Finding themselves in a tie for first place after an impressive four game, weekend series, the San Francisco Giants can now control their own destiny for the rest of the season. 

Taking three of the four game set, which found the team’s pitching shutting down the first place San Diego Padres, places the team percentage points behind the Friars.  Additionally, San Diego now heads up to Colorado to duke it out with the hard charging Rockies.  Provided that the Giants continue their winning ways when the Dodgers hit town, this series could prove most advantageous.  If the Giants can sweep the Dodgers (who appear to have mailed in this season), then the loser of the Padres/Rockies will find themselves sinking in the mud of the NL West.  After the three game set, the Giants will host the Brewers, then travel to Chicago to face the Cubs.  What that means is that while  wins in these series would be very nice, a loss is not catastrophic as it would only mean 1/2 game in the standings.  Additionally, the distance created by the current series in Denver will give the team some wiggle room. 

There are several questions that must be mused over, if not outright addressed during this stretch run. 

1.  Should Zito be skipped?- Mr. Millions has been nothing short of abyssmal lately.  The team won’t play another game on Monday.  That means that they can skip his turn in the rotation several times when it comes around.  The other four are solid, right now.  However, it’s important to keep him starting.  Even though he has been awful, he did alright in his last outing and they are paying him to do something.  That something is to pitch.  Abandon thoughts of  skipping him.  In the playoffs would be another story. 

2.  Who plays center?  Centerfielder and leadoff hitter extraordinaire Andres Torres is lost for an indefinite amount of time after having had an appendectomy.   He might be back for the playoffs.  Several options are Eugenio Velez, Cody Ross, Darren Ford, and Nate Schierholtz.  Note, I didn’t say Aaron Rowand.  No more need be said on that one.  Ford has been exciting at times.  Ross has been a hitting vacuum (but for how long?).  Schierholtz has been hot with the bat, of late, but can he play center?  I don’t know if I would risk that one.  Velez is awesome at times, but can be very streaky.  I think I would go with Velez for several starts.  If he doesn’t do it, go with Ross or Ford.  The former is a veteran with pop and should be alright.  The former is a rookie who might be able to fill the bill (though he has yet to have an at bat in the majors). 

3.  How many will Lincecum win?  17.  He’s a stud again.  Next question. 

4.  What about Pablo Sandoval?  Leave him in the lineup.  When he catches fire, you want him in there.  He needs to be elevating the ball to be effective.  Line drives don’t hurt, either.   

This stretch run will be one of the most entertaining in memory.  I’m looking forward to it.  The Giants start it off by playing the Dodgers tomorrow night.  Go Giants!!!

Tim Lincecum shrugged off his August woes with an impressive outing, leading the Giants to a 2-1 victory and a home series win over the Colorado Rockies.

The two-time Cy Young winner locked horns with Ubaldo Jiminez (17-6) for the entire evening.  Each starter tossed 8 innings, with Lincecum (12-9) striking out nine and stingily only surrendering one run on five hits and a walk.  Carlos Gonzalez’s solo shot (30) leading off the fourth was the only runs the Rockies would score.  The Giants got to Jiminez after a two-out single by Mike Fontenot scored Jose Guillen from second in the fifth inning.   Pinch-runner, speedster Darren Ford, recalled from the minors earlier in the day for the expansion of rosters, took third on a wild pitch by Jiminez and scored when Miguel Olivo’s throw went into left field, setting the final score.  Brian Wilson threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his 38th save.  Jiminez struck out ten in the losing effort.

In the opener, Jonathan Sanchez brought a shutout into the ninth but the Rockies rallied for two off Wilson and won, 2-1.  After Sanchez walked Dexter Fowler to lead off the inning, Wilson (3-2) entered and gave up a run scoring triple to Carlos Gonzalez who subsequently scored after a throwing error by Freddy Sanchez on the play.   Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth for his thirteenth save of the season.  Rafael Bettencourt (5-1) picked up the victory for pitching the eighth.  Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven strong innings, striking out nine, for the no-decision.

In the second game, Andres Torres broke a 2-2, eighth inning tie with his thirteenth homerun of the season and the Giants won, 5-2.  After Torres’ shot off Matt Belisle (6-5) the Giants loaded the bases and Buster Posey followed with a two run double off Joe Beimel.   Jeremy Affeldt (4-3) gave up the lead in the eighth on a solo homer by Melvin Mora (4), but picked up the win after the Giants rallied.  Madison Bumgarner was dominant, tossing six innings of quality ball, surrendering only one run on five hits.   Esmil Rogers was equally good, giving up only two runs in the same span of innings.  Wilson redeemed himself by pitching a perfect ninth for his 37th save.

Great series.  Timely, too.  Even the blown opener was alright.  The Giants showed heart and that says a lot.  Perfect timing, too, as the Padres appear to be falling apart.  The best part of this series was seeing Lincecum back.  Wow, that is huge.  Also nice to see that Pablo Sandoval’s bat is doing its thing again.  Nice call inserting Ford into this game.  His speed is a difference maker on the paths.  However, the starting pitching is the story from this series.  If they are starting to heat up, this is a perfect time.  Bring on the rest of the west.  This team is ready. 

The Giants will next travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Friday night.  The Rockies will travel to San Diego to play the Padres, also on Friday evening.  Go Giants!!!  Go Rockies!!!