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Giants tie in final exhibition
By Joe Cronin April 4, 2004 |
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SAN FRANCISCO-Many questions remain unanswered as a tie game ends the Giants exhibition season. The good news is the team played before nearly 188,000 fans. The not-so-good news was the 11-19-3 final record. Many of the players in the game will be in Fresno or Sacramento tomorrow. "We gave the (regulars) the day off before the opener," said Manager Felipe Alou. The 5-5 tie had some bright spots. Giants' starter Brian Cooper allowed only one hit in six innings. But it was a home run into the left field seats by A's catcher Damian Miller. Cooper had a no-hitter up to that point. Alou commented, "He has been showing me a lot." Cooper showed he had the ability to pitch to spots today. He'll go down to Fresno, but thinking is he'll be back with the Giants before long. Catcher Yorvit Torrealba was 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run. Left fielder Adam Shabala, first baseman Francisco Santos, center fielder Nathan Haynes, and second baseman Cody Ransom were each 2-for-3. Ransom tripled in the ninth and scored to tie the game at five. The Giants had 13 hits and the A's five, to score five runs. Left-hander Wayne Franklin, recently obtained from the Milwaukee Brewers, was nicked for four runs in the seventh. "He appeared rusty, but he did show a good fast ball and a good change-up", said Alou. Oakland left fielder Bobby Kielty homered on the second pitch of the inning. The damage was done with a walk, two singles, and then another single later. The game did not go into extra innings because the Giants had to travel to Houston for the Monday opener. It seems likely the Giants are going to be bit by the injury bug this year. Pitchers Jason Schmidt, Robb Nen, Jesse Foppert, and Scott Eyre are currently on the disabled list and a reason to be concerned. We'll see as the season progresses. After the opening series in Houston and San Diego, the Giants open at SBC Park against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, April 12th. _____________________________________________ Joe Cronin will be writing features on the Giants along with Jeremy Harness and Jeremy Kahn throughout the 2004 season. |
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