Tim Lincecum tossed seven strong innings and Andres Torres homered as the San Francisco Giants completed a three game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 7-3 victory, finishing a National League best 52-29 at home. 

Lincecum (15-7) allowed two hits and two earned runs while striking out seven, increasing his National League leading strikeout total to 254.  Torres led an eleven hit assault against Dan Haren (14-10) with his sixth homerun of the season.  He also added a triple.  Randy Winn, playing in perhaps his final game for the Giants, collected two hits in the effort.  Randy Johnson closed out the ninth.  Rich Aurilia, facing his finale as a Giant, started at first base and was applauded loudly by the home crowd each time up to the plate. 

In the opener, Benjie Molina had four hits and homered twice (19, 20) as the Giants lifted Jonathan Sanchez (8-12) to a 8-4 victory.  Pablo Sandoval also collected four hits lifted a ball into orbit for his 23rd of the season.  Doug Davis (8-14) was pummeled for seven hits and four runs in four innings for the loss.  Ryan Garko and Randy Winn each had two hits for the Giants.  Miguel Montero homered twice (15, 16) off Sanchez for the Diamondbacks in a losing effort.

In the middle game, Brad Penny (4-1/11-9) went the distance, striking out five, as the Giants won 4-1.  His only run allowed was unearned.  Eli Whiteside hit his second homerun of the season off Kevin Mulvey (0-3). 

Okay, they got the sweep, but the Rockies are in the playoffs (good luck, gents).  Therefore, what do we say?  If I came up in spring training and told you that the Giants would be in it until the second to last series of the season, would you have believed me?  I rest my case.  Full season recaps are for later, but let’s touch on what we see from the series.  First, Lincecum is awesome.  However, he will not win the Cy Young.  Neither will my fave horse of the season (Matt Cain).  No, that award belongs in St. Louis this year.  For who should get it, check out their blog.  Probably Carpenter.  Second, it’s time to say goodbye to some veterans.  I’m thinking of Winn and Aurilia.  Probably Molina, too.  However, the front office and manager love Benjie.  Therefore, he’ll probably get another year.  However, let’s bat him where he should be batting.  Seventh.  Finally, about the front office and manager.  The lineups were questionable at times.  The Renteria signing was pointless.  The Garko trade?  Pointless.  Freddy Sanchez?  Well, I hope Alderson was worth it.  Yes, the Giants overachieved this season.  However, was it because of or in spite of the front office and management?   I hope it’s the former but fear it is the latter. 

One more series on the season.  The Giants will travel to San Diego to face the Padres.  The Diamondbacks travel to Chicago to face the Cubs.  Finish strong.  GO GIANTS!!!!

Too many roster moves have been happening since the last series for me to wait to write about until the end of the swing through Philly.  Let’s touch on those, right now. 

First things first, and most important for the time being (like say….tonight) is the addition of Brad Penny to the rotation.  He comes at a low cost to the Giants as I believe that the BoSox will be picking up most of this tab on the year.  Penny appears to be healthy and back in the league where he’s most comfortable.  I say this is a good move.  He’ll be starting tonight and installed at the #5 spot in the rotation.  This spot is one that might be of importance due to the neck and neck run for the wild card against the Rockies.  I like his veteran savvy more than any rookie that could occupy that spot.  That included Kevin Pucetas, whom I’ve been pumping up for several months.  We’ll see how he does.  His test starts tonight against the Phillies.

The other move is a recall from the minors that should turn the head of any Giants fans with a pulse.  Catcher Buster Posey, the Giants top pick in the 2008 draft, was brought up for the September roster expansion.  This is critical because Benjie Molina has been fighting a nagging leg injury for about a week now.   Eli Whiteside isn’t what the team needs in a starter.  Posey’s excelled wherever he’s played.  I hope he’s plugged in for more than just token ‘cup of coffee’ starts.  If he continues his hitting charge, it might be bye bye for Molina in the offseason.  Also, should Molina be unable to go in the post-season, the team could plug Posey into his roster spot.  He should be suited up for Wednesday’s game. 

And it all starts tonight…..

The San Francisco Giants clubbed 18 hits and beat the New York Mets 10-1 to earn a split in the four game set. 

Aaron Rowand had four hits and launched his tenth homerun of the season as the Giants hitters feasted early and often on former San Francisco rotation stalwart Livan Hernandez (7-8), touching the veteran up for six runs in 5 1/3 innings.  Joe Martinez (3-1), a New York native, had a successful homecoming, tossing five innings of five hit ball while surrendering one run.   Nate Schierholtz added a two run pinch-hit double and Randy Winn had three hits to pace the Giants offense.

In the Friday night opener, Met rookie Bobby Parnell (3-4), making only his second start on the year (against 54 relief appearances) was masterful, tossing six shutout innings, striking out seven while walking none, as the Mets won 3-0.  Angel Pagan led off the game with a homerun (3) off Barry Zito (8-11) and Francisco Rodriguez tossed a perfect ninth for his 26th save. 

In the second game of the set, Benjie Molina broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the tenth with a homerun (15) off Francisco Rodriguez (2-4) as the Giants prevailed 5-4 in ten innings.  Brian Wilson (5-5) blew a long save for Matt Cain, but tossed 2 2/3 shutout innings for the win.  Cain was strong again, notching 7 1/3 strong innings and leaving with the lead.  Earlier in the game, Cain hit David Wright in the helmet with a fastball, knocking the slugger out and sending him to the hospital.   Mets starter Johan Santana retaliated, throwing behind Pablo Sandoval in the seventh.  The Giant third baseman responded by depositing the next pitch over the left field fence for his 18th homerun of the season. 

The third game was likewise a pitcher’s duel as Jonathan Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey matched pitches for more than seven innings, each leaving with the score tied 2-2.   Daniel Murphy drove home Jeff Francoeur, singling off Jeremy Affeldt in the bottom of the ninth to win the game for the Mets 3-2 and make a loser off Sergio Romo (3-2).  Francisco Rodriguez (3-4) struck out the side in the top of the ninth for the victory.

Well, they got the split.  That’s what you ask for on the road, right?  But the bats (with the exception of the last game) were silent.  Four good outings and two wins to show for it.  I don’t know.  I’m amazed more the more I watch this.  Come on guys.  Cain losing a three run lead was a bit of a shocker, too.  I pray that David Wright is okay.  It appears as if he is.  Ended up on the disabled list with a concussion.  Martinez played well.  That’s nice to see.  Let’s keep this momentum going into the next series.  Heck, the Dodgers keep losing.  Perhaps the Giants can win this thing yet. 

The Giants will next travel to Cincinnati on Tuesday to play the Reds.  The Mets host the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. 

Juan Uribe lifted his fifth homerun of the season to left field, sinking the Dodgers 4-2 in ten innings and allowing the Giants to salvage the final game of the three game set with division leader Los Angeles.

The Dodgers forced extra innings when Adam Ethier singled home Rafael Furcal, tying the score against Tim Lincecum with two outs in the ninth.  Winner Brian Wilson (4-5) quelled the rally and pitched the tenth for the win.  Uribe blasted an 0-2 offering from loser Guillermo Mota (3-4) into the seats for the final tally.  Lincecum finished the day surrendering four hits, two runs, and striking out seven.  Great day for the game’s top pitcher.  He should have had the win.  Ended up with a no decision.

In the first game, the Giants jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage when Travis Ishikawa blasted an offering from HIroki Kuroda (5-5) over the right field fence in the second inning.  However, the Giants would get little else as Matt Kemp banged a three run double off loser Jonathan Sanchez (5-10) in the fourth en route to a 4-2 victory.  Mark Loretta followed with a run scoring single to give the Dodgers a 4-1 advantage.  Benjie Molina hit a rather meaningless solo homerun (14) off closer Jonathan Broxton in the ninth.  However, after allowing a single to Randy Winn, Broxton slammed the door the rest of the way for his 25th save of the season.

In the middle game, the Giants again struck first, jumping out to a third inning 1-0 advantage over Randy Wolf (6-6).  However, rookie Joe Martinez (2-1) couldn’t hold the lead through the fifth and the Dodgers prevailed 9-1.  Martinez shut the Dodgers out through the first four frames but was chased after Ethier and Manny Ramirez blasted back to back run scoring doubles to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.  The hit parade continued in full swing in the seventh when Ramirez (13) and Matt Kemp (16) sent balls into orbit off Brandon Medders for the final numbers. 

All in all, the Giants looked atrocious this series.  Yes, I know that the umpires blew some (A LOT) of calls this series.  However, that doesn’t excuse Sanchez’s wildness (two walks before the back breaking double) or the inept offense shown by the Giants.  Questionable managerial moves, too.  Such as, in the first game, Ishikawa blasted a homerun and drew the team’s only walk on the day.  He had a chance to come up with runners on base but late, because a lefty was on for the Dodgers, he was lifted for a right hand hitter (Ryan Garko).  STUPID!!!  Does the concept of ‘hot hand’ mean nothing to Bochy?  Guess not.  And another thing.  I think I’m tired of seeing Garko in the lineup.  I don’t care if he was a deadline pickup.  He’s been playing horrible.  There’s a reason Ishikawa’s had more reps recently.  I won’t hold the feet of Martinez to the fire too much.  He did a servicable job for four innings.  But the pressure might have gotten to him in the fifth.  He’s young.  However, he needs to get through that frame.  If not, tickets to Fresno can be bought at a premium.  Did I see Randy Winn batting fifth this series?  Wow!!!  That’s a sure fire way to protect Molina at four.  Incredible.   This was a huge series.  They needed two or three wins and got one.  Amazing.   I guess there’s always the wild card.  Timmy should have had the victory today.   Perhaps there’s a reason why they call the umps ‘blue’.  Did I just say that?  Strike that from the record. 

The Giants next travel to New York to take on the Mets Friday night.  The Dodgers will hopefully lose to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.  We can hope, right?

Joe Martinez won his first major league start and Eli Whiteside hit a grand slam as the San Francisco Giants beat the Houston Astros 10-6, taking the three game Texas road swing, two games to one. 

Martinez (2-0), sidelined since being beaned with a line drive in the third game of the season, scattered seven hits and three runs over five innings, striking out five in the effort.   After the Astros jumped to a 3-0 lead following a two run double by Jason Michaels and RBI infield single by Kazuo Matsui in the second, the Giant bats erupted.  Pablo Sandoval started the rally with a two run single in the top of the third.  The score held at 3-2 until the sixth when new acquisition Ryan Garko drove in Sandoval with a single to tie the score.  Following an Aaron Rowand double and an intentional walk to Edgar Renteria (IW to Renteria????  Seriously, they deserved what came next.), Eli Whiteside slammed the first offering from Brian Moehler (7-7) into the left field stands, putting the Giants ahead 8-4.  Each team scored two runs in the ninth, the Astros on a two run launch by Hunter Pence (14) for the final tally.  Sandoval had three hits on the day, raising his average to .334 on the season.

In the opener, Matt Cain (12-3) had a rare speedbump in his season of excellence, surrendering fifth and sith inning homeruns to Geoff Blum (6) and Kazuo Matsui (5) respectively, while losing an early 2-0 advantage and the game to Mike Hampton (7-8), 4-3.  The Giants consistently squandered scoring opportunities with runners on base in the early going and couldn’t get the big hit when it counted late.  Jose Valverde finished up, pitching the ninth for his 13th save.  

in the middle game, Jonathan Sanchez (4-9) put his 2009 road woes behind him, snapping a nine game travel streak by shutting out the Astros on four hits over seven innings and striking out eight as the Giants prevailed 8-1.  Benjie Molina had three hits and two RBI as the Giants battered rookie Astros starter Felipe Paulino (2-6) early and often, to the tune of nine hits and five runs over 4 1/3 innings.  Freddy Sanchez (7) and Pablo Sandoval (16) lifted back to back homers in the sixth off reliever Wesley Wright. 

So, what to say?  The sweep would have been nice, but hey, a series win is good, too.  And with the Dodgers within striking distance, every series win is necessary.  Of course, though Cain is the man this year, you can’t win them all.  And this one he lost.  He did get the complete game and, it’s better now than against a NL West opponent, I guess.  Sanchez was nails.  Martinez was nice in what he did.  He looked like a rookie #5 and I guess that’s what he is.  The starting pitching was awesome (as usual).  Great job by the offense after that first game.  Garko seems like he’s getting in the game a little more.  Also, Sandoval’s a stud.  As I said earlier, if you walk Renteria intentionally, you deserve the next pitch you throw being hit into orbit.  It’s only logical.  Now, the team has some momentum going into this weekend against the Reds (and the Dodgers after them).  Lincecum starts off this series.  Let’s get him some runs, alright?

The Giants will next take on the Cincinnati Reds at home on Friday night.  The Astros host the Milwaukee Brewers.  Go Giants and whoever plays the Dodgers and Rockies!!!

A smile crosses my face when I think of how well the Giants have performed on the season.  I guess I was used to losing or something.   In my wildest dreams, I don’t think I would have ever predicted 49-39 at this point in the season.  Factor in that they have the third best record in the National League and lead the wild card and my smile widens.

First and foremost, the secret to the Giants success this year is their pitching.  The starters start the games, so we’ll begin with them.  The two headed beast of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain has given the team an awesome stability at the top of the rotation.  I will set this one two punch against any in the majors.  With Timmy, after two hiccups to begin the season, he’s merely continuing what won him the Cy Young award last season.  As for Cain, he’s showing us what he can do when he has the comfort level a little run support will allow.  Incredible.  If each continues their first half performance, the Giants will be well.  Randy Johnson’s been good, not great, not stellar.  He’s been a stable influence in the rotation when he’s not giving up taters.   However, his 8-6 record is gone until August (or September).  A lot will happen between now and then and his return should be viewed on a par with a late season trade.  It could push them over the top but won’t help them in the short term.  After him, Barry Zito’s been hit and miss, sink or swim, bouquet or stink.  In other words, a great number four.  For every dominating outing he has, there is seemingly one bad one and two that can go either way.  I’ll take the dominating ones when we can get them.  However, while he’s nice when on, he can’t be depended upon in crunch time.  So that leaves us with the kids.  Jonathan Sanchez was great in his last outing (no-hitter) and mostly abyssmal in the previous 13 before that.  It’s imperative that this last start was not an anomaly and that the Giants can depend on more of that sort.  If he starts walking the world in his next outing, the team should be concerned.  If the next batch are the same as the first 13, a change will be in order.  If he continues this dominance, then the Giants are in for a treat.  The rookie, Ryan Sadowski, has been good in three starts.  As a true #5, whatever the team can get from him will be gravy.  If he can remain accurate with his pitches (in his lost, he walked four), it appears he can be a consistently good juxtaposition to the fireballers at the top of the rotation.  He’s one to watch in the second half.

The bullpen was awesome.  Between Justin Miller, Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, and Bobby Howry, leads were often safe in the first half.  The only real question mark is oft-injured Merkin Valdez and his ‘just under five’ ERA.  Perhaps they could use an upgrade in this department.  Every other pitcher who hasn’t produced in the bullpen this year (Matos, Misch, Hinshaw) has been shown the door in short order.  Let’s hope the Giants don’t get too tentative about this one.  Perhaps a returning Joseph Martinez is the answer.  Brian Wilson, as usual, gave us a few nervous moments but, more often than not, came through for the Orange and Black.  I don’t see why that should change in the second half.  Nor do I see any need for a different closer (though the reactionaries will always scream that the sky is falling and somebody other than Wilson should be the closer….they are wrong). 

For the lineup, I’ll be brief:

First base-The lineup improved once 1) Travis Ishikawa started hitting and 2) once Travis Ishikawa started playing consistently.  I love this guy at first.  He should be the starter from here on out.  They need no upgrade at this position.  He saves uncountable runs with his scoops at first and, I’ll call my shot, he will end up the season with 20 homeruns and 80 RBI.  Mark it down. 

Second base-After the failed (can we declare it failed yet??  Yes, we can.) experiment with the combination of Emmanuel Burriss (didn’t hit/sent to the minors and currently missing the rest of the season with a broken foot) and Kevin Frandsen (sent to the minors/recalled and didn’t hit/currently being given a second look in the majors as a pine rider), Juan Uribe was a pleasant surprise at second base.  He’s hitting .301 and fielding second base like he was born to play it.  I don’t trust him 100% to continue this torrid pace and don’t think either Matt Downs or any minor league youngsters are the answer should he fail.  Therefore, if they are going to grab a stick by the deadline, second base is a good area to shore up.

Shortstop-I know many have been very critical about Edgar Renteria but, to be honest, he hasn’t been playing that badly.  Very average with his range.  His stick is nothing to write home about but he is good about tossing gas on the fire when the team starts blasting balls around the field.  In other words, he’s doing exactly what the Giants thought he would.  He is an accompaniment.  Nothing more, nor less. 

Third base-Hey, hey, what can I say?  Pablo Sandoval is the man at this position.  At the hot corner, he has been awesome.  Most of his seven errors came during his little stint at first base.  At third, he has been special.  His bat is awesome.  The league will grow to fear him.  As an added bonus, his power came around, in a hurry.  We’re looking 30+/100+ from him by the end of the year.  This is a bat to build a lineup around.  It’s also one that can carry a team offensively for a stretch. 

Catcher-Benjie Molina first, should not be hitting cleanup.  His power hitting seems to have abandoned him.   The pitchers like him, however, so we’ll continue to see him in the lineup.  However, don’t expect a ton from him.  And, lest we forget, he does like to surprise, at times.  Dependable bat that should be more potent in the second half.  Eli Whiteside has been a nice surprise.  I enjoy him playing in small doses.  The white hair is a bit freaky, though.  Eh.  I guess it matches his name.  Bucks the team trend, too, as it’s not a mohawk. 

Left field-Fred Lewis, who I pushed hard in the preseason, appears to have worn out his welcome.  Too many strikeouts with too little production will do that.  Sorry Fred.  I did lobby hard for ya’ for three years.  Nate Schierholtz has been nice as a substitute (though he’s better suited for right field) and should get more starts in the second half.  His scorching bat seems to have cooled a bit.  If he can’t pick it up by the end of this month, then that’s another spot where they might be able to use an upgrade. 

Center field-Aaron Rowand has experienced a renaissance since moving to the leadoff spot.  Amazing.  He’s hitting well and playing good defense (although the strikeouts are a bit high).  He swooned last season.  However, I think he’ll keep this up for the duration.  He’s playing with a vigor that is nice to see. 

Right field-Earlier stated, I think that Schierholtz is best suited to play here and move starter Randy Winn over to left.  Winn’s good.  He’s a leader.  He’s rather unspectacular.  However, he’s a veteran and, as such, is an asset to the team.   Important to have these down the stretch. 

I’ve read a great deal of ‘experts’ and ‘fans’ desiring that manager Bruce Bochy get the axe and that general manager Brian Sabean be smoted with the same stroke.  I think this idea is silly.  While I was a little miffed at Bochy for sticking with some veterans in the field early when I thought they should be on the bench or seeking other employment, he came around and now Ishikawa’s playing at first while Rich Aurilia’s riding the bench.  I think Bochy’s doing a great job with this team, overall.  Let’s see if he can get them to the playoffs and beyond.  I think he can.  That should keep the aforementioned smile beaming on my kisser.  Now, round one was fun and is in the books.  Let’s get going on round two of the season. 

The San Francisco Giants rode incredible pitching efforts in taking three of four home games from the San Diego Padres and finishing the homestand preceding the All-Star break with a 7-3 mark. 

Easily the jewel in the crown of the four game set was the second game, where former rotation stalwart Jonathan Sanchez, pitching in place of an injured Randy Johnson, tossed a no-hitter, facing just one batter over the minimum, as the Giants cruised to an 8-0 victory.   With his father in attendance, Sanchez (3-8) struck out eleven, walking none.  The only base runner for the Padres was Chase Headley, who reached on a fielding error by third baseman Juan Uribe in the eighth.  Pablo Sandoval backed him with a three run homerun in the fifth, his fourteenth, off Josh Banks (1-1).  Aaron Rowand also drove in three.  Sanchez’s no-hitter was the first for a Giant since John Montefusco in 1976. 

In the first game of the series, Tim Lincecum almost preceded Sanchez’s night of greatness with one of his own, taking a no-hitter, 29 inning scoreless streak, and a 6-0 lead into the seventh inning before fading, allowing three runs and giving way to the bullpen as the Giants ultimately prevailed, 8-3.   Benjie Molina (11), Travis Ishikawa (7), and Juan Uribe (3) struck homeruns in support as the Giants made a loser of Josh Greer (1-4).  Lincecum, (10-2) struck out eight and walked four in his final start before he leads the National Leaguers into action as the starting pitcher in the 2009 All-Star game on Tuesday night. 

In the third game, the Giants survived a scare as Matt Cain took a line drive off the bat of Padres starting pitcher Tim Stauffer (0-1) to the right arm in the second inning.  After tests, it was determined that the All-Star, who was subsequently named inactive (by the team) for the midsummer night’s classic, suffered from only a deep bruise and shouldn’t miss a start.  Pablo Sandoval blasted his fifteenth homerun of the season, a two run variety, off Stauffer in the fourth.  The bullpen did the rest as Justin Miller (2-1) went three and one third innings and combined with Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, and Brian Wilson to limit the Padres to one run on three hits for the rest of the game, as the Giants prevailed, 2-1, with Wilson pitching the final four outs, striking out three, for his 23rd save.

In the final game, the Padres offense erupted on Barry Zito (5-9) for nine runs over four and one third innings.  Homeruns by Kevin Kouzmanoff (12) and former Giant Eliezer Alfonzo (2) made a winner of another former Giant, Kevin Correia (6-7), who threw into the sixth, giving up three runs.  The only bright spot for the Giants was John Bowker, who picked up his first hits on the season, an RBI single and solo homerun, his first, in a losing effort. 

First of all, in the first three games, the Giants pitching ruled.  Awesome job.  I don’t care if this is the Padres, they’re still major leaguers out there.  Great efforts by Sanchez and Lincecum.  Equally to the bullpen in lifting up Cain.  Very fortunate for the Giants that it was only a bruise on his golden right arm.  Way to go for Sanchez in sacking up in place of Johnson.  If he can continue in a similar manner, it will minimize the damage from the loss of the future hall of famer.   Oh, and Sandoval’s awesome at the plate.  The league is starting to develop a healthy fear of him.  That’s only good for whoever bats behind him.  Ishikawa went 0-2 on Sunday, ending his hitting streak at ten games.  Zito was slapped around.  Hey, it’s alright.  That’s what happens with number four starters.  They have two good games and then one bad game.  Too bad he costs this much. 

On a transaction note, before the series, in order to get a better look at Bowker, the Giants optioned rookie starter Ryan Sadowski to Class A San Jose.  This also was to allow the youngster to keep his scheduled start on Monday as the Giants had no need for him in the rotation until after the break. 

The Giants are off until Friday for the All-Star break.  After that, they’ll play in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.  The Padres will host the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night.   Enjoy the All-Star game!!!

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. 

Randy Johnson and Tim Lincecum continued their dominant stretches as the Giants rallied from an early loss to take two of three from the Athletics in Oakland. 

In the opener, the Athletics rallied from a solo homerun by Travis Ishikawa (4) to take the game 5-1.   Former Giant Rajai Davis tripled and scored twice, Orlando Cabrera doubled twice, and rookie Trevor Cahill (5-5) pitched seven quality innings as the Athletics sent Jonathan Sanchez (2-8) to his fourth consecutive loss.   Cahill was stingy, only allowing four hits and one run while striking out four.  Brad Ziegler pitched two innings for the save, his sixth on the season.

In the middle game, Tim Lincecum (7-2) shone, pitching a complete game,  striking out twelve, and only surrendering a solo homerun to Jason Giambi (10) as the Giants prevailed 4-1.  The Giants got to Vin Mazarro (2-2) early, scoring twice in the first and second innings on RBI doubles by Pablo Sandoval and Edgar Renteria and sacrifice flies by Benjie Molina and rookie Matt Downs.  Lincecum was helped out of two late jams by double plays as he completed his second game of the season, both against Oakland. 

In the rubber match, Randy Johnson (7-5) threw seven dominant innings and Nate Schierholtz smacked a two run homerun as the Giants feasted off Gio Gonzalez (0-1) for ten hits and six runs over 3 2/3 innings en route to a 6-3 victory.   Aaron Rowand added an RBI double.  Brian Wilson pitched the final out for his 20th save of the season. 

Nice to see the Giants pitching step up to the plate for them.  You knew that Lincecum was going to be mad after his loss to the Angels.  He let nobody down this series.  Johnson looked good, too.  The kids are getting some looks.  Schierholtz smacked the ball around and Ishikawa kept up his torrid stretch.  Per Sandoval, he is bashing.  This guy is definitely an incredible all round hitter.  My only complaint is Sanchez.  He just looks lost out there.  One thing goes wrong, such as not getting a strike called, and he seems to flip out and walk the world.  Perhaps he could use some time in Fresno, getting his psyche in order.  If he goes down, Kevin Pucetas is ready.  If not Pucetas, there’s a handful of others who could be up to the task.  Just something to keep in mind.  If they got dominant starts, consistently, out of all five pitchers, this team could really be rolling.  As of right now, it’s four good starts (even from Zito) and then a consistent hiccup.  That’s not good. 

Good news for San Francisco.   After the series, they now stand at 39-32 on the season.  That’s good enough for:  1) the second best record in the National League and 2) the current wild card lead.  They also now stand seven games behind the Dodgers for the National League West lead.  Nice stuff.  Whoda thunk this could have happened before the season?

The Giants, finished with interleague play for the season, will next travel to Milwaukee to play the Brewers on Friday.  The Athletics will host the Colorado Rockies Friday night. 

Stellar pitching, combined with clutch hitting, helped the Giants to sweep a three game set with the Oakland Athletics.  Complete games by Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain bookended Randy Johnson’s 301st career victory. 

In the opener, the Lincecum (6-1) tossed a complete game shutout, surrendering only seven hits while striking out eight as the Giants prevailed 3-0.  Lincecum also singled in a run, with the bases loaded, in the fifth, driving home Juan Uribe from third base, to break a scoreless tie.  Aaron Rowand followed with a two run single off losing Athletics rookie, Vin Mazzaro (2-1), supplying Lincecum with all the offense he would need for the victory.   The runs were the first surrendered by Mazzaro on the season. 

In the middle game, Randy Johnson (6-5) pitched seven strong innings, surrendering only four hits and two runs, en route to a 5-2 victory.   Benjie Molina hit his tenth homerun of the season in the first and Juan Uribe broke a 2-2 tie with a single in the seventh.  The hit was followed closely by a sacrifice fly by Emmanuel Burriss and an RBI single by Nate Schierholtz for the final score of 5-2.  Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his 17th save.  Josh Outman (4-1) picked up his first loss of the season for Oakland. 

In the final game, Matt Cain (9-1) went the distance, throwing a four hitter.  He shook off a first inning homerun by Jack Cust (11) for his seventh straight decision victory, 7-1.   After Randy Winn erased the deficit with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first, Pablo Sandoval followed, two batters later, with a two run bomb, his sixth, to give the Giants a 3-1 lead.  Nate Schierholtz hit a three run, inside the park homerun, his first, off Brett Anderson (3-7) to put the game out of reach, 6-1.  Andres Torres doubled and tripled for the offense.  Cain struck out nine as he tossed his third complete game of the season. 

What can I say?  Absolutely nothing to complain about in this series.  The bats were working.  The pitching was doing what the pitching did.  I think that Schierholtz instead of Fred Lewis in left field is a good idea.  He’s being given a chance and running with it.  Again, would have been nice to see Travis Ishikawa get an at bat.  However, they won.  Such concerns will be kept for a later date.  Great job by the Giants in this weekend set.  Let’s see if they can continue it in the next series. 

The Giants will next play at home against the LA Angels on Monday evening.  The Athletics will have an off day before traveling to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers.  Let’s hope the Athletic bats come alive now for our benefit, m’kay?