Tag Archives: Mets

SF Giants transactions: Kensuke Tanaka makes major-league debut, w/GIF

A team grasping at straws, the Giants made two moves before Tuesday’s game against the Mets.

First, they placed Hector Sanchez on the disabled list with an injury I care less about than Phish cares about brevity. Mike Kickham gets his third trip to the big-league roster to replace the Giants’ third catcher. But the bizarre move was the call-up of Kensuke Tanaka, the Japanese import that lost a backup infield role when his bat and glove failed him in Spring Training.

The move was so bizarre it almost worked. Upon being recalled, Tanaka was immediately written into the lineup as the starting left fielder and No. 2 hitter. Who he was vexed the more casual fan, while the Lunatic Fringe was curious why a guy who has played nine games in American outfields was ready for a corner spot in AT&T.

Then there was The Catch. No, Dwight Clark or T.O. didn’t show up. But this happened:

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SF Giants lineup: Brandon Belt will bat third for the first time in career

 

Brandon Belt is the most controversial player in San Francisco baseball history, World Series era. This sound ridiculous, of course, that a 25-year-old first baseman who is progressing nicely in his career is causing so much heat on the airwaves and on Twitter. Like a heartbroken person talking about their ex, every conversation about the Giants eventually devolves into a conversation about Belt.

Belt’s insertion into the 3-hole is a coup for all of his supporters. It’s also the greatest opportunity for #BeltBash. Today’s results for Belt won’t make or break his career, but it be a moral victory if he sent one into the water in the first inning. An 0-4, four-strikeout performance (like Yasiel Puig two nights ago) would make KNBR more unlistenable than usual.

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