What is that stink permeating Fricso Bay coming from China Basin?

[El Supremo]

Swept by the Dodgers, five game losing streak.

"I don't want this to get in their heads too much."
—Manager Bruce Bochy on his team leading the NL in double-play grounders. They're on target to break the franchise record of 153, set in 1939, and challenge the big-league record of 174, set by the 1990 Red Sox.

1B/3B Pablo Sandoval batted third Tuesday night, one day after his baserunning blunder in the seventh inning that ticked off several veterans—as captured by TV cameras. Sandoval, with runners at the corners and no outs, unwisely tried to take second on a flyout to right Monday. The next day, Sandoval messed up on the bases again. He rounded second too far on Pat Burrell's single to right and was caught off base—with the Giants down three runs, no less.

[Upton]

1. It's not even the All star break..

Mr. 3-13.

I don't know what's wrong with Pablo. He made base running mistakes on two consecutive nights, the one on Monday changed the game..might have cost the Giants the win. Bochy was pissed too, in the 9th inning with two on, he pinch hit for Sandoval..the first time in his career he's been pinch hit for when healthy. I thought maybe Bochy was trying to send a message, but if so it obviously didn't work.

[El Supremo]

4. Looking forward with glee to the next four games! n/m

[madinmaryland]

7. Thanks for you commentary, Mr. 56!

[Yavin4]

12. "I don't know what's wrong with Pablo. "

Really? You don't know?

[Auggie]

13. Offensively, it could be his batting grip

That's the speculation between radio announcers Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow...

Other than that, I think his lack of focus could be also showing (among other things as you, uh, point out).

[El Supremo]

15. Lack of concentration >>

[madinmaryland]

17. Snort! We always tell our daughter to watch where she is going, not where she has been!!

[Upton]

14. Pablo was overweight last year

and he hit .330, year before that .345

Please try to do better in the future. Thanks.

[Yavin4]

16. And As He Ages, His Weight Inhibits His Performance

As you state, his avg. went from .345 to .330 to even less now.

[Auggie]

18. It's just as likely he's seeing tougher pitches this year too

It happens when you prove yourself in the big leagues. That being said, I do buy the frustrated/focus/concentration angle posted elsewhere here. And I wish he'd really lose some weight.

[Upton]

19. I've given up on thinking he's gonna lose weight..

I don't care how many Camp Pandas they have. It's just the way he is. Is it my imagination, or does he even look bigger than last year?

I agree with you about his lack of focus etc. I'm wondering if trying to get him to be more disciplined at the plate has had a negative effect too. Was Vladimir Guerrero ever encouraged to change his plate habits and take more pitches? Maybe, I don't know...but why mess with success? And also I think Pablo is feeling the pressure of expectations. This sound like Bochy, but he just needs to relax.

[Onceuponalife]

20. Oh, you're just too much, cboy!

At the beginning of the year you were crowing about how much weight Panda had lost. Now you're finally owning up to the fact you were full of it?

But apart from that how about we cut the guy a little slack? Everybody slumps from time to time. Matt Kemp was in a huge slump that he just now might be coming out of. He was even benched for three games. Maybe Panda has an injury that he has kept quiet. Some guys don't want to admit to that and would rather try to play through it. I predict he'll be back well over .300 by season's end. But it won't help the Giants because they just can't get the key hit with runners in scoring position.

[Auggie]

2. It's the Giants. They're playing like crap.

Five game losing streak but should be six, going back the Red Sox game where Pedroia was injured. They haven't just lost, they've lost UGLY.

[Upton]

3. They haven't even scored more than 2 runs

since the Pedroia game and 9 runs total in the last 5. Nobody can win like that.

[Auggie]

5. It's like the other teams know exactly how to play them...

Run up the pitch count on the starters to get them out early.

Do anything to take the early lead; Giants can't produce RBIs.

Set up the Giants for the double play; allow the walk when first base is open if there's a runner on third and/or second and one out. You'll get it.

Sandoval and Uribe will lose patience and focus as the game wears on, so throw more junk, especially at a 3-2 count. They consistently swing at ball four.

[thatsrightimirish]

6. A Giants single

Perfect recipe for a double play.

[Auggie]

8. FYI: Dodgers are 21-5 against the N.L. West. (n/t)

[thatsrightimirish]

9. Giants and Texas in talks

Molina could be gone in the next 24 hours
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/giants-rangers-in-ta...

[Auggie]

10. I thought Molina might be trade bait

I was hoping it would be the Red Sox (because he might make them worse), but the injury to Martinez isn't bad enough. Fingers crossed... I think Whiteside and Posey can contribute as much if not more.

[thatsrightimirish]

11. Now I think it's a done deal

Molina traded to Texas for relief pitcher Chris Ray. According to Fox other players may be involved.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/07/01/source-rangers...