Giantsblog

The Giants six-game road trip resulted in just one win after the Pirates completed a sweep of them today. A big four-run inning put the Giants ahead in the fourth, but were unable to hang on and lost 5-4. With all these close games, the Giants could very well be leading the division if they had come out on the winning side of more of them.
Matt Cain tried to end salvage a win out of the Pittsburgh series, but gave up five earned runs in six and a third innings. He only allowed two runs in the third inning, before getting knocked out of the game in the seventh. Jack Taschner and Vinnie Chulk were required to end the inning, both were effective. Chulk pitched into the eighth, but Billy Sadler who was just called up to San Francisco finished the inning, facing two batters, striking out one of them.
The Giants offense produced runs only in the fourth inning, a four-run inning. A double by catcher Steve Holm drove in two runs, and Cain also helped out his own cause by driving in the fourth run. Cain also got another hit earlier in the game, ending his day two-for-three. Dan Ortmeier was the only other Giant with a multi-hit game, both of his hits were singles.
Tomorrow the Giants will start a long ten-game homestand, first hosting the Phillies. Rookie Pat Misch will look to end the Giants four-game losing streak, and for his first Major League win at 7:15 p.m., Cole Hamels will start for Philadelphia.

Barry Zito earned little run support once again, but showed some improvement in his seventh loss of the season. It was another close game for the Giants, they dropped it 3-1 to the Pirates.
Zito lasted five innings, giving up two runs on five hits and just two walks, while striking out five batters. His only real mistake tonight was giving up a two-run shot in the fourth inning to Pittsburgh outfielder Xavier Nady. Keiichi Yabu continued to pitch well out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit in two innings of work. Tyler Walker pitched the eighth inning, and surrendered an insurance run. The Giants also announced the demotion of Brad Hennessey to Triple-A Fresno, and called up Billy Sadler to take his spot in the bullpen after Hennessey was roughed up pretty badly on Tuesday.
The only Giants run scored was produced by catcher Bengie Molina, who went two-for-four on the day with two singles. It finally came in the ninth inning, with runners on first and third with no outs. It appeared the Giants may have had something going, but what looked like another late-inning comeback was quickly extinguished.
Matt Cain will attempt to avoid the sweep tomorrow at 9:35 a.m., and help the Giants finish their road trip with a win. The Pirates will start Pat Maholm against him. Starting Friday, the Giants will return home for a ten-day homestand, beginning with the Phillies.

It looks like this could be a tough road trip, after tonight’s 12-6 loss. These first four road games have only resulted in one win for the Giants. In the first game of the series at Pittsburgh, Giants pitchers looked as if they were throwing batting practice to the Pirates hitters.
Jonathan Sanchez pitched more like Barry Zito, than his regular self. Things fell apart for him in the third inning when he gave up the first three runs of seven in only four and a third innings. He gave up two homeruns, walked three, and struck out a sub-par four batters. Brad Hennessey relieved the worn out Sanchez, and attempted to stop the bleeding. The Pirates hitters hit him around too, scoring five earned runs off him in just two and a third innings. Merkin Valdez retired the one batter he faced in the seventh inning. Vinnie Chulk pitched a solid eighth inning, allowing just one hit, but by then the damage was already done.
Pirates starter Zach Duke dominated the Giants for most of the game, until they got on him in the seventh and eighth innings for three runs. But by then the Giants were already down 9-0, the offensive effort was just a little too late. Giants third baseman Jose Castillo drove in three runs on a homerun off Pittsburgh reliever Sean Burnett in the eighth inning. Speedy utility man, Eugenio Velez earned his fourth triple of the season in the ninth inning. First baseman Rich Aurilia has continued to hit the ball well lately, going three-for-four tonight with a double and two singles, raising his batting average to .284.
After a short bullpen stint, Zito, who is still winless, will return to the rotation tomorrow to face Pirates rookie Phil Dumatrait in game two of the Pittsburgh series at 4:05 p.m. Zito’s return to the rotation is due in part to Noah Lowry’s slow recovery and continual delayed return from the disabled list. Perhaps Zito will finally earn his first win of the 2008 season tomorrow. In other injury news, veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel has been rehabing at Class A San Jose and Triple-A Fresno, and is expected to be back with the big club next week.

The series against Philadelphia has been a close one, all three games were decided by a run. After winning the second game of the series 3-2 in ten innings, the Giants dropped the series finale 5-6.
Tim Lincecum did not have his best stuff today. He lasted six innings, and gave up four runs (none of them were earned). Vinnie Chulk pitched an inning and two-thirds out of the bullpen, and allowed one costly hit, a solo shot to Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz that tied up the game. Keiichi Yabu gave up the game with help from an error in the ninth inning, just one out from putting the game into extras again.
Rich Aurilia and Jose Castillo were the Giants offense today. all five runs were driven in off their bats. Castillo went two-for-four with a triple and a single. Aurilia was three-for-three and reached base on a walk, he hit a two-run homer and two doubles. The Phillies were out hit, but three errors by the Giants allowed them to win the game.
The Giants will have Monday off, but begin a series at Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Jonathan Sanchez will start the first game, and will be opposed by Zach Duke. Game one will start at 4:05 p.m.

Despite taking the lead on a tenth inning homerun by Aaron Rowand, the Giants gave up a walk-off win in the bottom half of the frame to lose 6-5. A big three-run seventh inning allowed San Francisco to get back in the game and nearly pulled off the comeback.
Rookie Pat Misch, who was filling into the rotation for Barry Zito, went four innings and gave up four runs. First inning runs have been a problem for Giants starters this season. Keiichi Yabu relieved him and pitched two hitless innings. The bullpen will be tired tonight after many of the relievers saw action. Vinnie Chulk, Jack Taschner, Tyler Walker, and Merkin Valdez helped keep the damage to a minimum, putting the Giants in extras. Closer Brian Wilson came in for the save in the tenth, but instead gave up a two-out two-run walk-off shot to Pat Burrell.
First baseman John Bowker led the Giants offense, going four-for-five, all of his hits were singles. The middle of the order fueled the Giants comeback, stringing several hits together. Randy Winn went three-for-five, also with three singles. Rowand, Jose Castillo, and Emmanuel Burriss had two hits a piece. The seventh inning was crucial for the Giants, as they managed to tie up the game with three runs. The big inning started with three consecutive singles, and then San Francisco just built off those.
As of the bottom of the fifth inning, the Giants are tied with the Phillies, 2-2 in the second game of the series. Matt Cain started the game for San Francisco and appears to be effective tonight. Outfielder Fred Lewis helped the Giants get an early lead after walking to start the game, stole second, and was driven in on a Winn single.

Jonathan Sanchez did not have his best stuff today, but the Giants were able to squeeze out a comeback win against Colorado to win the series. Two runs in the sixth and seventh innings helped the Giants take the lead and were able to hold on for a 3-2 win.
After scoring a run in the second inning, Sanchez had a small lead to work with, but gave up the only two Rockies runs of the game in the fifth inning. Merkin Valdez earned his first Major League win in relief when he came in and retired four straight Rox. The entire bullpen was sharp, and did not allow a hit; Tyler Walker pitched the eighth, and Brian Wilson earned his ninth save of the season.
Offensively, the Giants scored just enough to win once again. Centerfielder Aaron Rowand leadoff the second inning with a homerun off Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead. Leftfielder Fred Lewis tied the game in the sixth inning when he reached base on a walk, advanced to second on a groundout, and then scored on Randy Winn’s single. What would end up being the winning run was scored by third baseman Jose Castillo on another leadoff shot in the seventh inning to put the Giants up 3-2. Defensively, San Francisco made three errors, none of which were costly though.
The Giants will have a well deserved off day tomorrow, which will likely be used to travel to Philadelphia. They will start a weekend series with the Phillies on Friday. Rookie Pat Misch is scheduled to start the first game against Kyle Kendrick.

This loss was probably the toughest one to swallow yet this season, hopefully it will be the last. After maintaining a 2-2 tie through most of the game, the Rockies scored the go-ahead run on a balk by Tim Lincecum in the seventh inning to give them a lead they would not give up. Colorado held on to win 3-2.
Apart from giving up two early runs, Lincecum was pretty dominant. Although he gave up eight hits through seven innings of work, he limited the damage. Rockies third baseman, Chris Iannetta scored the second run in the second frame on a solo shot. The winning run was scored on a balk in the seventh inning, it was a questionable call when catcher Bengie Molina called time out while Lincecum had set to pitch. Giants manager, Bruce Bochy was ejected for arguing the call. Vinnie Chulk and Jack Taschner handled the eighth inning to keep it a one-run game. Merkin Valdez pitched a perfect ninth to keep the Giants within one run of putting it in extras.
The Giants scored their only runs in the first inning when they strung together a couple hits. Molina and centerfielder Aaron Rowand each drove in a run. After getting a leadoff walk in the ninth inning, shortstop Brian Bocock bunted Jose Castillo over to second, but Randy Winn swung at a 3-0 pitch in the next at-bat to put the Giants one out away from defeat. Pinch-hitter Dan Ortmeier struck out to end the game.
Jonathan Sanchez will start the series finale tomorrow at 12:45 p.m. and look to add some more strikeouts to his stats. Ubaldo Jimenez will be on the mound for Colorado.

On the same day that Matt Cain earned his first victory of the season, shutting out the Rockies 4-0, the Giants announced they would be moving struggling starter Barry Zito to the bullpen. Rookie Pat Misch will take over for Zito or Kevin Correia, who recently went on the disabled list.
The Rockies batters made Cain work, but did not score off him in five and a third innings of work, however they did reach base five times thanks to walks issued by him. Vinne Chulk finished off the sixth and seventh innings, and allowed just one hit before giving the ball to Tyler Walker. Walker pitched a near perfect eighth inning, also allowing just one hit. Brian Wilson secured the shutout win in the ninth inning, he gave up two hits, but retired the Rockies with three strikeouts in the ninth.
The Giants scored two first inning runs to give Cain a lead to work with, and added two more in the fifth. Shortstop Emmanuel Burriss reached base on a bunt single in the first, and advanced to second on a balk. Ray Durham drove him in with a bloop single before putting himself in scoring position with a steal of second base. Centerfielder Aaron Rowand helped score Durham with a two-out single. The Giants other two runs were scored via the bases loaded walk, twice! The fifth inning rally was produced by the Rockies pitchers inability to find the strike zone. San Francisco leads the Major League in stolen bases now, with thirty-one; last night they stole four, two were by Durham, and the other two by Eugenio Velez and Randy Winn.
Emerging star, Tim Lincecum will look for his fifth win of the season tonight at 7:15 p.m. in the second game of the series. Aaron Cook, who is 3-1 with a 2.91 earned run average will pitch for Colorado. It should be a well pitched, low scoring game.

Looking for his first win of the season after being beat in his first five starts, Barry Zito did not get it. The Giants were killed 10-1 after Zito was roughed up once again. He continues to look like the worst waste of money in baseball history.
Struggling is a good verb to describe Zito. He lasted three innings, giving up runs in each of them, six in the first, and one in each of the second. He allowed a total of eight earned runs on seven hits and three walks. Rookie Pat Misch relieved Zito and filled in nicely for the rest of the game, going six innings and giving up five hits, two of which were solo homers to Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips.
By the time the Giants got a chance to bat, they were already down by six runs, and only managed to produce one run during the entire game. All together, the Giants had seven hits, none of which were extra-base hits. The one run the offense put up was scored by pinch-hitter Emmanuel Burriss in the third inning, and driven in by rightfielder Randy Winn on a single.
Zito is still not recieving the run support he needs to be successful, but he really is not helping himself by pitching too effectively either. The Giants will send Matt Cain to the mound tomorrow when they will host the defending National League Champs, the Colorado Rockies in a three game series. The Rockies will start Franklin Morales at 7:15 p.m.

It appeared it was going to be a rough day after Giants starter Kevin Correia was forced to leave the game after retiring just one batter due to a strained oblique muscle in his left side, and it was. Although the pitchers game up tons of runs, the offense came out swinging today, but still fell short 10-9 against the Cincinnati Reds.
Brad Hennessey came into the game cold once Correia got hurt, he gave up three runs on six hits over three innings before handing the game over to the rest of the bullpen. They will need a rest tomorrow after having to work so much in relief today. Keiichi Yabu and Jack Taschner each surrendered three more runs before Merkin Valdez and Vinnie Chulk worked near perfect innings, each only giving up one hit.
The Giants batters did not quit today, but could have at least used one more run late in the game. Leftfielder Fred Lewis looked like a smaller version of Barry Bonds, homering into McCovey Cove for a “Splash Hit”, he also singled and tripled, scoring three of the nine Giants runs. Batting second, Eugenio Velez drove in three runs, also hitting a triple and a single. Rich Aurilia also hit a solo homer and singled tonight. Despite coming up with four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Giants lost the game, but offensively it was a good sign.
Hopefully Correia’s injury is not serious, but if it is, Noah Lowry will be returning to the rotation soon. The Giants will wrap up their series with the Reds tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. Barry Zito will continue to look for his first win of the season and will match-up against Edinson Volquez.