Johnny Giavotella Homers, Doubles, Prevents Thunderstorm in Royals Win

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 7, 2011 5:39 PM EDT in Royals Game Recaps

So this is what we were missing.

Apparently it wasn't that the Royals were not allowed to get offensive production from the second base position, it was that they were wilfully shooting themselves in the foot by batting Chris Getz every night. His replacement, Johnny Giavotella, homered, doubled, and scored two runs in a 4-3 Royals victory.

Some fun stats, courtesy of Rany Jazeryli:

Since June 8th, Johnny Giavotella now has more extra-base hits (2) in nine at-bats than Chris Getz has (1) in 185 at-bats.
In his third game with the Royals, Giavotella has two extra-base hits. In 169 games with the Royals, Chris Getz has never had two extra-base hits in one game.
In his tenth at-bat with the Royals, Johnny Giavotella homered. Chris Getz has never homered in 575 at-bats with the Royals.

Giavotella's success of course, is because Dayton Moore perfectly timed his promotion to allow him the perfect amount of seasoning in AAA. I believe you all owe Dayton an apology. I'll wait.

Bruce Chen did his impression of Luke Hochevar, pitching very well for five innings before hitting a wall in the sixth. Luckily a microburst storm caused by the anger of Chris Getz at losing his starting position was able to delay the game at that point long enough for the bullpen to come in and shut things down. Royals pitchers did not walk a single hitter all day. Bob McClure is vindicated.

Hey, we're just twelve games out of first place! Two good weeks are we are IN THIS THING!

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2 really good weeks

good game

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 7, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

Wasn't a walk off though

So it's pretty meh in my book.

Edgar knows best.

by kcbottom9th on Aug 7, 2011 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Johnny G didn't want the nad tap

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 7, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Soria should have done the electric slide after getting the save

Stuck following the Royals since 1976.

by A. B. Aird on Aug 7, 2011 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

This team

mainly the lineup, is starting to really take shape. Gonna be fun to watch the rest of the year and the next couple years.

Just gotta keep working and learning every day.

by Rufus R. Jones on Aug 7, 2011 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

Yea if Giavotella keeps going and Moose starts to hit.

Even with Francouer i like this lineup because Frenchy hasn’t been dreadful. The only position we need to upgrade is catcher.

by vic1124 on Aug 7, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

If moose struggles and a big IF

We make a push(which could happen) I can see Navarro being called up to split time.

Catcher- we need to keep the Pena/piña treanors time is done

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Aug 7, 2011 8:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Treanor's riding a fluke OBP

He’s never taken walks like this before in his career. Thanks for coming here, Matt, and we appreciate your effort, but you shouldn’t be on the team next year. You’re too old and you can’t hit.

Brayan is actually not doing a bad job. He hits better from the left side of the plate, and I’d platoon him with a right-handed hitting backup. We’re fine with the players in the field, more so without Getz. It’s the starting pitching that is losing us games.

What do you figure the odds are on Moose getting sent down for a month and Yamaico getting called up to replace him until September?

"When asked who was responsible for his going down in flames
He pointed to the offices and said 'You all know their names'
So hurry home early, hurry, let's go
Boom Boom Mazzaro's facing Robby Canó" --Not Warren Zevon

by Juancho on Aug 8, 2011 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I think at this point, there probably is zero chance of Moose being sent down

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 8, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Giatovella has three extra base hits

2 doubles 1 homerun

Chris Getz, Bumblin' and Fumblin' since 1983

by tiquanunderwear on Aug 7, 2011 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Is Gordon getting tossed by Drake worth discussing?

I was listening on the radio at work and could hear Ned going ape shit on the crowd mic. Is Drake a shit starter these days or does it just look that way?

by brandonh981 on Aug 7, 2011 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

It was ridiculous

I’ve done my share of officiating/umpiring (basketball and softball) and when a player is walking away and not being confrontational, you just let it go unless he says something really over the top. Gordon just tossed his bat up with his back to the ump and was walking away. From the replays it doesn’t look like he said anything. While I can understand an ump not liking the bat toss, that’s something you just let go. You don’t overreact to any and every slight or being “shown up.” It was an amateurish move that you’d expect from an umpire somewhere in the lower levels of the game.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 8, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Gordon has a terrible rep with umps

He seems to NEVER get the borderline calls, and gets screwed over at the plate more than others IMO. I think he must be perceived as a diva or have a rep of showing up umps or he screwed Jerry Meals’ wife or something.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 8, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

the Smirk coming back to haunt him?

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 8, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Gordon did manage to say, post-ejection, "f'ing ump," based on lip reading, . . .

. . . but there is no way the ump would have heard him based on crowd response to the ejection. I think it boils down the the ump calling strike three only after Gordon started down to first, which is another insane way that umps put players in line who have the audacity to assume a walk before getting the ump’s verbal blessing.

Maybe something happened earlier in the game?

by kansasjohn on Aug 8, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

He should not have been tossed.

Ridiculously quick trigger over nothing. Drake needs to toughen up a little.

by Rufus R. Jones on Aug 7, 2011 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

I liked seeing that much fire out of Ned.

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!

by KeepItCopacetic on Aug 7, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Look at Melky creeping up on Gia from behind

by YouDon'tPhaseMeGobble on Aug 7, 2011 6:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Heh. He doesn't look TOO sinister, does he?

by LaFLamme on Aug 7, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

"He got a real pretty mouth ain't he?" - Melky Cabrera

SBN's most random and mysterious lurker guy who posts too much
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by Lum on Aug 7, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Smile like donut...

by MJRugger on Aug 7, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Smile like a donut...

by MJRugger on Aug 7, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Smile like an donuts...

SBN's most random and mysterious lurker guy who posts too much
Follow me on Twitter if you want: Lum_SM

by Lum on Aug 7, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

so essentially Melky is Hurley from Lost?

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bhindepmo
Chairman, The Melky Cabrera Seasoning Sauce. It's great on your outfield!

by BHWick on Aug 7, 2011 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Watched lost

I don’t get this comment.

by YouDon'tPhaseMeGobble on Aug 7, 2011 10:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

stare at Melky behind Gio, add hair and weight

so how will Melky change when he wins the lottery in the offseason?

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bhindepmo
Chairman, The Melky Cabrera Seasoning Sauce. It's great on your outfield!

by BHWick on Aug 8, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions

He'll be on a Weezer album cover?

by OnixConcepcion on Aug 8, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

For those of you keeping score at home, I present the following comparison.

Player A
.455 career batting average
.500 career on-base percentage
.900 career slugging percentage
Averages a home run every 11.00 at bats

Player B
.342 career batting average
.474 career on-base percentage
.690 career slugging percentage
Averages a home run every 11.76 at bats

Player A is Johnny Giavotella, and Player B is George Herman Ruth. I have proven, using facts, that Giavotella is a better hitter than Babe Ruth.

by AMS on Aug 7, 2011 6:18 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs

He's trending well

also 25%

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by Lum on Aug 7, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Aug 7, 2011 6:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Whoops. That should be .909 slugging for Johnny.

by AMS on Aug 7, 2011 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, I knew he was good, but I had no idea the babe's stats were that good.

by play4'ships on Aug 8, 2011 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah...at a time when nobody was hitting too much

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Aug 8, 2011 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions

He was the Babe

And his early career in Boston was still the deadball era. Ruth himself invented the lively-ball era. (Does anyone know whether they really changed the baseballs or whether the hitting outburst of the ’20s was caused by cleaner, frequently replaced baseballs, the ban on the spitter, and a trend of players swinging for the fences rather than slapping for contact?)

by Juancho on Aug 8, 2011 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't discount the influence of massive consumption of hot dogs and beer

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 8, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for this awesome scientific evidence, Jim.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Aug 8, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

He was called up appropriately

Maybe a week or two late at the most. But he got enough seasoning in. The only player besides Hosmer who warranted an early call up was Clint Robinson. Moose was called up too early in my opinion. He did get alot of playing time in AAA since last season, but he should have dominated this season. Him having a .847 OPS this season should have been a red flag and the team should have kept him down a month or two longer. Cain and Robinson have been ready for awhile, but Gio wasn’t at their level until the last 2-3 weeks.

by Hornets78 on Aug 7, 2011 6:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I don't know that any expectations that Moose could have immediately dominated

after any callup, no matter the timing, would have been realistic given his career history to this point. I still maintain Moose was called up properly if the goal is to try to get all the first wavers to reach their maximum WAR within the period the Royals control them at the same time.

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!

by KeepItCopacetic on Aug 7, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he needed a couple more months

He started off really slow this season and was improving. Same case with Cain and Gio. All three had slow starts, but Moose was not allowed to really dominate unlike Cain and Gio. I think if Moose was kept down a little longer, his confidence would have been a lot higher coming to KC like Hosmer and Gio.

by Hornets78 on Aug 7, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I can see that, and I really wouldn't have had a problem at all if they waited another month or so.

But I suppose that’s what you said to begin with.

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!

by KeepItCopacetic on Aug 7, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully he can get hot.

If not, he may need more time in AAA. If that’s the case, we can always put Navarro at 3B until Moose is ready.

by Hornets78 on Aug 7, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I do wonder if Dayton has discussed the subject of Navarro with Ned

after Ned made the public comments about him not sticking as a utility guy. His presence allows the Royals the luxury of sending him back down if need be, but I think the chances of that happening are pretty unlikely unless Moose’s numbers start exceeding Adam Dunn territory.

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!

by KeepItCopacetic on Aug 7, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly..

And Moose is mature enough not to get down on himself but work on his swing and be ready for the 2012 ST. Navarro is the better option now; IMHO

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Aug 7, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

Looks like they’re gonna stick with Moose for the rest of the season. I’m not saying I disagree with that approach, necessarily. But Moose really has to spend some time this off season with Seitzer- in the cage and in the video room. I have confidence they will do what it takes.

On the bright side, Moose defense has been good, and that’s the thing we were led to believe might take awhile.

by Rufus R. Jones on Aug 7, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Very true on both points

We thought his glove was going to be horrendous and bat really good. It’s s total 180

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Aug 7, 2011 8:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

if moose is jay bruce to homer's joey votto...

that’d be okay…mostly because of Butler and Gordon.

by billexgordler on Aug 7, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

The MLB record for assists from a leftfielder is 38

Gordon has 20. I’m just saying.

Also, since I was at the K for this one I’d really like to see the Gordon incident. Is there anywhere that a MLB game can be seen on the web archived? I’m guessing MLB has that stuff pretty well locked down unless it’s on ESPN3.

by shaffe on Aug 7, 2011 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

MLB network will def. show it.

Stuck following the Royals since 1976.

by A. B. Aird on Aug 7, 2011 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

FWIW, it's being replayed on FSKC right now

by shaffe on Aug 7, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

18

gordon has 18 assists, not 20.

by Crownblue on Aug 7, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Indeed my mistake, I took the wikipedia list I saw earlier for a career total

Gordon has 20 for his career counting two from last year. He’s got not shot at 30+ I would think.

by shaffe on Aug 7, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

It's on the MLB.com highlights

It looked like Alex was being a bit petulant, but the bat toss wasn’t an ejectable incident, I don’t think.

by Juancho on Aug 8, 2011 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow, Vasgersian really butchered gio's name on mlb tonight

Jiavatunella?

by NobodyFsWDeJesus on Aug 7, 2011 7:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

What's the over/under for how quickly Gio passes Moose for hits since being called up?

by david.lowe on Aug 7, 2011 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

I'm going to go optomistic and say Moose figures it out soon

And it doesn’t happen in 2011.

by shaffe on Aug 7, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

And the Legend of Young Eckstein begins

by BlueEyes_Austin on Aug 7, 2011 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

I would like to officially submit Marcus Giles as a possible comp for Giavotella.

Done. Thank you.

by Dadunca on Aug 7, 2011 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

After all the screaming for gio

I don’t want him to go anywheres

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Aug 7, 2011 8:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

damn, giles was MUCH better than i remember

Gia could be giles without the juice

by YouDon'tPhaseMeGobble on Aug 7, 2011 10:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Just a thought for opposing teams...

…don’t run on Frenchy or Alex.

Born in Ohio. Chiefs and Royals fan for last 17 years. Yeah, not sure how that happend....

by OhioChiefsFan on Aug 7, 2011 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

or...Melky?

Alex Gordon = 18 Assists
Frenchy = 11 Assists
Melky = 10 Assists….

I know he has a whopping 1 less than Frenchy, but I still think he’s a solid contributor to our outfield.

The Royal Pork T....between inning snack of prized Royal Designated Hitters

by kd_in_kc on Aug 8, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

The outfield is simultaneously awesome and amazingly frustrating

SBN's most random and mysterious lurker guy who posts too much
Follow me on Twitter if you want: Lum_SM

by Lum on Aug 8, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Tigers announcers were commenting on Gordon's OF assists

They said more than once that when you get that many assists, it is because they keep running on you.

Moustakas seems like the type of guy who will hang in there and just take more time. His glove work has been better than I expected. Not everyone can do well right out of the gate. I like having Navarro around to spell Moose when he needs a break. Guess he’ll come back up when rosters expanding in September.

by daveyork on Aug 7, 2011 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

Good, keep running on him

We like outs on defense. Run yourself right into an out, we’ll take it!

by YouDon'tPhaseMeGobble on Aug 7, 2011 10:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yeah

it’s not that Moustakas is getting fooled, he’s just not getting that right swing that produces line drives

hopefully Seitzer can use the stuff that has worked for line-drive/gap guys and get it to work for a power guy like Moustakas.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bhindepmo
Chairman, The Melky Cabrera Seasoning Sauce. It's great on your outfield!

by BHWick on Aug 8, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm confident Seitzer can change his approach to hitting depending on the hitter.

Of course, it helps when the hitter has a ton of talent like Billy.

by hawkinscm87 on Aug 8, 2011 4:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Our starting rotation blows so much

that we should go with a four-man rotation of stacked starters, since we have nobody who can go through the order more than twice. Except maybe Paulino.

Starters: Hochevar, Paulino, Francis, Chen. Should go four innings/15-18 batters.
Second starters: Duffy, Holland, Crow, Montgomery. Should go three innings/10-12 batters. Have the lefties replace the righty starters and vice versa.
Bullpen: Soria, Coleman, Collins, Wood. Should go two innings.
Mop-up: Adcock.

Triple-A: Suppan, Boom Boom, SOS, Mendoza, Tejeda.

Nobody’s arm should get too tired with that level of work.

by Juancho on Aug 8, 2011 3:21 AM EDT reply actions

Been thinking about this approach for awhile now

Won’t happen, though…must try to get starters at least 5 innings to qualify for the win.

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

by Royal Kingdom on Aug 8, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

That archaic statistic shouldn't matter anymore

by Juancho on Aug 8, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Recc'd with every ounce of my being. Worst stat in all of sports.

Born in Ohio. Chiefs and Royals fan for last 17 years. Yeah, not sure how that happend....

by OhioChiefsFan on Aug 8, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Has Johnny Giavotella been canonized yet?

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 8, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

he cannonized the hell outta that one pitch!

YEAH, I DID THAT!!!

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

by Royal Kingdom on Aug 8, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Francoeur's throw to nail Avila at third was absolutely amazing

When I saw that he was going to throw to third, I thought it made sense to try, but that he wouldn’t have much of a shot, even with a catcher running. With him running towards the third base line and then quickly turning to throw to third, there’s no way a human being should be able to make that strong of a throw and put it exactly in the perfect spot. That’s one of the best OF throws I’ve ever seen.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 8, 2011 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah it was beautiful

Moose’s dumbfounded look on his face was great.

by deezle on Aug 8, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

it was actually jhhhhhhhonny peralta running

though with 9 sb and 16 cs in 1082 games, he’s probably actually slower than avila, or almost anyone. agreeing totally with the comment other than that.

by andrewmiller on Aug 8, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

fact

by Professor Stephanie Willbanks on Aug 8, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

That photo of Giavotella

makes him look like the ne’er-do-well buddy from every other high school-set movie since 1983.

by Gopherballs on Aug 8, 2011 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

So the caption should read:

“Panty raid!!!!!”

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 8, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

The exception is Curtis Armstrong in "Risky Business."

Otherwise, true.

by kansasjohn on Aug 8, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

one of the "every other" movies

Booger needs to work too.

Although now that I think about it, Giavotella might have played the third friend (not Booger, not Balki) who comes over with this girlfriend after Tom Cruise’s parents leave.

by Gopherballs on Aug 8, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions