Pinch hitter Rich Aurilia singled home catcher Steve Holm in the bottom of the tenth, giving the Giants a 1-0 extra innings victory over the Colorado Rockies. The win showcased another outstanding effort by starter Barry Zito who, in spite of another no-decision, turned in his third consecutive quality appearance, throwing seven shutout innings while surrendering only two hits. With the outcome, the Giants won their fifth consecutive series, taking two of three at home against the division rivals.
In the opener, Randy Johnson struck out nine in seven shutout innings, stingily allowing only four hits and walking none as the Giants rode and RBI double by Travis Ishikawa and sacrifice flies by Randy Winn and Bengie Molina to a 3-2 victory. Brian Wilson tallied his sixth save of the season, closing out the Rockies in the ninth after quelling an eighth inning uprising against Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt with a bases loaded strikeout of Ryan Spilborghs.
In the middle game, Spilborghs got a measure of revenge, homering twice off Matt Cain, as the Rockies topped the tally, 5-1. Starter Jason Marquis threw a complete game five-hitter, surrendering only a ninth inning homerun to Pablo Sandoval. Brad Hawpe also homered to back Marquis.
I was impressed by the Giants starting pitching (again) this series. Zito and Johnson were dominant. For Zito, he did it with Steve Holm behind the dish, showing that perhaps his recent success was more than just Sandoval catching. Hopefully he can continue it with Molina as his backstop. Also, though it was the first time in five starts this season that Cain wasn’t dominant, aside from the homers, he only allowed four other hits and four walks. An off day, but for a three, such an off day is acceptable every now and again. Finally, it’s nice to see Fred Lewis and Ishikawa making some solid contact. Ditto Nate Schierholtz. On an injury note, Winn sat out the final game of the series with a sore side. We’ll watch that one and keep you posted.
The Giants will next travel to Chicago for a two game set against the Cubs. The Rockies will go down the shore to San Diego for a two game series against the Padres.
