San Francisco Giants; The Story of Ryan Vogelsong; How Vogelsong got an Opportunity
At the end of 2010, Ryan Vogelsong didn't know if he would ever pitch again.
Vogelsong had struggled in 2010 with the Phillies and Angels minor league teams, and the righty who just got back from Japan thought he'd never pitch again.
Now, he's the Giants best pitcher (this year).
Vogelsong pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings on Monday to improve his record to 7-1 and his ERA to a National League best 2.02, helping the Giants beat the Dodgers 5-0.
Although he gave up seven hits and got into five jams, Vogelsong didn't give up a single run, while picking up his seventh win of the season.
Like I said, Vogelsong has been one of the most surprising players in baseball. He is in his second stint with the Giants, and this one is much better for Vogelsong.
With the Pirates and Giants, Vogelsong suffered a couple injuries, and he went to Japan for three years. After that, he signed a minor league contract with the Phillies.
Vogelsong struggled with the Lehigh Valley Triple-AAA team (2-5), and couldn't find his stroke with Salt Lake City (Angels affiliate), but the Giants took a chance on him.
He was the sixth man (after an impressive spring), and once Barry Zito sprained his foot, Vogelsong was given the chance. He didn't hesitate to perform, and in his first start, Vogelsong got the win over the Pirates, his old team.
He had a streak of 25.1 innings without giving up an earned run, and two wins were included in the streak. Vogelsong has pitched in seven no-decisions, but his only loss was on a game where he gave up one run in eight innings.
Although the Giants lost his previous two starts, Vogelsong made up for it by taking a no-hitter into the fourth inning, and getting out of many jams. In the fourth, he made a spectacular play to stop a hard-hit ball and start a double play.
Vogelsong's outside pitch was hit up the middle by James Loney, and with runners on first and third, Vogelsong stopped the ball, then bobbled it.
It didn't look like he would be able to pull off the double-play, but he got Juan Rivera going to second, and Loney was barely out on Aubrey Huff's great grab.
In the sixth, Vogelsong got Matt Kemp to ground into a double-play, on a great inside pitch by Vogelsong. He forced Juan Rivera to pop up, then got two outs in the seventh.
Vogelsong, the National League leader in ERA, is a true inspiration for every player. If he keeps it up, the Giants have a shot of going back-to-back.
Vogelsong had struggled in 2010 with the Phillies and Angels minor league teams, and the righty who just got back from Japan thought he'd never pitch again.
Now, he's the Giants best pitcher (this year).
Vogelsong pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings on Monday to improve his record to 7-1 and his ERA to a National League best 2.02, helping the Giants beat the Dodgers 5-0.
Although he gave up seven hits and got into five jams, Vogelsong didn't give up a single run, while picking up his seventh win of the season.
Like I said, Vogelsong has been one of the most surprising players in baseball. He is in his second stint with the Giants, and this one is much better for Vogelsong.
With the Pirates and Giants, Vogelsong suffered a couple injuries, and he went to Japan for three years. After that, he signed a minor league contract with the Phillies.
Vogelsong struggled with the Lehigh Valley Triple-AAA team (2-5), and couldn't find his stroke with Salt Lake City (Angels affiliate), but the Giants took a chance on him.
He was the sixth man (after an impressive spring), and once Barry Zito sprained his foot, Vogelsong was given the chance. He didn't hesitate to perform, and in his first start, Vogelsong got the win over the Pirates, his old team.
He had a streak of 25.1 innings without giving up an earned run, and two wins were included in the streak. Vogelsong has pitched in seven no-decisions, but his only loss was on a game where he gave up one run in eight innings.
Although the Giants lost his previous two starts, Vogelsong made up for it by taking a no-hitter into the fourth inning, and getting out of many jams. In the fourth, he made a spectacular play to stop a hard-hit ball and start a double play.
Vogelsong's outside pitch was hit up the middle by James Loney, and with runners on first and third, Vogelsong stopped the ball, then bobbled it.
It didn't look like he would be able to pull off the double-play, but he got Juan Rivera going to second, and Loney was barely out on Aubrey Huff's great grab.
In the sixth, Vogelsong got Matt Kemp to ground into a double-play, on a great inside pitch by Vogelsong. He forced Juan Rivera to pop up, then got two outs in the seventh.
Vogelsong, the National League leader in ERA, is a true inspiration for every player. If he keeps it up, the Giants have a shot of going back-to-back.
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