After waiting half a year, the San Francisco Giants are back in regular season action. As exciting as opening day always is, the Giants appeared weak, being shutout by the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0. The starting lineup looked something like this: Dave Roberts (LF), Rich Aurilia (1B), Randy Winn (RF), Bengie Molina (C), Ray Durham (2B), Aaron Rowand (CF), Jose Castillo (3B), and Brian Bocock (SS).
Barry Zito continued to struggle in opening day starts, giving up four runs on eight hits in five innings to earn the loss. He gave up three runs in the first inning, two of which came on a 2-2 fastball that Jeff Kent deposited over the left-center wall, but then settled down after a shaky inning. Merkin Valdez relieved Zito in the sixth inning, and allowed another run on two hits after striking out the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter. Keiichi Yabu, and Erick Threets each pitched scoreless innings after that. Overall, the pitching did not look too bad, it will get better. The pitching staff combined for three strikeouts, four walks, eleven hits, and two wild pitches (by Valdez and Threets).
Offensively, the Giants did not do much; their bats were silenced by Dodgers ace, Brad Penny. At one point, he retired thirteen consecutive batters (between the third and seventh innings). However, Aaron Rowand did go 2-3 in his Giants debut, both hits were singles. Collectively, the Giants drew three walks, and mustered up five hits against the Dodgers pitching staff. Rookie shortstop, Brian Bocock walked twice and was caught leaning a little too far off first base in the eighth inning; he was picked off by Dodgers reliever, Joe Beimel in his major league debut. Roberts was also caught stealing second base in his first attempt of the season by Dodgers catcher, Russell Martin.
The Giants will have to get their bats going and capitalize on their scoring chances tomorrow when they take Derek Lowe at 7:10 p.m. Matt Cain will start for the Giants in the second game of the season. Once the offense starts producing, all things should fall into place for the Giants. They may have lost opening day, but the season is long, and by no means over.
