The San Francisco Giants apparently forgot to pack baseball bats for their three game set in San Diego, scoring only four runs in the series while losing three in a row and wasting dominant starts by Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito, and Tim Lincecum.
In the opener, Zito (1-4) threw a complete game, surrendering only early solo homeruns to Scott Hairston (5) and Nick Hundley (3) in the first and second innings, respectively. Padres starter Chris Young (3-2) was up to the task, striking out six in six innings while scattering five hits and a run in a 2-1 victory. Heath Bell tossed the ninth for his tenth save.
In the middle game, Chad Gaudin (1-3) went six innings and again the Giants offense faltered, producing only one run in support of Jonathan Sanchez (1-4) who lost in spite of only allowing two hits in six innings. However, both hits, a solo home run by Kevin Kouzmanoff (3) and a run scoring double by Chris Burke, produced runs, creating the difference in a second straight 2-1 San Diego victory. Aaron Rowand, relocated into the leadoff spot, had three hits for the Giants. Bell again pitched the ninth for his eleventh save.
In the finale, Tim Lincecum brought his A game and tore through the Padres lineup, striking out ten and surrendering only four hits and one run in seven innings. Rowand continued his torrid hitting with a homerun (4) in support and the Giants broke through against Bell (2-0) for a run and a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. However, closer Brian Wilson (2-3)couldn’t hold the fort. After Brian Giles walked to load the bases with two out, Wilson plunked David Eckstein to tie the score, setting the stage for Giant killer Hairston, who followed with a single to left to give the Padres the win, 3-2. It was Wilson’s third blown save of the season.
Okay, where to begin? First, the Giants NEED to start hitting, both overall and situational. I see base runners all over the place and that’s where they stay. The number of times they had a runner on third who ended up taking off his helmet and jogging back to the dugout after out number three was unacceptable. Horrible. I know many Giants fans are excited about the arrival of Jesus Guzman, but if we’re to expect more of what I saw last night, I am concerned. At bat with runners on the corners and one out and he grounds into a double play. At first base and misplays a pivot toss for a double play from Kevin Frandsen that Travis Ishikawa probably would have picked. At least we’ll get to see his stick exclusively this weekend in Seattle. However, I will not attack him as much as the ineptness that has Rich Aurilia still in the lineup. Unacceptable. Ishikawa stings the ball while Aurilia strikes out. One of those will turn into hits, eventually. Nice to see Nate Schierholtz get a few at bats. He did alright. The moving of Rowand to leadoff, while it raised my eyebrow, was a good call. We’ll see if it continues. The pitching was excellent with the exception of Wilson last night. But then, he’s a closer. He’ll be back. If he’s not, we’re in more trouble. Most of all, let’s hope the Giants remember to pack bats for Seattle this weekend.
This weekend, interleague play begins as the Giants venture north to play the Mariners. Randy Johnson will start, for the Giants, against his former club Friday night. The Padres will play host to the Chicago Cubs.
