Laia at the park

Opening Day 2010

2010-04-09T23:21:00.001-07:00

Opening day always brings an optimism that quickly vanishes with the first pitch. Will this Giants team be different than last years? Will the pitching be just as strong? Will the offense be able to score runs this year? 162 games played along this roller coaster ride of a season and I love every minute of it. The unpredictable nature of the game is what keeps me hooked and coming back for more.

Jonathan Sanchez is a question mark at this point. It's early, only four games into the season and it's the same story so far with Sanchez: great stuff but inconsistent. He'll either get a strike out or leave a hanger over the plate. Will he finally prove he is up to his potential or will he be sent packing? Slated to be the starter in today's home opener, it was not Sanchez's day to shine. He gave up 3 runs over 4 innings to the Braves and was pulled early because as Kruk puts it: He's out of whack today.

The offense struggled against Hudson, but managed to get 2 runs in the seventh and pulling within 1 run of the Braves. Renteria has to be the hottest hitter right now period. At one point his batting average was at .733. As fans, we don't realize that players continue to play even when they are hurting. Come back victories were almost impossible last year. When the Giants trailed late in a game, it was pretty much a done deal as a mark in the loss column. 2009 is a thing of the past and this 2010 team is proving to surprise a lot of people so far.

The Braves had control the whole game and with one swing of the bat, Renteria showed everyone he's feeling much better now. Trailing by two runs, Renteria saved the day with his 2 run blast off of Wagner sending the game into extra innings. Behind a sold out crowd in the bottom of the 14th, Rowand bounces a ball deep into the whole at short that scores Uribe from 3rd. There is nothing sweeter than a come from behind victory, especially on opening day and keeping the undefeated streak going.

The 2010 Giants are not the 2009 Giants.

♥ Laia

2009-09-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

I ♥ these looks by Alyssa Milano. I already have the black tank over the white tank shirt and it fits really good. Hoodies are my favorite and I love the first look but I don't know how warm it will keep me at AT&T Park.

Touch By Alyssa Milano

♥ Laia

ITS NOW OR NEVER

2009-09-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's definitely come down to this.. it's now or never if the Giants want to keep their playoff hopes alive. Bochy's gotta rally the boys and get them fired up. Runs are getting harder and harder to come by. Starters almost have to go deep into the game and pitch close to a complete game shutout. These games this past week have been pretty difficult to watch... even for the biggest Giants faithfuls. At the same time, it doesn't help that the Rockies have only lost one game since being swept by the Giants the last time they met.

The Rockies are running on a full head of steam while the Giants seem to be sputtering. I refuse to say that it's over until it is. I'm hoping they can scratch out some wins and keep themselves in it... fight it out to the very end. Either way, this season has thrilled us all. No one expected this of the 2009 Giants... especially when they were picked to finish last. As a Giant faithful, I never pay attention to that stuff and just watch one game at a time. I love it when the underdogs prove everyone wrong.

Now would be a good time to go on a 10 game winning streak.

♥ Laia

2009-09-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

I ♥ this bag! Would love to bring this to the games ;)

♥ Laia

THE GIANTS NEED SOME MOJO

2009-09-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

September hasn't exactly gone the way of the Giants.. they need some mojo and luck right about now. Grab your rally rags, good luck charms and rally caps!

♥ Laia

UUUUUUUUUU-RIBE

2009-09-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

With chants of UUUU-Ribe echoed throughout AT&T park.. Juan Uribe took his curtain call this afternoon for his offense provided in today's game. Uribe hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the third to score Bengie. Uribe does it again in the bottom of the seventh with a deep three-run shot to score Pablo & Bengie.

UUUUU-Ribe has been solid and has earned his Uncle's chant.

♥ Laia

THIS WEEKEND'S MVP :: EUGENIO VELEZ

2009-09-06T19:32:00.001-07:00

Eugenio Velez made a game saving play yesterday against the Brew Crew -- bouncing ball up the middle gloved by Velez and underhand flip to Uribe at second for the out -- and he caught a ball today in left that didn't look like he was going to be able to catch. The ball was tailing away from him and he laid out for the ball and made the catch.

Along with his key basehits, leadoff doubles & triples, and homerun off of Pedro -- Velez is definitely this weekend's MVP. As Kruk puts it, "Velez is taking over this game!"

It's exciting to watch him play ;)

♥ Laia

JONATHAN SANCHEZ COMING INTO HIS OWN

2009-09-06T19:06:00.000-07:00

Tough loss for the Giants at the hands of one Prince Fielder, but instead of dwelling on the negatives: ie. no clutch hitting, no bunting, situational hitting - they're pretty bad at it all right now - let's look at the one positive. Jonathan Sanchez has been pitching well. In his last two starts he has given up one run a game. He's had situations where he's had runners in scoring position with no outs and he's been able to pitch out of it. Prior to his July 10th start, Sanchez will be cruising along and have a blow up inning after being put in the stretch.

Sanchez seems to be a lot more relaxed, stays to his location and executes his pitches. I'm glad to see that he's pitching so well. The other positive is that Freddy Sanchez should be available to start this week. He's been on rehabilitating with the Fresno team. The Giants need his presence back in the lineup. Hopefully Freddy Sanchez will be able to provide the spark the Giants need to get over this hump.

2 games back with games still left to play... tomorrow is a new day for a new game.

♥ Laia

THE STARTING FIVE

2009-09-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

Meet the Giants Starting Five: Four All-Stars + 1 with a No-No under his belt.

♥ Laia

THE HUNT FOR OCTOBER

2009-09-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

If the Giants are able to score four runs every game.. they have a good shot at winning every game. Brad Penny fit right into the Giants starting rotation. He tossed 8 shutout innings and scattered five hits for the Giants 4-0 win over the Phils. He was sharp, pitched out of jams and got the Phils to hit into double plays when he needed it. Nobody would've thought Penny would've been this sharp, since he had given up 8 runs in his last start on August 21st with the Red Sox.

That has been the theme of the season, the Giants are delivering the unexpected.

♥ Laia

25 GUYS.. ONE COMMON GOAL.. WIN TODAY!!!

2009-09-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

I've probably seen this picture enough times.. but this is the first time i noticed the sign on the door.. Good reminder to have as the players run out onto the field:

25 GUYS... ONE COMMON GOAL... WIN TODAY!!!

♥ Laia

AS SEPTEMBER BEGINS.. SO DOES SCOREBOARD WATCHING

2009-09-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

Giants take care of business in the city of brotherly love behind Brad Penny (4-0).. Down by Hollywood, the DBacks tag Billingsley for a 4 spot and take the win (4-1).. And those Rockies just love to play at Coors Field (5-2)

♥ Laia

TEES INSPIRED BY #48

2009-09-01T00:06:00.001-07:00

I ♥ Pablo Sandoval.. he may be my current favorite player. He's the Giants biggest cheerleader: one of the first outta the dugout to congratulate a teamate & he has a secret handshake with just about every person in the Giants organization. Fans have been showing their Panda love anyway they can: Pandas on their tees, pandas on their head, and even a big mascot Panda that roams AT&T Park.

Pandaline created a cute line of tees inspired by #48 PANDALINE TEES

How will you show your Panda ♥ ?

♥ Laia

FINAL IN LALA LAND.. WIN GOES TO THE DBACKS

2009-08-31T23:56:00.001-07:00

Final outta Lala Land.. Dbacks pull out a win in 10 innings over the Dodgers. The playoff race gets tighter with the Dodger loss. The Giants and Rockies are now 5 1/2 games back of the NL West.

♥ Laia

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

2009-08-31T23:33:00.000-07:00

It may not be a blockbuster move or a big bat.. but it was a move to bolster the starting rotation. After clearing waivers, Brad Penny signed a minor league contract with the Giants. With Randy J on the DL, the Giants #5 spot in the rotation has not been solid. A few decent spot starts by Ryan Sadowski & Joe Martinez.. but neither one seemed to have the stuff to own the position.
In comes Brad Penny.. to a team that has as solid of a rotation as any team in the majors. Throughout Giants history, the Giants have been known to a lineups stacked with offense. The page has turned and the modern day Giants are now loaded with a talented pitching staff. Brad Penny has struggled in the American League: In 24 starts with the Red Sox, Penny has gone 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA (8.31 ERA in the month of August).
What Penny brings to the Giants: he knows the NL West and NL hitters. It doesn't hurt that he might have a bone to pick with the Dodgers. His numbers were high with the Sox, but he might just find himself at home in the NL with the Giants.

Let's see what Penny's got left.. I like the move. You don't know if it'll work if you don't give it a try.

♥ Laia

55 :: 75 :: 18 MAKE UP THE GIANTS TOP THREE

2009-08-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

The Giants top three starters via Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito & Matt Cain. Perhaps worthy of being called the "Big Three"... stepped up big this week. After probably the worst loss of the year on Monday, the Giants returned home on Tuesday to a packed crowd at AT&T Park. Cain pitched 7 innings and limited the Diamondbacks to two runs. He ended up with the no decision, but kept the Giants in the game for a chance to win. That win was huge, especially after Mondays crushing defeat at the hands of the Rocks.

After signing with the Giants for $126 Mil.. fans have been hard on Zito -- feeling that he hasn't lived up to his contract. On Saturday night against the Rockies, in a game that meant everything to the chances of the Giants making the playoffs, Zito pitched tossed a shutout going into the 9th inning. He had a chance for the complete game shutout before giving up a solo shot to Brad Hawpe. Zito picked the right time to show up and with the September just around the corner, the Giants will need him. Zito earned a standing ovation from the fans at 24 Willie Mays Plaza.. with chants of "BARRY" echoed throughout the park... MIA since the days of #25. Fans may be starting to come around and warm up to Zito ;)

And then there's the 5 foot 11 pitcher with the dog named Cy - Tim Lincecum. He has a chance of tossing a shutout everytime he steps out onto the rubber. Starting the three game set with the Rockies, Lincecum took the hill and scattered 4 hits over eight innings - shut out the Rockies. He is the Giants modern day rock star with the groupies and the hair to prove it. Lincecum can pack the ball park the same way #25 used to.

Lets not forget about #4 starter Jonathan Sanchez, who's definitely got the stuff to throw out a no-hitter ;)

Taking this on the road.. Sanchez will match up against Cole Hammel and the Phils on Tuesday. Randy J is currently rehabing and has said that he would pitch out the bullpen if that'll help the team win -- definitely another weapon to throw out there in an extra inning game ;)

♥ Laia

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

2009-08-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

One Grand Slam deserves another ;) In a dramatic come from behind win today at AT&T park... Edgar Renteria's second grand slam of the year put the Giants ahead 6-5 and the Giants would go on to win the game 9-5.
Back are the good feelings of the playoff hunt as September approaches and every game here on out will matter. Finally, the Giants are back in the hunt and it feels good to be a Giants fan right now. After the loss of the extra inning game via the grand slam on Monday, the Giants bounced back and went 5-1 on the homestand.

Dominance at home continues: Zito pitches a gem, Lincecum tosses a shutout and Cain got it started with a solid start on Tuesday.

Kruk & Kuip on today's KNBR wrap :: they should eat their words.

Can't wait for September & just enjoying the ride ;)

♥ Laia

OFFENSIVE POWER VIA TRAVIS ISHIKAWA

2009-08-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

And tonight's offensive hero is Travis Ishikawa. Offensive power has been hard to come by for the Giants.. lacking the clutch hits and the LOB numbers have been way too high. With two runners on and the game on the line.. Ishikawa blasted a home run into the arcade giving the Gigantes a 5-2 lead over the D-Backs. That blast proved to be enough to give the Gigantes the win tonight.

Ishikawa's has the potenital to be an everyday first baseman.. he's got the solid glove at first (which has the seal of approval from JT Snow).. especially if he comes through with clutch performances like tonight.

♥ Laia

SIGHTS & SOUNDS -- LAIA AT THE PARK

2009-08-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

With Cain on the mounds.. chances of a win are good.

PANDA WANTS TO PLAY! (only player without his jacket)

Carlos Santana throwing out the first pitch.. fans kinda gave him crap for bouncing it to home.. but it was all in fun

Ishikawa's blast into the arcade was the offensive burst the Giants needed.

After Howry couldn't locate the strike zone & was booed out of the game.. Affeldt came in to save the day ♥

Happy to be home after a win -- ♥ Laia

KEEPING THINGS ON THE POSITIVE

2009-08-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

The Giants have officially become a trending topic.. Twitter has become a good support system.. vent away and keep the Giants as a trending topic ;)

Letting this game get away has crushed us all... it's been a while since the Giants have had a game that meant this much. I'd rather the Giants be in this position than not.

TOP 10 LIST FOR TONIGHT::

1. Somewhere.. Barry Bonds is thinking "I would've ended that game a long time ago"
2. Would like to see Matt Cain pitch a complete game shutout.. a perfect game would be nice too, but that might be asking too much. And how about going 4-4 with a couple of HR's and RBI's for fun?
3. Jeff Kent wants to go into the HOF as a Giant.. would he like to play for the Giants? (ONLY KIDDING -- LoL's)
4. Giants fans would like to see Miller (Justin not Jon) left behind in Colorado.. we can trade for Jason Giambi.. why not right?
5. Dear Giants PR Department -- Please pull the "We Are In This" commercial.. you guys pulled the trigger on that way too early.. how about waiting until the last week of September? Thanks :)
6. What does Carney have to do to get those guys to take some walks? Ideas anyone?
7. Since the days of Barney.. i've never liked a big walking dinosaur.
8. Can Sheff still come to the Giants? -- The Giants will take any offensive upgrade right now.
9. Watching a game that has meaning -- It's been a while but I'll take it... better than the Giants being in last place playing games with no meaning
10. Has it officially become football season? -- Let's see how they do against the D-Backs first.

Here's to hoping that "Big Sugar" Cain can turn things around tomorrow... forget about yesterday and look forward to tomorrow.

♥ Laia

AT&T PARK FAVORITE

2009-08-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

AT&T Park has the best garlic fries period ♥.. Must have whenever I am at AT&T Park ;)

♥ Laia

TO BOCHY :: PLAY NATE SHIZZLE EVERY DAY

2009-08-19T21:50:00.000-07:00

To Bochy ::

I know this topic has probably been kicked around but.. we would like to see NATE SCHIERHOLTZ in the lineup everyday. That's all.. thanks!

♥ Laia

ZITO CONTINUES TO DEAL IN THE 2ND HALF

2009-08-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Maybe Barry Zito should just come in and pitch only for the second half of the season... Zito continued to pitch well, only allowing 2 hits over six innings to the Reds in tonights game. Zito had a no-hitter going into the 5th. Zito was locked up in a pitchers duel against Bronson Arroyo before Nate Shizzle came up with the clutch base hit the Giants were missing.

If Zito, Sanchez, and Martinez can continue to pitch well.. the Giants chances are looking pretty good ;)

♥ Laia

GIANTS VERSUS DODGERS RIVALRY STILL GOING STRONG

2009-08-12T21:36:00.000-07:00

If you are a Giants fan, you hate the Dodgers.. and vice versa. It just comes with the territory. When the Dodgers come to town.. the boo's get louder and the seats fill up. The energy is electric and fans are amped up. Whether its a brawl in the stands or both benches clearing, tensions get high in this rivalvry. BEAT LA!

♥ Laia

#55 STEPS UP AS THE STOPPER

2009-08-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Emotions were definitely high today @ AT&T park :: Bochy & Wotus got tossed, Panda was hit, umps blew calls, and benches cleared. No doubt the Giants played hard today... determined to avoid the sweep, Lincecum kept the Dodgers offense at bay by only allowing one run through 8 innings. Had it not been the blown call at first, Lincecum would've had his complete game win.

But the call was blown, allowing Furcal to take first and ultimately score the game tying run. B.Weez came in to hold off the Dodgers and Juan Uribe eventually went on to hit the walk-off homer. I loved seeing the Giants rush the plate to celebrate Uribe's walk-off. It was nice to see Freddy Sanchez celebrate with his new teamates ;) Giants Nation ♥ their ACE.

This game was probably the hardest game to watch in a long time and it had the feel of a playoff game. Until the Giants and Dodgers meet again... BEAT LA!

♥ Laia