from Renat Mamashev, powered by Maxim Pestushko. Donetsk ended up winning 3-2 after a Fedotenko shootout goal secured the victory. The three stars belong to Fedotenko, Varlamov, and Mamashev.
Finally, we end in Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars guard the cages. Kazan led off in the first period with a Niko Kapanen goal, set up by Ilya Nikulin and Alexei Morozov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Janne Pesonen scored, with the help of Dmitry Obukhov and Jarkko Immonen. Kazan iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Danis Zaripov, passed from Morozov. The three stars go to Barulin (28 save shutout), Morozov, and Kapanen.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo of Avangard and Ari Ahonen of Metallurg are in goal. Magnitogorsk led off with a first period goal by Sergei Mozyakin, made possible by Viktor Antipin, a power play goal. Omsk tied the game in the second period as Alexander Popov scored, with a lone assist from Tomas Zaborsky. Avangard took the lead as Sergei Kostitsyn netted a power play goal, powered by Nikita Nikitin and Zaborsky. Metallurg retied the game in the third period as Dmitry Kazionov recorded an unassisted goal. Omsk won the game 3-2 in overtime as Kirill Lyamin scored with thirty seconds left, courtesy of Nikitin and Kostitsyn. The three stars belong to Kostitsyn, Nikitin, and Zaborsky.
A bit to the northeast, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov of Yugra and Evgeny Lobanov of Avtomobilist are in the creases. Stanislav Zhmakin put Yekaterinburg on the board first in the second period with a goal fueled by Nikolai Pronin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied the game in the third period as Igor Skorokhodov notched a goal, with guidance from Marek Troncinsky. The game went into a shootout, where Skorokhodov potted two goals for Yugra, besting Fyodor Malykhin's lone goal for Avtomobilist. Yugra picked up a 2-1 win, with Skorokhodov, Zhmakin, and Biryukov (40 for 41 in saves) getting the three stars.
Back south a touch to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor welcomes Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev for Barys and Michael Garnett for Traktor are in between the pipes. Chelyabinsk got started in the first period as Maxim Karpov scored, with a lone assist by Andrei Popov. Traktor added on as Andrei Kostitsyn scored, thanks to Deron Quint and Gennady Razin. Astana got one back in the second period with Dmitry Upper scoring, fueled by Alexei Litvinenko and Konstantin Rudenko. Chelyabinsk shot back when Anton Glinkin scored, passed from Jan Bulis (of Pass It to Bulis blogosphere fame). Traktor kept going with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal via Petri Kontiola and Konstantin Panov. Barys answered as Talgat Zhailauov netted the puck, assisted by Litvinenko and Konstantin Pushkaryov. Chelyabinsk extended their lead as Panov potted a goal, with the help of Yegor Dugin and Vladimir Antipov. Astana replaced Yeremeyev with Pavel Poluektov, and scored the next goal as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, pushed through by Dustin Boyd and Nikolai Antropov. Traktor iced off the game with an unassisted third period goal from Dugin to produce the 6-3 final score. The three stars belong to Panov, Dugin, and Litvinenko.
Well to the west, Slovan Bratislava hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Semyon Varlamov for Lokomotiv and Branislav Konrad for Slovan receive the starting nods. Yaroslavl began in the first period with a Maxim Trunyov goal, passed from Roman Lyuduchin. Lokomotiv extended the lead in the second period with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, assisted by Viktor Kozlov. Yaroslavl added on in the third period with an Artyom Anisimov goal, set up by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Yakovlev. Lokomotiv iced the game with a Lyuduchin unassisted goal for a 4-0 final. The three stars go to Varlamov (32 save shutout), Lyuduchin, and Trunyov.
Slightly to the northwest, Lev Praha hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Votaly Koval for Torpedo and Tomas Popperle for Lev are the starting goalies. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period as Alexei Ugarov scored, with assistance from Matt Ellison and Mikhail Varnakov on the power play. Praha tied it with a Jakub Klepis netted the puck, with the help of Ondrej Nemec. Lev took the lead when Zdeno Chara scored a power play goal, powered by Jiri Novotny and Jakub Voracek. Praha extended the lead in the second period as Novotny scored, guided in by Roman Cervenka and Voracek. Torpedo tried to rally back in the third period as Juuso Hietanen scored, thanks to Dmitry Makarov and Alexander Yevseyenkov. They got no closer, losing 3-2 to Lev, with the three stars being Novotny, Voracek, and Chara.
Back east, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Spartak Moscow. Sergei Borisov for Spartak and Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev are the masked men. Moscow quickly opened with a first period goal by Mikhail Zhukov, assisted by Alexander Suglobov. Ufa tied it on a Yury Trubachyov goal, made possible by Nikita Filatov and Denis Parshin. Salavat Yulaev took the lead on a Igor Mirnov goal, courtesy of Antti Pihlstrom and Alexei Kaigorodov. Spartak tied it in the third period as Suglobov recorded an unassisted and shorthanded goal tie tie the game. Ufa won the game with goals by Parshin and Trubachyov in the shootout, for a 3-2 final. The three stars go to Trubachyov, Suglobov, and Parshin.
Speaking of Moscow, we head there as Dynamo hosts Vityaz Chekhov. Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz and Alexi Volkov for Dynamo are all padded up. Chekhov was first to score in the first period with a Alexander Korolyuk goal, fueled by Artemy Panarin and Dinar Khafizullin. Moscow tied it as Nicklas Backstrom scored, with the help of Alexander Ovechkin and Richard Gynge. Vityaz took the lead back with a Brian Fahey goal, set up by Vladimir Malevich and Josh Hennessy. Chekhov extended the lead in the second period on a Anton Korolyov goal, assisted by Evgeny Timkin. Dynamo pulled back in the third period as Backstrom notched his second goal of the game, guided in by Filip Novak. Moscow pulled even with a Konstantin Volkov goal, thanks to Janne Jalasvaara. Dynamo completed the comeback in overtime as Backstrom put away an unassisted goal to complete his hat trick and a 4-3 victory. The three stars are Backstrom, Volkov, and Korolyov.
Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow hosts Atlant Moscow Oblast (for North America, an Oblast is like what we call a State). Stanislav Galimov for Atlant and Rastislav Stana for CSKA play in the blue paint. CSKA got going in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored, with a lone assist provided by Sergei Shirokov on the power play. CSKA extended the lead to 2-0 in the third period on an Ilya Zubov goal, fueled by Radulov and Evgeny Ryasensky. This was a final, with Radulov, Stana (14 save shutout), and Zubov getting the three stars.
To the west, with SKA St. Petersburg hosting Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne for Dinamo and Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA make up the NHL-level goalie battle. St. Petersburg opened early in the first period as Patrick Thoresen scored an unassisted goal. SKA extended the lead on a Maxim Rybin goal, fueled by Thoresen and Dmitry Vorobyov. Minsk got on the board in the second period as Teemu Laine scored, with assists credited to Tim Stapleton and Cory Murphy. St. Petersburg replied in the third period as Viktor Tikhonov scored, with the helped of Kevin Dallman and Vladimir Tarasenko. SKA iced the game at 4-1 with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, passed from Igor Makarov. The three stars are awarded to Thoresen, Bobrovsky (43 for 44 in saves), and Rybin.
Back east again, as Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco for Donbass and Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik tend the twines. Donetsk quickly scored in the first period as Sergei Varlamov scored, thanks to Alexei Ponikarovsky and Ruslan Fedotenko. Donbass extended the lead in the second period with a Peter Podhradsky goal, fueled by Fedotenko and Varlamov. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with an unassisted Oskar Osala goal. Neftekhimik tied the game in the third period with a power play goal from Renat Mamashev, powered by Maxim Pestushko. Donetsk ended up winning 3-2 after a Fedotenko shootout goal secured the victory. The three stars belong to Fedotenko, Varlamov, and Mamashev.
Finally, we end in Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars guard the cages. Kazan led off in the first period with a Niko Kapanen goal, set up by Ilya Nikulin and Alexei Morozov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Janne Pesonen scored, with the help of Dmitry Obukhov and Jarkko Immonen. Kazan iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Danis Zaripov, passed from Morozov. The three stars go to Barulin (28 save shutout), Morozov, and Kapanen.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 17
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part seventeen tells us of star pitcher Matt Cain.
Matt Cain was born on October 1, 1984, in Dothan, Alabama. He graduated from Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee, and was drafted in the first round with the twenty-fifth overall selection by the San Francisco Giants in 2002. He was immediately assigned to the Rookie level Arizona League Giants, where he played in eight games during the 2002 season, posting a 3.72 earned run average with twenty strikeouts in nineteen and one-third innings. In 2003, Cain moved up to the Class A South Atlantic League, where he played for the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland. He pitched to a 2.55 earned run average, while accumulating ninety strikeouts over seventy-four innings. Cain split his 2004 season in half, beginning with the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants of the California League, posting a 1.86 earned run average, eighty-nine strikeouts, and seventy-two and two-thirds innings. Midway through the season, he was promoted to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League. With Norwich, he pitched to a 3.35 earned run average while striking out seventy-two batters in eighty-six innings of work. The 2005 campaign was also a split season for Cain, beginning with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. Here, his statistics read a 4.39 earned run average, with 176 strikeouts in 145 and 2/3 innings pitched. While not stellar numbers, he earned a call up to the San Francisco Giants, starting seven games, with a debut of August 29, 2005. In the audition stint, he recorded a 2.33 earned run average with thirty strikeouts over forty-six and one-third innings. The immediate major league level success is both rare and admirable for the then-twenty year old pitcher. Also prevalent in his time throughout the various minor leagues was Cain's aversion to injury, which earned him a label as a workhorse. This was evident, as in his third start, he pitched a complete game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. For 2006, Cain was inserted into the rotation for a full-time role, and he delivered an average level of production, with a 4.15 earned run average, 179 strikeouts, and 190 and 2/3 innings pitched. He recorded his first shutout on May 21st of the season, and was in contention for Rookie of the Year throughout the season, but finished that race tied for fifth. In 2007, Cain pitched to a 3.65 earned run average, tenth best in the National League, while striking out 163 batters in 200 innings. However, a trend had started to develop: Cain received very little run support in his starts, as evidenced by the 7-16 record, as well as the team record of 9-23 in games Cain started. Twenty-one times during the season, Cain received two runs or less of support. He was able to help his own cause at times though, by hitting his first two career home runs in games against the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs. The 2008 season was very similar for Cain, who pitched to a 3.76 earned run average with 186 strikeouts in 217 and 2/3 innings pitched, but his record was only 8-14, again due to the failure of the offense behind him to give him run support. He also hit another two home runs in the season. His fortunes turned for the better in 2009, as he shaved his earned run average to 2.89 while striking out 171 batters in 217 and 2/3 innings pitched. His personal achievements in the 14-8 season included his first All-Star Game nomination, which he surrendered due to a minor injury that required rest over the break, as well as the Giants team award named for Willie McCovey. The Willie Mac award, as it's called, is voted on by the players and coaches of the Giants for the player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership that McCovey was also known for. However, to the greater baseball world, Cain was a second thought to 2008 and 2009 Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, and this theme persisted in 2010, leaving Cain in more of a secret weapon role in the rotation. He excelled under the radar, pitching to a 3.14 earned run average, with 177 strikeouts in a career-high 223 and 1/3 innings pitched. He pitched four complete games and two shutouts during the season, although despite sterling halfway statistics, was not named to the All-Star team. Cain was also a rock for the Giants' 2010 postseason run, his first appearance in the playoffs. He allowed only one unearned run in the postseason, against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series, pitching twenty-one and one-third innings with a 0.00 earned run average. He is the fifth pitcher to pitch over twenty innings without an earned run. He also got the Giants started with seven innings of shutout ball in the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and seven and two-thirds innings in Game 2 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers, helping the Giants to a World Series title. He improved his numbers slightly in 2011, although he still pitched in Lincecum's shadow. For the season, he had a 2.88 earned run average, 179 strikeouts, and 221 and 2/3 innings, although he was again a victim of a lack of run support often as evidenced by his 12-11 record. Overall, the quiet 2011 was a perfect contrast to a very exciting 2012 for Cain. He pitched in the home opener, throwing his third one-hit shutout of his career. In his next start, he pitched in one of the better modern-day duels against Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies, in which Cain's nine scoreless innings of two-hit ball were bested by ten scoreless innings from Lee. He was even more dominant on June 13, 2012, where he pitched the twenty-second perfect game in the history of major league baseball, against the Houston Astros. In this game, he struck out a whopping fourteen batters. This was the first perfect game in Giants history, the second perfect game of the season, the fifth no-hitter, and featured the most run support for a perfect game with ten runs scored. The day is now commemorated in San Francisco as Matt Cain Day. The dominance Cain possessed, as well as the status of de-facto ace, earned him the starting nod in the 2012 All-Star Game, his third nomination. He pitched two innings, and left with a lead that held up for a win, while teammate Melky Cabrera led the offensive attack in the 8-0 shutout by the National League team. Cain put himself in another piece of history when he hit his sixth home run off of Phillies' pitcher Cole Hamels, before giving up a home run in the bottom of the inning to Hamels, making July 21st the first time since 2003 that two pitchers hit home runs off of each other. Cain went into the postseason as a staff ace, although his second trip to the playoffs was not as individually impressive. However, he pitched in five games, including all three series clinching games for the Giants. He lost to the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, before besting them later in the series in Game 5. He repeated the trick against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, getting beat in Game 3 before exacting revenge in the decisive Game 7. This aligned Cain to pitch in Game 4 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, where he helped the Giants lock down a sweep for his second World Series Championship with the Giants in three years. His overall postseason earned run average was a pedestrian 3.60, but his ability to come up bug when needed further endeared him to the Giants faithful.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Matt Cain was born on October 1, 1984, in Dothan, Alabama. He graduated from Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee, and was drafted in the first round with the twenty-fifth overall selection by the San Francisco Giants in 2002. He was immediately assigned to the Rookie level Arizona League Giants, where he played in eight games during the 2002 season, posting a 3.72 earned run average with twenty strikeouts in nineteen and one-third innings. In 2003, Cain moved up to the Class A South Atlantic League, where he played for the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland. He pitched to a 2.55 earned run average, while accumulating ninety strikeouts over seventy-four innings. Cain split his 2004 season in half, beginning with the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants of the California League, posting a 1.86 earned run average, eighty-nine strikeouts, and seventy-two and two-thirds innings. Midway through the season, he was promoted to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League. With Norwich, he pitched to a 3.35 earned run average while striking out seventy-two batters in eighty-six innings of work. The 2005 campaign was also a split season for Cain, beginning with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. Here, his statistics read a 4.39 earned run average, with 176 strikeouts in 145 and 2/3 innings pitched. While not stellar numbers, he earned a call up to the San Francisco Giants, starting seven games, with a debut of August 29, 2005. In the audition stint, he recorded a 2.33 earned run average with thirty strikeouts over forty-six and one-third innings. The immediate major league level success is both rare and admirable for the then-twenty year old pitcher. Also prevalent in his time throughout the various minor leagues was Cain's aversion to injury, which earned him a label as a workhorse. This was evident, as in his third start, he pitched a complete game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. For 2006, Cain was inserted into the rotation for a full-time role, and he delivered an average level of production, with a 4.15 earned run average, 179 strikeouts, and 190 and 2/3 innings pitched. He recorded his first shutout on May 21st of the season, and was in contention for Rookie of the Year throughout the season, but finished that race tied for fifth. In 2007, Cain pitched to a 3.65 earned run average, tenth best in the National League, while striking out 163 batters in 200 innings. However, a trend had started to develop: Cain received very little run support in his starts, as evidenced by the 7-16 record, as well as the team record of 9-23 in games Cain started. Twenty-one times during the season, Cain received two runs or less of support. He was able to help his own cause at times though, by hitting his first two career home runs in games against the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs. The 2008 season was very similar for Cain, who pitched to a 3.76 earned run average with 186 strikeouts in 217 and 2/3 innings pitched, but his record was only 8-14, again due to the failure of the offense behind him to give him run support. He also hit another two home runs in the season. His fortunes turned for the better in 2009, as he shaved his earned run average to 2.89 while striking out 171 batters in 217 and 2/3 innings pitched. His personal achievements in the 14-8 season included his first All-Star Game nomination, which he surrendered due to a minor injury that required rest over the break, as well as the Giants team award named for Willie McCovey. The Willie Mac award, as it's called, is voted on by the players and coaches of the Giants for the player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership that McCovey was also known for. However, to the greater baseball world, Cain was a second thought to 2008 and 2009 Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, and this theme persisted in 2010, leaving Cain in more of a secret weapon role in the rotation. He excelled under the radar, pitching to a 3.14 earned run average, with 177 strikeouts in a career-high 223 and 1/3 innings pitched. He pitched four complete games and two shutouts during the season, although despite sterling halfway statistics, was not named to the All-Star team. Cain was also a rock for the Giants' 2010 postseason run, his first appearance in the playoffs. He allowed only one unearned run in the postseason, against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series, pitching twenty-one and one-third innings with a 0.00 earned run average. He is the fifth pitcher to pitch over twenty innings without an earned run. He also got the Giants started with seven innings of shutout ball in the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and seven and two-thirds innings in Game 2 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers, helping the Giants to a World Series title. He improved his numbers slightly in 2011, although he still pitched in Lincecum's shadow. For the season, he had a 2.88 earned run average, 179 strikeouts, and 221 and 2/3 innings, although he was again a victim of a lack of run support often as evidenced by his 12-11 record. Overall, the quiet 2011 was a perfect contrast to a very exciting 2012 for Cain. He pitched in the home opener, throwing his third one-hit shutout of his career. In his next start, he pitched in one of the better modern-day duels against Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies, in which Cain's nine scoreless innings of two-hit ball were bested by ten scoreless innings from Lee. He was even more dominant on June 13, 2012, where he pitched the twenty-second perfect game in the history of major league baseball, against the Houston Astros. In this game, he struck out a whopping fourteen batters. This was the first perfect game in Giants history, the second perfect game of the season, the fifth no-hitter, and featured the most run support for a perfect game with ten runs scored. The day is now commemorated in San Francisco as Matt Cain Day. The dominance Cain possessed, as well as the status of de-facto ace, earned him the starting nod in the 2012 All-Star Game, his third nomination. He pitched two innings, and left with a lead that held up for a win, while teammate Melky Cabrera led the offensive attack in the 8-0 shutout by the National League team. Cain put himself in another piece of history when he hit his sixth home run off of Phillies' pitcher Cole Hamels, before giving up a home run in the bottom of the inning to Hamels, making July 21st the first time since 2003 that two pitchers hit home runs off of each other. Cain went into the postseason as a staff ace, although his second trip to the playoffs was not as individually impressive. However, he pitched in five games, including all three series clinching games for the Giants. He lost to the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, before besting them later in the series in Game 5. He repeated the trick against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, getting beat in Game 3 before exacting revenge in the decisive Game 7. This aligned Cain to pitch in Game 4 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, where he helped the Giants lock down a sweep for his second World Series Championship with the Giants in three years. His overall postseason earned run average was a pedestrian 3.60, but his ability to come up bug when needed further endeared him to the Giants faithful.
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Tuesday, November 13, 2012
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 16
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part sixteen tells of up-and-coming starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner.
Madison Bumgarner was born on August 1, 1989, in Hickory, North Carolina. He attended South Caldwell High School in Hudson, North Carolina, where he helped his team to a 4A state championship in his senior year. That same year, he was the tenth overall selection in the Major League Baseball Draft, the first round selection of the San Francisco Giants. He decided to forgo his college years after being drafted, and began the 2008 season in the Class A South Atlantic League, pitching for the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia. Here, working as a starting pitcher, he pitcher to a 1.46 earned run average, as well as 164 strikeouts over 141 and 2/3 innings pitched. Bumgarner began the 2009 season with the San Jose Giants in the Class A Advanced California League, making five starts in which he accumulated a 1.48 earned run average, twenty-three strikeouts, and twenty-four and one-third innings, before being promoted to the Class AA Connecticut Defenders of Norwich, Connecticut, in the Eastern League. He spent most of the rest of the season here, pitching to a 1.93 earned run average, along with sixty-nine strikeouts in 107 innings. He earned a September call up, and made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants on September 8th. Pitching in place of Giants star Tim Lincecum, who sat out due to injury, Bumgarner filled in nicely, receiving a no-decision for his efforts. He made three relief appearances to close out the year, and ended with ten major league innings, as well as ten strikeouts alongside a clean 1.80 earned run average. His short display wasn't enough to convince the San Francisco executives yet, and he started 2010 down in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League with the Fresno Grizzlies. Making fourteen starts, he pitched to a 3.16 earned run average with fifty-nine strikeouts over eighty-two and two-thirds innings. He was recalled to San Francisco for a June 26th start, and stayed with the team from there on. Over 111 innings, he had a tidy 3.00 earned run average and eighty-six strikeouts, and earned a postseason roster spot for the Giants playoff run. He made four appearances in the postseason (three starts), and ended with two wins (one against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series and the other against the Texas Rangers in the World Series), while accumulating a 2.18 earned run average, eighteen strikeouts, and twenty and two-thirds innings. His win against the Rangers in Game 4 of the World Series was especially captivating, as he hurled eight shutout innings with only five baserunners allowed, which gave the Giants a stranglehold 3-1 series lead, which was sealed off the next night. Bumgarner's critical performance in this game helped him earn his first World Series Championship as a member of the 2010 Giants team. In 2011, he established and held onto his role as a vital member of the San Francisco rotation. While going 13-13 with seven no-decisions over the season, he was more a victim of a lack of run support, as his 3.21 earned run average, 191 strikeouts, and 204 and 2/3 innings pitched indicate. Despite his strengths as a pitcher and the strengths of the rotation in general, the Giants were unable to defend their title. Bumgarner continued to grow in 2012, pitching to a record of 16-11 while accumulating a 3.37 earned run average, 208 and 1/3 innings, and 191 strikeouts. Bumgarner had notable non-pitching accomplishments in the year as well, hitting his first home run on June 12th, followed by his first shutout on June 28th. Fatigue looked to be settling in over August and September, as his earned run average ballooned by one-half of a run, and further evidence occurred during the postseason run. He struggled in short outings against both the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, as well as against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. He was given ample rest, and pitching a week and a half after his appearance against St. Louis, he pitched Game 2 of the World Series, throwing seven shutout innings with just two hits and two walks allowed. Again, Bumgarner had come up big when the team needed it the most, and two games later, he was rewarded with his second World Series Championship in San Francisco.
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Madison Bumgarner was born on August 1, 1989, in Hickory, North Carolina. He attended South Caldwell High School in Hudson, North Carolina, where he helped his team to a 4A state championship in his senior year. That same year, he was the tenth overall selection in the Major League Baseball Draft, the first round selection of the San Francisco Giants. He decided to forgo his college years after being drafted, and began the 2008 season in the Class A South Atlantic League, pitching for the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia. Here, working as a starting pitcher, he pitcher to a 1.46 earned run average, as well as 164 strikeouts over 141 and 2/3 innings pitched. Bumgarner began the 2009 season with the San Jose Giants in the Class A Advanced California League, making five starts in which he accumulated a 1.48 earned run average, twenty-three strikeouts, and twenty-four and one-third innings, before being promoted to the Class AA Connecticut Defenders of Norwich, Connecticut, in the Eastern League. He spent most of the rest of the season here, pitching to a 1.93 earned run average, along with sixty-nine strikeouts in 107 innings. He earned a September call up, and made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants on September 8th. Pitching in place of Giants star Tim Lincecum, who sat out due to injury, Bumgarner filled in nicely, receiving a no-decision for his efforts. He made three relief appearances to close out the year, and ended with ten major league innings, as well as ten strikeouts alongside a clean 1.80 earned run average. His short display wasn't enough to convince the San Francisco executives yet, and he started 2010 down in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League with the Fresno Grizzlies. Making fourteen starts, he pitched to a 3.16 earned run average with fifty-nine strikeouts over eighty-two and two-thirds innings. He was recalled to San Francisco for a June 26th start, and stayed with the team from there on. Over 111 innings, he had a tidy 3.00 earned run average and eighty-six strikeouts, and earned a postseason roster spot for the Giants playoff run. He made four appearances in the postseason (three starts), and ended with two wins (one against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series and the other against the Texas Rangers in the World Series), while accumulating a 2.18 earned run average, eighteen strikeouts, and twenty and two-thirds innings. His win against the Rangers in Game 4 of the World Series was especially captivating, as he hurled eight shutout innings with only five baserunners allowed, which gave the Giants a stranglehold 3-1 series lead, which was sealed off the next night. Bumgarner's critical performance in this game helped him earn his first World Series Championship as a member of the 2010 Giants team. In 2011, he established and held onto his role as a vital member of the San Francisco rotation. While going 13-13 with seven no-decisions over the season, he was more a victim of a lack of run support, as his 3.21 earned run average, 191 strikeouts, and 204 and 2/3 innings pitched indicate. Despite his strengths as a pitcher and the strengths of the rotation in general, the Giants were unable to defend their title. Bumgarner continued to grow in 2012, pitching to a record of 16-11 while accumulating a 3.37 earned run average, 208 and 1/3 innings, and 191 strikeouts. Bumgarner had notable non-pitching accomplishments in the year as well, hitting his first home run on June 12th, followed by his first shutout on June 28th. Fatigue looked to be settling in over August and September, as his earned run average ballooned by one-half of a run, and further evidence occurred during the postseason run. He struggled in short outings against both the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, as well as against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. He was given ample rest, and pitching a week and a half after his appearance against St. Louis, he pitched Game 2 of the World Series, throwing seven shutout innings with just two hits and two walks allowed. Again, Bumgarner had come up big when the team needed it the most, and two games later, he was rewarded with his second World Series Championship in San Francisco.
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Fantasy Football All Stars Week 10 2012
Quarterback: Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan
Running Backs: Adrian Peterson, Fred Jackson, Chris Johnson, and Marshawn Lynch
Wide Receivers: Calvin Johnson and Danario Alexander
Tight End: Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, and Greg Olsen
Kicker: Rob Bironas, Blair Walsh, and Stephen Gostkowski
Team Defense: Denver
Defensive Players Darius Butler and Leonard Johnson
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Running Backs: Adrian Peterson, Fred Jackson, Chris Johnson, and Marshawn Lynch
Wide Receivers: Calvin Johnson and Danario Alexander
Tight End: Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, and Greg Olsen
Kicker: Rob Bironas, Blair Walsh, and Stephen Gostkowski
Team Defense: Denver
Defensive Players Darius Butler and Leonard Johnson
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Monday, November 12, 2012
Monday Night Football Week 10 2012
The tenth week of the 2012 season closes out with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City began in the first quarter on a 12 yard touchdown run by Jamaal Charles, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. The Chiefs added on in the second quarter as Succop made a 22 yard field goal. Pittsburgh got some back as Shaun Suisham made a 35 yard field goal. The Steelers tied the game as Ben Roethlisberger passed 7 yards to Mike Wallace for a touchdown, and Suisham had the equalizer by kicking the extra point. Pittsburgh retook the lead on a Suisham 31 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Kansas City tied it with a 46 yard field goal from Succop. The Steelers won the game in overtime on a 23 yard field goal by Suisham, for a 16-13 final. Pittsburgh is now 6-3 and Kansas City drops to 1-8.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 15
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part fifteen tells us of the young shortstop Brandon Crawford.
Brandon Crawford was born on January 21, 1987, in Mountain View, California. He attended Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California, before continuing his studies at UCLA. He majored in physiological sciences, and played baseball for the UCLA Bruins from 2006 to 2008. He was named team Most Valuable Player in both 2006 and 2007, and was named to the Pac-10 Conference Team in the 2007 season as well. Crawford was drafted in the 2008 draft to the San Francisco Giants as a fourth round selection. To close out his 2008 season, he played in the Giants farm system, first with the Rookie level Arizona League Giants and then later with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Salem, Oregon in the Class A Short Season Northwest League. He hit to a .375 batting average in five games. He took on an expanded role in 2009, and progressed rapidly up to the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants of the California League. Here, he had a line of a .371 batting average, six home runs, and seventeen runs batted in over twenty-five games, before stepping up to the Class AA Connecticut Defenders of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League, where he played in 108 games while hitting to a .258 batting average, four home runs, and thirty-one runs batted in. Crawford struggled in 2010, beginning with San Jose again for a short time, before switching to the Giants' new Class AA affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels of Richmond, Virginia, also in the Eastern League. For the season, he hit .236, with seven home runs and twenty-three runs batted in. Crawford looked to be in line for the starting job at shortstop for the big league Giants squad, but a broken finger at the end of spring training derailed this path. He appeared in rehabilitation games with San Jose, hitting to a .322 batting average with three home runs and fifteen runs batted in over fourteen games, before receiving his first major league call up on May 26th. He started playing on the next day, and became the sixth major league player to hit a grand slam in his first game. He was sent down to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League on July 31st to make room for the newly acquired Orlando Cabrera, and played all of August there. He hit only .234 during that time, while producing one home run and nine runs batted in. He returned to the Giants among the September call ups, and closed out a season that saw him hit .204 with three home runs and twenty-one runs batted in. Nevertheless, Crawford earned the Giants' trust with the shortstop job, and played all of the 2012 season as the starter. His hitting skills aren't all that pronounced yet in the early parts of his career, but his sterling defense makes him a very attractive option for the difficult fielding position. For 2012, he hit to a .248 batting average, as well as four home runs and forty-five runs batted in, and he earned a spot on the postseason roster. Here, he had a few key hits, including four of his seven postseason runs batted in during elimination games. Most memorably was his triple in Game 5 against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, which began the scoring. While he didn't act completely as a hero in any given game, his defense was reliable and even clutch at times, and likely saved a run or two that may have cost him and his teammates the 2012 World Series Championship.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Brandon Crawford was born on January 21, 1987, in Mountain View, California. He attended Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California, before continuing his studies at UCLA. He majored in physiological sciences, and played baseball for the UCLA Bruins from 2006 to 2008. He was named team Most Valuable Player in both 2006 and 2007, and was named to the Pac-10 Conference Team in the 2007 season as well. Crawford was drafted in the 2008 draft to the San Francisco Giants as a fourth round selection. To close out his 2008 season, he played in the Giants farm system, first with the Rookie level Arizona League Giants and then later with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Salem, Oregon in the Class A Short Season Northwest League. He hit to a .375 batting average in five games. He took on an expanded role in 2009, and progressed rapidly up to the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants of the California League. Here, he had a line of a .371 batting average, six home runs, and seventeen runs batted in over twenty-five games, before stepping up to the Class AA Connecticut Defenders of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League, where he played in 108 games while hitting to a .258 batting average, four home runs, and thirty-one runs batted in. Crawford struggled in 2010, beginning with San Jose again for a short time, before switching to the Giants' new Class AA affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels of Richmond, Virginia, also in the Eastern League. For the season, he hit .236, with seven home runs and twenty-three runs batted in. Crawford looked to be in line for the starting job at shortstop for the big league Giants squad, but a broken finger at the end of spring training derailed this path. He appeared in rehabilitation games with San Jose, hitting to a .322 batting average with three home runs and fifteen runs batted in over fourteen games, before receiving his first major league call up on May 26th. He started playing on the next day, and became the sixth major league player to hit a grand slam in his first game. He was sent down to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League on July 31st to make room for the newly acquired Orlando Cabrera, and played all of August there. He hit only .234 during that time, while producing one home run and nine runs batted in. He returned to the Giants among the September call ups, and closed out a season that saw him hit .204 with three home runs and twenty-one runs batted in. Nevertheless, Crawford earned the Giants' trust with the shortstop job, and played all of the 2012 season as the starter. His hitting skills aren't all that pronounced yet in the early parts of his career, but his sterling defense makes him a very attractive option for the difficult fielding position. For 2012, he hit to a .248 batting average, as well as four home runs and forty-five runs batted in, and he earned a spot on the postseason roster. Here, he had a few key hits, including four of his seven postseason runs batted in during elimination games. Most memorably was his triple in Game 5 against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, which began the scoring. While he didn't act completely as a hero in any given game, his defense was reliable and even clutch at times, and likely saved a run or two that may have cost him and his teammates the 2012 World Series Championship.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
NFL Afternoon/Night Games Week 10 2012
Four games on late today, beginning in...
Seattle, as the Seahawks host the New York Jets. Seattle began in the first quarter as Russell Wilson passed 38 yards to Golden Tate for a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. New York tied it as Muhammad Wilkerson returned a Wilson fumble 21 yards for a touchdown, and Nick Folk booted the extra point. The Seahawks took the lead back in the second quarter as Marshawn Lynch ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Hauschka knocked in the extra point. Seattle padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Wilson passed 31 yards to Sidney Rice for a touchdown, and Hauschka supplied another PAT. The Seahawks extended the lead as Tate passed 23 yards for a touchdown to Rice, and Hauschka booted the extra point again. The trick play closed out the scoring at 28-7, with the Seahawks now at 6-4 and the Jets go to 3-6.
Down south, the San Francisco 49ers welcome the St. Louis Rams. St. Louis started with a first quarter Sam Bradford 36 yard touchdown pass to Brian Quick, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Rams added on as Steven Jackson ran 7 yards for a touchdown, and Zuerlein made another extra point. San Francisco got on the board in the second quarter with an Alex Smith 14 yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree, and David Akers kicked the PAT. St. Louis padded the lead with a third quarter Zuerlein field goal of 27 yards. The 49ers pulled back with a 7 yard touchdown run by Colin Kaepernick in the fourth quarter, and Akers made the extra point. San Francisco took the lead as Frank Gore rushed 20 yards for a touchdown, and Akers made another extra point. The Rams retook the lead with a Bradford touchdown pass of 2 yards to Austin Pettis, allowing Zuerlein to make an extra point. The 49ers pulled even with Akers booting a 33 yard field goal. The scoring ended here, as the fifth quarter was silent, and the final was 24-24. San Francisco goes to 6-2-1 while St. Louis moves to 3-5-1.
Back east, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia led off in the first quarter as Michael Vick passed 2 yards to Riley Cooper for a touchdown, and Alex Henery made the extra point. Dallas tied it with Tony Romo passing 11 yards to Felix Jones for a touchdown, and Dan Bailey handled the extra point. The Cowboys took the lead in the second quarter on a Bailey 30 yard field goal. The Eagles took the lead back in the third quarter as Nick Foles passed 44 yards to Jeremy Maclin for a touchdown, followed by Henery kicking the PAT. Philadelphia padded the lead as Henery was true on a 40 yard field goal. Dallas evened the score again as Romo passed 30 yards for a touchdown to Dez Bryant, and Bailey knocked in the extra point. The Cowboys took the lead in the fourth quarter when Dwayne Harris ran back a blocked punt 78 yards for a touchdown, and Bailey booted the extra point. Dallas extended their lead as Brandon Carr intercepted Foles and took the ball 47 yards back to the house for a touchdown, allowing another Bailey extra point. The Eagles got some back as Stanley Havili ran 1 yard for a touchdown, but Henery botched the extra point. The Cowboys put the game away as Jason Hatcher recovered a Foles fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, and Bailey knocked in the extra point for a 38-23 final. Dallas moves to 4-5 while the Eagles drop to 3-6.
Finally, the Chicago Bears host the Houston Texans. Houston opened with a first quarter Shayne Graham field goal of 20 yards. Chicago tied it in the second quarter as Robbie Gould made a 51 yard field goal. The Texans took the lead as Matt Schaub passed 2 yards to Arian Foster for a touchdown, and Graham supplied the extra point. The Bears chipped back in the third quarter on a Gould field goal of 24 yards. Houston extended the lead in the fourth quarter with a Graham field goal of 42 yards. This made it 13-6, with the Texans now at 8-1 while the Bears drop to 7-2.
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Seattle, as the Seahawks host the New York Jets. Seattle began in the first quarter as Russell Wilson passed 38 yards to Golden Tate for a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. New York tied it as Muhammad Wilkerson returned a Wilson fumble 21 yards for a touchdown, and Nick Folk booted the extra point. The Seahawks took the lead back in the second quarter as Marshawn Lynch ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Hauschka knocked in the extra point. Seattle padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Wilson passed 31 yards to Sidney Rice for a touchdown, and Hauschka supplied another PAT. The Seahawks extended the lead as Tate passed 23 yards for a touchdown to Rice, and Hauschka booted the extra point again. The trick play closed out the scoring at 28-7, with the Seahawks now at 6-4 and the Jets go to 3-6.
Down south, the San Francisco 49ers welcome the St. Louis Rams. St. Louis started with a first quarter Sam Bradford 36 yard touchdown pass to Brian Quick, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Rams added on as Steven Jackson ran 7 yards for a touchdown, and Zuerlein made another extra point. San Francisco got on the board in the second quarter with an Alex Smith 14 yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree, and David Akers kicked the PAT. St. Louis padded the lead with a third quarter Zuerlein field goal of 27 yards. The 49ers pulled back with a 7 yard touchdown run by Colin Kaepernick in the fourth quarter, and Akers made the extra point. San Francisco took the lead as Frank Gore rushed 20 yards for a touchdown, and Akers made another extra point. The Rams retook the lead with a Bradford touchdown pass of 2 yards to Austin Pettis, allowing Zuerlein to make an extra point. The 49ers pulled even with Akers booting a 33 yard field goal. The scoring ended here, as the fifth quarter was silent, and the final was 24-24. San Francisco goes to 6-2-1 while St. Louis moves to 3-5-1.
Back east, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia led off in the first quarter as Michael Vick passed 2 yards to Riley Cooper for a touchdown, and Alex Henery made the extra point. Dallas tied it with Tony Romo passing 11 yards to Felix Jones for a touchdown, and Dan Bailey handled the extra point. The Cowboys took the lead in the second quarter on a Bailey 30 yard field goal. The Eagles took the lead back in the third quarter as Nick Foles passed 44 yards to Jeremy Maclin for a touchdown, followed by Henery kicking the PAT. Philadelphia padded the lead as Henery was true on a 40 yard field goal. Dallas evened the score again as Romo passed 30 yards for a touchdown to Dez Bryant, and Bailey knocked in the extra point. The Cowboys took the lead in the fourth quarter when Dwayne Harris ran back a blocked punt 78 yards for a touchdown, and Bailey booted the extra point. Dallas extended their lead as Brandon Carr intercepted Foles and took the ball 47 yards back to the house for a touchdown, allowing another Bailey extra point. The Eagles got some back as Stanley Havili ran 1 yard for a touchdown, but Henery botched the extra point. The Cowboys put the game away as Jason Hatcher recovered a Foles fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, and Bailey knocked in the extra point for a 38-23 final. Dallas moves to 4-5 while the Eagles drop to 3-6.
Finally, the Chicago Bears host the Houston Texans. Houston opened with a first quarter Shayne Graham field goal of 20 yards. Chicago tied it in the second quarter as Robbie Gould made a 51 yard field goal. The Texans took the lead as Matt Schaub passed 2 yards to Arian Foster for a touchdown, and Graham supplied the extra point. The Bears chipped back in the third quarter on a Gould field goal of 24 yards. Houston extended the lead in the fourth quarter with a Graham field goal of 42 yards. This made it 13-6, with the Texans now at 8-1 while the Bears drop to 7-2.
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NFL Morning Games Week 10 2012
Eight games on early to keep me busy. First up...
The Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions. Minnesota was first to score in the first quarter with a 3 yard touchdown pass by Christian Ponder to Jarius Wright, and Blair Walsh booted in the extra point. The Vikings struck again as Walsh made a 48 yard field goal. Detroit got on the board in the second quarter as Jason Hanson made a 41 yard field goal. Minnesota shot back with a 23 yard field goal from Walsh. The Vikings added on in the third quarter with a Walsh field goal from 23 yards away. The Lions answered with a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew for 16 yards, and Hanson made the PAT. Minnesota responded as Ponder threw 20 yards to Kyle Rudolph for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Adrian Peterson ran the two-point conversion in. Detroit shot back as Stafford passed 1 yard to Titus Young for a touchdown, and Hanson made the extra point. The Vikings extended their lead as Peterson ran 61 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh made the extra point. Minnesota struck again as Walsh made a 33 yard field goal. The Lions chipped away as Stafford passed 11 yards to Calvin Johnson for a touchdown, and Hanson knocked in the extra point. This was as close as it got, with Minnesota holding for a 34-24 win, improving to 6-4 while Detroit drops to 4-5.
Down in New Orleans, the Saints bring in the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta led off with a first quarter touchdown pass of 1 yard from Matt Ryan to Mike Johnson, and Matt Bryant tacked on the extra point. The Falcons added on with a Bryant field goal from 37 yards away. New Orleans shot back with a 56 yard touchdown run by Chris Ivory, and Garrett Hartley made the PAT. The Saints took the lead with a second quarter Drew Brees touchdown pass of 29 yards to Jimmy Graham, and Hartley made the extra point. Atlanta regained the lead as Ryan found Tony Gonzalez for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant booted the extra point. New Orleans took the lead back as Brees found Graham again, this time for 14 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley again made the extra point. The Saints extended the lead on a third quarter Brees touchdown pass to Marques Colston for 7 yards, and Hartley supplied the extra point. The Falcons answered with a Ryan touchdown pass to Gonzalez, good for 6 yards, and Bryant iced the drive with the extra point. Atlanta pulled closer on a Bryant field goal of 20 yards. New Orleans replied with a Hartley field goal from 31 yards out. This was all they needed for a 31-27 win, with the Saints now at 4-5 and the Falcons falling from perfection to 8-1.
Back north, the Cincinnati Bengals host the New York Giants. Cincinnati started with a 56 yard Andy Dalton touchdown pass to A.J. Green in the first quarter, and Mike Nugent supplied the extra point. The Bengals added on with a Dalton touchdown pass of 11 yard to Andrew Hawkins, followed by another Nugent extra point. New York got on the board as Lawrence Tynes kicked a 23 yard field goal. Cincinnati replied in the second quarter as Nugent made a 28 yard field goal. The Giants got some more as Tynes made a 31 yard field goal. The Bengals extended the lead in the third quarter as Dalton passed 10 yards to Jermaine Gresham for a touchdown, and Nugent tacked on the PAT. Cincinnati kept going as Dalton found Mohamed Sanu for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent made another extra point. New York got some back as Andre Brown ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes booted the extra point. This was as close as they got, falling 31-13, with Cincinnati going to 4-5 and the Giants dropping to 6-4.
Over in Baltimore, the Ravens host the Oakland Raiders. Baltimore opened with a first quarter Justin Tucker field goal of 48 yards. The Ravens struck again with a 1 yard rush for a touchdown by Joe Flacco, and Tucker handled the extra point. Oakland got on the board as Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 32 yard field goal in the second quarter. Baltimore padded the lead as Flacco passed 5 yards to Dennis Pitta for a touchdown, and Tucker knocked in the extra point. The Ravens struck again as Tucker made a 34 yard field goal. The Raiders answered with a 55 yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Janikowski was there with the extra point. Baltimore extended the lead with a 7 yard touchdown run by Ray Rice, and Tucker booted the extra point cleanly. The Ravens kept going in the third quarter with Flacco passing 47 yards to Torrey Smith for a touchdown, and Tucker booted the extra point. Oakland answered on a 30 yard touchdown pass from Palmer to Denarius Moore, and Janikowski was there with the PAT. Baltimore replied as Flacco and Smith met up again, this time for 20 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker finished the drive with an extra point. The Ravens added insult to injury by botching field goal attempt, which led to holder Sam Koch running the ball in 7 yards for a touchdown, and Tucker knocked in the extra point again. The Raiders shot back with a 47 yard Janikowski field goal. Baltimore quickly replied as Jacoby Jones returned the kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown, and Tucker made another extra point. This ended the scoring at 55-20, with the Ravens moving to 7-2 and the Raiders dropping to 3-6.
Up in New England, the Patriots welcome the Buffalo Bills. New England began in the first quarter on a Stephen Gostkowski 43 yard field goal. The Patriots padded the lead as Stevan Ridley ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski made the extra point. Buffalo got on the board in the second quarter as Rian Lindell kicked a 41 yard field goal. New England shot back as Danny Woodhead ran 15 yards for a touchdown, and Gostkowski made the PAT. The Bills answered with a 14 yard touchdown run by Fred Jackson, iced off by a Lindell extra point. The Patriots replied as Tom Brady passed 2 yards to Rob Gronkowski for a touchdown, and Gostkowski handled the extra point. Buffalo clawed back with a Ryan Fitzpatrick touchdown pass of 3 yards to Scott Chandler, and Lindell tacked on the extra point. New England extended the lead as Brady passed 18 yards to Woodhead for a touchdown, and Gostkowski easily made the extra point. The Bills responded with a 1 yard touchdown run by Jackson, and Lindell was there with the extra point. The Patriots got some back in the fourth quarter on a 48 yard field goal by Gostkowski. Buffalo came closer on a Fitzpatrick touchdown pass of 2 yards to Donald Jones, and Lindell supplied the extra point. New England replied as Gostkowski made a 27 yard field goal. They held on for a 37-31 win, with the Patriots now at 6-3 and the Bills at 3-6.
Way south, the Miami Dolphins bring in the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee got going in the first quarter on a Jake Locker touchdown pass to Kendall Wright, good for 9 yards, and Rob Bironas kicked in the extra point. The Titans added on as Chris Johnson ran 17 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas handled the extra point. Tennessee padded the lead in the second quarter as Colin McCarthy picked off Ryan Tannehill and returned the ball 49 yards for a touchdown, allowing a Bironas extra point. Miami got on the board when Dan Carpenter kicked a 40 yard field goal. The Titans responded as Bironas made a 37 yard field goal. Tennessee extended the lead in the third quarter as Locker passed 26 yards for a touchdown to Jared Cook, and Bironas supplied the PAT. The Titans kept going in the fourth quarter as Bironas made a 38 yard field goal. Tennessee rolled along as Bironas made a 53 yard field goal. This produced the 37-3 drubbing of a final, with Tennessee now at 4-6 and the Dolphins falling to 4-5.
Staying in Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the San Diego Chargers. San Diego quickly struck first in the first quarter as Philip Rivers passed 80 yards to Danario Alexander for a touchdown, and Nick Novak tacked on the extra point. Tampa Bay tied it with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Josh Freeman to Dallas Clark, and Connor Barth had the equalizing extra point. The Chargers took the lead as Rivers found Antonio Gates for 13 yards and a touchdown, with Novak making the PAT. The Buccaneers answered in the second quarter as Barth made a 40 yard field goal. Tampa Bay took the lead by blocking a punt, which they recovered as Adam Hayward ran 29 yards for a touchdown, and Barth kicked the extra point. San Diego shot back with Rivers passing 3 yards to Malcom Floyd for a touchdown, and Novak supplied the extra point. The Buccaneers claimed the lead in the third quarter as Freeman passed 15 yards to Tiquan Underwood, and Barth made the extra point. Tampa Bay extended their lead in the fourth quarter as Leonard Johnson picked off Rivers and took the ball 83 yards for a touchdown, allowing another Barth extra point. The Chargers got some back as Novak made a 34 yard field goal. The Buccaneers padded the lead as Barth made a 45 yard field goal. This was good for a 34-24 win, and Tampa Bay now sits at 5-4 while the Chargers are 4-5.
Finally, the Carolina Panthers host the Denver Broncos. Carolina opened in the first quarter as Cam Newton passed 4 yards to Greg Olsen for a touchdown, and Justin Medlock handled the extra point. Denver tied it with a Peyton Manning touchdown pass of 10 yards to Brandon Stokley, and Matt Prater had the equalizing extra point. The Broncos took the lead in the second quarter with a 76 yard punt return for a touchdown by Trindon Holliday, and Prater made the extra point. Denver extended the lead on a Prater 53 yard field goal. The Broncos kept going in the third quarter on a Tony Carter interception of Newton, returned 40 yards for a touchdown, followed by a Prater extra point. Denver extended the lead in the fourth quarter on a 27 yard field goal by Prater. The Broncos got defensive as Mike Adams sacked Newton for a safety. The Panthers shot back with Newton passing 5 yards to Olsen, and Medlock handled the extra point. Denver padded the lead as Ronnie Hillman ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Prater booted the extra point. This was good enough to win 36-14, with Denver now at 6-3 and Carolina dropping to 2-7.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
The Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions. Minnesota was first to score in the first quarter with a 3 yard touchdown pass by Christian Ponder to Jarius Wright, and Blair Walsh booted in the extra point. The Vikings struck again as Walsh made a 48 yard field goal. Detroit got on the board in the second quarter as Jason Hanson made a 41 yard field goal. Minnesota shot back with a 23 yard field goal from Walsh. The Vikings added on in the third quarter with a Walsh field goal from 23 yards away. The Lions answered with a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew for 16 yards, and Hanson made the PAT. Minnesota responded as Ponder threw 20 yards to Kyle Rudolph for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Adrian Peterson ran the two-point conversion in. Detroit shot back as Stafford passed 1 yard to Titus Young for a touchdown, and Hanson made the extra point. The Vikings extended their lead as Peterson ran 61 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh made the extra point. Minnesota struck again as Walsh made a 33 yard field goal. The Lions chipped away as Stafford passed 11 yards to Calvin Johnson for a touchdown, and Hanson knocked in the extra point. This was as close as it got, with Minnesota holding for a 34-24 win, improving to 6-4 while Detroit drops to 4-5.
Down in New Orleans, the Saints bring in the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta led off with a first quarter touchdown pass of 1 yard from Matt Ryan to Mike Johnson, and Matt Bryant tacked on the extra point. The Falcons added on with a Bryant field goal from 37 yards away. New Orleans shot back with a 56 yard touchdown run by Chris Ivory, and Garrett Hartley made the PAT. The Saints took the lead with a second quarter Drew Brees touchdown pass of 29 yards to Jimmy Graham, and Hartley made the extra point. Atlanta regained the lead as Ryan found Tony Gonzalez for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant booted the extra point. New Orleans took the lead back as Brees found Graham again, this time for 14 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley again made the extra point. The Saints extended the lead on a third quarter Brees touchdown pass to Marques Colston for 7 yards, and Hartley supplied the extra point. The Falcons answered with a Ryan touchdown pass to Gonzalez, good for 6 yards, and Bryant iced the drive with the extra point. Atlanta pulled closer on a Bryant field goal of 20 yards. New Orleans replied with a Hartley field goal from 31 yards out. This was all they needed for a 31-27 win, with the Saints now at 4-5 and the Falcons falling from perfection to 8-1.
Back north, the Cincinnati Bengals host the New York Giants. Cincinnati started with a 56 yard Andy Dalton touchdown pass to A.J. Green in the first quarter, and Mike Nugent supplied the extra point. The Bengals added on with a Dalton touchdown pass of 11 yard to Andrew Hawkins, followed by another Nugent extra point. New York got on the board as Lawrence Tynes kicked a 23 yard field goal. Cincinnati replied in the second quarter as Nugent made a 28 yard field goal. The Giants got some more as Tynes made a 31 yard field goal. The Bengals extended the lead in the third quarter as Dalton passed 10 yards to Jermaine Gresham for a touchdown, and Nugent tacked on the PAT. Cincinnati kept going as Dalton found Mohamed Sanu for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent made another extra point. New York got some back as Andre Brown ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes booted the extra point. This was as close as they got, falling 31-13, with Cincinnati going to 4-5 and the Giants dropping to 6-4.
Over in Baltimore, the Ravens host the Oakland Raiders. Baltimore opened with a first quarter Justin Tucker field goal of 48 yards. The Ravens struck again with a 1 yard rush for a touchdown by Joe Flacco, and Tucker handled the extra point. Oakland got on the board as Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 32 yard field goal in the second quarter. Baltimore padded the lead as Flacco passed 5 yards to Dennis Pitta for a touchdown, and Tucker knocked in the extra point. The Ravens struck again as Tucker made a 34 yard field goal. The Raiders answered with a 55 yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Janikowski was there with the extra point. Baltimore extended the lead with a 7 yard touchdown run by Ray Rice, and Tucker booted the extra point cleanly. The Ravens kept going in the third quarter with Flacco passing 47 yards to Torrey Smith for a touchdown, and Tucker booted the extra point. Oakland answered on a 30 yard touchdown pass from Palmer to Denarius Moore, and Janikowski was there with the PAT. Baltimore replied as Flacco and Smith met up again, this time for 20 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker finished the drive with an extra point. The Ravens added insult to injury by botching field goal attempt, which led to holder Sam Koch running the ball in 7 yards for a touchdown, and Tucker knocked in the extra point again. The Raiders shot back with a 47 yard Janikowski field goal. Baltimore quickly replied as Jacoby Jones returned the kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown, and Tucker made another extra point. This ended the scoring at 55-20, with the Ravens moving to 7-2 and the Raiders dropping to 3-6.
Up in New England, the Patriots welcome the Buffalo Bills. New England began in the first quarter on a Stephen Gostkowski 43 yard field goal. The Patriots padded the lead as Stevan Ridley ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski made the extra point. Buffalo got on the board in the second quarter as Rian Lindell kicked a 41 yard field goal. New England shot back as Danny Woodhead ran 15 yards for a touchdown, and Gostkowski made the PAT. The Bills answered with a 14 yard touchdown run by Fred Jackson, iced off by a Lindell extra point. The Patriots replied as Tom Brady passed 2 yards to Rob Gronkowski for a touchdown, and Gostkowski handled the extra point. Buffalo clawed back with a Ryan Fitzpatrick touchdown pass of 3 yards to Scott Chandler, and Lindell tacked on the extra point. New England extended the lead as Brady passed 18 yards to Woodhead for a touchdown, and Gostkowski easily made the extra point. The Bills responded with a 1 yard touchdown run by Jackson, and Lindell was there with the extra point. The Patriots got some back in the fourth quarter on a 48 yard field goal by Gostkowski. Buffalo came closer on a Fitzpatrick touchdown pass of 2 yards to Donald Jones, and Lindell supplied the extra point. New England replied as Gostkowski made a 27 yard field goal. They held on for a 37-31 win, with the Patriots now at 6-3 and the Bills at 3-6.
Way south, the Miami Dolphins bring in the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee got going in the first quarter on a Jake Locker touchdown pass to Kendall Wright, good for 9 yards, and Rob Bironas kicked in the extra point. The Titans added on as Chris Johnson ran 17 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas handled the extra point. Tennessee padded the lead in the second quarter as Colin McCarthy picked off Ryan Tannehill and returned the ball 49 yards for a touchdown, allowing a Bironas extra point. Miami got on the board when Dan Carpenter kicked a 40 yard field goal. The Titans responded as Bironas made a 37 yard field goal. Tennessee extended the lead in the third quarter as Locker passed 26 yards for a touchdown to Jared Cook, and Bironas supplied the PAT. The Titans kept going in the fourth quarter as Bironas made a 38 yard field goal. Tennessee rolled along as Bironas made a 53 yard field goal. This produced the 37-3 drubbing of a final, with Tennessee now at 4-6 and the Dolphins falling to 4-5.
Staying in Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the San Diego Chargers. San Diego quickly struck first in the first quarter as Philip Rivers passed 80 yards to Danario Alexander for a touchdown, and Nick Novak tacked on the extra point. Tampa Bay tied it with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Josh Freeman to Dallas Clark, and Connor Barth had the equalizing extra point. The Chargers took the lead as Rivers found Antonio Gates for 13 yards and a touchdown, with Novak making the PAT. The Buccaneers answered in the second quarter as Barth made a 40 yard field goal. Tampa Bay took the lead by blocking a punt, which they recovered as Adam Hayward ran 29 yards for a touchdown, and Barth kicked the extra point. San Diego shot back with Rivers passing 3 yards to Malcom Floyd for a touchdown, and Novak supplied the extra point. The Buccaneers claimed the lead in the third quarter as Freeman passed 15 yards to Tiquan Underwood, and Barth made the extra point. Tampa Bay extended their lead in the fourth quarter as Leonard Johnson picked off Rivers and took the ball 83 yards for a touchdown, allowing another Barth extra point. The Chargers got some back as Novak made a 34 yard field goal. The Buccaneers padded the lead as Barth made a 45 yard field goal. This was good for a 34-24 win, and Tampa Bay now sits at 5-4 while the Chargers are 4-5.
Finally, the Carolina Panthers host the Denver Broncos. Carolina opened in the first quarter as Cam Newton passed 4 yards to Greg Olsen for a touchdown, and Justin Medlock handled the extra point. Denver tied it with a Peyton Manning touchdown pass of 10 yards to Brandon Stokley, and Matt Prater had the equalizing extra point. The Broncos took the lead in the second quarter with a 76 yard punt return for a touchdown by Trindon Holliday, and Prater made the extra point. Denver extended the lead on a Prater 53 yard field goal. The Broncos kept going in the third quarter on a Tony Carter interception of Newton, returned 40 yards for a touchdown, followed by a Prater extra point. Denver extended the lead in the fourth quarter on a 27 yard field goal by Prater. The Broncos got defensive as Mike Adams sacked Newton for a safety. The Panthers shot back with Newton passing 5 yards to Olsen, and Medlock handled the extra point. Denver padded the lead as Ronnie Hillman ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Prater booted the extra point. This was good enough to win 36-14, with Denver now at 6-3 and Carolina dropping to 2-7.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 14
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part fourteen is about outfielder Angel Pagan.
Angel Pagan was born on July 2, 1981, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. His early life was in a rough neighborhood, but baseball helped Pagan escape the perils of his home life, and he was drafted in 1999 in the fourth round by the New York Mets. Pagan began his professional career in the 2000 season with the Kingsport Mets of Kingsport, Tennessee, in the Rookie level Appalachian League. Here, he hit .361 with eight runs batted in. For 2001, he played in the Class A Short Season New York-Pennsylvania League with the Brooklyn Cyclones, before stepping up to the Class A Capital City Bombers of Columbia, South Carolina in the South Atlantic League. Between the two teams, he hit to a .312 batting average and twenty runs batted in, again failing to record a home run and acting more as a speed threat. Evidence of his speed comes from his three triples and thirty-three stolen bases. He started 2002 with Capital City again, and then progressed to the Class A Advanced St. Lucie Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The majority of his season was spent with Capital City, where he hit .279 with one home run, thirty-six runs batted in, and fifty stolen bases, as well as five triples. In his sixteen games with St. Lucie, he added a triple, a home run, and ten stolen bases to his numbers. He played the full 2003 season with St. Lucie, hitting .249 with a home run, five triples, thirty-three runs batted in and thirty-five stolen bases. In 2004, Pagan progressed rapidly, joining the Class AA Binghamton Mets of Binghamton, New York in the Eastern League, where he posted a .287 batting average, eight triples, four home runs, sixty-three runs batted in and twenty-nine stolen bases, before ending the season with the Class AAA Norfolk Tides of the International League. He added three triples and four stolen bases in twelve games at this level. Pagan played the full 2005 season with the Tides, and hit to a .271 batting average, with ten triples, eight home runs, forty runs batted in, and twenty-seven stolen bases. On January 25, 2006, Pagan was purchased by the Chicago Cubs, and played all positions in the outfield for most of the season. His only time in the minor leagues was to rehabilitate an injury suffered on April 15th, and he made seven appearances split between the Arizona League Cubs in Mesa, Arizona at the Rookie level, and the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. He was strong in the first half of the season, but faded to a .247 batting average with two triples, five home runs, and eighteen runs batted in a down year. July 2nd was a bright spot, as he turned twenty-five, celebrating with his first two career home runs. Pagan started 2007 in the Des Moines with the Iowa Cubs, hitting .250 with three triples and home runs, nine runs batted in, and four stolen bases before being recalled. He again filled in at all spots in the outfield, playing until August 7th, when the disease colitis took him out of the lineup. He ended the year with a .264 batting average, as well as two triples, four home runs, and twenty-one runs batted in. The 2008 season began with Pagan being traded back to the Mets in exchange for Corey Coles and Ryan Meyers, both minor league players, on January 5th. Pagan played left field for the Mets, but went on the disabled lsit on May 12th. After a spectacular catch five days earlier, Pagan suffered a shoulder injury, which he attempted to rehabilitate with the Gulf Coast League Mets at the Rookie Level, as well as with the St. Lucie Mets and the Brooklyn Cyclones. It was with the Cyclones that he aggravated the injury and was required to undergo season ending surgery of July 29th. Pagan began 2009 with the New York Mets after recovering from the previous season's injury, but only played half of May before suffering a groin injury. He made his rehabilitation appearances with St. Lucie and then with the Buffalo Bisons of the Class AAA International League. He returned on July 10th, and had much excitement in his time with the Mets. He hit a grand slam on August 1st, and twice fell short of the cycle, once for a double and another time for a home run. He ended the year with a major league line of .306 for batting average, as well as eleven triples, six home runs, thirty-two runs batted in, and fourteen stolen bases. This was his best major league season so far. He was able to avoid the minor leagues in 2010, playing the entire season in New York. The results were strong, as he hit to a .290 batting average, seven triples, eleven home runs, sixty-nine runs batted in, and thirty-seven stolen bases, although his defense was lackluster. May 19th was a highlight, as he began a triple play from center field and also hit an inside-the-park home run in the same game. The 2010 season helped establish Pagan as a reliable everyday player in the majors. He continued his strong play in 2011 for the most part, but suffered an injury on April 21st and had to appear in St. Lucie for rehabilitation again. While his average dipped to .262, he still provided speed (four triples and thirty-two stolen bases) as well as modest power (seven home runs and fifty-six runs batted in). However, the Mets were uninterested in retaining his services for the next season, and traded him on December 7th to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez. His new start with the Giants was a star making season. He hit a solid .288 batting average, with a National League-leading fifteen triples, as well as eight home runs, fifty-six runs batted in, and twenty-nine stolen bases. He was firmly entrenched as a lead-off hitter this season, and carried that role into the postseason. He played in every playoff game, hitting only .188 with a triple, two home runs, and six runs batted in, while stealing a base in the World Series to activate Taco Bell's Steal A Base, Steal A Taco promotion. More notably, Pagan provided sterling defense at key times to keep the Giants alive, and it was his spectacular plays that helped propel the Giants to the World Series Championship.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Angel Pagan was born on July 2, 1981, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. His early life was in a rough neighborhood, but baseball helped Pagan escape the perils of his home life, and he was drafted in 1999 in the fourth round by the New York Mets. Pagan began his professional career in the 2000 season with the Kingsport Mets of Kingsport, Tennessee, in the Rookie level Appalachian League. Here, he hit .361 with eight runs batted in. For 2001, he played in the Class A Short Season New York-Pennsylvania League with the Brooklyn Cyclones, before stepping up to the Class A Capital City Bombers of Columbia, South Carolina in the South Atlantic League. Between the two teams, he hit to a .312 batting average and twenty runs batted in, again failing to record a home run and acting more as a speed threat. Evidence of his speed comes from his three triples and thirty-three stolen bases. He started 2002 with Capital City again, and then progressed to the Class A Advanced St. Lucie Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The majority of his season was spent with Capital City, where he hit .279 with one home run, thirty-six runs batted in, and fifty stolen bases, as well as five triples. In his sixteen games with St. Lucie, he added a triple, a home run, and ten stolen bases to his numbers. He played the full 2003 season with St. Lucie, hitting .249 with a home run, five triples, thirty-three runs batted in and thirty-five stolen bases. In 2004, Pagan progressed rapidly, joining the Class AA Binghamton Mets of Binghamton, New York in the Eastern League, where he posted a .287 batting average, eight triples, four home runs, sixty-three runs batted in and twenty-nine stolen bases, before ending the season with the Class AAA Norfolk Tides of the International League. He added three triples and four stolen bases in twelve games at this level. Pagan played the full 2005 season with the Tides, and hit to a .271 batting average, with ten triples, eight home runs, forty runs batted in, and twenty-seven stolen bases. On January 25, 2006, Pagan was purchased by the Chicago Cubs, and played all positions in the outfield for most of the season. His only time in the minor leagues was to rehabilitate an injury suffered on April 15th, and he made seven appearances split between the Arizona League Cubs in Mesa, Arizona at the Rookie level, and the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. He was strong in the first half of the season, but faded to a .247 batting average with two triples, five home runs, and eighteen runs batted in a down year. July 2nd was a bright spot, as he turned twenty-five, celebrating with his first two career home runs. Pagan started 2007 in the Des Moines with the Iowa Cubs, hitting .250 with three triples and home runs, nine runs batted in, and four stolen bases before being recalled. He again filled in at all spots in the outfield, playing until August 7th, when the disease colitis took him out of the lineup. He ended the year with a .264 batting average, as well as two triples, four home runs, and twenty-one runs batted in. The 2008 season began with Pagan being traded back to the Mets in exchange for Corey Coles and Ryan Meyers, both minor league players, on January 5th. Pagan played left field for the Mets, but went on the disabled lsit on May 12th. After a spectacular catch five days earlier, Pagan suffered a shoulder injury, which he attempted to rehabilitate with the Gulf Coast League Mets at the Rookie Level, as well as with the St. Lucie Mets and the Brooklyn Cyclones. It was with the Cyclones that he aggravated the injury and was required to undergo season ending surgery of July 29th. Pagan began 2009 with the New York Mets after recovering from the previous season's injury, but only played half of May before suffering a groin injury. He made his rehabilitation appearances with St. Lucie and then with the Buffalo Bisons of the Class AAA International League. He returned on July 10th, and had much excitement in his time with the Mets. He hit a grand slam on August 1st, and twice fell short of the cycle, once for a double and another time for a home run. He ended the year with a major league line of .306 for batting average, as well as eleven triples, six home runs, thirty-two runs batted in, and fourteen stolen bases. This was his best major league season so far. He was able to avoid the minor leagues in 2010, playing the entire season in New York. The results were strong, as he hit to a .290 batting average, seven triples, eleven home runs, sixty-nine runs batted in, and thirty-seven stolen bases, although his defense was lackluster. May 19th was a highlight, as he began a triple play from center field and also hit an inside-the-park home run in the same game. The 2010 season helped establish Pagan as a reliable everyday player in the majors. He continued his strong play in 2011 for the most part, but suffered an injury on April 21st and had to appear in St. Lucie for rehabilitation again. While his average dipped to .262, he still provided speed (four triples and thirty-two stolen bases) as well as modest power (seven home runs and fifty-six runs batted in). However, the Mets were uninterested in retaining his services for the next season, and traded him on December 7th to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez. His new start with the Giants was a star making season. He hit a solid .288 batting average, with a National League-leading fifteen triples, as well as eight home runs, fifty-six runs batted in, and twenty-nine stolen bases. He was firmly entrenched as a lead-off hitter this season, and carried that role into the postseason. He played in every playoff game, hitting only .188 with a triple, two home runs, and six runs batted in, while stealing a base in the World Series to activate Taco Bell's Steal A Base, Steal A Taco promotion. More notably, Pagan provided sterling defense at key times to keep the Giants alive, and it was his spectacular plays that helped propel the Giants to the World Series Championship.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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