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 beat the Texas Rangers Sunday, 3-2, to complete the three game sweep over the American League West leaders, the third such series outcome in a row for the Giants after being swept in three straight by the Los Angeles Angels.  

Barry Zito (4-7) pitched no-hit ball into the seventh before surrendering a two run homerun to Andruw Jones (8) to tie the score.  Randy Winn drove in Aaron Rowand with an RBI single off losing pitcher Kevin Millwood (7-5) in the bottom of the frame for the final score.   Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save of the season.

In the opener, the Giants rallied around homeruns by Aaron Rowand (7), Travis Ishikawa (3), and a go ahead, two-run shot by Fred Lewis (4) in the bottom of the sixth off Rangers starter Scott Feldman (5-2) to get starter Randy Johnson off the hook and make a winner out of Sergio Romo (1-0).  Romo combined with four other relievers to toss 3 1/3 shutout innings with Brian Wilson pitching the ninth for the save.  Michael Young hit a homerun, his tenth, in a losing effort. 

In the middle game, Matt Cain continued his dominance of MLB, surrendering one run in eight innings, striking out eight.  However, Rangers starter Dexter Holland matched him, going seven strong.  The game went into extra innings and ended in the eleventh, when Nate Schierholtz scooted home with the winning run on a wild pitch by Jason Jennings (2-3).  Sergio Romo tossed a shutout inning for the win (2-0). 

It was nice to see the pitching return after the series with the Angels.  The biggest litmus test will be how Jonathan Sanchez does on his next start against the Athletics.  Ishikawa’s RBI between the homerun in the opener and the fielders choice groundout tonight were welcomed and should give the team more confidence in him.  Also, he made some nice plays that I don’t think Pablo Sandoval would have.  Still don’t like seeing Rich Aurilia starting at first, as he did in the middle game.  Again, nice to see them do well against a stacked AL offense who were leading their division coming in.   Hopefully they can continue the momentum going into the next series.  Final thought, between Brian Wilson and Romo, this team has the back two innings sealed.  They’re both awesome. 

The Giants next play on the road, Monday night, against the Oakland Athletics.  The Rangers will play on Tuesday at Arizona. 

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? 

The San Francisco Giants used stellar back-to-back pitching performances to rally from a bullpen meltdown and win game #300 for Randy Johnson’s career and the three game series from the Washington Nationals. 

The middle game, delayed by a day due to rain, featured Johnson (5-4), the six foot ten veteran, with all baseball eyes upon him, tossing six dominant innings, surrendering a scant two hits and one run (unearned) in a winning effort, 5-1.  The Giants used a two run, second inning rally off Nationals starter Jordan Zimmerman (2-3) to provide Johnson all the necessary offense.  In the second, Travis Ishikawa followed a one-out single by Fred Lewis with a double to right field, setting the stage for an RBI groundout by Juan Uribe and an RBI single by Emmanuel Burriss, making the score 2-0.   Johnson did the rest, cruising through the sixth, when he was roughed up by an RBI double by Nick Johnson, cutting the lead in half, 2-1.  The only real threat from that point on was when the Nationals loaded the bases against Giant closer Brian Wilson in the eighth with slugger Adam Dunn coming up to bat.  Wilson responded by striking out Dunn looking on a full count pitch, ending the threat.  After the Giants tacked on three more runs in their half of the ninth, Wilson struck out the side for his thirteenth save of the season.  Johnson’s win is even more poignant when taking into account that he originally came up through the Montreal Expos organization. 

In the second game of the double header, the Giants won 4-1 in a truncated game, ended after the top of the sixth.  Matt Cain (7-1) went the distance for another dominating performance.  Aaron Rowand, Pablo Sandoval, and Rich Aurilia drove in runs off Ross Detwiler (0-2) in a three run fifth.  The game was called with the Giants batting in the top of the sixth inning. 

Game one featured a quality start by Tim Lincecum going for naught as the Nationals rallied for six runs in the bottom of the tenth, turning a 5-4 deficit into a 10-5 advantage and going on to win 10-6.   Losing pitcher Bob Howry (0-3) and Merkin Valdez each gave up three runs in the set, featuring RBI doubles by Elijah Dukes and Ryan Zimmerman and an absolute implosion of the Giant middle relief corps.  Justin Miller, though not officially scored upon, was lit up in the effort, to the tune of an RBI double, walk, and sacrifice fly.  Ron Villone (3-0) tossed one and two thirds innings of perfect relief for the victory.   Aaron Rowand hit a leadoff homerun (6), in the losing effort.

Great to see a win in the series.  Also nice to see Ishikawa back at first base and performing well in such a position.  Sandoval played well.  Bullpen meltdowns, like what happened in the first game, happen.  However, an eye should be kept on Howry.  Free agent signing or not, he’s having rough outings more times than makes me comfortable.  Hopefully he can turn it around.  Still, a series win is great.  Let’s see if the Giants can continue their winning ways. 

The next Giant series will begin on Friday night as they venture to Florida to face the Marlins.  The same night, the Nationals will welcome the New York Mets to town. 

The San Francisco Giants found their hitting stroke, scoring five and four runs in the second and third games of the series, respective.  However, they only won the middle game and bowed out of the series to the Seattle Mariners, two games to one.  

In the opener, the hitting malaise continued as the Giants wasted a strong start by Randy Johnson, who struck out seven and pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning, but the Giants fell in twelve innings, 2-1.   Jose Lopez drove in two:  including an RBI single that chased Johnson with one out in the sixth and a walkoff RBI single off Pat Misch in the final frame, making a loser of Justin Miller (1-1), despite two innings of no-hit ball.   Mariners starter Jason Vargas was dominant, shaking off a leadoff homerun by Aaron Rowand (5) to handcuff the Giants for seven innings of three hit ball, while picking up a no decision.  Sean White (1-0) pitched two shutout innings for the victory.

In the middle game, a bases loaded double by Juan Uribe sparked a five run, eighth inning rally off Mark Lowe (0-2), making a winner of Matt Cain (5-1) who tossed a complete game, striking out seven and scattering ten hits for the victory.   Fred Lewis added to the rally with a two run homerun (2). 

In the finale, Lewis continued his slugging with a solo shot (3) off Felix Hernandez (5-3).  However, Barry Zito (1-5) couldn’t hold a slim 3-2 lead in the fifth, surrendering the lead on a three run homerun by Adrian Beltre (3) in the bottom of the frame.  Ken Griffey Jr. homered (5) in the bottom of the first to start the scoring.   Hernandez struck out ten in eight innings. 

Overall, it’s nice to see the bats wake up a bit.  Two one run losses are hard to take, but it’s better to lose by a run if you score four than if you only score one, I guess.  The two out hitting is also coming alive as all four Giants runs in the finale came with two outs.  That’s nice to see.  Also nice to see Lewis starting to come alive.  Can’t beat that.  Ditto Rowand.  Pablo Sandoval missed the last 2 1/2 games with a tender elbow.  That’s going to require watching as it could be a key.  He’s necessary for the team to do anything.  He was designated hitter and went 2-2 with a double on Friday before being pulled for Rich Aurilia. 

The Giants made a few roster moves, moving Joe Martinez and Noah Lowry to the 60 day disabled list.  They also recalled catcher Eli Whiteside from Fresno and optioned Pat Misch back to the AAA affiliate.  They also activated Juan Uribe from the bereavement list and optioned Eugenio Velez to Fresno to make room. 

The Giants will next send Jonathan Sanchez against the visiting Atlanta Braves.   The Mariners will travel to Oakland, tomorrow night, to play the Athletics. 

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!!

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.

Chris Young limited the Giants to four hits over seven innings, Chase Headley hit a two run homerun, and Nick Hundley had four hits as the San Diego Padres completed the three game weekend sweep with a 6-1 victory on Sunday.  Defending Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum picked up his first loss of the year, giving up 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings in his second straight rough outing.    

In the opener, the Padres battered Barry Zito for seven hits and four runs in four innings, riding a Sean Hairston homerun and a three run first inning to a 7-3 victory. 

In the middle game, Jonathan Sanchez dueled expertly with Jake Peavy for four innings until inexplicably losing his control and giving up two home runs to journeyman Henry Blanco, eventually losing 6-3.  

All in all, this was a depressing series.  First, the offense didn’t seem to have bothered showing up.  Travis Ishikawa and Pablo Sandoval were horrible overall.  The starting staff was equally bad, with all three starters looking incredibly outclassed.  The first time around the rotation, with the exception of Matt Cain’s seven inning performance, was frown inducing.  Fred Lewis and Randy Winn were bright spots, offensively.  However, two bats doesn’t an offensive explosion make.  Three games, seven runs scored.  Those are  the numbers that count here.  Lincecum’s second outing was better than his first, but that’s not saying much. 

The Giants owned the Padres last year, both at home and on the road.  If this is what we have to look forward to this season, my optimism might have been wrongly founded.  True, it’s only three games in April.  However, up next is the buzzsaw known as the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Hopefully the bats and the combination of Randy Johnson and Matt Cain will show up en force.  If not, 2-7 is an awfully lonely place.