Game Recap: Giants And Rangers Finish In a 4-4 Tie

February 20, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Susac (67) poses for a picture during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday afternoon vs the Seattle Mariners, Ryan Vogelson did not look good at all on the mound. pitching 2.1 innings while surrendering 7 runs (5 earned) and giving up 2 home runs. Tonight’s game vs the Rangers did not look to be off to a good start for Vogelsong, walked Rangers lead off hitter Shin-Soo Choo to start the game. The Choo walk was erased with the next batter when Elvis Andrus grounded into a double play. The 3rd hitter of the game, Prince Fielder, hit a long double to the center field wall but was stranded there when Adrian Beltre fly out to deep left field to end the top of the first inning.

There was some excitement during the top of the second inning, with Andrew Susac on first base, Juan Perez hit what looked to be an inning ending double play. When what was supposed to be the bottom of the second inning was to begin, we learned that Giants manager Bruce Bochy had challenged the call on the play at first to get Perez at first base, the call was overturned after the umpires watched the replay and the top of the second inning resumed. Because Bochy won the challenge on the play he was allowed to use another challenge during the game (note: Rangers manager also challenged a play during the game and the play was upheld, Washington loses his remaining challenge due to losing that challenge).

Top of the third inning, Brandon Crawford got a 2 out single to extend the inning and Pablo Sandoval followed with a walk, Roger Kieschnick followed the Sandoval walk with a RBI single putting the Giants on the board with a 1-0 lead. Bottom of the third inning, with 1 out and bases empty, Shin-Soo Choo hit an opposite field home run to tie the game. That is 3 home runs in 2 games given up by Vogelsong.

One thing I had noticed very early on with Vogelsong was that a lot of his pitches were up in the zone, which could lead to lots of long home runs. To Vogelsongs credit tho, he battled to go 5 innings and seemed to look better as the game went on.

Leading off the top of the fourth inning, Andrew Susac hit a long home run to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.

Rachel, from SFG Productions may have had the tweet of the night after the Susac bomb

Brandon Hicks, whom I was really impressed with this past week while I was in Arizona, added the fourth run of the game for the Giants. After 7 innings the Giants led the game 4-2 but things fell apart in the eight inning for the Giants and Jose De Paula who gave up 2 runs and the lead, De Paula lasted just 2 thirds of an inning. Derek Law came in to take over got out of the eight inning to keep the game tied at 4. There was a close play to end the eight inning and Ron Washington came out talk to the umpire about the call, even tho he has no challenges left, but the umpires took a look at the replay and the play stood. If this were a regular season game, I believe Washington would not have been able to challenge that call, but I think that MLB and the umpires are trying to work out the kinks of the new replay system.

This game finished in a 4-4 tie.

Giants Notables from the game:

Vogelsong 5 IP 4 hits 1 run (earned) 3 strikeouts and 1 walk

Susac 2-2 home run 2 RBI and 1 run

Giants Spring Training record 9-5-1

Next Game:  Friday 1:05pm vs Colorado at Scottsdale Stadium