The San Francisco Giants earned a much needed road win Sunday afternoon in Toronto. The offense bailed out starting pitcher Jonathon Sanchez. Sanchez only went 2.2 innings, allowing three hits, five walks and three runs in his time on the mound. It was clear from the beginning that Sanchez did not have his command in Toronto. Sanchez threw 73 pitches in just 2.2 innings, and only 36 strikes, not even 50%.
Good thing for Sanchez his teammates picked him up when he was down. The team scored nine runs in the game after scoring only two runs the first two games in the series. The team earned six walks after only earning four in the previous two. The Giants put a 12 in the hit column, after only nine in the games on Friday and Saturday. Apparently manager Bruce Bochy made sure his ball club was well rested Sunday.
There’s a new trend for the 2010 San Francisco Giants, the long ball. The Giants went deep three times in Sunday’s affair. Aubrey Huff opened the Giants scoring with a solo shot in the third inning. Freddy Sanchez hit a three hit jack in the sixth for his first of the season. More importantly, the homer put the Giants on top for the afternoon. This was part of a five run sixth. Pat Burrell popped one out of the park in the eighth, adding two to the Giants total of 9-3.
Jeremy Affeldt struggled in the ninth, allowing three runs before closer Brian Wilson came in close the door in a 9-6 game and picked up save number 19 on the season. Other than Affeldt, the bullpen was flawless. Bautista, Mota, Romo, and Wilson all looked impressive and preserved a big win on the road for the Giants.
The Giants head into Monday with a day off. They will be in Houston for a series with the Astros. Tuesday will be a duel by aces Tim Lincecum and Roy Oswalt. Look for the Giants to continue to dominate the Astros like they did early in the year.
Go Giants.
