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After being tied at three for much of the game, the Astros were able to take advantage of a leadoff walk in the seventh inning and added two more runs on a solo homerun in the eighth inning to defeat the Giants 6-3. Giants batters struggled to perform in the twelve clutch situations they were given, going only one-for-twelve with runners in scoring postion. Half of their runners left on base were stranded at third.
Pat Misch got off on the wrong foot, allowing three runs in the first inning, two of which came on a Lance Berkman homer. After the first inning Misch settled down, pitching five scoreless innings and striking out six Astros hitters. Jack Taschner pitched for two-thirds of an inning, allowing a leadoff walk in the seventh that would eventually score to give Houston the lead. Billy Sadler was required to get the Giants out of the seventh inning and pitched into the eighth. He gave up another two-run shot to Brad Ausmus in the eighth before Vinnie Chulk finished off the inning. Keiichi Yabu pitched a perfect ninth inning to keep the Giants within three runs, but they were unable to produce Astros closer Jose Valverde.
Missed opportunities were the story of the Giants offense tonight. They were able to get fourteen runners on base, but eleven were left there. After falling behind 3-0, the Giants bounced back in the second inning with a three-run inning of their own, a two-run homer by centerfielder Aaron Rowand this time brought the Giants closer. First baseman John Bowker followed him with a single, and then scored on a double by third baseman Jose Castillo. The third inning was all the scoring the Giants would get in this game. Second baseman Ray Durham looked to have something going when he led off the fifth inning with a single, but tried stretching it into a double and was thrown out, ending any threat.
If Tim Lincecum can keep pitching the way he has this season, the Giants should come away with a series split on Thursday. He will be opposed by Astros starter Chris Sampson at 12:45 p.m. In other related Giants news, managing general partner Peter Magowan may be stepping down, leaving the organization in somebody else’s hands.

After another Barry Zito loss, the Giants rebounded with a 4-2 win over Houston. Matt Cain did a good job, but has still been somewhat inconsistent this year. The Giants need to take advantage of playing at home more than anybody else, it looks as if they might struggle on the road thoughout the season, and are 3-1 so far on this homestand.
Cain was solid tonight, giving up just two runs over eight innings. One of the runs came on a solo homerun by Houston leftfielder Carlos Lee, it was one of the seven hits Cain allowed. Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout, earning the save. The amount of save opportunities for Wilson has been a surprise, an under-valued closer like him would be a good addition to anybody’s fantasy team.
Leftfielder Fred Lewis has been amazing this season, he was three-for-four last night out of the leadoff spot, missing the cycle by a homerun. The Giants got an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning to give Cain some run support. Shortstop Omar Vizquel drove Lewis in with a double, and was then driven in thanks to a Randy Winn double. Winn also scored on a single by catcher Bengie Molina. Cain also helped himself out with a solo homer in the fifth inning. He is batting well (for a pitcher) overall, near .300.
Rookie Pat Misch will continue to look for his first win tonight in the third game of the four-game series against the Astros at 7:15 p.m. Veteran Brian Moehler will start for Houston. The Giants could be looking to add another bat to the lineup before the trade deadline, a little extra offense could make the difference in all those one-run games. With Vizquel back, the Giants appear to playing better.

Although the Giants were unable to fully cash in on several bases loaded, no-out situations, they pulled off a 4-3 win over Philadelphia. The Mother’s Day hero of the game was backup catcher Steve Holm, who hit a two-run bomb to leftfield in the seventh inning to put the Giants ahead.
Jonathan Sanchez had control issues, only lasting four and a third innings (the same as his last outing at Pittsburgh) while walking five, and giving up the three Phillies runs on four hits. After his day was done, the bullpen pretty much controlled the game, allowing only two hits the rest of the way. Billy Sadler pitched a perfect inning and two-thirds, Jack Taschner gave up a harmless hit in the seventh, and Tyler Walker got the hold with a perfect eighth inning performance. Giants closer Brian Wilson earned his eleventh save of the season, allowing just a hit in the ninth inning, while striking out one. With the exception of Sanchez, the pitching looked impressive today.
Today’s offense mainly came from the catchers on the Giants roster. Bengie Molina was two-for-two with a hit by pitch, and scored the first two Giants runs. He was replaced by pinch runner Emmanuel Burriss in the sixth inning, who was then replaced by Holm in the seventh inning. After rightfielder Randy Winn reached base with a single in the seventh, Holm delivered with a two-run shot, his first Major League homerun on the first pitch of the at-bat to put the Giants ahead 4-3.
Tonight the Giants will have a look at the Houston Astros for the first time this season. Houston has been on a roll lately. Barry Zito will try to find some success against Astros ace Roy Oswalt. The first game of this three game series is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Tim Lincecum helped the Giants end their five game losing streak last night, beating the Phillies 8-2. The offense seems to give him way more run support than he needs, and not enough to guys like Barry Zito. Everything just seems to click whenever Lincecum pitches.
Lincecum lasted eight innings, giving the bullpen some rest. He only gave up four hits over those eight innings, but two of them were solo homers, one in the second and one in the eighth. He also averaged a strikeout per inning. Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth inning to ensure the win.
The offense produced more than Lincecum needed them to, scoring two runs in the second inning, three in the third, and then continued to add on one at a time throughout the rest of the game. Batting in the second spot in the lineup, Omar Vizquel went three-for-five in his second game back (all three hits were singles). Rightfielder Randy Winn also went three-for-five, with two singles and his first homerun of the season. Centerfielder Aaron Rowand put the Giants on the board with a solo shot to leadoff the second inning, he also added two more singles to go three-for-four on the day. Third baseman Jose Castillo had a perfect day at the plate, going four-for-four with a double and three singles, he also scored three of the Giants eight runs.
The Giants will try to win the series today with Jonathan Sanchez on the mound at 1:05 p.m. Kyle Kendrick will try to do the same for Philadelphia. Perhaps with Omar Vizquel back, the Giants will be generating more runs with a more familiar lineup.

The collapse of what has been a fairly reliable bullpen this far into the season led to a 7-4 Giants loss. A three-run eighth inning for the Phillies broke a 4-4 tie and gave them all they needed to win the game. The loss to the Phillies extended the Giants losing streak to five games (the longest of the season).
Despite pitching with a 4-1 lead, rookie starter Pat Misch allowed the Phillies to tie up the game in the sixth inning before handing it over to the bullpen. Jack Taschner pitched a near perfect seventh inning, allowing just one hit. All hell broke loose in the eighth inning, Tyler Walker was only able to retire one batter and gave up three runs, before Keiichi Yabu was forced to end the inning.
All four Giants runs were scored early in the game, one in the third inning, and three in the fourth. Rookie shortstop Emmanuel Burriss provided most of the offense, he was three-for-four with two runs batted in. He singled in the third and scored, and then hit a two-run triple in the fourth. He also hit another single later in the game. Rightfielder Randy Winn was the only other Giant with more than one hit in the game, a double and single.
Tim Lincecum, who has just been outstanding this year will try to end the losing streak at 1:05 p.m. Veteran Jamie Moyer is scheduled to start for Philadelphia. Giants shortstop Brian Bocock was sent down to Triple-A Fresno to make room for returning shortstop Omar Vizquel, it is still unknown whether Vizquel will be in today’s starting lineup.

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.