The San Francisco Giants looked bad on Wednesday night. Not only did they lose, but they lost 13-1. Not only did the pitching staff allow 11 hits, they allowed six home runs. The SF Giants bats only compiled four hits on the day. Once again, starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer struggled and the offense sputtered.
The worse thing about Wednesday’s game, they took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. That only lasted until the bottom of the second inning, when the Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Adam LaRoche went deep with a solo shot, his first of two long balls on the day.
Homers followed in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and two in the eighth. This stat in itself is pitiful. Giving up six long balls in a game is embarrassing, making the Arizona Diamondbacks look like the 1927 New York Yankees.
Starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer’s record dropped to 2-4 on the season, with a 5.71 ERA. He gave the Diamondbacks three presents in the form of home runs, bringing his total to nine on the year, in just eight starts. Wellemeyer will remain the fifth starter for now, but if these jagged numbers continue, look for manager Bruce Bochy to make a move replacing the fifth starter after the All-Star break. Wellemeyer has pitched 41 innings, striking out 29, and allowing 27 base-on-balls. These are not numbers that will keep Wellemeyer in the rotation forever, he must have a few quality starts in a row to win back the confidence of his skipper. After all, Wellemeyer was down right disappointing Wednesday night.
The same is to say about the offense, earning only four hits in Wednesday night’s ball game. Two of the hits came in the first inning, and then the stagnant Giants offense showed up. There is not enough time to single out a specific player. It may be time for a closed door meeting, and time for the Boys in the Bay to look themselves in the mirror.
The Giants sit in second place in the National League West, 1.5 games behind the Padres. The Giants also need to be aware that the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers are nipping at their heels, only a half game back of the Giants. The Dodgers have also won nine out of 10.
Good news for the Giants, Tim Lincecum will take the hill tonight at 6:40 p.m. Lincecum will face off against Diamondbacks pitcher Rodrigo Lopez. Lincecum is 5-1 all time against Arizona. Look for him to improve to 6-0 on the season, and 6-1 in his career versus the Diamondbacks.
Go Giants.
