Troy Tulowitzki denies accusing Madison Bumgarner of doctoring baseballs (Big League Stew)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants have an interesting history when it comes to throwing around accusations . If you recall, during a game at Coors Field in September of 2010, Tim Lincecum tossed a baseball out of play and could be seen mouthing the words “blank this juiced ball fertilizer.” I’m paraphrasing, of course, while channeling my inner Vin Scully. Lincecum never backed off his words following the game, and the accusation seemed to be that Colorado would occasionally throw a few non-humidor baseballs into the bag later in games to give their offense a better chance at instant offense. Though it felt more like gamesmanship than anything, Major League Baseball took San Francisco’s complaints seriously, even

Giants throw balls all over Coors Field, lose 10-9

Source: McCovey Chronicles by Grant Brisbee

That game made me feel like I hit my head on a table. We're all dumber now. That game was seven hours, it was filled with stupid, and now we're all infected with stupid. The pitching was stupid. The defense was stupid. The managing was stupid. Stupid.

They can sure hit, though!

Still, stupid. I don't even know where to begin. The sound of me chewing on my own tongue is distracting me chewing on my own tongue is distracting me chewing on my own tongue is … dammit, this game.

Okay, the defense, then. That's the lede. It was almost a year ago to the day that the Giants' defense was a big deal for the wrong

The Juice: Justin Upton helps Braves Slam the Dodgers; Paul Goldschmidt mashes two homers for Arizona (Big League Stew)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Juice returns for season No. 6! It's almost eligible for free-agency! Stop by daily for news from the action, along with great photos, stats, video highlights and more. With their desired lineup intact for the first time in 40 games, the Atlanta Braves offense turned it up a notch in their 8-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jason Heyward, who just returned from the disabled list on Thursday after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in Colorado last month, reached base three times to help set the table. Justin Upton then cleared it in the sixth, cracking his third career grand slam off Paco Rodriguez. ''As soon as he took that swing, I knew that ball was going to be out of the ballpark,'' said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Did Bochy stick with Bumgarner too long? (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The grand slam surrendered by Madison Bumgarner did not help the Giants on Friday in Denver, but neither did their four fielding errors.

Did Bochy stick with Bumgarner too long?

Source: CSN Bay Area by abaggarly

The grand slam surrendered by Madison Bumgarner did not help the Giants on Friday in Denver, but neither did their four fielding errors.

Giants notes: Scutaro doesn't care about stats

Source: CSN Bay Area by dshiller

Why did Marco Scutaro take a walk in the eighth inning Wednesday in Toronto when he had a hitting streak on the line? It's simple.

Giants-Rockies Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Inconsistency plagued Tim Lincecum during a career-worst season in 2012, and he's still trying to recapture the form he was accustomed to having earlier in his career.

San Francisco Giants Are Leading the National League West with Great Offense

Source: Bleacher Report

The San Francisco Giants have a reputation for winning with pitching and defense. They've had four straight winning seasons and won two out of the last three World Series by allowing the fewest runs in baseball since 2009.

However, thus far in 2013, the Giants are leading the National League West with a great offense. Giants position players currently

Lincecum looks to start new streak against Rockies

Source: MLB.com by Ethan Asofsky

Tim Lincecum will oppose Tyler Chatwood as the Giants and Rockies face off in the third game of their four-game series on Saturday night at Coors Field. Chatwood is making his first start since being sent to Triple-A earlier this season.

Pacheco's surprising slam boosts Rockies (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

DENVER -- Jordan Pacheco makes consistent contact, rarely gives away at-bats and in his brief time in the majors with the Colorado Rockies has proved to be a professional hitter.

Tulowitzki on Bumgarner: 'I wasn't accusing him at all' (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Troy Tulowitzki curiously asked the umpire for a ball check during Friday's game, but insists he wasn't accusing Madison Bumgarner of foul play.

Tulowitzki on Bumgarner: 'I wasn't accusing him at all'

Source: CSN Bay Area by abaggarly

Troy Tulowitzki curiously asked the umpire for a ball check during Friday's game, but insists he wasn't accusing Madison Bumgarner of foul play.

UPDATE: Errors doom SF Giants again in streak-breaking loss

Source: Giants Splash Blog by hschulman@sfchronicle.com (Henry Schulman)

UPDATE, 10:45 p.m.: Below you have my early game-story. In the interest of honesty, I changed the original headline on this post after talking to Madison Bumgarner. He said he was not angry with Troy Tulowitzki over the Rockies shortstop asking umpire Tim McClelland to check the baseball in the third inning. Turns out there was [...]

Giants lose wild one under Coors big top

Source: San Francisco Chronicle by Henry Schulman

Giants lose wild one under Coors big top In the third inning, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki seemed to imply that Madison Bumgarner did something to the baseball and asked first-base umpire Tim McClelland to check it. When Bumgarner was removed with two outs in the fifth inning, one of his worst career starts was over. Down 10-5, the Giants launched their inevitable comeback with three-run seventh, benefiting from Edgmer Escalona's leadoff walk to Buster Posey. The ball incident happened with two outs in the third and D.J. LeMahieu batting after Tulowitzki tied the game 4-4 with an RBI single. With two outs, Bumgarner walked LeMahieu on his 101st pitch to load the bases. Bumgarner threw his 102nd an final pitch, and Pacheco sent

minor lines, 5/17/13

Source: McCovey Chronicles by steve S

Giants drop seesaw affair with Rockies

Source: MLB.com by Chris Haft

Madison Bumgarner allowed the first grand slam of his career as the Giants squandered a 4-0 lead at Coors Field and took their first loss in 11 games against the Rockies, though Buster Posey and Co. nearly battled back from a five-run deficit.

Giants Minor League coach Torres dies at 61

Source: MLB.com by Chris Haft

The Giants issued a statement Friday saying that Victor Torres, a batting coach and instructor in the club's player development department, died Wednesday in Florida at age 61.

Instant Replay: Giants come up just short (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

After Jordan Pacheco's fifth-inning grand slam the Giants looked down and out, but ended up making a valiant comeback effort that came one run shy.

Instant Replay: Giants come up just short

Source: CSN Bay Area by jbarrack

After Jordan Pacheco's fifth-inning grand slam the Giants looked down and out, but ended up making a valiant comeback effort that came one run shy.

Errors doom SF Giants again in streak-breaking loss

Source: Giants Splash Blog by hschulman@sfchronicle.com (Henry Schulman)

By Henry Schulman Denver – Friday night’s game at Coors Field might go a long way toward answering the eternal baseball question of whether a snotrocket can be considered an illegal substance. The Rockies ended their 10-game losing streak to the Giants by winning one of those mile-high circus contests 10-9. In the third inning, [...]

Rockies 10, Giants 9 (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

DENVER -- Jordan Pacheco makes consistent contact, rarely gives away at-bats and in his brief time in the majors with the Colorado Rockies has proven to be a professional hitter.

Rockies end 10-game skid vs Giants with 10-9 win (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

DENVER (AP) -- Jordan Pacheco hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the fifth and Carlos Gonzalez added a solo homer, helping the Colorado Rockies hold on for a 10-9 win over San Francisco on Friday night that snapped a 10-game skid against the Giants.

San Francisco Giants lose wild one to Colorado Rockies, 10-9

Source: Inside Bay Area by <p class="bylinejb">By Alex Pavlovic<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:apavlovic@mercurynews.com'>apavlovic@mercurynews.com</a>

Poor defense and rough outing from Madison Bumgarner lead to San Francisco Giants' 10-9 loss to Colorado Rockies.

Post-game placeholder

Source: McCovey Chronicles by Grant Brisbee

Tulowitzki angers Bumgarner in crazy SF Giants loss

Source: Giants Splash Blog by hschulman@sfchronicle.com (Henry Schulman)

By Henry Schulman Denver – Friday night’s game at Coors Field might go a long way toward answering the eternal baseball question of whether a snotrocket can be considered an illegal substance. The Rockies ended their 10-game losing streak to the Giants by winning one of those mile-high circus contests 10-9. In the third inning, [...]

San Francisco Giants: Lessons Learned from Their Series vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Source: Bleacher Report

The 2002 World Series Loss Still Stings

Winning World Series titles in 2010 and 2012 should have pushed any lingering pain of the San Francisco Giants 2002 World Series loss far into the stratosphere—especially since I was among the million at the purely joyous 2010 parade.

Laying eyes upon a villain from that 2002 series, however, proved I'm not fully healed—at all. Most of those Los Angeles Angels are long retired. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.

The pain quickly flooded back Wednesday when the CSN camera locked on

Giants' approach at the plate is paying dividends

Source: MLB.com by Chris Haft

The Giants led the National League in hitting entering Friday with a .269 mark. Hitting coach Hensley Meulens said this is a result of players buying into the team's offensive philosophy.

Affeldt finds success at hitter-friendly Coors Field

Source: MLB.com by Chris Haft

Jeremy Affeldt owns the lowest ERA (3.07) and ranks second in opponents' batting average (.228) among pitchers who have thrown at least 70 innings at Coors Field, success the Giants reliever attributes to making adjustments to suit the mile-high atmosphere.

On the Farm: Newcomers Tanaka, Vogt fit in nicely

Source: Yardbarker

The San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s are struggling right now. A combined 0-4 record over the last two days has been a downer for Bay Area baseball fans, as they have been outscored 33-16. However, there are a couple new prospects in their farm systems who are performing quite well. Kensuke Tanaka – 2B, Fresno Grizzlies This guy has been a real surprise for the Grizzlies this year. After playing in Japan for the first 13 years of his pro career, his first MLB organization he chose to sign with were the Giants. In Japan, Tanaka, 31,  played in 921 games, hitting 34 home runs and 283 RBIs. His power numbers aren’t impressive, but he did have a .296 average with 156 stolen bases (only being caught 62 times). Before the season began, nobody could predict how Tanaka would settle in to the higher level of talent in the US. I think he can handle it. With Fresno, he has piled up 13 RBIs already with a .338 batting average and 12 steals. Keep an eye on this guy. Stephen Vogt – C/DH, Sacr...

Gamethread E for Everyone

Source: McCovey Chronicles by Natto

Friday night, makin' errors.

Open GameThread, 5/17

Source: McCovey Chronicles by Natto

Widgets, oh widgets, you have forsaken me ...

1. Angel Pagan CF
2. Marco Scutaro 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Buster Posey C
5. Hunter Pence RF
6. Brett Pill 1B
7. Andres Torres LF
8. Brandon Crawford SS
9. Madison Bumgarner LHP

Buster Posey Talks to B/R About Giants Baseball, New Sports Drink and More

Source: Bleacher Report

Buster Posey is the reigning NL MVP after completing a season where he helped lead the San Francisco Giants to their second World Series title in three seasons.

In 2012, Posey hit .336 with 24 home runs and 103 RBI. Posey also led the Giants with an OPS of .957.

It was more than his offense that earned him the MVP award, however. Posey was excellent in working with the Giants' pitching staff. He is a student of the game and calls a good game for his pitchers. Posey also does a fine job defensively, throwing out baserunners and blocking pitches in the dirt.

Posey provided great leadership for the Giants when they suffered the loss of All-Star

Giants notes: No platoon at 1B, Scutaro doesn't care about stats (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Why did Marco Scutaro take a walk in the eighth inning Wednesday in Toronto when he had a hitting streak on the line? It's simple.

Giants notes: No platoon at 1B, Scutaro doesn't care about stats

Source: CSN Bay Area by dshiller

Why did Marco Scutaro take a walk in the eighth inning Wednesday in Toronto when he had a hitting streak on the line? It's simple.

UPDATE: Hensley Meulens on why the SF Giants are hitting, especially in the clutch

Source: Giants Splash Blog by hschulman@sfchronicle.com (Henry Schulman)

UPDATE, 5:05 p.m.: The clubhouse was nearly empty. The white board said “HITTERS MEETING, 4:30.” So batting coach Hensley Meulens casually walks through the room. We asked him why he wasn’t in the meeting. When he said he didn’t call it, I joked that they were in the cage plotting a coup. So began an [...]

Posey adds sports drink to list of endorsements (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Buster Posey has a brand new endorsement deal, and it could lead to some stylish rides to and from the ballpark.

Posey adds sports drink to list of endorsements

Source: CSN Bay Area by nstuhlbarg

Buster Posey has a brand new endorsement deal, and it could lead to some stylish rides to and from the ballpark.

Offense Heating Up, Starters Continue to Struggle

Source: The Giants Baseball Blog by Trevor Cole

After playing their two worst games of the 2013 seasons north of the border in Toronto, the Giants got back on track Thursday in Colorado. They came back from an early 6-run deficit to beat the Rockies in game one of a 4-game set and will look to feed off that momentum throughout the weekend.

In each game up in Toronto, the Giants starting pitcher put the team behind the 8-ball significantly early on. Barry Zito got knocked around pretty good on Tuesday night, but the real concern coming out of that series has to be with Ryan Vogelsong. I talked extensively about Vogey's struggles in our last post, so I won't keep beating a dead horse, but we're 1/4 of the way through the season, and it's really time to start assessing

Not All is Lost for the Los Angeles Dodgers (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY| The Los Angeles Dodgers started badly this season. That may be putting it mildly. The Dodgers have had an atrocious start to the season and now sit in last place in the NL West, below even the lowly San Diego Padres.

Jeremy Affeldt returned $500K to SF Giants after noticing an error in his contract

Source: Yardbarker

It's seems pretty tough to find a role model in sports these days but, if you look in the dictionary under honesty,  Jeremy Affeldt may just fit the description. In 2010, the relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants says he was overpaid by $500,000 thanks to a contract error that wrongly awarded him more than the $10 million previously agreed upon. The mistake was signed off by both him and his team before the typing error was discovered. When Affeldt realized the unintended bonus, he says he returned the extra money and asked that his contract be rewritten. The 33-year-old Affeldt, who describes himself as an avid Christian and father, details the six-digit mistake in his new book, To Stir a Movement. He claims that the Players Association, his agent Michael Moye as well as Giants assistant general manager Bobby Evans all approved of him keeping the $500,000 after he brought it to their attention. Affeldt, who has been in the major leagues since 2002,  recalled his agen

Giants minor league coach Victor Torres dies (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The San Francisco Giants say former minor league coach Victor Torres has died. He was 61.

Today's MLB starting lineups: May 17

Source: MLB.com

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

Giants lineup: Pill gets start at first (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Brett Pill is set to make his first start of the season for the Giants as they look to take commanding lead of the four-game set in Colorado.

Giants lineup: Pill gets start at first

Source: CSN Bay Area by nstuhlbarg

Brett Pill is set to make his first start of the season for the Giants as they look to take commanding lead of the four-game set in Colorado.

Tonight’s SF Giants lineup, plus an interesting Marco Scutaro stat

Source: Giants Splash Blog by hschulman@sfchronicle.com (Henry Schulman)

The Giants’ 10-game winning streak against the Rockies gets tested big-time tonight. They face left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who did not allow a run over 13 innings in his past two starts, with a total of five hits, in wins against the Mets and Cardinals. Not that his opponent is chopped liver. Madison Bumgarner [...]

The pitch types of the Giants' starting pitchers

Source: McCovey Chronicles by Grant Brisbee

Minnesota Twins’ Joe Mauer Is Still Very Good (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | Ever since he first stepped on a baseball field, Joe Mauer has been a unique talent. He's also had some of the highest expectations ever placed on a player and has had undue criticism placed on him.

Pondering Cain’s release point

Source: Bay City Ball by Chris Quick

As a somewhat obsessed observer of Giants baseball, one thing I’ve noticed this year – by just watching the games, nerds – is that Cain appears to be throwing – or slinging could be a better word – from a lower vertical release point.

What do the stats say?

A quick trip to the fabulous Brooks Baseball gives us this image:

From 2007-2010 Cain had a fairly consistent vertical release point. He lowered it in 2011 and it remained at pretty much the same point in 2012. This year, he’s dropped even further. His pitches, across the board, are coming out of a lower release point these days.

Here’s

3 Bold Predictions for the Remainder of the San Francisco Giants' Season

Source: Bleacher Report

Now that we have reached the one-quarter mark of the 2013 season, it's time to make some bold predictions for the San Francisco Giants.

At 24-17, the Giants currently hold a one-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. And if the Giants' early success is any indication for what is in store for them in September, this team will be in the thick of things down the stretch.

Here are bold predictions for three key players for the Giants for the remainder of the season.

Cain stays tuned in, Giants spring six-run comeback (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

After watching his teammates let two straight games get out of hand in Toronto, Matt Cain was especially motivated to avoid a similar fate and emerged victorious in Colorado.