For the second night in a row, the Giants suffered a shutout, this time by a score of 4-0. Bad pitching was not the issue the last two games, but just every batter slumping at the same time.
Jonathan Sanchez did not have the pinpoint control he had been pitching with all season, and was only able to go four innings in the 4-0 loss. He allowed all four runs on five hits and four walks while getting just one strikeout. After giving the Dodgers an early lead with a run in the first inning, he allowed them to add three more in the third inning, before leaving the game after four innings. The bullpen did a good job keeping it a four-run deficit throughout the game. Osiris Matos struggled in the fifth inning, giving up two hits, but managed to keep the Dodgers from adding any more runs. Geno Espineli pitched through the sixth and into the seventh inning without a problem, giving up just one harmless single and a walk while striking out two batters. Sergio Romo pitched the final inning and a third of the seventh, striking out two of the four batters he faced.
Once again San Francisco did not do anything offensively. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley limited the Giants to five hits, one that was actually more than a single. Rightfielder Randy Winn went two-for-four with two singles, the other two singles were hits by Bengie Molina and Rich Aurilia. Third baseman Jose Castillo had the only extra-base hit, a double, but San Francisco was unable to cash in on the hit. Giants hitters struckout eight times against Billingsley, who pitched the complete game for Los Angeles.
The Giants have a good shot at breaking the scoreless streak on Friday with today’s day of rest. Tim Lincecum will start the first game of the series at 7:10 p.m in San Diego. Already having a great season, he’ll have the advantage of pitching in one of the most pitcher-friendy parks (Petco) in the league. Josh Banks will start for the Padres.
