Ryan Sadowski, in his major league debut, threw six shutout innings as the San Francisco Giants beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-0 to avoid a sweep in Milwaukee.
Sadowski (1-0), starting in the rotation spot regularly occupied by Jonathan Sanchez, surrendered only three hits and four walks in the effort. He was supported by two RBI by Randy Winn, an RBI single by Travis Ishikawa, four hits by Nate Schierholtz (including his third homerun of the season), and the first major league roundtripper by second baseman Matt Downs. Jeff Suppan (5-6) picked up the loss and Sanchez threw the ninth, striking out the side to end the game.
In the opener, Matt Cain (9-2) had an uncharacteristically poor outing, surrendering five runs in seven innings as the Brewers rallied behind ace Yovanni Gallardo (8-4) for a 5-1 victory. Gallardo worked around a first inning homerun by Pablo Sandoval (9), allowing only four hits in 7 2/3 innings. J.J. Hardy added his seventh homerun of the season for Milwaukee.
Giant closer Brian Wilson (2-4) couldn’t hold a two run, ninth inning lead in the middle game as the Brewers rallied for a 7-6 victory. Milwaukee countered two homeruns by Pablo Sandoval (10,11) with two of their own in a four run sixth, as Prince Fielder (19) and Casey McGehee (4) launched back to back shots off Barry Zito and Brandon Medders, respectively (Fielder’s a three run variety), in a four run sixth inning that turned a 4-0 deficit into a 4-4 tie. The Giants rallied to score twice in the top of the ninth with sacrifice flies by Benjie Molina and Edgar Renteria off Trevor Hoffman (1-1). In the bottom of the frame, following a Wilson strikeout of Mike Rivera, pinch hitter Craig Counsell hit an infield single. After Mat Gamel drew a walk, Corey Hart singled home pinch runner Jason Kendall with a single to center. J.J. Hardy followed with an RBI single to center to tie the score at six. After a strikeout of Ryan Braun, Fielder followed with a double down the right field line, driving in Hart from second with the winning run, 7-6.
Where to start? Where to start? I guess kudos have to be given to the kid, Sadowski. Way to man up and stop the losing skid. For whatever reason, I don’t see us getting the same results from Sanchez in a similar position. I’ll be honest. I consider myself somewhat savvy with regards to the young Giants on the farm and I had never even heard of him. Shows what I know. However, before I get too excited, I’ll recall the debut efforts by Salmon Torres, Mike Remlinger, and Dennis Cook. For now, the moment should be savored by Sadowski. However, I think I’d like a second one before I get too worked up.
Cain had a bad outing. So did Wilson. Such is life. Again, let’s see if it’s a hiccup or a trend. I have a feeling that it’s the former. Until it’s been proven otherwise, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Back to Sanchez. It’s nice to see him work the ninth as he did today. I don’t want him back in the rotation but he looked nice out of the bullpen.
Sandoval left the game today with an upset stomach. That’s better than the jammed wrist I was worried about him having last night. He’ll be back tomorrow.
Schierholtz is excelling as a starter. Between him, Sandoval, and Ishikawa, I think the Giants might have a promising core nucleus of talent. Sweet. Was nice to see them batting three through five today. Perhaps this should be attempted again. Bat Molina at six, where his wheels won’t slow many people down but his bat may still shine.
The Giants next travel to St. Louis Monday to play the Cardinals. The Brewers will host the New York Mets.
