Travis Ishikawa’s extra-inning single led the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks and capped off a four game sweep in the desert.

Batting with two out in the tenth and the score knotted at three, Ishikawa stroked a single to right field, driving home pinch-runner Eli Whiteside as the Giants continued their post-All-Star game tear.  Rookie phenom Buster Posey culminated a four-hit day with a double to lead off the inning before being lifted for pinch-runner.   Posey also drove in a run with a double in the first and extended his hit streak to 18 games.  Tim Lincecum went eight dominant innings, striking out five, but ended up with a no decision.  Sergio Romo (3-3) struck out two in the bottom of the ninth for the victory and Brian Wilson pitched a perfect tenth for his 29th save.  Esmerling Vasquez (1-3) picked up the loss.   Barry Enright pitched well for the Diamondbacks and drove in two runs with a double and two hits.

In the openeer, Matt Cain (8-8) shone, evening up his record while striking out nine over eight shutout innings, as the Giants won 3-0.  Andres Torres homered (9) and Buster Posey had two hits.  Brian Wilson tossed the ninth for his 27th save.  Rodrigo Lopez (5-9) took the loss, despite seven solid innings.

In the second game, Aubrey Huff homered twice (18, 19), driving in three and the Giants withstood Kelly Johnson hitting for the cycle and driving in three runs, as San Francisco prevailed 7-4.  Jonathan Sanchez was wild but struck out ten in five innings and Chris Ray (3-0) picked up the victory.  The Giants took advantage of two throwing errors by starter Edwin Jackson (6-9) in a three run seventh inning, highlighted by a two run triple off the bat off Andres Torres.   Brian Wilson tossed the ninth for his 28th save.

In the third game, the Giants worked around a scare with Juan Uribe hitting a grand slam (13) and rookie Madison Bumgarner dominating for seven innings as San Francisco won, 10-4.  Bumgarner (4-2)  struck out seven over seven strong innings.  Ian Kennedy (5-8) picked up the loss.  The scare came in the fourth inning when Eugenio Velez, in the dugout, was struck in the face by a line drive foul off the bat of teammate Pat Burrell.  He was conscious and taken to the hospital for tests.  Preliminary results were negative.

Well, great series for the Orange and Black.  Nice to see the perfect combination of offense and incredible pitching.  A little more focus from Jonathan Sanchez would be nice.  Walks are killers.  Prayers with Velez as this was a fluke injury.  He was placed on the DL for this and the team recalled Ryan Rohlinger.  Get back soon, Pharoah.  Also, Pablo Sandoval took off after yesterday’s game.  I guess he was heading back to Venezuela to take care of personal issues.  Again, prayers that he gets this taken care of.  Such things might be contributors to his slow start this season.  Again, great series by the Giants, especially on the road.  No real complaints.  Posey is awesome.  The team needed him and he hasn’t disappointed.  Go Giants!!!!

The Giants will next host the Florida Marlins on Monday night.  The Arizona Diamondbacks will travel and play the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday evening.

The San Francisco Giants apparently forgot to pack bats as they appeared ill-prepared to face the Oakland Athletics, who promptly slapped the Orange and Black around with a sweep in the East Bay. 

I’m not going game by game.  The scores speak for themselves.  The Giants lost 6-1, 1-0, and 3-0.  They were beaten by Trevor Cahill (2-2), Gio Gonzalez (5-3), and reliever Michael Wuertz (1-0) (though they were thoroughly handcuffed by starter Ben Sheets).  Losses went to Barry Zito (6-2), Matt Cain (2-4), and Jonathan Sanchez (2-4). 

Pathetic.  The bats are past stale right now.  Couple this series with that sad showing against the Diamondbacks and this team is floundering.  The only (and I mean ONLY) pitcher who deserved a loss this weekend was Barry Zito.  Yes, you run into bad pitching, but this is not a stellar rotation they went up against.  It would be one thing if they were falling like this to the Yankees, Phillies, and Cardinals.  However, they handled the latter two quite easily.  This is beyond sad.  Why is Rowand out there?  He’s hitting .240-.250.  Why is Bowker in the field?  He’s stiff with the stick.  At least Pablo’s doing SOMETHING at the plate, but still isn’t his normal self.  Why isn’t Schierholtz out there?  He should be healed by now.  And why, please tell me why, do we have Matt Downs trotted out at DH while perhaps the organization’s TOP hitter is currently in AAA, murdering any pitcher who tosses him a ball?  Yeah, I mean Buster Posey.  Give the kid the call.  Put him at catcher.  Put Ishikawa somewhere.  He’s stinging the ball (when he gets to play) and he sits on the bench.  Todd Wellemeyer?  Hopefully, with the off day, they will have the good sense to sit him on Tuesday and let Lincecum pitch.  This is beyond sad.  Fix this mess. 

The Giants will next host the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.  The Athletics will travel to Baltimore to play the Orioles.

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 rode three straight strong starts to two victories against the offensive juggernaut of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (4-0) baffled Cardinal hitters for seven innings, striking out eight and scattering six hits, leading the Giants to a 4-1 victory and halting a four game slide.  Lincecum, who didn’t have his A game stuff, worked around trouble all night as the Giants played small ball, taking advantage of Cardinal mistakes, staking the ace to a 4-0 lead over losing pitcher, Jaime Garcia (1-1).  Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his third save. 

In the middle game, Barry Zito (3-0) tossed eight shutout innings, striking out ten, and outdueling Adam Wainwright (3-1), 2-0.  The two pitchers matched zeroes for 7 1/2 innings until Nate Schierholtz led off the bottom of the eighth with a double and scored on a pinch single by Andres Torres.  The Giants tacked on one more run, via Aubrey Huff’s sacrifice fly, for the final tally.   Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his fourth save of the season.

In the closer, Albert Pujols blasted a first inning homerun (7) off Matt Cain (0-1), leading the Cardinals to a 2-0 victory.  Brad Penny (3-0)dominated in his return to San Francisco, scattering eight hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings.  Ryan Franklin pitched the ninth for his sixth save of the season.   Pablo Sandoval collected three hits in a losing effort.

Okay.  A series win is nice.   The pitching was great.  Even Cain pitched well in a losing effort.  Brian Wilson was nails (as usual).  However, the hitting was atrocious.  Only two real bright spots.  Those would be Panda and Schierholtz.  Each was great all series.  However, they need to be moved closer in the lineup.  Perhaps Nate up to five and Sandoval in cleanup.  Just a thought.  This is the second straight series where the bats were flacid (and you could make an argument that it has been for three straight series).  You can’t win without offense.  The team is setting the table, but nobody’s driving them in.  That’s the way it was in San Diego and that’s the way this series was.  Sloppy.  Andres Torres is starting to come around.  I liked the start for Travis Ishikawa (though I wasn’t too wild about the results).  Bottom line, they need to move the hot hitters closer in the lineup.  I’m really excited to see what Schierholtz can do for the team if moved up. 

The Giants will next host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday evening.  The Cardinals will go home and host the Atlanta Braves on that same night.

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!!!

Too many roster moves have been happening since the last series for me to wait to write about until the end of the swing through Philly.  Let’s touch on those, right now. 

First things first, and most important for the time being (like say….tonight) is the addition of Brad Penny to the rotation.  He comes at a low cost to the Giants as I believe that the BoSox will be picking up most of this tab on the year.  Penny appears to be healthy and back in the league where he’s most comfortable.  I say this is a good move.  He’ll be starting tonight and installed at the #5 spot in the rotation.  This spot is one that might be of importance due to the neck and neck run for the wild card against the Rockies.  I like his veteran savvy more than any rookie that could occupy that spot.  That included Kevin Pucetas, whom I’ve been pumping up for several months.  We’ll see how he does.  His test starts tonight against the Phillies.

The other move is a recall from the minors that should turn the head of any Giants fans with a pulse.  Catcher Buster Posey, the Giants top pick in the 2008 draft, was brought up for the September roster expansion.  This is critical because Benjie Molina has been fighting a nagging leg injury for about a week now.   Eli Whiteside isn’t what the team needs in a starter.  Posey’s excelled wherever he’s played.  I hope he’s plugged in for more than just token ‘cup of coffee’ starts.  If he continues his hitting charge, it might be bye bye for Molina in the offseason.  Also, should Molina be unable to go in the post-season, the team could plug Posey into his roster spot.  He should be suited up for Wednesday’s game. 

And it all starts tonight…..

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.   

Freddy Sanchez waited several days to make his debut for the San Francisco Giants.  However, his performance Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies not only helped boost the team to a 7-3 victory, but also helped endear him to Giant faithful as the team took three of four games at home against the NL East leaders. 

Sanchez singled and doubled, driving in two critical runs and scoring once as the Giants rallied from an early 3-1 deficit with six unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings off losing pitcher Cole Hamels (7-6).   Barry Zito (7-10) went six strong innings, limiting the high powered Phillies offense to six hits and three runs (two earned), striking out five and walking none.   Eugenio Velez continued his torid hitting, driving in two runs with a bases loaded single in the sixth that tallied the final runs.  Aaron Rowand also contributed an RBI triple in the second. 

In the opener, Pablo Sandoval drove in four runs with a sacrifice fly, double, and homerun (16) as the Giants won 7-2.  Rodrigo Lopez (3-1) was hit early and often in losing his first decision on the season.  Eugenio Velez had three hits and drove in three with a double and two singles.  Jonathan Sanchez (4-9) pitched into the sixth, surrendering three hits and striking out seven.  The only real blemish on Sanchez was Chase Utley’s 23rd homerun of the season in the sixth.  Giant outfielder Andres Torres left the game after the bottom of the second with a strained left hamstring.  He was replaced by Randy Winn.

In the second match of the series, newcomer and defending AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee (8-9) handcuffed the Giants on four hits, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth.  Jayson Werth drove in three and launched a homerun (22) in the 5-1 Phillie victory.  Rookie Ryan Sadowski (2-4) didn’t pitch poorly, but lost his fourth straight decision, leaving after four innings with shoulder tightness, surrendering one run on three hits and three walks.   

In the third game, Tim Lincecum (12-3) stymied the Phillies through eight shutout innings, winning 2-0.  Lincecum struck out eight and scattered seven hits and walked one.  Joe Blanton (7-5) was the hard luck loser, pitching seven strong innings, blemished only by two sacrifice flies by Juan Uribe.  Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his 27th save. 

Great series for the Giants.  I can’t really think of too many complaints.  The pitching was awesome.  Even in the loss, Sadowski pitched well.  A lot of good momentum to end the home stand with a 6-1 mark.  The staff did an impressive job with turning back an incredibly potent offense.   Sanchez was great in his debut.  This is what the team needs.  Velez has been a sparkplug since his recall.  Nice to see that he’s over .300 and doing what was expected when coming out of spring training last year. 

In moves to make room for Sanchez, the Giants optioned Jesus Guzman and Ryan Sadowski to Fresno, recalling reliever Waldis Joaquin from Connecticut.  Joaquin has pitched well in the minors but is most likely holding a spot until they either recall Kevin Pucetas or Joseph Martinez to make the start on Wednesday or look to a reliever, such as Justin Miller, to make a spot start.  Not sure if this is a demotion for Sadowski or a chance for him to work on pitching in the minors for a bit (and to take a closer look at his injury).  I think it’s a good opportunity for either Pucetas or Martinez to have a shot in the rotation, but we’ll know for sure on Wednesday.

The Giants travel to Houston to begin a three game set with the Astros Monday night.  The Phillies will go to Denver to start a three game set with the Rockies on Tuesday.  The Giants and Rockies each sport identical 58-47 marks to lead the National League wild card chase.  Go Giants.  Go Phillies. 

On a day when they acquired all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh, Randy Winn singled in Eugenio Velez with two out in the bottom of the tenth inning for a 1-0 victory as the San Francisco Giants completed a three game sweep of the Pirates. 

Brian Wilson (3-4) pitched the tenth for the victory, striking out two while retiring the Pirates in order.   In the presence of run support, Cy Young candidate (check the record…I did call this shot in the preseason) Matt Cain would have had a complete game, three hit shutout.  Without it, he ended up with a no decision that drove his ERA down further, to 2.12.   Can’t get wins every time.  This way is the best way to go when that doesn’t happen, I guess.  Newly acquired first baseman Ryan Garko picked up his first hit for the Giants, a second inning one out single. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (11-3) threw a complete game four-hitter, striking out a career high 15 batters, as the Giants won, 4-2.  Pablo Sandoval went 3 for 4 with a double and Andres Torres tripled and drove in two as the Giants got a measure of revenge on Paul Maholm (6-5) who masterfully beat the Giants the last time he faced them in Pittsburgh.   San Francisco piled up four runs in the first two innings and Lincecum cruised the rest of the way. 

In the middle game, newly recalled Eugenio Velez homered (1) and drove in a run with a double as the Giants beat the Pirates 3-2.  Starter Charlie Morton (2-3) was the target of Velez’s success, losing despite giving up only two runs in six innings.  Sandoval drove in another run with two hits and Sergio Romo (3-1) struck out Andrew McCutchen with two on, stranding runners inherited from starter Barry Zito, for the victory.  Brian Wilson worked the ninth, striking out two, for the save, his 26th.  Zito didn’t have his best stuff, but worked around base runners all day, surrending nine hits and only one run in 5 2/3 innings. 

They needed this sweep.  After that horrific road trip (which began in Pittsburgh), the Giants REALLY needed this sweep.  In addition to the sweep that was handed the Dodgers in St. Louis, this sweep is incredibly profitable.  The pitching was nice.  Good to see Romo come back from his recent troubles.  Also, Wilson is the man in the bully.  Jeremy Affeldt lost his consecutive innings scoreless streak (at around 250 or so, I think).  That’s alright.  Regain the focus.  The only homerun in this series was Eugenio Velez.  Eugenio Velez?  Really?  Hmmm.  Perhaps Pablo (who is hitting well, by the way) can start pumping blasts out when the world champs hit town tomorrow night.  We’ll see.  Oh, and Ryan Garko needs to start producing.  The honeymoon won’t be a long one.  Results will be expected about last Thursday.  For the record, I’m not overly enthused with this pickup and still think that Travis Ishikawa is the answer at first.  However, it also doesn’t look like they’re planning on moving him and both are cheap employees.  May the better first baseman win.  Platoon until that is determined. 

The Giants will next begin a four game series with the visiting Philadelphia Phillies (and newly acquired starter Cliff Lee) on Thursday night.  The Pirates travel home to host the Washington Nationals. 

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.