On a day when they acquired all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh, Randy Winn singled in Eugenio Velez with two out in the bottom of the tenth inning for a 1-0 victory as the San Francisco Giants completed a three game sweep of the Pirates. 

Brian Wilson (3-4) pitched the tenth for the victory, striking out two while retiring the Pirates in order.   In the presence of run support, Cy Young candidate (check the record…I did call this shot in the preseason) Matt Cain would have had a complete game, three hit shutout.  Without it, he ended up with a no decision that drove his ERA down further, to 2.12.   Can’t get wins every time.  This way is the best way to go when that doesn’t happen, I guess.  Newly acquired first baseman Ryan Garko picked up his first hit for the Giants, a second inning one out single. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (11-3) threw a complete game four-hitter, striking out a career high 15 batters, as the Giants won, 4-2.  Pablo Sandoval went 3 for 4 with a double and Andres Torres tripled and drove in two as the Giants got a measure of revenge on Paul Maholm (6-5) who masterfully beat the Giants the last time he faced them in Pittsburgh.   San Francisco piled up four runs in the first two innings and Lincecum cruised the rest of the way. 

In the middle game, newly recalled Eugenio Velez homered (1) and drove in a run with a double as the Giants beat the Pirates 3-2.  Starter Charlie Morton (2-3) was the target of Velez’s success, losing despite giving up only two runs in six innings.  Sandoval drove in another run with two hits and Sergio Romo (3-1) struck out Andrew McCutchen with two on, stranding runners inherited from starter Barry Zito, for the victory.  Brian Wilson worked the ninth, striking out two, for the save, his 26th.  Zito didn’t have his best stuff, but worked around base runners all day, surrending nine hits and only one run in 5 2/3 innings. 

They needed this sweep.  After that horrific road trip (which began in Pittsburgh), the Giants REALLY needed this sweep.  In addition to the sweep that was handed the Dodgers in St. Louis, this sweep is incredibly profitable.  The pitching was nice.  Good to see Romo come back from his recent troubles.  Also, Wilson is the man in the bully.  Jeremy Affeldt lost his consecutive innings scoreless streak (at around 250 or so, I think).  That’s alright.  Regain the focus.  The only homerun in this series was Eugenio Velez.  Eugenio Velez?  Really?  Hmmm.  Perhaps Pablo (who is hitting well, by the way) can start pumping blasts out when the world champs hit town tomorrow night.  We’ll see.  Oh, and Ryan Garko needs to start producing.  The honeymoon won’t be a long one.  Results will be expected about last Thursday.  For the record, I’m not overly enthused with this pickup and still think that Travis Ishikawa is the answer at first.  However, it also doesn’t look like they’re planning on moving him and both are cheap employees.  May the better first baseman win.  Platoon until that is determined. 

The Giants will next begin a four game series with the visiting Philadelphia Phillies (and newly acquired starter Cliff Lee) on Thursday night.  The Pirates travel home to host the Washington Nationals. 

In an attempt to shore up second base, the San Francisco Giants acquired three time all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league starting pitcher Tim Alderson. 

Sanchez, 31, is a former batting champ (2006).  He holds a .300 career batting average and should stabilize a position that has been in a state of flux for the Giants all season. 

Alderson was projected as a future stud in the Giants rotation.  However, with the force that is Lincecum/Cain, combined with the soon-to-arrive Madison Bumgarner, Alderson was a little more expendable.  Hope he does well in the Pittsburgh system which, due to lack of depth, might lead him to the big leagues before the end of 2009.

What this means for the Giants is that there is no longer a question of who will play second base.  While Juan Uribe was nice at times, he never felt right there.  Emmanuel Burriss is done for the season with a broken foot.  Kevin Frandsen and Matthew Downs both were found wanting in their stints at second.  Eugenio Velez has been nice in the past few games, but hasn’t been overly dependable over the long haul.  Sanchez is a nice addition and comes at a good price (salary speaking).  Alderson was a costly bartering chip, but the minor league depth (Joseph Martinez, Kevin Pucetas, others) is there to make up for it.  Also, in spring training, I recall Alderson getting beat around like a pinata.  Perhaps that was a warning sign, but then, that’s only spring training.  The only question is Sanchez’s knee, which has kept him shelved of late.  However, the Giants doctors checked it out during the series and gave it a pass.  The Giants would like that knee to carry the team deep into the playoffs and beyond in 2009. 

Attempting to remedy a struggling offense, the San Francisco Giants acquired first baseman/outfielder Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Class A starting pitcher Scott Barnes.  Garko, 28, was batting .285 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 79 games for Cleveland.

In other roster moves, the team recalled infielders Eugenio Velez and Jesus Guzman from AAA Fresno while shipping out second baseman Matt Downs and outfielder John Bowker. 

What does this mean?  First of all, I think that Travis Ishikawa might soon be traded as a result of these moves.  The only way that this doesn’t happen (and I hope it doesn’t) is if they look to Garko to play left field.  Hey, stranger things have happened.  Second, the team’s patience for John Bowker might have reached an end.  He’s done little with the bat this season.  We’ll see what the future holds for him.  Another reason for the recalls of Guzman and Velez might be to prove that they can play at the major league level.  In other words, they might be trade bait.  I can’t say that either of their departures would make me too bummed.   Also, can’t say that Barnes will be greatly missed, as yet. 

Guzman and Velez both start tonight.  More to come. 

After dropping their third straight road series, the San Francisco Giants will head home to friendlier confines, trailing in the wild card hunt and third place in the National League West. 

This trip exposed several weaknesses among the team.  First, and foremost, the team needs a stick.  The Giants hitting was abyssmal.  If it wasn’t for two big innings, this very easily could have been a 1-9 trip instead of the 3-7 that the record books show.  That’s sad.  Whatever power they had has appeared to have dried.  Second base is the most glaring hole in the lineup.  While Juan Uribe played well in the first half, he seems to be swinging and missing more than I’d like in a starter.  This team needs to either make a move before the deadline (Freddy Sanchez???) or remember their bats. 

Also, Ryan Sadowski, sadly, doesn’t appear up to snuff in the major leagues.  This takes care of a big ‘worry’ of six starters for five spots.  When Randy Johnson returns, this is now an easy call to make.  Perhaps it’s time to bring up Madison Bumgarner.  Maybe Kevin Pucetas if they want to play it safe.  Probably the latter.  Sadowski doesn’t appear to have the make up to help the team at this level.

The big two (Lincecum and Cain) are currently holding the Giants season afloat.  Lincecum goes tonight.  The team needs to turn it around immediately.  Dropping ten runs on the board against visiting Pittsburgh would be a good start.  If the Giants continue to play horrible offense, this will be a nightmare second half.  Here’s hoping they bring their bats and A game tonight. 

A smile crosses my face when I think of how well the Giants have performed on the season.  I guess I was used to losing or something.   In my wildest dreams, I don’t think I would have ever predicted 49-39 at this point in the season.  Factor in that they have the third best record in the National League and lead the wild card and my smile widens.

First and foremost, the secret to the Giants success this year is their pitching.  The starters start the games, so we’ll begin with them.  The two headed beast of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain has given the team an awesome stability at the top of the rotation.  I will set this one two punch against any in the majors.  With Timmy, after two hiccups to begin the season, he’s merely continuing what won him the Cy Young award last season.  As for Cain, he’s showing us what he can do when he has the comfort level a little run support will allow.  Incredible.  If each continues their first half performance, the Giants will be well.  Randy Johnson’s been good, not great, not stellar.  He’s been a stable influence in the rotation when he’s not giving up taters.   However, his 8-6 record is gone until August (or September).  A lot will happen between now and then and his return should be viewed on a par with a late season trade.  It could push them over the top but won’t help them in the short term.  After him, Barry Zito’s been hit and miss, sink or swim, bouquet or stink.  In other words, a great number four.  For every dominating outing he has, there is seemingly one bad one and two that can go either way.  I’ll take the dominating ones when we can get them.  However, while he’s nice when on, he can’t be depended upon in crunch time.  So that leaves us with the kids.  Jonathan Sanchez was great in his last outing (no-hitter) and mostly abyssmal in the previous 13 before that.  It’s imperative that this last start was not an anomaly and that the Giants can depend on more of that sort.  If he starts walking the world in his next outing, the team should be concerned.  If the next batch are the same as the first 13, a change will be in order.  If he continues this dominance, then the Giants are in for a treat.  The rookie, Ryan Sadowski, has been good in three starts.  As a true #5, whatever the team can get from him will be gravy.  If he can remain accurate with his pitches (in his lost, he walked four), it appears he can be a consistently good juxtaposition to the fireballers at the top of the rotation.  He’s one to watch in the second half.

The bullpen was awesome.  Between Justin Miller, Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, and Bobby Howry, leads were often safe in the first half.  The only real question mark is oft-injured Merkin Valdez and his ‘just under five’ ERA.  Perhaps they could use an upgrade in this department.  Every other pitcher who hasn’t produced in the bullpen this year (Matos, Misch, Hinshaw) has been shown the door in short order.  Let’s hope the Giants don’t get too tentative about this one.  Perhaps a returning Joseph Martinez is the answer.  Brian Wilson, as usual, gave us a few nervous moments but, more often than not, came through for the Orange and Black.  I don’t see why that should change in the second half.  Nor do I see any need for a different closer (though the reactionaries will always scream that the sky is falling and somebody other than Wilson should be the closer….they are wrong). 

For the lineup, I’ll be brief:

First base-The lineup improved once 1) Travis Ishikawa started hitting and 2) once Travis Ishikawa started playing consistently.  I love this guy at first.  He should be the starter from here on out.  They need no upgrade at this position.  He saves uncountable runs with his scoops at first and, I’ll call my shot, he will end up the season with 20 homeruns and 80 RBI.  Mark it down. 

Second base-After the failed (can we declare it failed yet??  Yes, we can.) experiment with the combination of Emmanuel Burriss (didn’t hit/sent to the minors and currently missing the rest of the season with a broken foot) and Kevin Frandsen (sent to the minors/recalled and didn’t hit/currently being given a second look in the majors as a pine rider), Juan Uribe was a pleasant surprise at second base.  He’s hitting .301 and fielding second base like he was born to play it.  I don’t trust him 100% to continue this torrid pace and don’t think either Matt Downs or any minor league youngsters are the answer should he fail.  Therefore, if they are going to grab a stick by the deadline, second base is a good area to shore up.

Shortstop-I know many have been very critical about Edgar Renteria but, to be honest, he hasn’t been playing that badly.  Very average with his range.  His stick is nothing to write home about but he is good about tossing gas on the fire when the team starts blasting balls around the field.  In other words, he’s doing exactly what the Giants thought he would.  He is an accompaniment.  Nothing more, nor less. 

Third base-Hey, hey, what can I say?  Pablo Sandoval is the man at this position.  At the hot corner, he has been awesome.  Most of his seven errors came during his little stint at first base.  At third, he has been special.  His bat is awesome.  The league will grow to fear him.  As an added bonus, his power came around, in a hurry.  We’re looking 30+/100+ from him by the end of the year.  This is a bat to build a lineup around.  It’s also one that can carry a team offensively for a stretch. 

Catcher-Benjie Molina first, should not be hitting cleanup.  His power hitting seems to have abandoned him.   The pitchers like him, however, so we’ll continue to see him in the lineup.  However, don’t expect a ton from him.  And, lest we forget, he does like to surprise, at times.  Dependable bat that should be more potent in the second half.  Eli Whiteside has been a nice surprise.  I enjoy him playing in small doses.  The white hair is a bit freaky, though.  Eh.  I guess it matches his name.  Bucks the team trend, too, as it’s not a mohawk. 

Left field-Fred Lewis, who I pushed hard in the preseason, appears to have worn out his welcome.  Too many strikeouts with too little production will do that.  Sorry Fred.  I did lobby hard for ya’ for three years.  Nate Schierholtz has been nice as a substitute (though he’s better suited for right field) and should get more starts in the second half.  His scorching bat seems to have cooled a bit.  If he can’t pick it up by the end of this month, then that’s another spot where they might be able to use an upgrade. 

Center field-Aaron Rowand has experienced a renaissance since moving to the leadoff spot.  Amazing.  He’s hitting well and playing good defense (although the strikeouts are a bit high).  He swooned last season.  However, I think he’ll keep this up for the duration.  He’s playing with a vigor that is nice to see. 

Right field-Earlier stated, I think that Schierholtz is best suited to play here and move starter Randy Winn over to left.  Winn’s good.  He’s a leader.  He’s rather unspectacular.  However, he’s a veteran and, as such, is an asset to the team.   Important to have these down the stretch. 

I’ve read a great deal of ‘experts’ and ‘fans’ desiring that manager Bruce Bochy get the axe and that general manager Brian Sabean be smoted with the same stroke.  I think this idea is silly.  While I was a little miffed at Bochy for sticking with some veterans in the field early when I thought they should be on the bench or seeking other employment, he came around and now Ishikawa’s playing at first while Rich Aurilia’s riding the bench.  I think Bochy’s doing a great job with this team, overall.  Let’s see if he can get them to the playoffs and beyond.  I think he can.  That should keep the aforementioned smile beaming on my kisser.  Now, round one was fun and is in the books.  Let’s get going on round two of the season. 

The San Francisco Giants rode incredible pitching efforts in taking three of four home games from the San Diego Padres and finishing the homestand preceding the All-Star break with a 7-3 mark. 

Easily the jewel in the crown of the four game set was the second game, where former rotation stalwart Jonathan Sanchez, pitching in place of an injured Randy Johnson, tossed a no-hitter, facing just one batter over the minimum, as the Giants cruised to an 8-0 victory.   With his father in attendance, Sanchez (3-8) struck out eleven, walking none.  The only base runner for the Padres was Chase Headley, who reached on a fielding error by third baseman Juan Uribe in the eighth.  Pablo Sandoval backed him with a three run homerun in the fifth, his fourteenth, off Josh Banks (1-1).  Aaron Rowand also drove in three.  Sanchez’s no-hitter was the first for a Giant since John Montefusco in 1976. 

In the first game of the series, Tim Lincecum almost preceded Sanchez’s night of greatness with one of his own, taking a no-hitter, 29 inning scoreless streak, and a 6-0 lead into the seventh inning before fading, allowing three runs and giving way to the bullpen as the Giants ultimately prevailed, 8-3.   Benjie Molina (11), Travis Ishikawa (7), and Juan Uribe (3) struck homeruns in support as the Giants made a loser of Josh Greer (1-4).  Lincecum, (10-2) struck out eight and walked four in his final start before he leads the National Leaguers into action as the starting pitcher in the 2009 All-Star game on Tuesday night. 

In the third game, the Giants survived a scare as Matt Cain took a line drive off the bat of Padres starting pitcher Tim Stauffer (0-1) to the right arm in the second inning.  After tests, it was determined that the All-Star, who was subsequently named inactive (by the team) for the midsummer night’s classic, suffered from only a deep bruise and shouldn’t miss a start.  Pablo Sandoval blasted his fifteenth homerun of the season, a two run variety, off Stauffer in the fourth.  The bullpen did the rest as Justin Miller (2-1) went three and one third innings and combined with Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, and Brian Wilson to limit the Padres to one run on three hits for the rest of the game, as the Giants prevailed, 2-1, with Wilson pitching the final four outs, striking out three, for his 23rd save.

In the final game, the Padres offense erupted on Barry Zito (5-9) for nine runs over four and one third innings.  Homeruns by Kevin Kouzmanoff (12) and former Giant Eliezer Alfonzo (2) made a winner of another former Giant, Kevin Correia (6-7), who threw into the sixth, giving up three runs.  The only bright spot for the Giants was John Bowker, who picked up his first hits on the season, an RBI single and solo homerun, his first, in a losing effort. 

First of all, in the first three games, the Giants pitching ruled.  Awesome job.  I don’t care if this is the Padres, they’re still major leaguers out there.  Great efforts by Sanchez and Lincecum.  Equally to the bullpen in lifting up Cain.  Very fortunate for the Giants that it was only a bruise on his golden right arm.  Way to go for Sanchez in sacking up in place of Johnson.  If he can continue in a similar manner, it will minimize the damage from the loss of the future hall of famer.   Oh, and Sandoval’s awesome at the plate.  The league is starting to develop a healthy fear of him.  That’s only good for whoever bats behind him.  Ishikawa went 0-2 on Sunday, ending his hitting streak at ten games.  Zito was slapped around.  Hey, it’s alright.  That’s what happens with number four starters.  They have two good games and then one bad game.  Too bad he costs this much. 

On a transaction note, before the series, in order to get a better look at Bowker, the Giants optioned rookie starter Ryan Sadowski to Class A San Jose.  This also was to allow the youngster to keep his scheduled start on Monday as the Giants had no need for him in the rotation until after the break. 

The Giants are off until Friday for the All-Star break.  After that, they’ll play in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.  The Padres will host the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night.   Enjoy the All-Star game!!!

Through dominant pitching performances, the San Francisco Giants won two of three games at home against the visiting Florida Marlins.  Unfortunately, a third dominant performance equated to a 7-0 loss in the third game which meant the first defeat in the young career of starting pitcher Ryan Sadowski. 

Sadowski carried a 2-0 record into the afternoon affair, a number made even more robust with his ERA of 0.00.  To the youngster’s chagrin, the Marlins would have a top notch pitcher of their own on the mound in the person of Chris Volstad.  Volstad (6-8), a second year pitcher, tossed a five hit complete game shutout, his first in the major leagues.  He was backed by RBI from Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge Cantu, John Baker, and Dan Uggla (who collected three on his 16th homerun in the ninth inning).  Loser Sadowski (2-1) continued his unscored upon career into the fourth inning when, with two out and two on, Baker stroked a single, scoring Cantu from third base.  Overall, the rookie pitched five plus innings, walking four and surrendering five hits and three runs, two earned.  His ERA currently stands at a not unimpressive 1.00. 

In the series opener, Matt Cain, fresh off receiving his first all-star game nomination, continued his 2009 charge by notching his tenth victory of the season, leading the Giants over the Marlins, 5-4.  The right hander (10-2) lowered his ERA to 2.42 by pitching 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out five while walking two.  Nate Schierholtz had a sacrifice fly and Pablo Sandoval crushed his team leading thirteenth homerun of the season, a fifth inning grand slam, off losing pitcher Sean West (3-3).  Brian Wilson played the role of Kid Cardiac, tossing a shaky ninth inning for his 22nd save, surrendering two runs on three hits and a walk before retiring Emilio Bonifacio on a ground ball back to the pitcher for the final out. 

Barry Zito tossed into the ninth in an impressively dominant outing in the middle game, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out six as the Giants took the game, 3-0.  Zito (5-8) outdueled Josh Johnson (7-2) as Juan Uribe hit his third homerun of the season and Bengie Molina lofted a sacrifice fly to break a scoreless tie in the fourth.  Sergio Romo pitched the final two outs of the ninth (both strikeouts) for his first save.  The team decided that Wilson needed a rest after his 37 pitch outing the night before. 

What can be said?  The Giants won the series.  However, for the second series in a row, they fall in game three.  It’s great that they’re winning the home sets, but a sweep screams dominance.  Perhaps they’ll achieve this in the next series when they draw the Padres for four.  Who knows?  Pablo’s hot (VOTE PABLO!!!  VOTE PABLO!!!).  He’s starting to carry this offense.  That’s nice.  Also, Travis Ishikawa has quietly put together a seven game hitting streak.  I wonder if anybody knows.  I wonder if he knows.  Hmmm.  Schierholtz has gone cold.  (VOTE PABLO!!!)  Perhaps he could do with a night off.   Sadowski looked human today.  Nobody expected him to be perfect, however he needs to be hitting the plate to be effective.  Four walks killed him.  However, the goose egg the offense put on the board also wasn’t helpful. 

The Giants will next host the Padres for four games over the weekend.  The Marlins go south to play four against the Diamondbacks. 

VOTE PABLO!!!!!

After a wildly swung at-bat sent Randy Johnson to an early shower against Houston on Sunday, the San Francisco Giants placed the future hall of famer on the 15 day disabled list with a strained shoulder.  Manager Bruce Bochy gave a two to three week estimate for a time of recovery with former starter Jonathan Sanchez taking his rotation spot and infielder Kevin Frandsen being recalled from Fresno to take fill his roster spot. 

Now, what does that mean for us? 

1.  A solid #2 on the year (and southpaw, too) is gone for several turns in the rotation.  Other than this last start (where he was injured), he’s pitched good on the season.  He will be missed in this capacity.

2.  Sanchez is back in the rotation.  He’s pitched well in the bullpen but poorly in the rotation.  We’ll see if he’s learned anything in the time away from starting.

3.  The role of rookie Ryan Sadowski is now more important.  Without Johnson, he’s now a #4.  Not meaning to pressure him, but it’s very important now that the first two starts weren’t flukes.

How Sanchez responds to this is very important.  If he flops, then perhaps they’ll need to go to AAA and grab Kevin Pucetas.  If he does well enough, then this bad news will be minimized.  I guess it’s all up to Sanchez (and his mental toughness) at this time.  Of course, Joe Martinez also might be back soon.  After all is said and done, if this is just a tweak and Johnson can come back 100%, then that will bode best for the Giants.