5-1 The Tony V Show

All right, back here in St. Pete as we get ready for the Giants and the Tampa Bay

race start of this three game weekend series, Joe Ritzzo joined now by Giants manager

Tony Vitello and Tony, it was a long day for the ball club yesterday, a couple of games,

the travel down here to Tampa.

What were just your general thoughts on last night's doublehead or two games where you

were in a position, both times battling and obviously bitter disappointment to not get

either of them dead?

Yeah, they always say it's a marathon, not a sprint and yesterday was the definition

of a marathon.

You add in the flight and then the break in between the two games and it kind of accentuated

the fact that it was going to be 18 innings of baseball at a minimum.

We of course got more than that and came up a little bit short, which adds to frustration

of, you know, probably where we were at going into yesterday.

I think the mindset was good at the club because we'd been playing our best baseball, but

overall, you would label it not a good start.

So it kind of piles on when you lose the first game and then our guys responded the exact

way you would want them to, good energy, get on the board and come back actually, handled

the two homers in the first inning relatively well, just the definition was, you know, an

out way from, you know, winning both of those games and you come away with, with none.

So it's a bitter pill to swallow as an understatement.

You had mentioned a few days ago, you were looking for your hitters, maybe to just start

winning more battles.

It felt like that was happening, especially in that second game yesterday, the way they

came back on a couple of occasions.

Yeah, I think they've got a better attitude and an approach for all nine innings regardless

of what the results are, the game because the scoreboard can sway your confidence one way

or the other, but for the most part, the guys have pushed ahead and I think it sounds silly

at times, but you could almost even label some of the strikeouts, foul balls and then

of course, outs for sure as positive ones or ones that you're willing to live with because

you're not always going to be able to get hit or get on base, but even just the takes

and those quote unquote negatives I mentioned seem to be appearing better and I think also

being more competitive and ultimately helping the offense.

You've got your lineup against a lefty again today, six right handers, Elid Ramos back

in the lead-off spot.

You've talked a lot about that this week, but Luis Aray is continues to bat third and

that run production spot in the lineup and that seemed to work perfectly yesterday.

He came up in that big spot in the sixth inning when he needed the big hit and it just

kind of shows how valuable he can be in those types of situations.

Yeah, I mean, he's incredibly valuable because he's a spark plug to start with and then

he's been so great on defense out at second base, but he's known for his bat and for good

reason and the WBC is a very short tournament, but he ends up hitting three hole for the team

that wins the whole thing.

So I think he's comfortable in that spot.

I think just to be honest, where I'm most comfortable is assuring that he hits in the

first inning because even if he doesn't get on base, he's such a pain in the butt for

the other team and the other pitcher to deal with, you can visually see it.

Yes, ideally he ends up in big time moments or big time spots.

You don't always get it done.

Our first game in a while with him back in that spot.

It was actually Jungie that was kind of the hitter of the day and some other guys got

it done and he did not, but if you look at the percentages, he's as good as anybody

in baseball right now with runners in scoring position as far as batting average goes.

And again, at the very, very minimum, you get an ultra competitive at bat.

It's the Giants and the Rays here in Tampa will continue with Tony Vitello next.

Back in the 80s, there were a thousand bands trying to make it in the world of rock, but

there was one band that had it all.

Hammer Alley, whenever happened to Hammer Alley, how did they go from top of the rock?

I'm looking for a music video.

They're banned from 1987.

Hammer Alley ever heard of them to rock bottom.

Dude, I was born in 1987.

Oh, I can't believe he's doing this.

Hammer Alley, follow and listen on your favorite platform.

Continuing on with Giants manager Tony Vitello before the Giants and the Rays, starting

a three game series, you've got Robbie Ray starting today.

Obviously, the numbers are all spectacular for Robbie here early.

What specifically has impressed you most about the start to his year this opening month?

It's really savvy and competitiveness first and he's got great stuff too.

That's more of a compliment to his character and the intangibles than anything, because

the stuff is good too, but I think that other stuff kind of comes to the forefront.

You want guys, we've got a few of them on this staff that when things don't go well, you

almost feel like they're going to put their foot down on the mound and help change things

a little bit.

Not a guy who can win the game by himself, not a guy who's throwing a complete game yet

for us this year, but he does more than just keep you in each game.

He brings a competitive spirit and attitude that you'd be foolish not to follow.

And finally, you're going up against a Rays team.

They're off to a pretty good start this year and here in this ballpark, it's a unique

place to play on usual ground rules, the rings, all that kind of thing as you start this

series here tonight.

Yeah.

You know, Jay Stingler's got a lot of experience in the league and he was quick to point

some things out about the roof and the catwalk and also just how the turf can play.

But Willie obviously has a lot of knowledge too with not just the organization, but the

environment here.

So it's always better when the players chime in and either reinforce what the coaches

have to say.

And that happened on a few occasions already earlier today with our meetings as players

kind of trying to get closer together, but also add words, a wisdom that could maybe

make a difference in a game and, you know, odds are there'll be some sort of play that's

unique to this stadium compared to the one we just played in or Oracle Park.

All right, that's Giant Spanish or Tony Vitelo.

It's the Giants and the Tampa Bay Rays game one of the series coming up next.

The Hammer Alley Podcast, an 80s flashback mockumentary.

Back in the 80s, there were a thousand bands trying to make it in the world of rock, but

there was one band that had it all.

Hammer Alley.

Whenever happened to Hammer Alley, how did they go from top of the rock?

I'm looking for a music video.

Another band from 1987, Hammer Alley, ever heard of them?

Rock bottom.

Dude, I was born in 1987.

Oh, I can't believe he's doing this.

Hammer Alley.

Follow and listen on your favorite platform.