San Francisco– The Giants fell to the Florida Marlins by a score of 4-3 Monday night in the bay. The NL Wildcard leaders had their chance late in the ninth, but couldn’t capitalize as Edgar Renteria struck-out to end the game with Freddy Sanchez sitting on third.
Pitcher Barry Zito pitched 6.1 innings, allowing six hits and three runs. Not the best performance of the season, but Zito received no run support in his time on the mound. The Giants scored late Monday, but it wasn’t enough. Aaron Rowand hit a towering home run in the seventh that left the ballpark with help from a fan. The play was reviewed and the HR counted. Rowand also scored a run in the ninth, bringing the final score to 4-3. This is great news for the Giants, a slumping veteran stepping-up, if Rowand can return to prominence at the plate the Giants will continue to contend.
Buster Posey left nothing to the imagination once again, he bopped a single in his first at-bat in the second inning, taking his hitting streak to an astounding 19 games, three games away from the Giants’ rookie record. Posey is .459 for July, tops in the big leagues.
Despite the loss Monday, the Giants looked confident in the dug-out, trying to mount a comeback before ultimately falling short. With smiles to go around, this is the best sign of a winning team.
Pitcher Matt Cain takes the mound today vs. Marlins ace, Josh Johnson. Johnson, an All-Star, is 10-3 and has the best ERA in the majors, at 1.61. In his last 10 outings, Johnson has pitched 71.1 innings, and has allowed only seven earned runs. During this span, Johnson has struck out 78 batters. These numbers are ridiculous and the Giants will have their hands full Tuesday night beginning at 7:15 p.m. Matt Cain will need his best stuff on the mound, and the Giants bats will have to be patience and alert.
The Giants look to end Johnson’s roll and continue their own. The boys from the bay are 9-3 since the break and look to make it 10 today. Bochy’s ball club leads the Wildcard race by 1 1/2 games over the Cincinnati Reds at the moment, and trial the San Diego Padres by 3 1/2 in the NL West. Keep fighting boys.
Go Giants.
