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.

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. 

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. 

Matt Cain threw six shutout innings and Benjie Molina homered twice as the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 8-3 to earn a split in the mid-week, two game series.  Molina hit blasts in the second and third innings as the Giants opened up an early 5-0 lead against Colorado starter Jason Marquis (4-2).  Cain (3-1) benefitted from a double play to work around three first inning walks.  He allowed only one hit, a leadoff Todd Helton single in the fourth.  

In the first game, the Rockies used a ten run explosion between the fifth and eighth innings to trounce Randy Johnson (2-3) and the Giants, 11-1.  Todd Helton, Matt Murton, and Yorvit Torrealba homered to back a dominating seven inning, five hit performance by Ubaldo Jimenez (2-4), who won for the first time in about a month.   For the first time since 2006, Johnson didn’t strike out a batter in a start. 

The Giants will travel to Los Angeles next to play the Dodgers.  The Rockies will play host to the Florida Marlins. 

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. 

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.

Jonathan Sanchez dominated into the seventh inning, Andres Torres homered, and Brian Wilson recorded his first save as the San Francisco Giants beat Dan Haren and the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0, putting an end to a six game losing streak. 

Sanchez last 6 2/3 shutout innings, surrendering two hits and four walks while striking out four as he notched his first victory of the season.  Catcher Benjie Molina’s run scoring single in the fourth proved to be the only run necessary.  Jeremy Affeldt, Bob Howry, and Brian Wilson slammed the door, combing for 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief with Wilson pitching the final 1 1/3 for the save. 

Haren, the evening’s Matt Cain, picked up the tough loss, surrendering five hits and one walk in six innings, falling to 0-3 while his ERA dropped to 1.89 for the season.   The teams will meet again on Saturday afternoon as Tim Lincecum faces lefty Doug Davis. 

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.