Tim Lincecum shrugged off his August woes with an impressive outing, leading the Giants to a 2-1 victory and a home series win over the Colorado Rockies.

The two-time Cy Young winner locked horns with Ubaldo Jiminez (17-6) for the entire evening.  Each starter tossed 8 innings, with Lincecum (12-9) striking out nine and stingily only surrendering one run on five hits and a walk.  Carlos Gonzalez’s solo shot (30) leading off the fourth was the only runs the Rockies would score.  The Giants got to Jiminez after a two-out single by Mike Fontenot scored Jose Guillen from second in the fifth inning.   Pinch-runner, speedster Darren Ford, recalled from the minors earlier in the day for the expansion of rosters, took third on a wild pitch by Jiminez and scored when Miguel Olivo’s throw went into left field, setting the final score.  Brian Wilson threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his 38th save.  Jiminez struck out ten in the losing effort.

In the opener, Jonathan Sanchez brought a shutout into the ninth but the Rockies rallied for two off Wilson and won, 2-1.  After Sanchez walked Dexter Fowler to lead off the inning, Wilson (3-2) entered and gave up a run scoring triple to Carlos Gonzalez who subsequently scored after a throwing error by Freddy Sanchez on the play.   Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth for his thirteenth save of the season.  Rafael Bettencourt (5-1) picked up the victory for pitching the eighth.  Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven strong innings, striking out nine, for the no-decision.

In the second game, Andres Torres broke a 2-2, eighth inning tie with his thirteenth homerun of the season and the Giants won, 5-2.  After Torres’ shot off Matt Belisle (6-5) the Giants loaded the bases and Buster Posey followed with a two run double off Joe Beimel.   Jeremy Affeldt (4-3) gave up the lead in the eighth on a solo homer by Melvin Mora (4), but picked up the win after the Giants rallied.  Madison Bumgarner was dominant, tossing six innings of quality ball, surrendering only one run on five hits.   Esmil Rogers was equally good, giving up only two runs in the same span of innings.  Wilson redeemed himself by pitching a perfect ninth for his 37th save.

Great series.  Timely, too.  Even the blown opener was alright.  The Giants showed heart and that says a lot.  Perfect timing, too, as the Padres appear to be falling apart.  The best part of this series was seeing Lincecum back.  Wow, that is huge.  Also nice to see that Pablo Sandoval’s bat is doing its thing again.  Nice call inserting Ford into this game.  His speed is a difference maker on the paths.  However, the starting pitching is the story from this series.  If they are starting to heat up, this is a perfect time.  Bring on the rest of the west.  This team is ready. 

The Giants will next travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Friday night.  The Rockies will travel to San Diego to play the Padres, also on Friday evening.  Go Giants!!!  Go Rockies!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

The San Francisco Giants rallied from one sweep with one of their own, culminating with a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros, behind Barry Zito’s 6th victory of the season.

Zito (6-1) tossed seven innings, scattering six hits and one run and besting Brett Myers (2-3), who tossed a complete game in a losing effort.  Aaron Rowand (5) and Andres Torres (1) hit solo and two run homeruns, respectively, in support of Zito’s outing.  Brian Wilson worked around a pair of two out hits and striking out Kazuo Matsui with runners on the corners for his ninth save.

In the opener, Todd Wellemeyer (2-3) pitched into the eighth and the Giant bats erupted against Felipe Paulino (0-6) as San Francisco ended a three game losing streak with an 8-2 victory.  Andres Torres doubled twice and tripled and Nate Schierholtz and Pablo Sandoval each had two hits.   Hunter Pence (6) homered for the Astros. 

The middle game of the series was a pitchers duel as Tim Lincecum (5-0) finally picked up his elusive fifth victory of the year, beating Roy Oswalt (2-5) and the Astros, 2-1.  Lincecum pitched eight innings, striking out five and surrendering only one run.  Juan Uribe supplied all the offense, hitting a two run homerun (4) to give the Giants the lead for good in the fourth inning.  Brian Wilson supplied drama in the ninth as the Astros loaded the bases and Kazuo Matsui coaxed a 15 pitch at bat off the closer before flying out to left field, giving the Giants the victory and Wilson his eighth save of the season.

First things first, great series.  A victory is always nice.  A sweep is always better.  Couple this with the Dodgers sweep of the Padres and it’s a win-win all round.   Pablo isn’t fully back, but it appears as if he’s doing better.  That’s great news.   Now that we’re feeling better, let me point out how much that earlier Padres sweep hurts the team.  If they win one game in that series, they are now in first place.  Also, the Dodgers aren’t breathing down their necks as much if that’s the case.  The race is tightened due to the team’s inability to take one from the front runners at home.  This series was a gift as the Astros are pretty horrible.  They need to start playing up to this level against ALL in-division competition.   They better get started immediately as they send the bottom of the rotation against the Padres on the road starting tomorrow.   Get on this one!!  Go Giants!!!!!

The Giants next travel to San Diego to play the Padres tomorrow evening.  The Astros go to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers tomorrow night.

The Giant bullpen lost another lead handed to them by Tim Lincecum, but a late homerun by Aaron Rowand, coupled with ace closing, allowed San Francisco to salvage the final game in New York, against the Mets, by a score of 6-5.

Lincecum tossed six innings, scattering seven hits and two runs while striking out eight Mets.   The Giants staked the ace to a 4-0 lead following a wild outing by Oliver Perez, who walked seven batters in 3 1/3 innings, putting together two run second and fourth innings.   The Mets rallied in the sixth, cutting the Giant lead in half with a run scoring single by Jason Bay and a sacrifice fly by David Wright.  Dan Runzler relieved in the seventh and the Mets erupted for three runs off two hits and three walks from the rookie and Sergio Romo (1-3).  However, Aaron Rowand returned the lead to the Giants with a two run blast (4) off Jenrry Mejia (0-2) in the top of the eighth inning.  Brian Wilson came on with one out in the bottom of the inning and proceeded to strike out five of the next six hitters, picking up his seventh save of the season. 

In the opener, the Mets used the long ball to get to Jonathan Sanchez early, with Ike Davis (2,3) and Rod Barajas (8,9) each homering twice, Barajas’s second being a walkoff, as New York beat the Giants 6-4.  The Mets took a 4-3 lead into the ninth where John Bowker tied the game by stroking a pinch homerun (2) off closer Francisco Rodriguez (2-0).  In the bottom of the inning, Davis coaxed a one out walk off Sergio Romo (0-3) before Barajas followed with his second homerun of the game to seal the victory for the home team.

In the second game, Henry Blanco hit a solo shot (1) in the bottom of the eleventh inning off reliever Guillermo Mota (0-1), breaking a 4 all tie and giving the Mets a 5-4 win.   Hisanori Takahashi (3-1) pitched a perfect top of the eleventh for the victory. 

Okay.  A lost series, but a winning road trip.  All in all, it’s alright.  Two games lost in the final at bat.  That hurts.  I am impressed that the team is fighting every inning.  Seems like they are taking these games personal.  Todd Wellemeyer was blasted again.  With the off day, let’s see if they can skip him for a turn.  Hopefully so.  A big series coming up tomorrow night.  The rest should do the bullpen well.   Hopefully also for a badly slumping Pablo Sandoval.  However, I have a feeling he is due for a tear.  Mark me down for this one.  What better time than against the NL West leading San Diego Padres. 

The Giants will next host the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.  The Mets will host the Nationals Monday 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 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!!!!

A late homerun by Manny Ramirez sunk the San Francisco Giants, 2-1, and kept them from gleaning the fruits of victory from back to back excellent starts Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Staked to a 1-0 lead via a solo shot by Juan Uribe (2), Zito spun 7 1/3 shutout innings and exited, ahead 1-0, following a one out walk to Garret Anderson.  Sergio Romo (0-1) came on to face pinch hitter Manny Ramirez who launched a two run homerun (2) for the final tally, 2-1.  Clayton Kershaw tossed seven excellent innings for a no decision.  Ramon Troncoso (1-0) pitched 1/3 of a inning and backed into the victory for Los Angeles.  Jonathan Broxton pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.

In the opener, the Dodgers jumped all over Todd Wellemeyer (0-2) early, scoring seven runs in the first two innings, winning 10-8 after the Giants scored five meaningless runs in the ninth.  Adam Ethier blasted two homeruns (2,3) including a grand slam to back Vicente Padilla (1-1), who went seven solid innings, striking out seven Giants.   He also hit Aaron Rowand in the helmet with a pitch in the fifth inning.  Rowand exited and was taken for examinations which revealed several fractures around his nose.  He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.  Matt Downs was recalled from AAA Fresno to take his roster spot.

In the middle game, Tim Lincecum (3-0) shone for the third straight game, pitching six shutout innings, striking out seven, as the Giants won 9-0.   Giant hitters tore apart knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (0-1) to the tune of seven runs on seven hits and five walks in three innings.  With the bat, Lincecum went 3-4 with three RBI, to support his own cause.  Juan Uribe, Bengie Molina, Eugenio Velez, and Edgar Renteria all drove in a run to back Lincecum.

To be honest, this is the best I’ve felt after losing a series in quite a while.  Pitching was above average.  Hitting was adequate to good.  Per the games lost, the second could have gone either way.  Of course, there’s the argument, why wasn’t closer Brian Wilson brought on?  Why was Manny pitched to?  While both are legitimate, Romo is a quality pitcher and worthy of being trusted in the eighth in such a situation.   Per the first game, yes the bats weren’t there for a slugfest.  However, my only complaint is Wellemeyer (though he did alright after the early stumbling).   I’m starting to doubt he’s up to the task to be the team’s number five starter.   I think he did well enough in spring training to be here now.  However, I say that if he doesn’t start producing in the next game or two, he should get a few reps in the bullpen and they should look to the minor leagues for a replacement (probably Kevin Pucetas).  After all is said and done, the Giants went toe to toe with the Dodgers and came out of it looking pretty good (if even with less victories than losses). 

The Giants will next travel to San Diego to play the Padres.  The Dodgers will travel to Cincinnati to play the Reds on Tuesday night.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!!!

Youngster phenom Madison Bumgarner will start the middle game of the Padres series tonight, bumping an ‘injured’ Tim Lincecum, and making his major league debut.   Lincecum will be rested for two days and then re-evaluated.  No long term outage is expected. 

First of all, Timmy’s back seems to have flared up with spasms.  If this is true, I, along with the entire Giants fan base, pray it flares down.  However, more on that later.

Second, it’s awesome that Bumgarner will get a start.  I’m excited too see him pitch. 

The Giants will need to keep close tabs on Lincecum.  This guy’s the franchise.  No need to overpitch him (even if he can do it).  However, there was no warning of this injury.  Could it be a smokescreen?  Pushing the kid back to face the Dodgers?  I don’t know.  This is the pennant race.  It’s imperative that the team is clicking on all cylinders and, to be honest, the starting pitching is doing just that.  The inclusion of a rookie (no matter how good) into the mix might be a bit risky.  However, assuming that this is legit, then this is the biggest hammer the Giants can bring down in this situation.  It definitely looks better than either Ryan Sadowski, Joseph Martines, Justin Miller, or Kevin Pucetas.  The kid’s getting baptized by fire tonight.  We’ll see if he remembers his asbestos underwear.