A Much Happier Flight to NY
If anyone at the park today was watching their first Giants-Dodgers game, they learned everything they need to know about this rivalry. This was an unbelievable game – like an entire season of highs and lows in one afternoon.
We had the benches clear in the fifth inning when the Dodgers pitcher hit Pablo. I was on deck, and Pablo was definitely hit on the arm. I thought at first they were arguing that Pablo had swung through, which meant even if he was hit, it’s a strike and he doesn’t go to first. But they said the ball hit the bat first then his arm, which wasn’t the case.
Pablo thought McDonald was intentionally trying to hit him, which is a judgment call on his part. Maybe he and McDonald have a history in the minor leagues or something. I don’t know. But you always back up your teammate, no matter what. I grabbed Russell Martin, the catcher, who wasn’t happy that Pablo was accusing his pitcher of intentionally hitting him. I was telling him to take it easy. Basically, your job as a teammate when the benches clear is to keep your teammates safe. You try to grab whoever you can to keep them from getting hurt or getting tossed.
Obviously, we don’t like the Dodgers, and they don’t like us. The only thing you hope is that nobody gets hurt. And nobody did.
Timmy pitched such a great game it’s a shame he didn’t get the win. Late in the game, I was just telling him to keep making his pitches. Don’t try to throw harder or slower. Just make his pitches the way he always does. It was a killer not to get the call at first. We get that call, and maybe the game is over in nine.
We had more than little bad luck as far as the calls during this series. I hated to see Bochy thrown out of the game, but I understand it. It’s frustrating when it seems like all the calls are going against you. It’s hard for everybody when the manager’s tossed. You want him making the decisions. We have great coaches, though. After Wotus got thrown out, Flannery took over. I was wondering who was going to manage if Flannery got tossed. Maybe Murph. He’s certainly seen more baseball in his 50-something years with the team than all of us put together.
But I’m not going to be too harsh on the umps. They’re human. They have bad days like the rest of us.
The best part of the game, of course, was watching Juan Uribe’s monster home run sail over Ramirez’s head. Ramirez didn’t even watch it. He just started walking off the field.
It’s hard to describe the feeling of rushing onto the field when a teammate hits a walk-off home run – much less in a game like this. Against the Dodgers. Ten innings. And it was especially exciting because it was Juan. He had a tough day. Left runners on base. Dropped the pop-up. I haven’t talked to him but I’m guessing the sun was in his eyes.
And then he clobbers the ball.
That’s the great part of this game. With one pitch, one swing, you change your whole day. Maybe you change a whole season.
This is a huge win. That goes without saying. It’s especially big not only because it’s against the Dodgers and the first-place team, but because we’re heading out to New York and the start of a long road trip. This win – and HOW we won – gives us so much positive energy going onto the road.
I’m heading home for a few hours before I have to catch a plane tonight. We have a day off tomorrow in New York. I’ll be resting.
I’ll try to update the blog sometime during the road trip.
Thanks for reading and for supporting us. This is an amazing team. I love coming to the ballpark every day because I get to watch these great guys play.
Behind the Mask 
A much needed win!! Congrats. Those umps though have had too many bad days for the fans liking. Hopefully you guys turn it around on the road!!!! Good luck against the Mets.
http://giantsxoxo.mlblogs.com
As excruciating as it was too watch, it was an awesome game to watch and I’m glad the Giants rallied! The umps definitely made some bad calls. It’s so rare to see Ishikawa argue and display any emotions, really. So when he’s arguing, you just gotta think, “What is wrong with these umpires??” Good job today and good luck on the road! I think your veteran experience definitely helps this young and growing team!
intense game, but it always is against they-who-shall-not-be-named! good luck on the road! we’ll be cheering as always!!
I appreciate Benie’s diplomacy but this crew stunk to the high heavens, and only in one direction: toward the Giants. I can’t remember another series where seemingly all the calls went against a single team. I thought when i stepped out my door this afternoon in Pacifica that the sewage treatment plant had backed up again, but the stench was emanating from downtown. Darling and his crew absolutely STUNK. I imagine they were getting a lot of grief from the hometown fans from the get-go, and well deserved. But these guys are supposed to be professionals and rise above it. The Blind Boys from Alabama could have made some of those calls at home and at first. Even when Darling got one right by overruling the second base umpire on the tag, he blew it on the play at first. And made up for one good call at the end by allowing a runner at first when he was clearly out. I hope MLB reviews the game. It was brutal
Nice win for the G’s today. Good to see your bat coming around at the right time of the year.
Make ’em pitch to you and lay off those outside breaking balls!
Best of luck the rest of the year.
Thanks for the update. All of the Gmen were such good sports despite so many unfair calls, Pablo’s hit, etc. What a good example for all. I could barely breathe during those last innings. Best of luck in NY!
keep it up guys. great game today. keep the flame going. this is a very exciting team to watch with new faces compared to the last few years. very eager to see what the next day brings when it comes to the g-men. im proud to be a giants fan. very proud. keep it up, positive attititudes and beat the crao out of that baseball. last month of ball we will be scary to face, between timmy, barry, matt, and jonathan, there will be many problems with those stinkin dodgers finding that ball. you get stronger as the season goes, these guys will hit there groove and everyone will realize that we are no pushover. keep it up. GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
keep it up guys. great game today. keep the flame going. this is a very exciting team to watch with new faces compared to the last few years. very eager to see what the next day brings when it comes to the g-men. im proud to be a giants fan. very proud. keep it up, positive attititudes and beat the crao out of that baseball. last month of ball we will be scary to face, between timmy, barry, matt, and jonathan, there will be many problems with those stinkin dodgers finding that ball. you get stronger as the season goes, these guys will hit there groove and everyone will realize that we are no pushover. keep it up. GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Bengie! Amazing win, last night, although I had mixed feelings in my gut at the end of it all. You are much kinder to the umps than I would ever be – yes, we’re all human, but 4 huge mistakes (Manny picked off at 1st, Sandoval HBP, Schierholtz safe at 1st, and Furcal out at 1st) in one game?! That’s blatant incompetence. I wondered whether the park would replay all those blown calls on the scoreboard. Anyway, a win is a win. Wish it were Timmy’s win, but it’s a Giants win and that’s all matters. Best of luck to you guys on the road! I’ll be watching or listening to every game.
What an awesome redemption for Uribe. That had to feel good…to be down on yourself all day and then to totally win it all. This is what baseball is all about.
You know, if that guy in Chicago hadn’t thrown a beer on Victorino, this game probably would have lead the overnight SportsCenter. not bad considering, last year, we barely made the broadcast.
I agree with a couple others, Bengie, you are a little too kind to this particular team of umps. I was at Tuesdays game and also yesterday – it is harder as a fan in the stand to see the plays clearly, but after seeing the playbacks and the photos I am appalled! I don’t know what can be done about this, but I think the Giants should file some kind of appeal.
Bengie, I love your gentle reaction and I appreciate your attempting to quell the anger – it is the only realistic reaction from any of the players – but the fans can get damn mad, and we are!
I do believe that umps have a tough job and I think they do it well about 93% of the time — This team Sucked Out Loud!
Go Bengie, Go Giants, you are giving us our moneys worth this year. Thanks.
Also, I love reading your Blog – makes me feel closer to the Team.
Great win, we needed it, hopefully our bats can come to life in NY. Tim deserved the W the way he pitched against a Dodger team that is solid top to bottom. Even kept Manny quiet.
Congrats Bengie. Thanks a ton for that home run in Game 1. We might have lost the series but we definitely won the war. Great job by you guys. Now thats what it means to be Giants! Best of luck in New York, play with passion! And as always Bengie Molina>>>Russell Martin.
Im Sorry I Love The Giants But If Anyone From The Giants Was To Be Tossed During That It Should Have Been Renteria Cuz He Was The One Who Started The Pushing…Not Sandoval Like Kruk & Kuip Were Thinking Was Getting Tossed…Pablo Backed Off….And The Dodgers Catcher So Totally Should Have Been Tossed For Pushing The Ump That Was Trying To Calm Down Panda!!!Jaun Did Great With The Walk Off Home Run!!!Timmy Did A Great Job Pitching Even Thouigh B-Weez Got The Win And Not Timmy!!!!The Umps Did Make Some Bad Calls Nate Was So Totally Safe!!!!!But Lets Put That All Behind Us And Go Kick Some Butt On This Long Road Trip!!!Its Ganna Kill Me Waiting For U Guys To Get Back….Cant Wait For The Game On The 29th…21st B-Day Baby!!!!
I was at Tues and Weds games. Wednesday game was the first game for us as a family. Wife and two kids, Kyle 7 and Taylor 11. Kyle has seen a couple of AL games, this was his and Taylor’s first Giants game, Taylor?s first MLB game. I’ve been a fan for over 40 years. It was a great game to take the family to. Big thanks to Nate and Nate’s mom for an unforgettable day. It was great to see Juan redeem himself. I hope he becomes a part of the Giants as Jose was. I remember watching Jose back in the eighties, those were some good games at the Stick. OOOOU —— REBAY! I moved to Portland about 10 years ago and really miss Giants baseball. We came down just for these games. It was good to hear Kruk again on the radio. He was one of my fav?s back in the eighties too.
Back to this game, couldn?t ask for better game. Extra inning home run to win at home against LA. What a rush. Especially after being there Tues night. Tim, that was your game. Nate, nice to see you off the dl, nice triple. Pablo, I have never seen a move like that in baseball, where did you learn that?! I never knew a Panda could be so agile. GO GIANTS!!
Bengie, you’re giving the umps way too much credit. This crew obviously had bug up their rear about the Giants, you just don’t make that many terrible calls! I really hope someone in the big office at MLB is looking into this because the umpiring in this series was atrocious. But I am very impressed with your graciousness. You’re a great guy. Good luck on this monstrous road trip. And hang in there. The hits will start falling, and flying again pretty soon. We’re all pulling for you and Pandaman to get back to early season form and start crushing the ball again. No time like this roadie to do it! Good luck.
Nada como las broncas boricuas en los parques ahhh bengie… mi hermano saludos y pa lante….. de hecho mientras escribo observo el juego de ustedes contra Sant Louis…. saludos mi sangre dios los guarde siempre.
I love watching you guys play. Whether you win or lose, I just love seeing that determination. I was watching that game, I can’t believe how fast Edgar came out to defend Pablo. Pablo obviously got hit, it’s just sad that the umpire didn’t see it. That was a tough series though. You guys fought tooth and nail those three games, and at least you guys came out with a win in the end. I know sometimes it’s difficult to be optimistic when series are lost, but no matter what happens, you will always have fans cheering you on.
Congrats on Jayda!!! I hope everyone is well and your family and the Giants will always be in my prayers.
Much love to all,
-Katie-
Thanks for all you do for the Giants…I almost forgive you for 2002. Now get us in the playoffs!!!
JT
Las Vegas, Nevada
I am a Cardinal fan and of course a Yadier Molina fan. I went to the game on June 30th . It was awesome to see a hall of famer on the mound and you catching. I was just wondering how it feels when you have to play against your baby brother?
I am a Cardinal fan and of course a Yadier Molina fan. I went to the game on June 30th. I got to see a hall of famer on the mound and you catching. I was just wondering how it feels when you have to play against your baby brother?
Benjie I’ve been a die hard Giants fan for 28 years and I’ve seen it all but what happened to you and the rest of the team during the hated Dodgers series was a disgrace! I was proud the way you guys fought through it and not give up. This is an amazing team and I believe you all will make it to the playoffs. Congrats on Jayda!! I hope the wife and family is doing well. Not only are you a great Giant but a great human being. Keep up the good work and go get’em.
Much love,
Jerry from Santa Rosa,Calif.
Bengie,1st I have to apoligize for my absence from the games @ AT&T.Being at 20-25 games a year from ’06-’08 has put me in a financial pinch.I’ve only been in SF for 2 games this year(Apr7-8).I’m still able to watch The Giants everyday on MLB Xtra Inns cable tv service,but it’s just not the same when I can’t be there to put on The Rally Pumpkin when the team needs to rally.It’s one of the few times I really feel good about The Giants and my life in general,especially when the team fights back to win the game.If I had been there for Uribe’s walk-off HR, I would been on a natural HIGH for days. I hope I’m available to drive the team bus when the Giants come back to SoCal before the end of the season. Congrats on the birth of Jayda. Now I know why you were not posting on your blog for long time. Helping to take of a newborn baby DEFINATELY has PRIORITY over posting on your blog. Take Care and keep up the GREAT work.