Tim Lincecum shrugged off his August woes with an impressive outing, leading the Giants to a 2-1 victory and a home series win over the Colorado Rockies.

The two-time Cy Young winner locked horns with Ubaldo Jiminez (17-6) for the entire evening.  Each starter tossed 8 innings, with Lincecum (12-9) striking out nine and stingily only surrendering one run on five hits and a walk.  Carlos Gonzalez’s solo shot (30) leading off the fourth was the only runs the Rockies would score.  The Giants got to Jiminez after a two-out single by Mike Fontenot scored Jose Guillen from second in the fifth inning.   Pinch-runner, speedster Darren Ford, recalled from the minors earlier in the day for the expansion of rosters, took third on a wild pitch by Jiminez and scored when Miguel Olivo’s throw went into left field, setting the final score.  Brian Wilson threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his 38th save.  Jiminez struck out ten in the losing effort.

In the opener, Jonathan Sanchez brought a shutout into the ninth but the Rockies rallied for two off Wilson and won, 2-1.  After Sanchez walked Dexter Fowler to lead off the inning, Wilson (3-2) entered and gave up a run scoring triple to Carlos Gonzalez who subsequently scored after a throwing error by Freddy Sanchez on the play.   Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth for his thirteenth save of the season.  Rafael Bettencourt (5-1) picked up the victory for pitching the eighth.  Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven strong innings, striking out nine, for the no-decision.

In the second game, Andres Torres broke a 2-2, eighth inning tie with his thirteenth homerun of the season and the Giants won, 5-2.  After Torres’ shot off Matt Belisle (6-5) the Giants loaded the bases and Buster Posey followed with a two run double off Joe Beimel.   Jeremy Affeldt (4-3) gave up the lead in the eighth on a solo homer by Melvin Mora (4), but picked up the win after the Giants rallied.  Madison Bumgarner was dominant, tossing six innings of quality ball, surrendering only one run on five hits.   Esmil Rogers was equally good, giving up only two runs in the same span of innings.  Wilson redeemed himself by pitching a perfect ninth for his 37th save.

Great series.  Timely, too.  Even the blown opener was alright.  The Giants showed heart and that says a lot.  Perfect timing, too, as the Padres appear to be falling apart.  The best part of this series was seeing Lincecum back.  Wow, that is huge.  Also nice to see that Pablo Sandoval’s bat is doing its thing again.  Nice call inserting Ford into this game.  His speed is a difference maker on the paths.  However, the starting pitching is the story from this series.  If they are starting to heat up, this is a perfect time.  Bring on the rest of the west.  This team is ready. 

The Giants will next travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Friday night.  The Rockies will travel to San Diego to play the Padres, also on Friday evening.  Go Giants!!!  Go Rockies!!!

Travis Ishikawa’s extra-inning single led the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks and capped off a four game sweep in the desert.

Batting with two out in the tenth and the score knotted at three, Ishikawa stroked a single to right field, driving home pinch-runner Eli Whiteside as the Giants continued their post-All-Star game tear.  Rookie phenom Buster Posey culminated a four-hit day with a double to lead off the inning before being lifted for pinch-runner.   Posey also drove in a run with a double in the first and extended his hit streak to 18 games.  Tim Lincecum went eight dominant innings, striking out five, but ended up with a no decision.  Sergio Romo (3-3) struck out two in the bottom of the ninth for the victory and Brian Wilson pitched a perfect tenth for his 29th save.  Esmerling Vasquez (1-3) picked up the loss.   Barry Enright pitched well for the Diamondbacks and drove in two runs with a double and two hits.

In the openeer, Matt Cain (8-8) shone, evening up his record while striking out nine over eight shutout innings, as the Giants won 3-0.  Andres Torres homered (9) and Buster Posey had two hits.  Brian Wilson tossed the ninth for his 27th save.  Rodrigo Lopez (5-9) took the loss, despite seven solid innings.

In the second game, Aubrey Huff homered twice (18, 19), driving in three and the Giants withstood Kelly Johnson hitting for the cycle and driving in three runs, as San Francisco prevailed 7-4.  Jonathan Sanchez was wild but struck out ten in five innings and Chris Ray (3-0) picked up the victory.  The Giants took advantage of two throwing errors by starter Edwin Jackson (6-9) in a three run seventh inning, highlighted by a two run triple off the bat off Andres Torres.   Brian Wilson tossed the ninth for his 28th save.

In the third game, the Giants worked around a scare with Juan Uribe hitting a grand slam (13) and rookie Madison Bumgarner dominating for seven innings as San Francisco won, 10-4.  Bumgarner (4-2)  struck out seven over seven strong innings.  Ian Kennedy (5-8) picked up the loss.  The scare came in the fourth inning when Eugenio Velez, in the dugout, was struck in the face by a line drive foul off the bat of teammate Pat Burrell.  He was conscious and taken to the hospital for tests.  Preliminary results were negative.

Well, great series for the Orange and Black.  Nice to see the perfect combination of offense and incredible pitching.  A little more focus from Jonathan Sanchez would be nice.  Walks are killers.  Prayers with Velez as this was a fluke injury.  He was placed on the DL for this and the team recalled Ryan Rohlinger.  Get back soon, Pharoah.  Also, Pablo Sandoval took off after yesterday’s game.  I guess he was heading back to Venezuela to take care of personal issues.  Again, prayers that he gets this taken care of.  Such things might be contributors to his slow start this season.  Again, great series by the Giants, especially on the road.  No real complaints.  Posey is awesome.  The team needed him and he hasn’t disappointed.  Go Giants!!!!

The Giants will next host the Florida Marlins on Monday night.  The Arizona Diamondbacks will travel and play the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday evening.

The San Francisco Giants overcame a domination at the hands of rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg to win the final two games and take the weekend road series from the Washington Nationals. 

In the opener, Strasburg (3-2), facing the Giants for the first time, shook off a leadoff homerun by Andres Torres (7) to win, 8-1.  The Washington hurler went six innings, striking out eight and giving up only three hits and one run.  Adam Dunn homered twice (21,22) off Matt Cain (6-8), driving in three runs and Willie Harris rapped out three hits as the Nationals offense came alive in support of the rookie.   Torres left the game in the fifth with a left groin strain and will be day to day.   The Giants need him healthy. 

For the middle game, the Giant bats returned to the world of the living, riding an offensive fireworks show by San Francisco’s own rookie phenom, Buster Posey, to a 10-5 victory.   Posey went 4-5 with three RBI on a double and homerun (7) to pace an eleven hit outpouring.  Aaron Rowand also homered (8) and Juan Uribe drove in three runs as the Giants lifted Jonathan Sanchez up from an early hook and rallied against reliever Tyler Clippard (8-6).  Santiago Casilla (2-2) picked up the victory.  Mike Morse homered (4) in a losing effort.

In the rubber match, another Giant rookie, Madison Bumgarner (2-2) evened up his record, taking a shutout into the seventh inning as the Giants won, 6-2.  Bumgarner went six-plus innings, scattering seven hits and one run, striking out six, and walking none as he won his second straight start.  Travis Ishikawa continued his torrid hitting, driving in three runs on a 2-3 performance.  Buster Posey continued to impress, driving in two with a triple off Livan Hernandez (6-5).  Sergio Romo pitched the Giants out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and Brian Wilson collected the last four outs for his 23rd save. 

Where to start?  First things, Strasburg looked awesome for the Nationals.  Too bad that they don’t have five of him in their rotation.  Good thing for the Giants, actually.  Bumgarner looked great.  I can’t wait to see how he does in the second half.  Ditto Posey.  This guy’s been awesome.  Let’s keep those accolades coming with Ishikawa.  Anybody who reads this knows I’m a big Ishi guy.  I think the Giants finally are, too.  Last year, he destroyed pitchers at home.  These last few games, he’s doing it on the road.  Keep it up!!!  Only concerns, what’s up with Cain and Sanchez?  Both have been getting shelled of late.  Hope the break will give them a chance to reflect and regroup.  Ditto Pablo Sandoval.  Maybe it’s time for him to return to his hacking roots.  Just a thought. 

The Giants will next play the New York Mets at home on Thursday evening.  The Nationals will host the Florida Marlins on Friday evening.  Enjoy the All-Star Game.  Here’s hoping the orange and black representatives (Brian Wilson and Tim Lincecum) do awesome.  Go Giants!!!  Catch you all on the other side.

The San Francisco Giant bats awoke as the team erupted in four straight games against the Brewers, outscoring them 36-7 in a series sweep capped off by a 9-3 daytime win on Thursday.

The Giants rode a homerun and four RBI by Aubrey Huff  (17) to an early 6-0 lead off Manny Parra (3-6).  Starter Barry Zito was wild, however, walking in a run in the fourth innings and walking the bases loaded in the fifth.  Overall, the lefty surrendered six free passes while leaving before being eligible for the win.   The bullpen took over with Dan Runzler (3-0) pitching out of a jam in the sixth for the victory.  The win was bittersweet for the rookie as he dislocated his left knee on a swing while batting in the seventh.  It popped back into place, but he left the game and will be tested before his next outing.  Buster Posey (6) and Andres Torres (6) each homered late for the Giants. 

In the opener, Jonathan Sanchez (7-6) pitched around trouble all day, walking six and striking out six through six innings and leaving with the score tied 1-1.  However, the Giants put up four runs, all off Kameron Loe (0-1) in the top of the seventh inning, to prevail 6-1.  Aubrey Huff spearheaded the charge with a two run RBI single.  The scoring began with a bases-loaded, one-out error by Alcides Escobar, who misplayed a  potential double-play grounder off the bat off Freddy Sanchez into a run scoring error.  Huff followed with the single.  The Giants tacked on another in the next inning with a solo homerun by rookie Buster Posey (3).

In the second game, rookie Madison Bumgarner (1-2) pitched eight shutout innings to earn his first career victory as the Giants won 6-1.   The lefty struck out five and walked three, surrendering a scant three singles, as the San Francisco won their second straight.   Randy Wolf (6-8) matched zeros for five innings before the Giants touched him up for five runs in the sixth inning behind a two run RBI single by Travis Ishikawa and run scoring single by Bumgarner.

In the third game, the Giants scored early and often, tallying four runs in the first inning on three homeruns as San Francisco won, 15-2.  Andres Torres (5), Aubrey Huff (16), and Buster Posey (4) each lifted off in the opening frame, against Chris Narveson (7-6).  Posey added a second homerun (5) in a seven run fourth inning, stepping up with the bases loaded against Chris Capuano and launching his first career grand slam.  Not to be outdone by the offense, Tim Lincecum (9-4) went seven dominating innings, striking out ten and stingily only giving up four hits and a run in the victory. 

Well, the team looked awesome.  They needed this sweep.  Period.  Didn’t hurt that the rest of the division stumbled this week, either.  The offense appears to have waken.  Huff is mashing.  Ditto the kid, Posey.  Now, if they could just get Pablo Sandoval hammering the ball, we’d be in business.  They need to keep this momentum going as they draw Stephen Strasburg tomorrow evening.  Let’s keep going, Giants.   On a side note, Jeremy Affeldt looked very good pitching in the 15-2 affair.  Great.  The team needs him to return to form in order to compete. 

The Giants will next play on the road, Friday night, against the Washington Nationals.  The Brewers will host the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday.

The Giant bats came alive in a noteworthy four game set against the Cincinnati Reds.  Unfortunately, the pitching didn’t follow suit to a T and the teams ended up splitting the series. 

In the opener, the bullpen lifted up starter Barry Zito, pitching 3 1/3 shutout innings as the Giants won, 6-5.  Zito couldn’t hold an early 4-1 lead, falling behind 5-4 in the sixth after Miguel Cairo hit a pinch-hit two-run single.  Juan Uribe gave San Francisco the lead in the seventh, hitting his second two run single of the day and setting the final tally.  Sergio Romo (2-3) pitched 2/3 perfect innings for the win.  Brian Wilson tossed a perfect ninth for his 15th save.  Danny Herrera (0-3) picked up the loss for the Reds.

The second game can be summed up in  two words:  Matt Cain.  The right hander (5-4) tossed his second complete game shutout in three starts as the Giants prevailed, 3-0.   In the victory, Cain scattered seven hits and struck out five.  Juan Uribe homered (9) off Sam Lecure (1-2) for the only necessary offense on the day.  The Giants added two runs in the top of the eighth on run scoring singles by Bengie Molina and Cain (more on Molina later).  Brandon Phillips had three hits in a losing effort for the Reds.

In the third game, Aaron Harang (5-5) overcame the first career homerun by Buster Posey (1) in the second inning and pitched seven strong innings, striking out three, as the Reds won 6-3.   Cincinnati plated runs in five separate innings and Orlando Cabrera had four hits, scoring three runs.  Jonathan Sanchez (4-5) was uncharacteristically hittable, lasting only five innings and picking up the loss. 

In the closer, the Giants bats staked Todd Wellemeyer to an early 4-0 lead behind homeruns by Aaron Rowand (6) and Aubrey Huff (8) before losing, 7-6.   However, following the starter leaving due to a hamstring injury from running out a third inning grounder, the bullpen, behind Denny Bautista, coughed up the lead almost immediately.  The Giants rallied, leading by two entering the eighth.  However, again the Reds struck, scoring three runs off Guillermo Mota (0-2) in the bottom of the eighth on a two run triple by Brandon Phillips and run scoring single by Joey Votto to set the final score.  Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 17th save.  Arthur Rhodes (2-1) picked up the win. 

Okay, a road split is always nice.  However, I’d have rather enjoyed a 3-1 series edge.  But, such is life.  Also, great job by Buster Posey.  The first homerun is always the toughest.  Let’s see some more.  Bengie Molina had an RBI single and a few hits.  However, I’d like him to be playing somewhere else.  No reason to keep him on the team when he can’t hit, run, or play defense.  Ditto Rowand.  I know he homered today.  However, one hit does not make a year (or three) of relative ineptitude productive.   I’d like to see Burrell, Schierholtz, and Torres in the outfield with Huff at first and Posey behind the plate.  Also, it appears that Wellemeyer might be headed to the DL.  What better time to bring up Madison Bumgarner?  He’s smoking AAA right now.  Take note of Posey.  We can have that same thing in the starting rotation.  Think about it.  Also, when Wellemeyer is, umm…well, he can be a long reliever, taking Bautista’s spot in the bullpen.  Just some thoughts. 

Both teams will next play on Friday evening with the Giants hosting Oakland and the Reds hosting the Kansas City Royals.

The San Francisco Giants bats, aided immensely by newly recalled Buster Posey, woke to sweep the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco over the weekend.

In the opener, Matt Cain (3-4) went the distance, tossing a one hitter, and Pablo Sandoval hit his first homerun (4) in over a month and drove in three as the Giants won 5-0.   Cain struck out nine and walked none in his first complete game and shutout of 2010.   He gave up only a two-out double to Mark Reynolds in the second inning, cruising the rest of the way for his second career one-hitter and first shutout since 2008.   Edwin Jackson (3-6) picked up the loss for the Diamondbacks. 

In the middle game, the Giants annihilated Arizona from all sides, trouncing the snakes, 12-1.  Buster Posey made his 2010 debut, going 3-4 with three RBI and injecting a boost into the Giants offense.  Juan Uribe blasted his seventh homerun of the year to back Jonathan Sanchez (3-4).  Sanchez, victim of poor run support all season, struck out seven in five, but left early with an elevated pitch count.   The bullpen rallied around and shutout Arizona for four innings to close the effort.   Eli Whiteside homered (3) and drove in two as losing pitcher Billy Buckner (0-3) was beaten from pillar to post and watched his ERA climb over 11.00 as the Giants collected 16 hits on the day.  Rusty Ryal (5) account for all the Arizona runs with a solo blast in the top of the third inning. 

In the closer, the Giants took 10 innings but rallied for a 6-5 victory to complete the sweep.  Andres Torres culminated a four-hit day by driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the tenth, singling in Juan Uribe with two out against loser Carlos Rosa (0-1).  The Giants rallied off closer Chad Qualls in the ninth, behind a pinch double by Travis Ishikawa, a single by Torres, an RBI single by Fred Sanchez, and an RBI groundout by Sandoval to tie the score.  Brian Wilson (1-0) pitched a perfect tenth for the victory.  Buster Posey went 3-5, collecting two doubles and another RBI, and Aubrey Huff homered (6) to pace the Giants offense. 

Excellent series.   Two words sum this one up.  Buster Posey!!!  The kid is up and has arrived in a big way.  This injection into their offense is exactly what they needed.  Yes, one can make the argument that it’s just the Diamondbacks and that they’ve lost seven in a row.  However, his doubles were off Ian Kennedy, who shut the Giants down in his last outing against them.  That’s saying something.  Also, it looks like Pablo Sandoval is coming out of his slump.  Way to go Panda.  Let’s keep that up.  It’d be nice now if Nate Schierholtz would follow suit.  Way to go Matt Cain.  Awesome start.  Ditto Jonathan Sanchez.  Todd Wellemeyer?  You did well, but I want to see this on the road before I heap praise.  I still think that Madison Bumgarner would be a better option.  Travis Ishikawa hits two doubles in two days.  Perhaps more reps?  Probably not.  Sorry kid.  I’m on your side here.  Blame the management.  Too much of a class act to do so.  Give it some time.  On a side note, the Giants signed Pat Burrell to a minor league contract.  Am I excited?  No.  Do I want to see him playing for the parent club?  No.  Will he come up eventually?  Probably.  I guess that they don’t ask me for advice on such matters.  Oh, and be sure to check out Monday’s game against the Rockies.  Timmy ‘The Freak’ Lincecum will be hurling laser beams against Ubaldo Jiminez, he of the 9-1 record and .88 ERA.   Should be worth the price of admission, take about 1 1/2 hours, and end up 1-0.  Can’t say who’ll win.  Be sure to watch to find out.   Go Timmy!!!  Tear ‘em to shreds!!! 

The Giants will next play host to the Colorado Rockies on Monday afternoon.  The Diamondbacks will travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Monday evening.

The San Francisco Giants rallied from one sweep with one of their own, culminating with a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros, behind Barry Zito’s 6th victory of the season.

Zito (6-1) tossed seven innings, scattering six hits and one run and besting Brett Myers (2-3), who tossed a complete game in a losing effort.  Aaron Rowand (5) and Andres Torres (1) hit solo and two run homeruns, respectively, in support of Zito’s outing.  Brian Wilson worked around a pair of two out hits and striking out Kazuo Matsui with runners on the corners for his ninth save.

In the opener, Todd Wellemeyer (2-3) pitched into the eighth and the Giant bats erupted against Felipe Paulino (0-6) as San Francisco ended a three game losing streak with an 8-2 victory.  Andres Torres doubled twice and tripled and Nate Schierholtz and Pablo Sandoval each had two hits.   Hunter Pence (6) homered for the Astros. 

The middle game of the series was a pitchers duel as Tim Lincecum (5-0) finally picked up his elusive fifth victory of the year, beating Roy Oswalt (2-5) and the Astros, 2-1.  Lincecum pitched eight innings, striking out five and surrendering only one run.  Juan Uribe supplied all the offense, hitting a two run homerun (4) to give the Giants the lead for good in the fourth inning.  Brian Wilson supplied drama in the ninth as the Astros loaded the bases and Kazuo Matsui coaxed a 15 pitch at bat off the closer before flying out to left field, giving the Giants the victory and Wilson his eighth save of the season.

First things first, great series.  A victory is always nice.  A sweep is always better.  Couple this with the Dodgers sweep of the Padres and it’s a win-win all round.   Pablo isn’t fully back, but it appears as if he’s doing better.  That’s great news.   Now that we’re feeling better, let me point out how much that earlier Padres sweep hurts the team.  If they win one game in that series, they are now in first place.  Also, the Dodgers aren’t breathing down their necks as much if that’s the case.  The race is tightened due to the team’s inability to take one from the front runners at home.  This series was a gift as the Astros are pretty horrible.  They need to start playing up to this level against ALL in-division competition.   They better get started immediately as they send the bottom of the rotation against the Padres on the road starting tomorrow.   Get on this one!!  Go Giants!!!!!

The Giants next travel to San Diego to play the Padres tomorrow evening.  The Astros go to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers tomorrow night.

A ninth inning rally by the Philadelphia Phillies, coupled with several extra inning efforts, kept the Giants from sweeping the defending NL champions in San Francisco, as Philadelphia prevailed 7-6 in eleven innings.

Tim Lincecum entered the ninth riding a dominating effort and leading, 4-1.  After a walk, he was lifted and closer Brian Wilson entered.  However, he couldn’t continue his dominating 2010 performance as the Phillies loaded the bases, then tied the score on a bases clearing double by Jason Werth.   The game went to extra innings, where the Phillies took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the tenth on a run scoring wild pitch by Jeremy Affeldt.  However, Andres Torres tied the score, driving home Nate Schierholtz with an RBI single in the bottom frame.  The Phillies responded with two runs against Sergio Romo (0-2) in the top of the eleventh.  The Giants could only muster one off Nelson Figueroa in the bottom of the inning, via Schierholtz’s second double (and fifth hit overall) of the day.   Figueroa got his first save of the season.   Ryan Madson (1-0) picked up the victory.

In the opener, the Giants scored early off of previously undefeated Roy Halladay (4-1), plating two runs in the first and one in the second inning en route to a 5-1 San Francisco victory.  Mark DeRosa hit a two out, two run single to start the scoring and Eli Whiteside homered and doubled in a second run.  Jonathan Sanchez (2-1) picked up the victory despite wildness (five walks), striking out six in five innings while only surrendering one run.  The bullpen dominated, with three pitchers combining to toss four shutout innings of relief.

In the middle game, the Giant bats came alive against Jamie Moyer (2-2), winning 6-2.  Aubrey Huff (2) and Matt Downs (1) hit solo homeruns to put the Giants ahead for good in the second inning.   Nate Schierholtz starred in the field, throwing out two runners at second base and making a diving catch in the first inning.  Todd Wellemeyer (1-3) picked up his first victory as a Giant, pitching seven plus innings of three hit, two run ball.   Pablo Sandoval and Edgar Renteria each drove in two runs to add to the final tally.

I would have liked the sweep.  However, a series victory is nice.  Great pitching up until they pulled Lincecum.  I’d like to know why he was yanked after a walk.  Why not Wilson in either to begin the inning or let Lincecum take care of his own game.  The Wellemeyer start was good, too.  However, I still am not sure that I trust him.  Schierholtz is blasting the ball.  Good job, Nate.  He should be moved up in the lineup, NOW!!!!  Perhaps he could swap spots with Mark DeRosa at five.  Just a thought. 

The Giants will next play host to the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.  Philadelphia will host the New York Mets on Friday evening.

The San Francisco Giants rode three straight strong starts to two victories against the offensive juggernaut of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (4-0) baffled Cardinal hitters for seven innings, striking out eight and scattering six hits, leading the Giants to a 4-1 victory and halting a four game slide.  Lincecum, who didn’t have his A game stuff, worked around trouble all night as the Giants played small ball, taking advantage of Cardinal mistakes, staking the ace to a 4-0 lead over losing pitcher, Jaime Garcia (1-1).  Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his third save. 

In the middle game, Barry Zito (3-0) tossed eight shutout innings, striking out ten, and outdueling Adam Wainwright (3-1), 2-0.  The two pitchers matched zeroes for 7 1/2 innings until Nate Schierholtz led off the bottom of the eighth with a double and scored on a pinch single by Andres Torres.  The Giants tacked on one more run, via Aubrey Huff’s sacrifice fly, for the final tally.   Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his fourth save of the season.

In the closer, Albert Pujols blasted a first inning homerun (7) off Matt Cain (0-1), leading the Cardinals to a 2-0 victory.  Brad Penny (3-0)dominated in his return to San Francisco, scattering eight hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings.  Ryan Franklin pitched the ninth for his sixth save of the season.   Pablo Sandoval collected three hits in a losing effort.

Okay.  A series win is nice.   The pitching was great.  Even Cain pitched well in a losing effort.  Brian Wilson was nails (as usual).  However, the hitting was atrocious.  Only two real bright spots.  Those would be Panda and Schierholtz.  Each was great all series.  However, they need to be moved closer in the lineup.  Perhaps Nate up to five and Sandoval in cleanup.  Just a thought.  This is the second straight series where the bats were flacid (and you could make an argument that it has been for three straight series).  You can’t win without offense.  The team is setting the table, but nobody’s driving them in.  That’s the way it was in San Diego and that’s the way this series was.  Sloppy.  Andres Torres is starting to come around.  I liked the start for Travis Ishikawa (though I wasn’t too wild about the results).  Bottom line, they need to move the hot hitters closer in the lineup.  I’m really excited to see what Schierholtz can do for the team if moved up. 

The Giants will next host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday evening.  The Cardinals will go home and host the Atlanta Braves on that same night.

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!!!!