Matt Cain snapped a personal dry stretch against the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants placed more distance between themselves and third place in the National League West division with a 2-0 victory over Los Angeles Sunday night, securing a three game weekend sweep over their rivals.

Cain (9-8), 0-8 career against the Dodgers, tossed 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball, striking out seven while only surrendering four hits.  Edgar Renteria supplied the only offense on the day for the Giants with a two run, two out sixth inning triple off Clayton Kershaw (10-6).  Brian Wilson struck out two in the ninth for his 31st save. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (11-4) dominated over seven innings, striking out nine in a 6-5 victory.  Lincecum surrendered two runs and left with a 5-2 lead.  Aubrey Huff blasted his 20th homerun in the seventh off reliever Jeff Weaver, giving him three RBI on the day.  Juan Uribe earlier homered (15) off Carlos Monasterios (3-3).  The Huff homer proved valuable as the Dodgers rallied against the cobbled together Giant closing corps, thrust into action due to back spasms for Brian Wilson.  Los Angeles scored three times in the frame off of a combination of Sergio Romo, Denny Bautista, starter Jonathan Sanchez, and Chris Ray, the latter of which recorded the final out for his second save of the season. 

In the middle game, Pat Burrell launched a two run homerun (8) off closer Jonathan Broxton (3-4) in the eighth inning to give the Giants a 2-1 victory.  Broxton entered with a runner on and a 1-0 lead.  The Dodgers wasted a stellar outing by Chad Billingsley, who went six-and-two-third shutout, two hit innings for the no decision.  Matching his dominance in no decision land was Barry Zito, who went seven, giving up one run on three hits.  Guillermo Mota (1-3) recorded the final four outs for the victory. 

Well, well, well.  What a series.  Great outcome.  Awesome pitching by the Giants staff.  Yes, the boys in blue are a lesser offense, but wins are wins and they’re still getting paid major league salaries.   I saw newcomer Javier Lopez in the Sunday game and he looked incredible.  Great pick up to face lefties.  I have no idea why Bautista is still on this team.  He was awful when he pitched.  Luckily, he didn’t hurt the team too badly.  Anywho, all in all, a great series.   Excellent two out hitting by both Burrell and Renteria.  I am still curious why Travis Ishikawa hasn’t been starting but then, if the Giants win, why worry about it, for now.  Any suggestions would be appreciated from this perspective.

The Giants have an off day tomorrow before two games in Colorado, followed by four in Atlanta.  It just doesn’t get any easier for these guys.  The Dodgers will next play the San Diego Padres at home tomorrow night.  Go Giants!!!

Matt Cain turned in the third consecutive strong pitching performance and Nate Schierholtz continued his torrid streak with his first homerun of the season as the Giants beat the Florida Marlins 6-3, sweeping the three game series on the road.

Cain (2-1) pitched no-hit ball into the sixth and lasted into the eighth inning, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out six Marlins en route to the victory.  Schierholtz went 3-3 to raise his average to .381 on the season and blasted a solo shot in the fifth (1) off loser Ricky Nolasco (2-2) to make the score 3-0.   Aaron Rowand had two hits and drove in two, continuing his own personal tear since returning from the disabled list earlier this week.  Brian Wilson recorded the final out for his sixth save of the season.

In the opener, the Giants bullpen squandered a dominating thirteen strikeout performance by Tim Lincecum as Sergio Romo gave up a three run eighth inning blast to Dan Uggla (6) that temporarily gave the Marlins a 6-5 lead.  However, Rowand hit his second homerun of the season off closer Leo Nunez with two outs in the ninth, sending the game into extra innings.  A two run single by Aubrey Huff in the top of the 12th followed by a bases loaded hit by pitch by Schierholtz staked the Giants to a 9-6 lead against Burke Badenhop (0-3).  Guillermo Mota pitched a perfect bottom of the twelfth for his first save of the season.  Dan Runzler (1-0) struck out the side in the bottom of the eleventh for his first major league victory.

In the middle game, Barry Zito (5-0) pitched dominating ball into the eighth and Aaron Rowand homered (3) for the second straight game as the Giants won, 3-2.   Sergio Romo redeemed himself from the previous evening, inheriting a bases loaded, no out situation in the eighth.  He responded by striking out slugger Hanley Ramirez on three pitches and then inducing a double play by Jorge Cantu to retire the side.  Brian Wilson created a situation then got out of it, surrendering one run and picking up the save (5).   Nate Robertson (2-3) pitched well, but picked up the loss.

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!  That felt good.  I was concerned at first when the bully gave up the lead for Lincecum.  However, timely hitting appears to be the name of the game on this road trip.  That’s not a bad thing.  Schierholtz, Rowand, and Huff all appear to be scalding the ball right now.  Matt Downs too.  In fact, the only person who is NOT bashing at this time is Pablo Sandoval.  He went 2-6 in the opener with a crucial double.  However, he was rather quiet in the last two games.  Not worried yet.  We’ll keep our eyes on that situation.  Great job by Romo to come back in the middle game.  Gotta take our hats off to that one.  Edgar Renteria started in the third game but it appears that he re-injured his groin as he left early tonight.  Let’s watch those developments, too.  There’s only one thing I can think of that would be great to follow a sweep.  Let’s bring our brooms up north to New York.  Go Giants!!!!

The Giants will next venture to New York City to take on the Mets on Friday evening.  The Marlins travel to the capital to take on the Nationals, also on Friday.

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.

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.

Ace Tim Lincecum went seven innings, striking out ten, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-3, taking two of three in a weekend home series.  

Lincecum (2-0)  worked around a four plus hour rain delay and a two run homerun (2) by Brian McCann in the first, surrendering only five hits and a walk over seven innings.  The defending Cy Young winner ended with a flourish, striking out the side in his final inning of work.   He was backed by a two run single by Mark DeRosa in the sixth and a two run homerun (1) by Pablo Sandoval in the eighth that put the game out of reach.  Jeremy Affeldt pitched the final two innings, only surrendering a homerun to rookie sensation Jason Heyward (3) and picked up his first save of the season.   Kenshin Kawakami (0-1) pitched well but picked up the loss for the Braves.

In the opener, it took thirteen innings but the Giants prevailed, 5-4.  Starter Tim Hudson pitched seven stellar innings for the Braves, but his bullpen couldn’t hold a 4-2 lead as Edgar Renteria blasted a two run round tripper (1) off closer Billy Wagner, sending the game into extra innings.  In the bottom of the thirteenth, Aaron Rowand sent the teams home with an RBI infield single off losing pitcher Kris Medlen (0-1), scoring Juan Uribe from third with the winning run.   Jeremy Affeldt (1-0) pitched the thirteenth for the win.

In the middle game, newcomer Todd Wellemeyer (0-1) pitched well into the seventh but the Braves eventually got to him and beat the Giants 7-2.   Derek Lowe (1-0) worked around seven walks and pitched six innings for the win.  He was backed by Jason Heyward’s second homerun of the year and three hit day.  

Another great series.  Pitching did well.  Jonathan Sanchez couldn’t get out of the fifth but was taken out by hits and not wildness.  That’s a good thing.  Lincecum was a stud (of course).  Sandoval was awesome.  This team doesn’t seem to quit.  That’s a good thing that we haven’t seen in the past few years.  After two series, they have some momentum that they can hopefully push into when they start playing divisional competition.   Also, got to give some credit to Heyward.  This guy’s going to be a star.  Great job by him this weekend. 

The Giants will next play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Braves travel to San Diego to meet the Padres.

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!!!

The San Francisco Giants made their first big move in the post-season by signing utility player Mark Derosa to a two year, $12 million contract.  Derosa can play many positions and will bring veteran leadership to the lineup.  He can fill in at all positions that are neither catcher nor pitcher.   He will bring a solid bat and stable glove to the team.

If it sounds as if I feel that this signing is rather lackluster, it’s because it is.  With Derosa, you get a ‘gamer’.  A guy with his head in the game in the right spot.  However, this is not the big impact bat that the team needed for next season.  But, let’s be honest here.  Jason Bay was the big target but he will be playing in New York next season.  As per Matt Holliday, I say no as a centerpiece to a lineup.  Ask Oakland how he worked in East Bay in 2009.   Nothing else really excites me in this offseason.  Laroche?  Meh.  Nady?  Ditto.  This might be a necessary move.  If 2010 goes well, Derosa might elevate the lineup as a whole.  Combine his abilities with those of Pablo Sandoval and Fred Sanchez and you have fertile grounds upon which young players like Travis Ishikawa, Nate Schierholtz, and Buster Posey will be able to blossom.  For that, I’ll be alright with this move.  Re-sign Juan Uribe and stick him at shortstop and it gets even better.   Edgar Renteria?  I’m sure there’s some place for him, though I would be alright with an outright release.  Just my two cents.

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!!!!

Much maligned off-season free agent signing Edgar Renteria launched a grand slam as the Giants rallied to beat the Colorado Rockies, 9-5, completing a three game home sweep to lift San Francisco into a wildcard tie.

Renteria’s seventh inning shot (4) off losing pitcher Rafael Betencourt (1-3) turned a three run deficit into a 6-5 lead.   Ryan Rohlinger and Eugenio Velez added to the hit parade in the eighth with a bases loaded two run double and RBI double, respectively.  Brandon Medders (3-1) picked up the win and Brian Wilson pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.  Matt Cain pitched well, but only lasted six innings, giving up back to back homeruns to Todd Helton (13) and Troy Tulowitzski (24) in the fifth. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (13-4) shone, tossing eight shutout innings as the Giants beat the Rockies, 2-0.  The defending Cy Young winner struck out eight and surrendered only four hits in the victory.  Pablo Sandoval broke a scoreless tie with his twentieth homerun in the fifth off loser Ubaldo Jiminez (12-10).  Brian Wilson tossed the ninth for his 31st save.

In the middle game, Barry Zito (9-11) played the role of stifler, tossing 8 1/3 innings, striking out seven and surrendering only one run on a solo homerun by Brad Hawpe (19) in the ninth as the Giants won 5-3.  Pablo Sandoval homered (21) for the second straight day and had three hits as the Giants used a balanced offense to beat Jason Marquis (14-9).  Brian Wilson recorded the final out to quell a late Colorado rally and notch his 32nd save.  

Well, a sweep’s great, especially when it’s mathematically needed.  Awesome job by the Giants on this six game homestand.   Especially when taking into account that they went 5-6 on the road trip.  Add the two together and that’s 10-7 in that stretch.  Not great, but good enough for a wild card tie going into the next series.  Pablo is awesome.  The Giants will only get better when they get Freddy Sanchez back next week.  Randy Johnson also might be back soon, but appears headed for the bullpen.  When taking into account that Joe Martinez got a bus ticket to Fresno, I have no idea who will be #5.  Ryan Sadowski hasn’t been that great in AAA since going back down.  I will again make my pitch for Kevin Pucetas.  I hear that newly returned Alex Hinshaw might be getting a turn.  Huh?  You’ve got to be kidding me.  Right now, with every game critical, they can’t be holding tryouts for that slot.  The Giants don’t play until Tuesday and it appears that they’re content skipping the five spot in favor of Lincecum going Wednesday.  Smart.  Today’s rally was huge.  All the more better that it came at the expense of a rival.   I don’t think I approve of the job that Ryan Garko’s been doing, thus far.  Yes, he hit two homeruns the other day.  However, they were in Colorado and the Giants lost the game, 14-11.  Travis Ishikawa’s shot against the Arizona broke the tie late.  I’m much more comfortable with Ishikawa at first.  Just my opinion.  Oh, and Nate Schierholtz forcing out a runner at second on Saturday night was awesome.  Great cannon in right. 

The Giants will next travel to play the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.  The Rockies host the New York Mets Tuesday night.   

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!!!