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Egan2581 Profile
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HALL OF FAME POSTER

Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 1594
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Bochy says "we are not ready"


Giants, Zito Rocked Again, To Their Chagrin
Henry Schulman, Chronicle Staff Writer

Monday, March 10, 2008

(03-10) 17:35 PDT Surprise, Ariz. -- After pitching 1,627 innings in the majors, winning a Cy Young Award and signing a $126 million contract, is this the right time for Barry Zito to be tinkering with his delivery?

Add this to the voluminous list of questions that surround the Giants this spring, not the least of which is, are they going to show any signs they can win some games once the season begins?

The Giants fell to 3-10-1 with a 15-6 loss to Kansas City on Monday, the worst exhibition record in the majors. When writers were let into the clubhouse mid-game to talk to Zito, who allowed eight runs for the second time in his three spring starts, the few players inside were deathly quiet. It had the feel of a postgame in August after a team loses its 10th in a row.

"Were you watching that game?" Randy Winn said when asked about the pall. After all, it is spring training.

"We can't keep using that excuse," Dave Roberts said. "We haven't played well."

The record and final scores are meaningless. Starting pitchers leave the games when they reach pitch counts. The regular lineup rarely plays together. Prospects are given long looks even if they struggle and have no chance to make the team.

Instead, one examines these games for signs, and most of the Giants' are pointing in the wrong direction. Usually at least one hitter rakes it in spring training. None of the Giants' mainstays is. Nate Schierholtz leads the team with eight RBIs. The team entered Monday with a .253 batting average, worse than everybody except Florida and Toronto.

The relievers have been pretty good, but the rotation is behind. Noah Lowry had surgery, Tim Lincecum missed one start with a groin injury and Kevin Correia is the only starter who has forged consecutive solid outings.

Nobody around baseball expects the Giants to do very well in 2008. Perhaps the clubhouse quietude reflected some realization from within that it could be a very long season.

"I'll say this," said manager Bruce Bochy, who ordinarily tries to emit positive vibes. "I'm glad we still have a lot of time left, because we're definitely not ready."

The Giants committed four errors against the Royals, including the first two by Opening Day shortstop candidate Brian Bocock. The first, a booted double-play ball, made three of Zito's eight runs unearned.

Zito made headlines on the first day of 2007 spring training when he arrived with a radical new delivery, which stunned the team brass and did not last long. On Monday, he unwrapped another new look, although the change is much more subtle. He has shortened his windup, keeping his hands low rather than bringing them over his head, in hopes of making his delivery "a little more controlled, fewer moving parts."

Although he walked four batters with no strikeouts, the ultimate goal is to reduce his walks and improve his control.

"Fastball command is everything. I'm just working on that," Zito said. "Spring training is an opportunity to implement some of these things in game situations. You can use the adrenaline you don't get in practice sessions in the bullpen."

Zito said the shorter windup feels more comfortable, but his timing is off, and implementing it will "take some work. I think the adjustment is going to be the right one."

Bochy said Zito approached him and pitching coach Dave Righetti to suggest the change. Righetti declined to comment, saying he would speak about it today, but Bochy seemed to be on board.

"It's going to take a time or two until he gets a little comfortable with it," Bochy said. "He threw a couple of good pitches with it. He likes the feel of it. He thinks it's going to help him."

E-mail Henry Schulman at [email protected].

Quiet clubhouse? What happened to the Post Bonds "happy" clubhouse??
3/10/2008, 6:58 pm Link to this post   
 
209Giant Profile
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HALL OF FAME POSTER

Registered: 04-2007
Location: Above the Fray
Posts: 3709
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Thats stating the obvious. At least he's honest about it.

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I'm a real American hero- Like Deer Hunter DeNiro
3/10/2008, 7:09 pm Link to this post   
 
jobu needsarefill Profile
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HALL OF FAME POSTER

Registered: 10-2006
Location: South Bay
Posts: 1541
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Re: Bochy says "we are not ready"


So, now we know teh rest of the story . . .
goldenbears98 is actually Bruce Bochy.


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"The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, includin' that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo." -- Delmar O'Donnell
3/10/2008, 7:33 pm Link to this post   
 
SabeansBackLoadedContracts Profile
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PROVEN VETERAN POSTER

Registered: 07-2007
Posts: 158
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Bochy says "we are not ready"


Nothing to do with beings ready, it's just the team is damn awful. One of the least talented teams in baseball.

Way to go Sabes

Last edited by SabeansBackLoadedContracts, 3/10/2008, 11:57 pm


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"I am a terrible General Manager" ~Brian Sabean
3/10/2008, 11:55 pm Link to this post   
 
losgigantes Profile
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HALL OF FAME POSTER

Registered: 12-2007
Location: South Bay
Posts: 1935
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Bochy says "we are not ready"


Hmm let's see...

Bad defense: check.
No power: check.
Bad OBP: check.
Bad pitching: check.

....yeah....

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Mr. President, we must not allow a mineshaft gap!!!
3/11/2008, 9:35 am Link to this post   
 


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