Rich Aurilia hit his first homerun of the season and the bullpen turned in 4 2/3 innings of shutout ball as the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3, taking the weekend series, two games to one.  Aurilia’s shot off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (5-3) broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning and made a winner of Merkin Valdez (2-0).  The Giants rallied behind Pablo Sandoval, whose RBI single erased a two run deficit in the fifth.  Brian Wilson threw the ninth for the save (12). 

In the opener, Matt Cain (6-1) continued to dominate, pitching into the seventh inning while giving up only two runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out five and lowering his team leading ERA to 2.31.  Pablo Sandoval drove in two in the winning effort and Brian Wilson threw a scoreless ninth for the save.

In the middle game, Albert Pujols stroked two homeruns (15, 16) as the Cardinals rallied to beat Barry Zito (1-6), 6-2.  The Giants scored on winning pitcher Chris Carpenter (3-0), becoming the first team to tack an earned run this season on the St. Louis ace.  Sergio Romo made his first appearance of the season, throwing 2/3 of an inning while surrendering two runs. 

Analysis, a series win is always great.  Nice to see that the team overcame the early deficit to win on Sunday.  Also nice to see Romo come back, though he had some rust, to be sure.  Equally great that Sandoval is back in the lineup, albeit at first base.   This is my criticism.  I understand that they want to play Sandoval at first to rest his sore arm (as opposed to having him hurl throws across the diamond from third base).  I get that.  However, Travis Ishikawa, who was swinging a scorching hot bat against Atlanta, didn’t pick up the stick one time against the Cards.  That’s not smart.  We’ll see if he can get some at bats this next series.   Brian Wilson was nails this series.  Also great to see that Cain continues to dominate.  He was my preseason pick for Cy Young and I’m not changing it now.

The Giants will next travel to Washington DC to play the Nationals as Randy Johnson shoots for win number 300.  The Cardinals will next host the Cincinnati Reds.

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. 

The San Francisco Giants apparently forgot to pack baseball bats for their three game set in San Diego, scoring only four runs in the series while losing three in a row and wasting dominant starts by Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito, and Tim Lincecum. 

In the opener, Zito (1-4) threw a complete game, surrendering only early solo homeruns to Scott Hairston (5) and Nick Hundley (3) in the first and second innings, respectively.  Padres starter Chris Young (3-2) was up to the task, striking out six in six innings while scattering five hits and a run in a 2-1 victory.  Heath Bell tossed the ninth for his tenth save.

In the middle game, Chad Gaudin (1-3) went six innings and again the Giants offense faltered, producing only one run in support of Jonathan Sanchez (1-4) who lost in spite of only allowing two hits in six innings.  However, both hits, a solo home run by Kevin Kouzmanoff (3) and a run scoring double by Chris Burke, produced runs, creating the difference in a second straight 2-1 San Diego victory.  Aaron Rowand, relocated into the leadoff spot, had three hits for the Giants.   Bell again pitched the ninth for his eleventh save.

In the finale, Tim Lincecum brought his A game and tore through the Padres lineup, striking out ten and surrendering only four hits and one run in seven innings.   Rowand continued his torrid hitting with a homerun (4) in support and the Giants broke through against Bell (2-0) for a run and a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.  However, closer Brian Wilson (2-3)couldn’t hold the fort.  After Brian Giles walked to load the bases with two out, Wilson plunked David Eckstein to tie the score, setting the stage for Giant killer Hairston, who followed with a single to left to give the Padres the win, 3-2.  It was Wilson’s third blown save of the season. 

Okay, where to begin?  First, the Giants NEED to start hitting, both overall and situational.  I see base runners all over the place and that’s where they stay.  The number of times they had a runner on third who ended up taking off his helmet and jogging back to the dugout after out number three was unacceptable.  Horrible.  I know many Giants fans are excited about the arrival of Jesus Guzman, but if we’re to expect more of what I saw last night, I am concerned.  At bat with runners on the corners and one out and he grounds into a double play.  At first base and misplays a pivot toss for a double play from Kevin Frandsen that Travis Ishikawa probably would have picked.  At least we’ll get to see his stick exclusively this weekend in Seattle.  However, I will not attack him as much as the ineptness that has Rich Aurilia still in the lineup.  Unacceptable.  Ishikawa stings the ball while Aurilia strikes out.  One of those will turn into hits, eventually.  Nice to see Nate Schierholtz get a few at bats.  He did alright.  The moving of Rowand to leadoff, while it raised my eyebrow, was a good call.   We’ll see if it continues.  The pitching was excellent with the exception of Wilson last night.  But then, he’s a closer.  He’ll be back.   If he’s not, we’re in more trouble.  Most of all, let’s hope the Giants remember to pack bats for Seattle this weekend. 

This weekend, interleague play begins as the Giants venture north to play the Mariners.  Randy Johnson will start, for the Giants, against his former club Friday night.   The Padres will play host to the Chicago Cubs. 

The Washington Nationals combined timely hitting with a strong outing by rookie starter Shairon Martis to turn back the San Fracisco Giants bid for a series sweep, 6-3.  Martis improved to 5-0, throwing seven innings while surrendering two hits and a run.  The Nationals scored three of their runs with two out to beat Barry Zito (1-3).   Elijah Dukes drove in three runs and Nick Johnson had four hits on the day.  Ryan Zimmerman’s hitting streak ended at 30 games. 

In the opener, Randy Johnson (3-3) struck out nine in five innings for his 298th career victory, while Randy Winn and Travis Ishikawa collected three hits apiece as the Giants bullied starter Daniel Cabrera and withstood a late ninth inning rally to beat the Nationals 11-7.  The 11 runs were the most scored by the Giants thus far this season.  Reliever Osiris Matos batted in the bottom of the eighth and collected his first major league hit, an infield single.  Ryan Zimmerman homered twice for the Nationals.  Brian Wilson pitched the final out for his eighth save of the season.

In the middle game, Pablo Sandoval lifted the bullpen with a two out, three run, walk off homerun, as the Giants prevailed 9-7.  Matt Cain pitched well, going seven innings and surrendering only four runs, three on a seventh inning home run by Nick Johnson, who finished with five RBI on the game.  He turned a 5-4 lead over to Bob Howry and the San Francisco bullpen, which promptly gave it and three runs up in the eighth inning, creating a 7-5 deficit.  Benjie Molina hit a solo home run in the eighth, his eighth on the season.   Losing pitcher Joe Beimel (0-2) came on for the save in the bottom of the ninth.  After retiring pinch hitters Juan Uribe and Rich Aurilia, Emmanuel Burriss singled and advanced to second on Beimel’s throwing error.  Edgar Renteria followed with a walk, setting the stage for Sandoval’s blast.  Brandon Medders (2-1) pitched the last two outs of the ninth for the victory. 

My impressions of this series are several fold.  Yes, it’s great to win another series.  It would have been even better to get a sweep, but such is life.  Zito looked good again, but not great.  Cain pitched good up until the three run blast.  The bullpen, however, has to hold that thing.  It is good that Sergio Romo should be back soon.  It appears as if Ishikawa’s starting to hit.  That’s excellent news.  However, it is against the Nationals.  Let’s see if he can keep up this pace.  Johnson keeps running out of gas around the fifth inning.  That’s somewhat disheartening.  We’ll see if this is a trend that he might remedy.   The bullpen (sans Wilson, who creates his own drama but tends to fix it, too) has been developing a habit of turning ‘safe’ leads into nail-biters and small leads into deficits.  This needs to be turned around.  Sandoval’s a good hitter.  He’s a really good hitter. 

The Giants will next play host to the New York Mets for four games.  The Nationals will go home and host the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday in the first game of a three game set. 

A two run, bases loaded double by Randy Winn in the 13th led to the final decision as the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5, winning the three game set in LA, two games to one.   Brian Wilson (2-0), who blew the save in the bottom of the 12th, surrendering a solo homerun to Casey Blake, earned redemption and the victory by retiring the side in order in the bottom of the 13th.  Guillermo Mota picked up the loss.

In the opener, the Giants benefitted from yet another strong outing by Barry Zito (1-2), going six innings and scattering 8 hits while holding the Dodgers to one run.  This time, however, he actually picked up the winning decision as the Giants played excellent small ball, scoring twice on sacrifice flies by Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria.   Dodgers ace Chad Billingsley (5-1) was the hard luck loser, tossing seven quality innings while picking up his first loss of 2009.

In the middle game, Dodger starter Eric Stults (4-1) completely handcuffed the Giants, surrendering only four hits while striking out five in a complete game, 8-0 victory.  Juan Pierre drove in three with two doubles and Juan Castro had two doubles and three hits overall, driving in two and scoring twice as the Dodgers hitters feasted upon Giant starter Jonathan Sanchez (1-3) for six hits and five runs in five innings. 

Initial impressions of this series are that they played very well.  Tim Lincecum didn’t pitch particularily well in the rubber match, but they didn’t panic and actually came from behing for the victory.  Emmanuel Burriss is starting to heat up.  He had four hits on Sunday and hitting .287 going into tonight’s game (and is actually slated at leadoff tonight).  Travis Ishikawa is starting to put some good wood on the ball.  Let’s see if he can get out of this slump.  Brian Wilson came back from the homerun nicely on Sunday.  Nice to see he has some thick skin.  Good closers need that.   Sanchez is scuffling with his control.  He needs to get this worked out.  No need to make a change at the #5 spot in the rotation, at this time.  

For the Dodgers, Juan Pierre wasn’t horrible replacing Manny Ramirez.  However, the balance of power shifts back to the pack with the next 46 games.  This series win leaves the Giants 4 1/2 games off the pace.  We’ll see how it works out. 

The Giants will next host the Washington Nationals on Monday to begin a three game set.  The Dodgers travel to Philadelphia to play the world champion Phillies for three, starting Tuesday.

Pinch hitter Rich Aurilia singled home catcher Steve Holm in the bottom of the tenth, giving the Giants a 1-0 extra innings victory over the Colorado Rockies.  The win showcased another outstanding effort by starter Barry Zito who, in spite of another no-decision, turned in his third consecutive quality appearance, throwing seven shutout innings while surrendering only two hits.  With the outcome, the Giants won their fifth consecutive series, taking two of three at home against the division rivals. 

In the opener, Randy Johnson struck out nine in seven shutout innings, stingily allowing only four hits and walking none as the Giants rode and RBI double by Travis Ishikawa and sacrifice flies by Randy Winn and Bengie Molina to a 3-2 victory.  Brian Wilson tallied his sixth save of the season, closing out the Rockies in the ninth after quelling an eighth inning uprising against Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt with a bases loaded strikeout of Ryan Spilborghs.  

In the middle game, Spilborghs got a measure of revenge, homering twice off Matt Cain, as the Rockies topped the tally, 5-1.  Starter Jason Marquis threw a complete game five-hitter, surrendering only a ninth inning homerun to Pablo Sandoval.  Brad Hawpe also homered to back Marquis. 

I was impressed by the Giants starting pitching (again) this series.  Zito and Johnson were dominant.  For Zito, he did it with Steve Holm behind the dish, showing that perhaps his recent success was more than just Sandoval catching.  Hopefully he can continue it with Molina as his backstop.  Also, though it was the first time in five starts this season that Cain wasn’t dominant, aside from the homers, he only allowed four other hits and four walks.  An off day, but for a three, such an off day is acceptable every now and again.  Finally, it’s nice to see Fred Lewis and Ishikawa making some solid contact.  Ditto Nate Schierholtz.  On an injury note, Winn sat out the final game of the series with a sore side.   We’ll watch that one and keep you posted. 

The Giants will next travel to Chicago for a two game set against the Cubs.   The Rockies will go down the shore to San Diego for a two game series against the Padres. 

Tim Lincecum spent the entire evening throwing bb’s past the bemused Los Angeles Dodgers and Benjie Molina drove in four runs as the Giants won the rubber game of the teams’ three game set with a convincing 9-4 victory. 

Lincecum was practically unhittable until the eighth inning, when the Dodgers loaded the bases with none out, eventually going on to score three times along with giving the starter a ticket to the showers.  After Jeremy Affeldt induced a double play, closer Brian Wilson got the final out of the inning, then pitched the ninth, surrending one run, for his fifth save of the season.  Edgar Renteria gathered four hits on the evening while Molina tripled and homered.  The much ballyhooed matchup between Lincecum and LA’s Manny Ramirez ended with the slugger 1 for 3 with a single and walk.  Hence, the outcome of that rivalry is obviously still in the air.

The opener saw Barry Zito with his second consecutive solid outing, carrying a 3-0 shutout into the seventh.  In that set, the Dodgers rallied, highlighted by a two run Casey Blake homer to chase Zito.  Reliever Merkin Valdez couldn’t put out the fire in the inning, surrendering the lead and allowing a 4-3 deficit, after a Manny Ramirez RBI single, and leaving the reliever on the hook for the decision.  However, the Giant bats came alive in the bottom of the eighth.  After singles by Fred Lewis and Renteria, Randy Winn struck out.  Then, with runners on the corners, Rich Aurilia, inexplicably starting at cleanup, hit a dribbler up the first base line.  Dodger reliever Ronald Belisario gloved the ball and attempted to flip it to catcher Russell Martin.  The ball had air under it and Martin was unable to handle it cleanly, allowing Lewis to score with Aurilia ending up at first.  After a wild pitch, Molina grounded out to third, bringing Renteria home, and giving the Giants the lead, 5-4.  Brian Wilson struck out the side in order in the ninth for the save.

The middle game saw a dominating performance by Chad Billingsley as the Dodger ace threw 7 1/3 quality innings before being chased in the eighth with the Giants tying the score at three.  The bullpen unraveled in the top of the ninth and the Dodgers scored twice, leading to a final score of 5-3 in favor of Los Angeles.

All in all, the series gives the Giants much to grow on.  It’s their fourth straight series win.  Also, Pablo Sandoval’s officially hot.  However, he ended up leaving Wednesday’s game with a tight groin and will be day to day.  Zito’s outing featured Sandoval at catcher.  I think it evidences that these two need to be paired every fifth day.   Going back to last season, Zito pitches better when Sandoval’s behind the plate.  Something the team needs to keep in mind.

The Giants start their next series on Friday when they play host to the Colorado Rockies.  The Dodgers will host the San Diego Padres on Thursday evening. 

Outstanding performances by Pablo Sandoval and Matt Cain went for naught as the Diamondbacks rallied against closer Brian Wilson and went on to salvage the finale of the weekend three game set from the Giants by a final score of 5-4 in 12 innings.

Sandoval went 4-4 and crushed a three run homer to put the Giants ahead 4-1 in the eighth.  Cain turned in his fourth consecutive quality start, going seven innings, scattering four hits and a run.  He was turned away from his third victory of the season when Justin Upton capped a three run, ninth inning rally against Wilson with a two run homerun, his second of the year.  The teams exchanged zeros for the next two innings until the Diamondbacks loaded the bases on three straight walks and a sacrifice in the twelfth.  Conor Jackson followed with a single to deep left field, scoring Miguel Montero for the final score.

In the opener, Tim Lincecum was again sharp, striking out twelve in eight innings and giving up one run while picking up his first victory of the season, 5-1.  He was backed with homeruns by Benjie Molina and Edgar Renteria as the Giants won their fourth straight. 

In the middle game, Randy Johnson was anything but spectacular, walking seven in 3 1/3 innings, but the Giants rallied for four in the fifth inning, capped by a Randy Winn two run homerun, his second of the year.  Justin Miller and the bullpen shook off a homerun by Eric Byrnes to shut down Arizona for the last four innings as the Giants took the game 5-3. 

My reactions are such:  1)  the starting pitching is looking incredible.  The two headed monster of Cain and Lincecum was unstoppable.  If these two are clicking like this all season, good things are in store.  2)  nice to see that Sandoval is snapping out of his slump.  Today’s performance brought him up to .292 on the season.  3)  Travis Ishikawa, while still slumping at the plate, turned in some outstanding defense.  He also hit a few lasers (though right at defenders).  He’ll come around.  4)  Johnson’s wildness was a bit troubling.  However, he’s been in the game a few years.  I’m sure it’s just mechanics or perhaps the pressure from returning to the desert.  Should be straightened out by his next start.  5) Today’s effort by Wilson was an anomaly.  He’s been pitching well up until this appearance.  Again, all closers have periodic bad outings.  I wouldn’t worry too badly, yet.  6) I still don’t like Fred Lewis leading off.   Just something about it leaves a bad taste and all.  7) It was nice to see Nate Schierholtz not only start but contribute Sunday. 

Great overall performance.  Perfect momentum as they now go home to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Zito vs. Wolf.  See ya’ there!!

Pinch Hitter Benjie Molina drove in Andres Torres with a deep single to provide for the only run in a 1-0, ten inning win for the San Francisco Giants over the San Diego Padres.  The win, the third in a row and fourth in a five game home stand for the Giants, completed a sweep of the two game series with the Padres.  Much maligned starter Barry Zito threw seven dominating innings and Brian Wilson tossed two innings for the victory in relief. 

In the first game of the series, Edgar Renteria smacked a grand slam off Jake Peavy and Matt Cain turned in his third consecutive quality start as the Giants drubbed San Diego, 8-3.  

Zito’s outing is the fifth straight quality start turned in by the Giants staff.  With an off day on Thursday, the Giants will skip Jonathan Sanchez’s spot in the rotation for the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Friday.  Instead, ace Tim Lincecum will seek out his first win of 2009, facing Doug Davis for the second time in a week.  The two exchanged zeros for eight innings last Saturday before Arizona broke through against the Giant bullpen, prevailing 2-0 and giving Lincecum a no-decision. 

In other news, the Giants optioned left-handed reliever Alex Hinshaw to AAA Fresno and recalled catcher Steve Holm.  Hinshaw walked 5 batters in 7 appearances this year while compiling an ERA of 8.44.  In my opinion, he’ll be back soon, should he get his control back in the minors.  Holm will serve as a backup catcher to Molina.  He has yet to play a game in the major leagues this season.  For today’s game, Pablo Sandoval donned the mask behind the plate, his first such appearance this season. 

A trio of strong pitching performances overcame tepid hitting as the San Francisco Giants took two out of three games at home over the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. 

In the opener, Jonathan Sanchez threw 6 2/3 shutout innings, surrendering two hits as the Giants stopped a six game skid with a 2-0 victory. 

In the middle game, Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum corrected his mechanics and struck out 13 over 8 shutout innings, surrendering a mere five hits and walking none.  Unfortunately, counterpart Doug Davis was equally as stingy, scattering 8 hits over 8 shutout innings, as the floor fell through for the combination of Jeremy Affeldt and Brian Wilson in the ninth, each giving up a run, as Arizona prevailed 2-0. 

In the rubber match, Randy Johnson carried a no-hitter into the seventh, striking out 7.  The complete gem was foiled by a leadoff double by Augie Ojeda in that frame.  However, Johnson worked around the jam and teamed with Bob Howry and Brian Wilson to complete the one-hit, 2-0 victory. 

The good news from the series:  1)  the starting pitching was awesome.  21 2/3 shutout innings is nothing to sneeze at.  This is what was expected of the staff this year.  Brian Wilson had two saves in the series.  Excellent.  2) Pablo Sandoval seems to be snapping out of his slump.  He went 3-4 in the final game with a triple.  Maybe that can end up being contagious. 

The bad news from the series:  1)  the lineup was atrocious.  For the series, they scored a whopping 4 runs.  If the starting pitching wasn’t insanely awesome, we’re looking at a nine game skid.  Travis Ishikawa had an RBI via sacrifice fly on Sunday.  That was nice.  However, he’s been on a horrible stretch for the last nine games.  I love him as a starter, but he needs to start taking first pitches.  They’re tossing him breaking balls at the ankles and he ends up down 0-1 right off the bat (this comes from scouting reports).  If he took the first pitch on five straight at bats, he’d notice improved results at the plate.  Almost guaranteed.  2)  Brian Wilson gave more evidence that that, if it’s not a save situation, he probably shouldn’t be out there.   He got beat up in those situations last season and did on Saturday.  However, a job of a closer is to strand inherited runners.  Perhaps he just needs a little more work in non-save situations.   Dunno.

All in all, good results this weekend.  Just would like to see the bats come alive.  The flip-flopping of Emmanuel Burriss and Edgar Renteria in the lineup is a great idea.  I think that Ishikawa should be dropped in the lineup.  Leave him at seven until he learns how to hit again.  Aaron Rowand’s earned moving up to six.  I didn’t like seeing Fred Lewis lead off on Sunday.  Hopefully this is only a one game thing.  Sandoval flashed some nice leather this weekend.  He’s picking up the position quite well.

Giants off on Monday.  Resume play on Tuesday as they send sizzling Matt Cain against Jake Peavey and the likewise hot San Diego Padres.  Let’s remember to bring some bats this time around, guys.  See you there.