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!!!!!
