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.

The San Francisco Giants dropped their fourth straight game as the San Diego Padres topped them 5-2 in San Diego, winning their sixth straight and completing a three game sweep over the Orange and Black. 

Adrian Gonzalez blasted a solo homerun (3) in the first inning to start the hit parade against loser Todd Wellemeyer (0-3).  The Padres tacked on another run when Wellemeyer walked four consecutive batters in the second.  Meanwhile, winner Jon Garland (1-2) was tossing BB’s across the plate, going seven innings while surrendering only one run.  Pablo Sandoval homered (3) in the ninth to cinch the final score a little closer.

In the opening game, David Eckstein blasted a solo homerun (1) off Jeremy Affeldt (2-2) in the tenth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie and leading the Padres to victory, 3-2.  Juan Uribe tied the score in the ninth, homering (2) off closer Heath Bell.   Matt Cain went six strong innings and Clayton Richard matched him for 7 1/3 as both starters picked up no-decisions.  Tim Stauffer (2-0) pitched the tenth for the victory.

In the middle game, Jonathan Sanchez (1-1) almost encored his no-hitter from 2009, tossing seven dominant innings, surrendering one hit and one run while striking out ten.  On most days, this would have been enough for victory.  However, the Giants left their bats at the hotel and the Padres won, 1-0.  The Padres only hit was a single by Chase Headley leading off the fourth.  After a stolen base and two sacrifice flies, Headley came home to score the only run of the day.  Mat Latos (1-1) tossed zeroes for seven innings, giving up four hits and no runs.  Heath Bell pitched the ninth, working around a runner on third and one out for his fourth save on the season. 

Where to start?  This series almost made me physically ill.  I’m not shocked that Wellemeyer lost.  That’s what he’s been doing this season.  I am shocked that they got two superior pitching performances and have nothing to show for it.  The Sanchez game was shameful.  What more could be expected of him?  Nate Schierholtz led off the eighth with a triple, down 1-0.  They didn’t get him home.  How hard is the concept of ’sacrifice fly’ to the team?  In the Giants seventh on Monday, they had runners on second and third with one out and TWO STRAIGHT BATTERS STRUCK OUT!!!  This is unacceptable.  I’d say that I’m excited that Tim Lincecum can be the stopper on Friday, but I question if they’ll score him any runs.  Disturbing.  Oh, and by the way, the Padres are now in first place. 

The Giants will next host the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night.  The Padres will travel to Cincinnati (do all our opponents go there after playing us???) to play the Reds.  GO GIANTS!!!!

The San Francisco Giants blasted three homeruns and Jonathan Sanchez dominated as the NL West leaders beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday afternoon, by a tally of 6-0. 

The hit parade began in the second as Aubrey Huff hit his first homerun as a Giant;  a solo inside the park number that caromed off the wall in triples alley off loser Charlie Morton (0-2).  Eli Whiteside followed four batter later with a three run blast, giving winning pitcher Jonathan Sanchez (1-0) all the runs he would need on this day.  Sanchez was masterful, tossing eight shutout innings while giving up only three hits and three walks and tying his career high with eleven strikeouts.  Aaron Rowand closed the scoring with his first homerun, a two run shot in the fifth.

In the opener, Barry Zito (2-0) won his second consecutive strong start, pitching into the seventh, while Bengie Molina went 4-4, driving in four and hitting his first homerun of the season as the Giants prevailed, 9-3.  The team hit early and often off losing pitcher Brian Burres (0-1), chasing him after four innings.  Mark DeRosa drove in two and Pablo Sandoval went 3-4 on the day as San Francisco rapped out twelve hits.  Aubrey Huff scored three runs in the effort. 

In the middle game, Matt Cain played well, pitching six innings of five hit ball.  After he left, the Giants rallied to tie the score at three, giving Cain a no-decision on the day.  However, the bullpen couldn’t hold the Pirates down as loser Jeremy Affeldt (2-1) gave up an unearned run as Garret Jones singled in Andrew McCutchen in the eighth.  The Pirates tacked on two in the ninth off Brandon Medders and closer Octavio Dotel withstood a two run homerun by Eugenio Velez (1) in the ninth to collect the save (2) as the Pirates won, 6-5.  Evan Meek (1-0) bounced back from a blown save to pitch two shutout innings for the win and Andy Laroche (1) and Akinori Iwamura (2) lifted homeruns in the winning effort. 

Well, all in all, a good series.  The pitching is still clicking and Huff is contributing.  That’s all good.  They gave Brian Wilson an inning of work today.  Again, good idea.  No need to get him rusty.  It seems like this team can beat you with whoever they send to the hill.  Sanchez’s outing today echoes that.  When they win, it’s a no-doubter.  When they lose, it’s up in the air.  That’s how they’ll keep the momentum as they head into division play this weekend.  Keep it up, guys. 

The Giants get an off day and then will travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Friday.  This should be a true test to how ‘for real’ the team is.  The Pirates go home and host the Cincinnati Reds  on Friday.  GO GIANTS!!!!

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.

Free agent lefty starter Randy Johnson announced his retirement on Tuesday, thus ending a 22 year career that will no doubt be re-visited in five years when he is enshrined in Cooperstown.  Johnson finishes with a record of 303-166, ranking second on the all-time strikeouts list with 4875. 

For the Giants, this means little.  He was great to have around last year and might have played a big role in the development of some of their younger pitchers (Jonathan Sanchez in particular).  However, he was a free agent and the team had moved on with decisions concerning their rotation. 

The impact of his career on Major League Baseball can’t be overstated.  Enjoy retirement, Randy.

Utility infielder Juan Uribe and starting pitcher Brad Penny declined one year contract offers to remain with the San Francisco Giants.

Penny, signed as a free agent starter, was reportedly offered an incentive laden, one-year deal.  The 31 year old hurler was 4-1with an ERA of 2.59 in the closing month of 2009 after posting a mark of 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA in Boston. 

Uribe, signed to a minor league contract in the 2009 offseason, batted .289 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI, turned down a one-year contract with player option and buyout. 

The team aren’t in talks with representatives for either player at this time. 

Analysis of these two moves show that neither should really affect the team that much:

With Penny, while it was nice to have him pitching well for the final month, he was basically taking Randy Johnson’s place in the rotation.  Johnson’s now a free-agent.  The team has a rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito and probably rookie Madison Bumgarner.  Hence, he wasn’t really needed any more.  If Bumgarner can’t go, the team has farm-hands Kevin Pucetas, Joseph Martinez, and Ryan Sadowski to choose from. 

Uribe was slightly more valuable.  He provided unexpected pop with a versatile glove.  However, I think that he was a one-season wonder in 2009.  I have a feeling that he would have regressed if he was snapped up with multiple years (which he no doubt now will be with another club).  There’s really no reason to sink a salary buster into somebody who was making an encore to a career swoon. 

Thanks to both for their contributions in 2009 and best wishes for next season.  Now, if the team can figure out how to get rid of Renteria for 2010.  But then, that’s a debate for another time.

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!!!!

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!!!