SF Giants: The Pittsburgh Pirates came to town for a weekend series, and I was NOT expecting that kind of pitching duels that occurred. Our rookie Kyle Harrison started for the Giants, and went six innings, gave up no runs and dealt seven strikeouts. The Pirates pitching was also stellar, as they allowed no runs for eight innings. Both teams had hits going into the 9th, but a zero-zero score! Catcher Patrick Bailey wanted the scheduled fireworks show over Oracle Park to start on time, so Bailey blasted a 3-run homer into the right field promenade to give the Giants a 3-0 walk-off win, and then a gorgeous fireworks show to enjoy followed for the fans who stayed!
Another pitching duel on Saturday evening, as our hot starter, Jordan Hicks and his Pirates pitching opponent were in a pitching duel for six innings. The score was tied 1-1 in the extra 10th inning, when the Pirates hit two home runs to make it 4-1. Jorge Solar hit a monster two run blast to left field in the bottom of the 10th, but the Giants came up short, losing 4-3.
Beautiful weather at the ballpark for the series ender and last game of this home stand. Keaton Winn took the mound and continued the string of quality starts by Giants starting pitchers, going six innings, five strikeouts, and allowing one run. In the third inning, 2B Thairo Estrada and RF Mike Yastrzemski went back to back smacking home runs out of the park. Closer Camilo Doval did give up a run in the 9th inning, but was able to close the game out, as the Giants beat the Pirates, 3-2. A day off, and then a long road trip starting in Boston on Tuesday.
Mike Yastrzemski- SF Giants
In the iconic Fenway Park in Boston, one trend ended and another continued as the Giants bats once again were quiet, and starter Logan Webb gave up four runs in 3 2/3rd innings. Only good news of this first game with the Red Sox is that the bullpen didn't give up a run for the rest of the game, but the Giants lost, 4-0.
Wednesday was a repeat..with a pitching being a "bullpen game" with Blake Snell out, the Giants gave up six runs, and were only able to muster four hits and lost the game to Boston, 6-2.
Thursday's getaway game in the Boston sun, as our starter Kyle Harrison took the mound. Harrison didn't have his best control today, loading the bases in the first inning, and also had five walks, matching how many he has given up this season. Harrison pushed through it though, and allowed only one run in six innings. San Francisco got six hits and but together three runs, including a solo home run by Mike Yastrzemski as the Giants salvaged a game from this series, and won 3-1. Now off to Philadelphia for a four game set this weekend against the Phillies.
49ers Draft: I covered the 1st round pick, Ricky Pearsall in the last Grab Bag (along with photos!). At the end of the draft, this is a list of who the Niners chose in the following rounds. My take is San Francisco was choosing players who are talented at their position, and targeting them as back-ups in case of injury, and see if these kids can develop the skills to be in the NFL and potential starters in the seasons to come.
Tennis: Rafael Nadal's run at the Madrid Open came to an end as he lost his match and was just one win short of making the semi-finals. Rafa is hoping to be in shape to hit the clay courts in Rome later this month. A couple of days later, Rafa's fellow Spaniard of sorts Carlos Alcaraz, lost his semi-final match to Andrey Rublev, who now moves on the the quarterfinals. Carlo's loss was his first one after a string of fourteen wins, and he was hoping to three-peat as the Madrid Open Champion. Late breaking news as #2 ranked Jannik Sinner had to drop out of the tourney due to leg injury. And on Thursday, #5 Danaii Medevev had to withdraw from his semi-final match due to strained groin. So for the men's quarters, highest ranked players are #7 Rublev and USA player #12 Taylor Fritz, who play each other to reach the Madrid Final.
EYE CANDY ALERT VIDEO! Found this by accident, and time stopped, lost one whole cigarette due to this short video!
Formula One: As I reported on last week, Chief Engineering Officer Adrian Newey's departure from Red Bull Racing is official, as Red Bull put out a statement confirming that Newey will be leaving the team in the first quarter of 2025. Newey will finish on the next version of Red Bull's dramatically upgraded RB17's first hyper-car models. For 2025, Newey will be taking a "gardening year" similar to how students take a "gap year" before entering college. Ferrari is still expected to be the one who snags Newey, so we shall see what F1 racing's most iconic engineer decides.
In the "from out of nowhere" department, twelve United States Congress members, in a bi-partisan fashion, have signed on to a letter written to Liberty Media (based in Colorado), the American owners of F1, demanding to know why Andretti Global, has not been allowed to join the Formula One grid. One of the points the Congress members made in the letter, is the anti-competitiveness laws in the US. Apparently, Andretti has some pull even in our country, as I first caught this story on CNN! I could not resist this headline (and the breakdown of the story is really good!). Some readers of my F1 racing blog, Zoom Zoom, will know that a "black flag" in F1 racing is very very bad thing to get waved on! https://www.courthousenews.com/congress-waves-black-flag-at-formula-one-owners-over-andretti-gm-rejection/
We have the first US F1 race coming up this weekend in Miami, with the Grand Prix airing on ESPN Sunday at 11:30 AM PST. I'll be posting a cool video of what one driver did on 5th Avenue in front of the Empire State Building in NYC in next week's Zoom Zoom blog before he headed down to Miami!
What I'm watching: As I'm dealing with some mild health issues, I've gone back to binge-watch an old (2021) series favorite of mine. If you are a fan of heists movies, like the Ocean's 11 flicks, then this will be up your alley! Money Heist, on Netflix, is a five part series broken into about 10 episodes in each part. Based in Spain, this series is SO entertaining, well-acted (dubbed in English), high-octane action, great suspense, great looking cast, and very intricate plotting/planning of the two heists. Led by The Professor, the mastermind, eight thieves with cool capital city alias, take over the Spanish Mint, with hostages, and and a very elaborate plan. You do know what they say about the best laid plans though? :) Especially when you have to match wits with the Inspector! She and the Professor's cat and mouse game is entertaining on it's own, just throw in plot twists, emotional baggage, and a well-timed soundtrack, and you have a great mix of how do do a heist show right!
My Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars! It is in my top ten of favorite series of all time! You may find your self not leaving the television if you binge-watch it all weekend! :)
Here is a trailer for you to whet your appetite on! Enjoy!
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