Giantsblog

Barry Zito took a step back from his gradual return to success as the Chicago Cubs went on a 9-2 rout of the Giants. Two runs scored in the bottom of the ninth inning broke up the shutout, but still did not help San Francisco much.
Zito was tagged for five runs (four earned) on six hits in five innings of work. After looking as if he had regained his control in his last outing, Zito walked five batters while managing to strikeout six. Keiichi Yabu relieved Zito in the sixth inning and pitched two scoreless innings after being knocked around a bit in his previous appearances. Billy Sadler pitched the eighth inning and gave up a grand slam to Mark DeRosa (his second homerun of the night), many of the additional runs scored came thanks to walks. In total, the Giants pitching staff allowed nine baserunners to reach on walks! Alex Hinshaw struck out three hitters in the ninth inning before the Giants scored their two runs of the game in the last frame of the game.
The Giants offense was limited tonight, managing to finally score in the ninth inning while putting together eight hits throughout the game. Randy Winn and pinch-hitter John Bowker scored both of the runs on a Rich Aurilia double after Ted Lilly turned the game over to Kerry Wood. Centerfielder Aaron Rowand had the other Giants extra-base hit, another double.
The second game of the series will be played Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m. Matt Cain has had a disappointing year so far and needs to pitch like he once did with the Giants just six games back of Arizona for the division lead. Jason Marquis is scheduled to start for the Cubs.

After Tim Lincecum pitched a 1-0 masterpiece on Saturday, the Giants followed up to win the finally of the Bay Bridge series on Sunday. The bats came alive and Jonathan Sanchez was impressive yet again in the 11-1 series clincher.
Sanchez’ success this season might be overlooked by the career year Lincecum is having, but he has been a major reason the Giants are doing a lot better than they were expected to. Sanchez’ only mistake of the game came in the second inning when he gave up a solo shot to Jack Cust, giving Oakland a 1-0 lead. He would give up three more hits over seven innings and just that one run while striking out six batters and walking one. Sergi Romo pitched the eighth inning, allowing just one hitter reach base on a walk, and struck out two. Jack Taschner finished off the game with a perfect ninth inning that included a strikeout.
San Francisco exploded offensively with two big innings in a row, a good amount of their runs were scored in the fourth and fifth innings. Scoring four runs in the fourth inning and five in the fifth, the Giants got a comfortable lead with a confident Sanchez on the mound. John Bowker and Rich Aurilia both had a good day at the plate; Bowker going three-for-four, and Aurilia three-for-five. Bowker had a double and two singles that brought in two runs and allowed him to score three himself. Aurilia single-handedly drove in five runs with two singles and a two-run homer that came in the seventh inning, giving the Giants an 11-1 lead. Second baseman Ray Durham also had a solid day, going two-for-three with doubles, he scored two runs.
The Giants return home Monday to start a four-game series with the league leading Chicago Cubs. Playing on their home turf after a long road trip might be an advantage for San Francisco, but they will be taking on a team that looks to be the National League favorite to go to the World Series this year. Game one will be a matchup between lefties, Barry Zito who has shown signs of improvement in his last few starts will take on Ted Lilly at 7:15 p.m.

After dropping a 4-1 loss at Cleveland, the Giants lost last night 4-1 at Oakland. A bad three run inning, all three runs being scored off Giants reliever Keiichi Yabu in the sixth inning.
Kevin Correia pitched a solid five innings, allowing just one run in the fourth inning on four hits. He deserved a chance to win, but the bullpen (mainly Yabu) let the Giants down in the sixth inning. Yabu gave up three runs in the sixth inning on three hits without recording one out! Alex Hinshaw had to help him out, and get two outs in the inning before Billy Sadler came in to finish the sixth inning. He would go on to pitch the seventh and eighth innings. Sadler went two innings and third without giving up a hit, allowing just one baserunner on a walk.
The offense was unable to get much going against Dana Eveland. San Francisco was only able to score one run on five hits in the game, a little better than what Cliff Lee allowed two nights ago. Aaron Rowand had the only extra-base hit, a double that did not produce anything. Randy Winn’s single in the third inning drove in shortstop Emmanuel Burriss for the Giants only run of the game.
Tonight’s matchup will feature Tim Lincecum versus Justin Duchscherer at 6:05 p.m. Both pitchers are having great season’s for their respective teams.

Attempting a sweep at Cleveland, the Giants were shutdown by Indians ace Cliff Lee. Giants hitters were prone to the strikeout eleven times in the game, and only managed one run in the 4-1 loss.
Matt Cain started the game for San Francisco and lasted just five innings after the Indians got to him for four runs on eight hits. He managed to record four strikeouts while walking two batters. Cain allowed the Indians to take a 3-0 lead in the third inning before they added another run in the fourth. The bullpen did a good job in relief, pitching three hitless innings, but by then the damage had been done. Alex Hinshaw pitch the sixth inning, striking out two hitters and allowing a batter to reach on a walk. Billy Sadler nearly imitated his performance in the seventh, but coming up a strikeout short of Hinshaw’s inning. Sergio Romo made his Major League debut, and was perfect in the ninth inning with two strikeouts.
The Giants had a little bad luck, coming to Cleveland with Lee scheduled to pitch in the series. Lee earned his eleventh win of the season with a dominant effort against the San Francisco lineup. Giants hitters were held to one run on four hits. Jose Castillo, Aaron Rowand, Bengie Molina, and Rich Aurilia each had hits, Rowand’s was the only one that went for extra-bases (a double). The lone Giants run came in the fourth inning when Rowand doubled and then scored on Aurilia’s single.
After a somewhat successful series in Cleveland, the Giants will head back to the west coast for a weekend series at Oakland. Friday’s game is set for 7:05 p.m. Kevin Correia who has struggled since coming back from the disabled list will pitch against Dana Eveland.

Either Cleveland was not hitting yesterday or Barry Zito is returning to his old Cy Young caliber form. The former ace reminded his critics yesterday that he can still pitch after defeating the Indians 4-1 and putting them on the edge of a sweep.
Zito received some unusual run support early in the game when the Giants jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, it was more than he would need, being in the drivers seat until he would leave the game. He limited the Indians to just one run on four hits over six and two-thirds innings pitched while striking out four. It looks as if his control might be back since he managed not to walk anybody, but did hit a batter. Zito left the game with runners on base and Keiichi Yabu taking over for him. Yabu was brought in to face one batter, but was unsuccessful, giving up a single that would bring in a run for Cleveland. Jack Taschner would finish off the inning and handle a batter in the eighth inning before Tyler Walker would get the last two outs. Both relievers were perfect in facing their two hitters. Closer Brian Wilson earned his twenty-first save of the season, allowing a harmless single in the ninth inning; it was his second save of the series.
After playing a key part in Tuesday night’s victory, Jose Castillo was back at it again. He was three-for-five, just a triple shy of the cycle while scoring two runs. Half of the runs for San Francisco came in the first inning, but Castillo would hit a solo homer in the third inning to extend the Giants lead to 3-0. First baseman John Bowker added a homerun in the eighth inning off Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt to regain a three-run advantage. Catcher Bengie Molina also had a multi-hit day, going two-for-four with two singles, he would also reach base on a walk.
Matt Cain will try to complete the sweep tomorrow night at 4:05 p.m. Standing in his way will be rejuvenated lefty Cliff Lee who is 10-1 this year after having a disappointing 2007 season. It has been a low-scoring series so far and tomorrow’s matchup should suggest the same for the series finale.

Cleveland fans were excited to see Omar Vizquel back in Cleveland, but disappointed when he brought in an important run with a sacrifice bunt to help the Giants defeat their team 3-2. Jonathan Sanchez was also a key factor in the game’s outcome, with a quality start to help the Giants to a rare win against an American League team.
Sanchez did a lot to help himself out, and lucky the offense came alive for him late in the game. He pitched seven and two-thirds innings, giving up just one run on five hits to give his team a chance to win. He also recorded eight strikeouts while walking two batters. He was forced to leave when the Indians were threatening in the eighth inning, but Tyler Walker came in and got the last out of the inning with a strikeout of Jamey Carroll. It looked as if the Indians might have some last at-bat heroics in them when they scored a run off closer Brian Wilson in the ninth inning, making it another one-run game, but with two strikeouts Wilson sealed the deal.
Cleveland got on the board first with a quick run in the first inning, but San Francisco responded to tie the game in the next inning. After reaching base to lead off the inning, catcher Bengie Molina scored on a single by third baseman Jose Castillo. Any offense would be pretty scarce until the eighth frame. Ray Durham scored from third base on a throwing error by Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach while trying to throw out Randy Winn stealing second base, giving the Giants a 2-1 lead. Vizquel would add a run on a squeeze play that scored Castillo from third base in the ninth inning.
Barry Zito will pitch against Indians winless pitcher Jeremy Sowers in game two of the series tonight at 4:05 p.m. With a win here, the Giants might be able to boost their confidence against American League teams, especially playing on the road, and end their latest weak run.

After jumping out to a quick 6-0 lead in the with Tim Lincecum on the mound, the game looked to be decided, but the Royals got to the young phenom forcing Bruce Bochy to turn to the bullpen for help. The bullpen was unable to stop the Kansas City bats, losing the series finale 11-10.
The Giants pitching staff took quite a beating tonight, and the two errors the defense made behind them did not help much either. Lincecum did strikeout eight batters, but also gave up five runs on six hits in five innings of work. Keiichi Yabu had a horrible outing, facing four hitters in the sixth inning, and allowing them all to reach base and score without recording an out. Jack Taschner allowed another run in the five-run sixth inning before being replaced by Vinnie Chulk who finished the inning. Alex Hinshaw allowed what would end up being the winning run in the seventh inning after Fred Lewis was given on error on a missed catch. Brian Wilson was successful in keeping it a one-run game, giving up just one hit in his inning and one-third pitched.
The offense was the only real good news, the San Francisco bats finally awoke from their recent slump, producing ten runs on sixteen hits. The Giants early and often, but the Royals were able to respond with some scoring of their own. San Francisco scored two runs in the first inning, three in the second, one in the third, and added four in the fifth inning. Both teams had no hits that were better than doubles. Lewis did his job as a leadoff man, reaching base in five of his six plate appearances with two walks, a single, two doubles, and two runs scored while driving in one. Ray Durham had a single and walked twice, scoring all three times he reached base. Randy Winn had a four hit day, all of hits were singles, scoring twice, and had three runs batted in. As the designated hitter, Bengie Molina went hitless in five at-bats. First baseman John Bowker went three-for-five with a double and two singles, driving in three runs. If the Giants can carry the offensive momentum into Cleveland, they should put up a good fight against the Indians.
From Kansas City, the Giants move onto Cleveland where Omar Vizquel will face his old team. With a day off on Monday, the series will begin on Tuesday at 4:05 p.m. Cleveland is having a disappointing year, battling injuries to their three and four hitters Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez, as well as losing some key starting pitchers. Jonathan Sanchez will face Aaron Laffey in the first game of the series.

Playing away in an American League ballpark, the Giants should generate some more offense with an extra bat in the lineup. This weekend series against a weak Kansas City Royals team would have been a good opportunity for a sweep, but San Francisco allowed the Royals to win game two 5-3.
Giants starter Kevin Correia did not have an impressive outing. The Royals batters ran his pitch count up quickly, forcing him to leave the game after five innings of work. He gave up three runs on six hits while walking four hitters. Alex Hinshaw pitched a perfect sixth inning before running into trouble in the seventh. After walking a batter he was replaced by Billy Sadler. Sadler was unable to bail him out, and allowed a two-run homer. He did not retire a single batter and had to be taken out after facing two hitters. Jack Taschner finished the game for San Francisco, pitching a perfect inning and two-thirds.
The Giants batters looked miserable at the plate, striking out in four of their five first at-bats, and ending the game with two strikeouts in the ninth inning. San Francisco combined for nine strikeouts during the game. They did manage to score three runs on just four hits, but were helped out by a Kansas City throwing error. The throwing error by starter Gil Meche allowed the Giants to score two unearned runs in the sixth inning, bringing them within a run of tying the game. They nearly made a comeback with late inning runs, but the Royals offense responded to their efforts. The only hits on the Giants side were singles that came from Fred Lewis, Ray Durham, John Bowker, and Rich Aurilia. Durham scored two of Giants runs, Lewis the other.
With Tim Lincecum on the mound for the series finale this afternoon the Giants have a good shot at winning the series. He is scheduled to pitch against Kyle Davies at 11:10 a.m. who is 3-0 this season. Interleague play is killing the Giants, who are now 3-7 in their last ten games, and seven games back of division leaders Arizona.

The Giants will get a much needed day off tomorrow after a rough stretch of interleague games. The bullpen had to work a ton in today’s 7-2 loss to Detroit as Barry Zito was knocked around again. Tomorrow’s day off should give them some time to recover for several away interleague series’.
Zito had another short outing that lasted two innings after leaving several breaking balls up in the zone for the Tigers batters to feast on. He left the game after allowing five runs on five hits and four walks. The only pitch he was able to throw for a strike was his curve, but it did not fool the Tigers hitters. Billy Sadler took over for Zito in the third inning, and allowed an unearned run in two innings of work on three hits. Alex Hinshaw relieved Sadler in the fifth inning, he also gave the Tigers another run after walking two hitters and allowing two more hits over his two innings pitched. Jack Taschner appeared to stop the bleeding after allowing a harmless walk in the seventh inning before handing the ball over to Keiichi Yabu in the eighth. Yabu pitched a perfect eighth inning, before Vinnie Chulk took over as the sixth Giants pitcher of the game. Chulk had a perfect ninth inning, striking out one batter. Overall, Giants pitchers had trouble with Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco who went four-for-four.
The Giants could have been just as easily shutout with both of their runs scoring unearned. Catcher Bengie Molina was the only hitter that managed more than one hit in the game with two singles. All together, the Giants managed eight hits off the Tigers pitching staff. Their runs came in the second and sixth innings, already with the Giants way behind. Second baseman Travis Denker and pinch-hitter Steve Holm both scored a run, reaching base on doubles.
San Francisco will travel tomorrow to Kansas City to take on the Royals in a weekend series beginning on Friday. The first game is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. Matt Cain is slated to get the start for the Giants and Luke Hochevar for the Royals.

Jonathan Sanchez pitched well through seven innings, taking a no-hitter into the sixth, but got into trouble the bullpen could not bail him out of in the eighth. The offenses ineffectiveness to drive in any runs is what did them in, dropping the game 5-1.
Sanchez was lights out through the first five innings before Curtis Granderson singled off him to open the sixth inning. Granderson would come around to score to give Detroit a 1-0 lead. However, the Giants would tie things up in the bottom half of the inning. Sanchez would try to pitch the eighth inning, but gave a pinch-hit homerun to Ryan Raburn that gave Detroit a 2-1 lead; they’d go on to score another run in the inning. Sanchez ended up allowing three runs on six hits and three walks, but he also struck out a eight hitters, seven of those came in the first five innings. Billy Sadler relieved Sanchez after being unable to get any outs in the eighth inning, limiting the damage to two runs. Sadler walked one batter, but gave up no hits. Vinnie Chulk came into the game to pitch the ninth inning and to try to keep the deficit at two, but gave up a deep drive to straight-away centerfield to start the inning. All eight of Tigers outfielder Marcus Thames’ hits have been homeruns. The Tigers would add another run in the inning, giving them a comfortable four-run lead heading to the bottom of the ninth. Chulk finished the day giving up two runs on three hits.
The Giants offense combined for nine hits, but we unable to bring any of the runners into score. Catcher Bengie Molina did drive in their only run of the gave in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one, but that was it. In addition to his sacrifice fly, Molina went two-for-three with two singles. Fred Lewis scored the Giants run after going two-for-four in the game with two singles. Rich Aurilia went two-for-four, getting the only Giants extra-base hit of the game, a double.
Tomorrow’s series finale will be an early one with first pitch scheduled for 12:45 p.m. Barry Zito will pitch against a young Tigers pitcher that has put together a quite impressive first half. Armando Galarraga is 6-2 with a 3.21 earned run average, and might well be one of the reasons Detroit has not fallen completely out of the picture this season.