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.
