After suffering from a first half of non-production from the catcher spot, the San Francisco Giants shipped Bengie Molina to the Texas Rangers in exchange for reliever Chris Ray and minor league pitcher Michael Main. 

Okay, first things first, I love this move.  It clears up a log-jam in the lineup.  Molina had some good years in San Francisco but, this season, was doing 1) very little with the bat 2) less on defense and probably 3) minimal with his ability to call a game.  Those things, combined, mean one thing.  He wasn’t helping the team.  His movement opens up the catcher position for uber-blue-chipper Buster Posey.   Baptism by fire?  Yes.  However, I have little doubt that he can do it.  Also, Eli Whiteside is still in the mix to mentor and spell the rookie (probably when Jonathan Sanchez pitches, actually).  Since Posey is now playing catcher, first base is open.   Will Aubrey Huff return to the position?  He might, but I think that the team is probably happier with Travis Ishikawa at first base than Nate Schierholtz in right field, a position currently occupied by Huff.  Being a fan of both Ishikawa and Schierholtz, I’d be happy with either in their respective positions.  Perhaps this is the beginning of more beneficial moves.  Who knows?  Perhaps next, the team could ship off Aaron Rowand.  Stranger things have happened. 

Oh, and by the way, Ray is a former closer for Baltimore.  He should do well to shore up the bullpen.  Another bonus.

The San Francisco Giants had a perfect set up, starting the top of their rotation for a home weekend series against the Oakland Athletics.  The results were equally perfect as the Giants beat the A’s in three straight, exacting revenge on an Oakland team that swept them not two weeks earlier. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (6-2), who of late had appeared human, regained his usual dominance.  The two time Cy Young winning phenom went eight innings, surrendering two runs and striking out seven while walking only one as the San Francisco won 6-2.  Pat Burrell hit his first homerun for the Giants (3) and Bengie Molina added a blast (3) for good measure off loser Gio Gonzalez (6-4).  After Jeremy Affeldt had trouble to start the ninth, Brian Wilson came in to put out the fire, recording the final out via strikeout for his 16th save.

In the middle game, Barry Zito (7-2) finally beat his old team, winning by a margin of 5-4.  The Giants staked Zito to a 5-1 lead behind two RBI by Juan Uribe and a homerun off the bat of Pablo Sandoval (5), all off loser Ben Sheets (2-6).   Zito struck out six in seven innings,  giving up two runs.   The Athletics made it close, rallying against Guillermo Mota in the seventh, but never got closer than one run.  Brian Wilson entered in the eighth, picking up the final five outs for his 17th save.   Matt Carson hit his first homerun of the season off Zito in a losing effort.

In the finale, Matt Cain (6-4) continued his dominance of anybody holding a bat, winning his fourth straight start, 6-2.  Cain pitched seven dominant innings, scattering eight hits and striking out four.  The Giants backed him with power as Aubrey Huff (9,10) and Juan Uribe (10) each homered to back the right-hander.  Guillermo Mota had another shaky outing but newcomer Santiago Casilla pitched the last 1 2/3 innings for his second save.  Vin Mazzaro (2-1) picked up his first loss of the season for the A’s.  Kevin Kouzmanoff had hits in each game to extend his career best hitting streak to 14 games.   

Wow.  What a difference a few games makes.  The orange and black played awesome this weekend.   The pitching was on and dominating.  We like to see that.  Cain is in a groove.  Here’s hoping he continues what he’s doing.  Ditto Brian Wilson.  Not sure what to make of Guillermo Mota’s latest struggles.  Perhaps his early success was not representative of what we were getting.  Where’s Sergio Romo in the eighth?  Jeremy Affeldt was okay, but it’s pretty obvious that the team doesn’t have total faith in him, as yet.  But, the big story is undoubtably that Lincecum’s back.  Only one walk through eight is nice.  This is more expected than what we’ve been seeing lately.   Nice to see Panda slamming the ball again.  Ditto Huff.  He’s truly been a nice surprise, as has Pat Burrell.  Aaron Rowand’s starts seem to be dwindling.  I think that’s only a good thing for the offense.   Perhaps a DFA in the future?  2 1/2 years is a lot of patience to save face for a bad signing.  It only a few weeks (games?) to tell Travis Ishikawa, Nate Schierholtz, and John Bowker that they weren’t up to par.  I wonder what is taking them so long for Rowand.  Hmmmm.

The Giants will next play host to the team with the worst record in the majors, the Baltimore Orioles, on Monday night.  Here’s hoping that they don’t let up the intensity.  The Oakland Athletics will travel to Chicago to play the Cubs on Tuesday evening.  On a roster note, Todd Wellemeyer went on the 15-day disable list after his last start.  His roster and rotation spot will be filled by second year player Joseph Martinez, who will make his first major league appearance of the season on Tuesday evening.   He’s been pitching alright in AAA Fresno.  Here’s hoping his return to the majors will pay dividends.

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.

Matt Cain dominated over eight innings and Aaron Rowand drove in two with an RBI double as the Giants managed to take the final game of their three game home set with the Colorado Rockies, 4-1.

Cain (4-4) surrendered a mere four hits and three walks while striking out five and dropped his ERA to 2.36 on the season.  His only blemish on the evening was a solo homerun by Troy Tulowitzki (7) in the fourth, giving the Rockies an early 1-0 lead.  The Giants charged back behind three two-out hits in the fifth, capped off by Aaron Rowand’s bullet to center off Jeff Francis (1-2), scoring Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey and giving Cain a lead that he would not relinquish.  The Giants extended the advantage in the sixth behind an RBI double by Pablo Sandoval, followed by a run scoring single by Bengie Molina.   Brian Wilson made short work of Colorado in the ninth, retiring three straight on eight pitches, for his 13th save.

In the opener, the much hyped (including by yours truly) pitcher’s duel ended up being rather one-sided as Ubaldo Jiminez (10-1) went the distance, striking out nine, as the Rockies beat the Giants, 4-0.  Clint Barmes drove in two to back the Colorado ace.  Tim Lincecum (5-2) had his fourth straight rough outing, surrendering four runs and walking five through 5 2/3 innings while only striking out three.  Pablo Sandoval accounted for almost all of the San Francisco offense, collecting three hits in a losing effort. 

In the middle game, both teams matched impressive pitching through ten innings, deadlocked at one, entering the eleventh.  In this inning, Clint Barmes broke the tie, stroking a two-out double off Santiago Casilla (1-1), driving in his second run of the game as the Rockies won, 2-1 in eleven innings.  Rafael Betancourt (1-1) pitched the tenth for the victory.  Manuel Corpas surrendered an infield single to Freddy Sanchez before inducing Pablo Sandoval to ground into a game-ending double play, earning him his fifth save of the season.  

Well, it could have been worse.  The Giants lost two of three, but the scores were close.  Middle game could have gone either way.   Cain was great in the third game.  Only concern I have is Tim Lincecum.  Something’s wrong with the Freak.  I think it’s mechanical.  On Monday, he was throwing almost exclusively breaking balls.  While they are superior pitches, he needs his fastball in the mix to be effective.  There’s only two people who can fix his mechanical issues.  Fortunately, neither of them is on the Giants coaching staff.  Hopefully Lincecum will dissect his motion and have it fixed before his next start. 

The Giants get an off day on Thursday and will next travel to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates.   On Friday, the Rockies will travel to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks.

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 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!!!!

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!!!

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). 

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!!!!!

Randy Johnson took one step closer to history as the San Francisco Giants completed a three game sweep of the Atlanta Braves with a 6-3 victory, Wednesday night.  The towering lefty hurled six innings, giving up only three hits and a run while striking out five and walking none as he evened his record (4-4) on the season.  Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his tenth save.  Aaron Rowand continued his hitting renaissance since moving to the leadoff spot, doubling twice, scoring twice, and driving in a run.  Emmanuel Burriss contributed three hits as the Giants made a loser of Kenshin Kawakami (3-6).  Chipper Jones struck out four times in the loss. 

In the opener, rookie first baseman Travis Ishikawa had four hits, including his first homerun of the season, driving in three and scoring three times as the Giants prevailed 8-2.   Burriss broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the fifth inning and, three batters later, Edgar Renteria stroked a two run double as the Giants battered losing pitcher Javier Vasquez (4-4) for five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.  Ishikawa’s blast came off reliever Buddy Carlyle with two on in the eighth.  Jonathan Sanchez picked up the victory (2-4), striking out six while only allowing two runs in five plus innings.  Braves catcher Brian McCann had three hits and an RBI in a losing effort. 

In the middle matchup, the Giants rode a four run second inning and a dominant effort by ace Tim Lincecum to a 4-0 victory.  Lincecum (4-1) pitched eight innings, surrendering only five hits and two walks while striking out eight.  The Giants were paced in the second by two out, two run hits by Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria.   After Lincecum followed a single by Travis Ishikawa and a double by Emmanuel Burriss with a five pitch walk to load the bases, Rowand doubled off the fence in left field, bringing home two.  Renteria then followed with a single to plate two more.   Brave hurler Kris Medlen (0-2) pitched into the sixth and, with the exception of the second inning, was relatively solid in his performance. 

First impression is that this was an awesome series.  A series win is nice.  A sweep is even better (ask the Padres).  This was a good set of games.  The Giants are continuing the timely hitting trend that they started in Seattle.  That’s nice to see.  Also, great to see both Burriss and Ishikawa start to swing the stick solidly.  Rowand is also excelling nicely in the leadoff spot.  Several spots for concern.  First, Bengie Molina’s cold with the stick.  He might be a bit tired, however.  He’s been catching a lot and, for now, with Eli Whiteside the only other catcher playing, he’ll get a little more duty.   The staff is doing well.  So, it’s not effecting his game calling much.  However, Molina hits cleanup.   Therefore, Molina not hitting is problematic.  Right now Pablo Sandoval is banged up a bit (he didn’t play in the Braves series but might be back on Friday) and Randy Winn’s been hitting third.  I think that Molina is a little better with Panda in the three slot.  Also, Sandoval can spell him behind the plate.  On the up side, the team’s not feeling this lack of offense horribly, as yet.  However, perhaps a lineup shuffle might be in order.  Again, great pitching and timely hitting in this series. 

Something to note:  Giant reliever Sergio Romo should be available for Friday night’s game.  He has yet to pitch this season due to injury.   His presence should more than help the Giants pen. 

The Giants next play Friday night as they host the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Braves will venture to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday night.