It was Halloween in June Monday night at AT&T Park, and the San Francisco Giants were nothing but a nightmare for the opposition. The club beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-2, improving their record to 36-27. Pitcher Jonathon Sanchez threw 7.2 innings to move to 5-5 on the season. Sanchez allowed eight hits and a walk, but only surrendered two runs. Sanchez’s ERA is now 2.78 on the season, an impressive mark for the number four pitcher in the rotation.
Sanchez got some help in the form of extra-base hits on Monday night. Andres Torres lead the game off with a triple and later scored on a Freddy Sanchez sacrifice fly. In a 1-1 ball game, newly acquired slugger Pat Burrell went deep with a solo shot to lead off the five run second inning. In total, the team had three doubles, a triple, and a long ball.
This is a crucial improvement for the Giants. With the ability to hit for average and timely hitting, the Giants could win the pennant. The team also showed plate discipline by earning eight walks in Monday’s game. The Giants key improvement in their recent success has been batting average. Since joining the squad, in 16 games Buster Posey is hitting .361. Pat Burrell, in 10 games with the club is hitting .407. In those 10 games, Andres Torres is batting .395, Freddy Sanchez is hitting a deadly .357, and Juan Uribe is hitting .333. Aubrey Huff’s average in .314 in that time.
With this line-up rolling, the Giants are tough from top to bottom. The offense will have to show up tonight to help out one of their own, young pitcher Joe Martinez. Martinez will earn his first start of the season in place of injured teammate Todd Wellemeyer. Wellemeyer went down in his last start against the Cincinatti Reds with a thigh injury. Regardless, Martinez will look to bring his “A” game and get the win. Martinez is 3-2 lifetime with a 7.50 ERA. Look for Martinez’s command to tell the story. If Martinez is in control, and he gets the same help from the offense that Jonathon Sanchez did Monday, the Giants will win their fifth straight.
The SF Giants are now only a half game back of NL West leader San Diego. With a win tonight combined with a Padres loss, the Giants could be sitting in the drivers seat, with Lincecum taking the mound Wednesday.
Go Giants.
