The San Francisco Giants dropped their fourth straight game as the San Diego Padres topped them 5-2 in San Diego, winning their sixth straight and completing a three game sweep over the Orange and Black. 

Adrian Gonzalez blasted a solo homerun (3) in the first inning to start the hit parade against loser Todd Wellemeyer (0-3).  The Padres tacked on another run when Wellemeyer walked four consecutive batters in the second.  Meanwhile, winner Jon Garland (1-2) was tossing BB’s across the plate, going seven innings while surrendering only one run.  Pablo Sandoval homered (3) in the ninth to cinch the final score a little closer.

In the opening game, David Eckstein blasted a solo homerun (1) off Jeremy Affeldt (2-2) in the tenth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie and leading the Padres to victory, 3-2.  Juan Uribe tied the score in the ninth, homering (2) off closer Heath Bell.   Matt Cain went six strong innings and Clayton Richard matched him for 7 1/3 as both starters picked up no-decisions.  Tim Stauffer (2-0) pitched the tenth for the victory.

In the middle game, Jonathan Sanchez (1-1) almost encored his no-hitter from 2009, tossing seven dominant innings, surrendering one hit and one run while striking out ten.  On most days, this would have been enough for victory.  However, the Giants left their bats at the hotel and the Padres won, 1-0.  The Padres only hit was a single by Chase Headley leading off the fourth.  After a stolen base and two sacrifice flies, Headley came home to score the only run of the day.  Mat Latos (1-1) tossed zeroes for seven innings, giving up four hits and no runs.  Heath Bell pitched the ninth, working around a runner on third and one out for his fourth save on the season. 

Where to start?  This series almost made me physically ill.  I’m not shocked that Wellemeyer lost.  That’s what he’s been doing this season.  I am shocked that they got two superior pitching performances and have nothing to show for it.  The Sanchez game was shameful.  What more could be expected of him?  Nate Schierholtz led off the eighth with a triple, down 1-0.  They didn’t get him home.  How hard is the concept of ‘sacrifice fly’ to the team?  In the Giants seventh on Monday, they had runners on second and third with one out and TWO STRAIGHT BATTERS STRUCK OUT!!!  This is unacceptable.  I’d say that I’m excited that Tim Lincecum can be the stopper on Friday, but I question if they’ll score him any runs.  Disturbing.  Oh, and by the way, the Padres are now in first place. 

The Giants will next host the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night.  The Padres will travel to Cincinnati (do all our opponents go there after playing us???) to play the Reds.  GO GIANTS!!!!

A late homerun by Manny Ramirez sunk the San Francisco Giants, 2-1, and kept them from gleaning the fruits of victory from back to back excellent starts Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Staked to a 1-0 lead via a solo shot by Juan Uribe (2), Zito spun 7 1/3 shutout innings and exited, ahead 1-0, following a one out walk to Garret Anderson.  Sergio Romo (0-1) came on to face pinch hitter Manny Ramirez who launched a two run homerun (2) for the final tally, 2-1.  Clayton Kershaw tossed seven excellent innings for a no decision.  Ramon Troncoso (1-0) pitched 1/3 of a inning and backed into the victory for Los Angeles.  Jonathan Broxton pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.

In the opener, the Dodgers jumped all over Todd Wellemeyer (0-2) early, scoring seven runs in the first two innings, winning 10-8 after the Giants scored five meaningless runs in the ninth.  Adam Ethier blasted two homeruns (2,3) including a grand slam to back Vicente Padilla (1-1), who went seven solid innings, striking out seven Giants.   He also hit Aaron Rowand in the helmet with a pitch in the fifth inning.  Rowand exited and was taken for examinations which revealed several fractures around his nose.  He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.  Matt Downs was recalled from AAA Fresno to take his roster spot.

In the middle game, Tim Lincecum (3-0) shone for the third straight game, pitching six shutout innings, striking out seven, as the Giants won 9-0.   Giant hitters tore apart knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (0-1) to the tune of seven runs on seven hits and five walks in three innings.  With the bat, Lincecum went 3-4 with three RBI, to support his own cause.  Juan Uribe, Bengie Molina, Eugenio Velez, and Edgar Renteria all drove in a run to back Lincecum.

To be honest, this is the best I’ve felt after losing a series in quite a while.  Pitching was above average.  Hitting was adequate to good.  Per the games lost, the second could have gone either way.  Of course, there’s the argument, why wasn’t closer Brian Wilson brought on?  Why was Manny pitched to?  While both are legitimate, Romo is a quality pitcher and worthy of being trusted in the eighth in such a situation.   Per the first game, yes the bats weren’t there for a slugfest.  However, my only complaint is Wellemeyer (though he did alright after the early stumbling).   I’m starting to doubt he’s up to the task to be the team’s number five starter.   I think he did well enough in spring training to be here now.  However, I say that if he doesn’t start producing in the next game or two, he should get a few reps in the bullpen and they should look to the minor leagues for a replacement (probably Kevin Pucetas).  After all is said and done, the Giants went toe to toe with the Dodgers and came out of it looking pretty good (if even with less victories than losses). 

The Giants will next travel to San Diego to play the Padres.  The Dodgers will travel to Cincinnati to play the Reds on Tuesday night.

The San Francisco Giants dealt outfielder Fred Lewis to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for either a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Okay, this move was needed and I hope he does better for Toronto than he did for the Giants.  I was always a fan and think he could be a star, but he needed a change of scenery.  That said, I think I’d like to see some more wheelin’ and dealin’ here.  If the Giants end up getting cash, that will be the third player they’ve dealt since the end of last season (Kevin Frandsen and Merkin Valdez being the first two) for cash.  That’s silly.  That’s lazy scouting.  Is there nobody languishing in the minors that would be given in return?  I look at Darren Ford, who the Giants got as practically a throw-in for Ray Durham.  Also, Vinnie Chulk was servicable several years ago.  The list goes on.  It’s not that tough to pry somebody loose from another team.  However, perhaps the front office is in need of help paying for the Zito deal.   It’s a thought.  Dunno.

Good luck in Toronto, Fred!!

Rumors have injured Giants left-fielder Fred Lewis heading north to the Toronto Bluejays via trade perhaps as soon as Thursday.  No word on who the team can expect to receive in return.

On one hand, should these rumors be true, I’ll miss Lewis.  I don’t think he ever hit his full potential in San Francisco.  However, he was expected to take over left field for Barry Bonds.  Good luck living up to that one.  The glut in the Giants outfield signalled that his days by the Bay were numbered.  If he stays healthy, the Blue Jays will be getting a good leadoff hitter who might blossom in the great north.  Enjoy the weather, Fred.  Good luck and God bless.

The San Francisco Giants blasted three homeruns and Jonathan Sanchez dominated as the NL West leaders beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday afternoon, by a tally of 6-0. 

The hit parade began in the second as Aubrey Huff hit his first homerun as a Giant;  a solo inside the park number that caromed off the wall in triples alley off loser Charlie Morton (0-2).  Eli Whiteside followed four batter later with a three run blast, giving winning pitcher Jonathan Sanchez (1-0) all the runs he would need on this day.  Sanchez was masterful, tossing eight shutout innings while giving up only three hits and three walks and tying his career high with eleven strikeouts.  Aaron Rowand closed the scoring with his first homerun, a two run shot in the fifth.

In the opener, Barry Zito (2-0) won his second consecutive strong start, pitching into the seventh, while Bengie Molina went 4-4, driving in four and hitting his first homerun of the season as the Giants prevailed, 9-3.  The team hit early and often off losing pitcher Brian Burres (0-1), chasing him after four innings.  Mark DeRosa drove in two and Pablo Sandoval went 3-4 on the day as San Francisco rapped out twelve hits.  Aubrey Huff scored three runs in the effort. 

In the middle game, Matt Cain played well, pitching six innings of five hit ball.  After he left, the Giants rallied to tie the score at three, giving Cain a no-decision on the day.  However, the bullpen couldn’t hold the Pirates down as loser Jeremy Affeldt (2-1) gave up an unearned run as Garret Jones singled in Andrew McCutchen in the eighth.  The Pirates tacked on two in the ninth off Brandon Medders and closer Octavio Dotel withstood a two run homerun by Eugenio Velez (1) in the ninth to collect the save (2) as the Pirates won, 6-5.  Evan Meek (1-0) bounced back from a blown save to pitch two shutout innings for the win and Andy Laroche (1) and Akinori Iwamura (2) lifted homeruns in the winning effort. 

Well, all in all, a good series.  The pitching is still clicking and Huff is contributing.  That’s all good.  They gave Brian Wilson an inning of work today.  Again, good idea.  No need to get him rusty.  It seems like this team can beat you with whoever they send to the hill.  Sanchez’s outing today echoes that.  When they win, it’s a no-doubter.  When they lose, it’s up in the air.  That’s how they’ll keep the momentum as they head into division play this weekend.  Keep it up, guys. 

The Giants get an off day and then will travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Friday.  This should be a true test to how ‘for real’ the team is.  The Pirates go home and host the Cincinnati Reds  on Friday.  GO GIANTS!!!!

Ace Tim Lincecum went seven innings, striking out ten, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-3, taking two of three in a weekend home series.  

Lincecum (2-0)  worked around a four plus hour rain delay and a two run homerun (2) by Brian McCann in the first, surrendering only five hits and a walk over seven innings.  The defending Cy Young winner ended with a flourish, striking out the side in his final inning of work.   He was backed by a two run single by Mark DeRosa in the sixth and a two run homerun (1) by Pablo Sandoval in the eighth that put the game out of reach.  Jeremy Affeldt pitched the final two innings, only surrendering a homerun to rookie sensation Jason Heyward (3) and picked up his first save of the season.   Kenshin Kawakami (0-1) pitched well but picked up the loss for the Braves.

In the opener, it took thirteen innings but the Giants prevailed, 5-4.  Starter Tim Hudson pitched seven stellar innings for the Braves, but his bullpen couldn’t hold a 4-2 lead as Edgar Renteria blasted a two run round tripper (1) off closer Billy Wagner, sending the game into extra innings.  In the bottom of the thirteenth, Aaron Rowand sent the teams home with an RBI infield single off losing pitcher Kris Medlen (0-1), scoring Juan Uribe from third with the winning run.   Jeremy Affeldt (1-0) pitched the thirteenth for the win.

In the middle game, newcomer Todd Wellemeyer (0-1) pitched well into the seventh but the Braves eventually got to him and beat the Giants 7-2.   Derek Lowe (1-0) worked around seven walks and pitched six innings for the win.  He was backed by Jason Heyward’s second homerun of the year and three hit day.  

Another great series.  Pitching did well.  Jonathan Sanchez couldn’t get out of the fifth but was taken out by hits and not wildness.  That’s a good thing.  Lincecum was a stud (of course).  Sandoval was awesome.  This team doesn’t seem to quit.  That’s a good thing that we haven’t seen in the past few years.  After two series, they have some momentum that they can hopefully push into when they start playing divisional competition.   Also, got to give some credit to Heyward.  This guy’s going to be a star.  Great job by him this weekend. 

The Giants will next play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Braves travel to San Diego to meet the Padres.

The San Francisco used a combination of stellar pitching and clutch hitting to beat the Houston Astros 10-4, culminating the season opening three game sweep for the Giants.

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (1-0) tossed seven shutout innings, surrendering only four hits, striking out seven and walking none as the Giants prevailed 5-2. He was bolstered by a three run second inning, featuring RBI singles by Bengie Molina and John Bowker and a sacrifice fly by Juan Uribe off losing pitcher Roy Oswalt (0-1). In the eighth, newcomer Mark DeRosa hit his first homerun of the season for the Giants, extending the lead to 5-0. The Astros rallied for two runs in the ninth before closer Brian Wilson came in and slammed the door for his first save of 2010.

In the middle game, Barry Zito (1-0) pitched six innings of shutout, three-hit ball, and combined with four other Giants relievers on a 3-0 shutout victory. San Francisco put a three spot on the board in the sixth, behind run scoring single by Aubrey Huff and Juan Uribe, sandwiching a sacrifice fly by Bengie Molina, off losing pitcher Wandy Ramirez (0-1) for their only scoring of the day. Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth for his second save of the season.

In the finale, the Giants bats erupted for six runs in the final two innings, breaking a 4-4 tie and crushing the Astros 10-4. John Bowker lifted a two-run homer (1) in the second as the Giants opened up an early 2-0 advantage. After increasing the lead to 3-0 following a run scoring double play ground out by Mark DeRosa, former Giant Pedro Feliz stroked a double to make it 3-1 in the fourth. Edgar Renteria pushed the lead back to 4-1 in 7th, driving in Aaron Rowand with one of his five singles on the day. All the while, Matt Cain was sharp, pitching into the seventh, surrendering only one unearned run. However, the Astros rallied behind a two out triple by Cory Sullivan, pulling to 4-3. Jeremy Affeldt (1-0) relieved and surrendered a run scoring infield single to Michael Bourn, knotting the score at 4-4. That’s when the fun began. In the top of the eighth, the Giants teed off on reliever Sammy Gervacio (0-1), scoring once on an error on a bunted ball off the bat of Eli Whiteside by Gervacio and another time on an RBI single by Aaron Rowand. In the ninth, the Giants piled on four more runs, with a leadoff homerun by pinch hitter Travis Ishikawa (1) and run scoring singles by Renteria and Rowand following an RBI double by Juan Uribe for the final tally.

Wow!!! What can I say? Awesome series by the orange and black. Great pitching by all starters (Cain should have won as that triple should have been caught). Edgar Renteria and Juan Uribe are both on fire. John Bowker is looking great. DeRosa blasted his first. Even Travis Ishikawa got into the act. Brian Wilson was nails in the first two games. Not needed today. Incredible stuff!!! Let’s see if they can keep it going. If we see more of this in 2010, we will be looking at a post-season visit.

The Giants will head home on Friday to play the Atlanta Braves. The Astros will play host to NL champ Philadelphia Phillies. Let’s keep it up!!! Go Giants!!!

The San Francisco Giants cleared up a roster spot, sending infielder Kevin Frandsen to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.  

What does this mean for us?   To be honest, though I like Frandsen, it shouldn’t really have that much of an impact on the team.  He was probably slated to spend the better part of the season at AAA Fresno.   From that perspective, it clears up a spot on the minor league club.   Frandsen was a hard nosed player, to be sure.  However, it was in the cards that his future with the team was limited.   The Red Sox will get a possible diamond in the rough.  The Giants just couldn’t wait around for it.  I am sure that all Giants fans wish him the best with his new club.  Now, make us bummed that we got rid of you, Kevin.  Have a great time in Bean Town.

With the spring training season in full swing, the San Francisco Giants look to improve on the 2009 club that surprised many, winning 88 games and falling a scant four games shy of their first post-season appearance since 2003. 

In the offseason, some roster moves were aimed at shoring up deficiencies from 2009, leaving the solid, if unspectacular, offense that they will look to field in the coming season. 

Around the infield, newcomer Aubrey Huff will man first base.  He’s a solid stick whose offense appeared to have started declining last season.  However, barring him becoming the next Ryan Klesko, the firepower is there.  My concern is that he throws right handed and has proven to field the position with skillet in hand.  I’m a big Travis Ishikawa guy.   He won rookie honors in 2009 at the position (Topps All-Rookie team) and brings a Hoover with him to work every day.  Provided that he can overcome tearing ligaments in his toes in the offseason, he should be a solid performer if Huff’s defense becomes too egregious.  He will be hampered by a short spring training.  Huff’s defense has been the impetus for the team giving first base reps to John Bowker (are we still throwing that dough against the wall to see what sticks?) and future star Buster Posey this spring training.  The latter might be an able-bodied first base participant this season (though the team would prefer him at catcher….more on that later) and seems to be murdering opponent pitching in Scottsdale.   Jesus Guzman?…..Next.  Brett Pill will be getting more time in the minors to begin 2010.  He might be one worth watching, however.

At second base, the team re-upped with Freddy Sanchez for two years.  He has yet to play a game in spring and might not (WON’T!!!!)  be ready for opening day.  Emmanuel Burriss broke another bone in his foot in spring training and won’t be ready soon.  Kevin Frandsen seems to be another example of dough (see above).   Eugenio Velez is being groomed more for the outfield these days.  Juan Uribe is a capable option.   Matt Downs has been smacking the ball around this pre-season, but I don’t see him as viable.   Nick Noonan is still a year (or more) away.   Ultimately, I’d like to see a healthy Freddy Sanchez for 2010. 

At shortstop, it’s Edgar Renteria.  One more season.  Then it’s done.  Brandon Crawford is in the same boat as Noonan.  No reason to rush him.  With Renteria, he’s fundamentally solid, over-paid, and unspectular.  The only question is whether the number of balls he dives for this season will exceed the number of homeruns he hits in 2010.  Stuck with him for one more season.  Could be worse (I guess?!?!).

At third, it’s Panda.  Pablo Sandoval is the man and does it great.  He’s remarkably spry at the position and sucks up balls that Renteria doesn’t.  He’s the best stick in the lineup.  The only competition isn’t competition, really.  I don’t know who underwhelms me more:  Conor Gillaspie or Ryan Rohlinger.   Either way, Pablo is, and will remain, the man at the hot corner in 2010. 

Around the outfield, we see a healthy and solid Mark DeRosa in left.  No bells going off there, but I hear we will be happy with the signing.  I pray we are.  Aaron Rowand will be collecting roughly $1 million per homerun hit in 2010 as he mans centerfield.  I’d like to see that amount per go down, but that would require more homers on his part.   In right, it appears that Nate Schierholtz is the man.  About time, guys.  We’ll see how he does with his cannon arm and smooth stick.  I think he’ll do great.  Pushing these starters will be Fred Lewis (probably traded before the team moves north in April), the aforementioned Velez, Andres Torres (a nice surprise last year, let’s see what he can do for an encore), and Darren Ford who, reports say, has been surprising many this spring.  Wouldn’t be shocked to see him stick in some manner.  It appears as if Thomas Neal will get another year seasoning in the minors, as will Roger Kieschnick.  A note about the latter mention here.  I had a chance to see Kieschnick in a spring training game against the Dodgers.  He gunned down a runner at the plate and has an awesome bat.  I’d keep that one’s name in the memory banks.  Perhaps not this season, but sometime in the next few, he will be back. 

Behind the plate, they brought back Bengie Molina.  I hope they bat him 8.  Backing him up will be Eli Whiteside (who seems to be a personal highlight reel, when he gets to play.  Last year, a grand slam and caught a no-hitter….nice).  Whiteside is okay, but expendable, highlights or not.  Posey will probably start the year in AAA, but don’t be shocked to see him up and perhaps sending Molina to the bench before this season is done. 

Now, the pitching.  The starting four is awesome.  Tim Lincecum is a stud and has won two straight Cy Young Awards.  What more can be said?  Count on more of this in 2010.   Matt Cain is awesome.  I’d look for more of what we saw from him in the first half (pre-line drive) of 2009.  A big year?  I think so.  If Barry Zito can be an over-paid, but solid, number three, I’ll be happy.  Now, number four.  I see HUGE things from this position in 2010.  I think Jonathan Sanchez is going to have a breakout season.  I think he’s ‘got’ it, finally.  I am calling my shot and saying 17 victories and 3.25 ERA.  Put it on the board.   Start of great things for him this season (and if he doesn’t…..well, there is an edit function on these posts).    The five spot in the rotation is where it gets interesting.  There are, theoretically, three pitchers vying for this.  The front-runner, having a great spring as yet, is veteran newcomer, Todd Wellemeyer.  I can’t say this excites me, but if he pitches well, then what we can get from him is gravy.  The other to keep an eye on is Kevin Pucetas, a guy who I jockeyed last season (though he never got the call).   He’s been pitching likewise awesome this spring.  I think he’s earned himself a job in the bullpen to start the season, at least.  I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the rotation, should Wellemeyer falter (though the team’s apparent love for veterans could curtail that….though that didn’t keep them from running Ryan Sadowski and Joe Martinez out there last season).   The third possibility is uber-prospect Madison Bumgarner.  He WILL be great, but the best place for him this year is learning his craft in AAA.  No reason to rush him.  Though he pitched well, I didn’t think he belonged with the club last season.  He’s 19.  Send him down for another season.  It won’t hurt him at all. 

The bullpen is helmed by closer Brian Wilson.  Love him.  He is great and improved in 2009.  I think he will just get better in 2010.   Sergio Romo is great right handed setup.  Likewise Jeremy Affeldt from the left side.  Second year man Dan Runzler (I guess he’s ‘officially’ a rookie this year…for whatever reason, it seemed like he was with the team most of last year) is one to watch.   Likewise Waldis Joaquin.   This guys’ fastball appears incredibly heavy to hit.  That would not be fun to bounce off one’s bat.  Brandon Medders is solid.  Look for the aforementioned Pucetas to be the long man in the bullpen.  For the final spot, possibilities are veteran Guillermo Mota (blech), a resurrected Alex Hinshaw (double blech), or heavily upsided rookie Henry Sosa.  Guess which one I’m backing.  Osiris Matos (check that dough thing from earlier) and shortstop convert Tony Pena Jr. (why did they never try this with Shawon Dunston?) round out possibilities for the final spot(s) in the bullpen. 

The Giants play four games in the bay area, starting April 1.  They then travel to Houston to start the season on April 5.   GO GIANTS!!!!

Starting catcher and block of wood on the basepaths Bengie Molina, after testing free agent waters over the offseason, re-signed to a one year deal with the San Francisco Giants, reportedly at $4.5 million. 

Okay, on one hand, he’s a okay hitter.  That will help the lineup and benefit the team.  On the other hand, this signing means that future star Buster Posey will likely start the season in AAA.  Posey lit up the minors last season and might be ready for the jump to the majors.  However, he gets another season of minor league ball.  Perhaps he’ll benefit from a year of AAA ball in Fresno, being managed by former major league catcher Steve Decker.  I think they might have been able to get Molina for less than $4.5 million, too.  But, what’s done is done and such.  Eli Whiteside gets another season of backing up Molina.  I really would have liked to see Posey over the season, but they’re taking their time with him.   That’s alright.  Molina should NOT be in the same position in the lineup this season.  He needs to bat 6 or 7 in order to avoid clogging the basepaths.   All in all, not a horrible move, provided that they (and he) keep it in the proper perspective.  He’s just back for one more season (if that much).