Giantsblog

SCOTTSDALE–   Both starting pitchers in the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants game this past Sunday had polar opposite results.  San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner, who is projected to be in the rotation, continues with his struggles this spring.  Pitching two innings, Madison allowed four runs while striking out two, but, walking two as well en route to his third loss of the spring.

Brandon McCarthy of Oakland, however, shut down San Francisco till surrendering two runs in the bottom of the seventh.  McCarthy who is fighting for a spot in the rotation may have displayed enough of a case to give him that opportunity.   As of now, McCarthy is the only Athletics starting pitcher to go seven-plus innings.  In addition, he struck out five Giants and walked none; solid performance for the California native.

Oakland started their second inning rally off Bumgarner who dished out lead off walks to David DeJesus and Chris Carter and both scored on Bumgarner’s throwing error to third after he fielded Ryan Sweeney’s sacrifice bunt.  Oakland added another pair of runs in the seventh on Chris Carter’s two-run triple that would ultimately seal the win as the Giants threatened to make a comeback in the bottom of the inning.

The Giants got their offense going in the bottom of seventh on back to back singles by Brandon Belt and Ryan Rohlinger.  Freddy Sanchez got San Francisco’s first run on a bases-loaded groundout.  Aubrey Huff followed with a three-run home run that erased a five run deficit and brought the Giants within striking distance as they trailed 6-4.  However, Oakland’s relievers prevented any additional damage as they went on to defeat San Francisco.

In other news, closer Brian Wilson continues to display optimism, as do the Giants organization, about his return to the roster by Opening Night on March 31 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

SCOTTSDALE– Starting pitcher Matt Cain started his second game on Monday, the last one occurring in late February due to elbow inflammation.  Cain came back strong, throwing three innings and allowing three hits in a losing effort as San Francisco fell to Milwaukee 12-8.  Brewer starter, Randy Wolf, gave up three runs over four innings.

San Francisco’s pitching magic did not continue once Cain was pulled for the day.  Reliever Jeff Suppan did not have his stuff as he allowed the Brewers to score six runs off him, and they continued a beat down of the Giant’s relievers, scoring three more runs off Matt Yourkin.  The three runs coming off a three-run home run by Milwaukee’s Jeremy Reed.

San Francisco did responded after Milwaukee’s six-run fifth as Aubrey Huff hit a two-run home run cutting the Brewers lead to 9-5.  But, even with Pablo Sandoval home run an inning later the Giants could not catch the Brewers as they continued to increase their lead, winning 12-8.  Brewer, Brandon Boggs added an insurance solo shot in the seventh to seal the win.

While both teams’ relievers were awful Monday, Milwaukee’s were able to get the better of the Giants as they only gave five runs over the last five innings of the game.  San Francisco’s relievers however, gave up all twelve of the Brewers runs.  Jeff Suppan was tagged with the loss as Brewers starter Randy Wolf earned his first win of the spring.  San Francisco battles the Diamondbacks in a rare evening game tonight.

SCOTTSDALE–   Last night marked the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers first meeting since the World Series, which San Francisco won 4 games to 1.  A four run fifth led to the Giants defeat of Texas again, winning 4-1 Monday at Scottsdale Stadium.

Texas starter, Alexi Ogando, went three innings allowing two hits while striking out three.  Jonathan Sanchez, San Francisco’s other great starter, had a strong outing.  Sanchez went four innings in which he gave up one run on two hits, and struck out five Rangers.  Sanchez has a 2.08 ERA currently this spring.

Texas scored their only run of the game in the second inning when Michael Young scored from first.  Young walked, and sped all the way home from first on Yorvit Torrealba’s two out, full count sharp grounder down the first baseline that just stayed fair.

In the fifth though, the Giants scored four unanswered runs, and cruised to a 4-1 victory. Freddy Sanchez kept the inning alive hitting a two out single to center.  Sanchez moved to third on a single by Pablo Sandoval who proceeded to steal second.  With runners in scoring position, Cody Ross hit a full count single that land in front of the left fielder, bringing in both Sanchez and Sandoval.  Pat Burrell then added the insurance runs, cracking a home run to right-center field.

Tommy Hunter suffered the loss for Texas, giving up all four runs to San Francisco in the fifth, in which he pitched three innings.  Casey Daigle got the win pitching a perfect inning and Felix Romero also pitched a perfect ninth earning his first save this spring.

PHOENIX– A six run seventh by the Giants led to a high scoring game between San Francisco and Milwaukee on Monday.  Starter Barry Zito of the Giants had an early exit, allowing three hits, and surrendering two runs in only 1 2/3 innings.  Zito needs to find his A-game within his next few appearances this spring, otherwise he might lose a spot in the rotation.  While Zito struck out two, he walked five; way too many for the former 2002 Oakland Athletics ace. Milwaukee’s pitcher Shaun Marcum also gave up two early runs, departing after two innings with three strikeouts.

In the fifth inning, Mark DeRosa of San Francisco hit a two-run home run giving the Giants the lead again at 4-2.  DeRosa, who I had primarily filling the role of utility man, has had a surprisingly good spring, currently batting .750.  If he keeps this offense going he could definitely find himself in a starting role come Opening Night.  The Brewers responded with a three run sixth to take a 5-4 lead.  However, that lead was short lived as the Giants scored six runs in the seventh inning, which proved to be enough to defeat the Brewers in a final score of 10-9.  Outfielder Brandon Belt of San Francisco went 3-for-5 driving in four runs, three of which came off a bases clearing double in the seventh.  The Brewers tried to make a late game rally adding two more runs in the eighth.  The Brewers also had a little life left in the ninth scoring an additional two runs against Casey Daigle, but, Daigle was able to overcome the runs, and close out the game to earn his second save.