Attempting a sweep at Cleveland, the Giants were shutdown by Indians ace Cliff Lee. Giants hitters were prone to the strikeout eleven times in the game, and only managed one run in the 4-1 loss.
Matt Cain started the game for San Francisco and lasted just five innings after the Indians got to him for four runs on eight hits. He managed to record four strikeouts while walking two batters. Cain allowed the Indians to take a 3-0 lead in the third inning before they added another run in the fourth. The bullpen did a good job in relief, pitching three hitless innings, but by then the damage had been done. Alex Hinshaw pitch the sixth inning, striking out two hitters and allowing a batter to reach on a walk. Billy Sadler nearly imitated his performance in the seventh, but coming up a strikeout short of Hinshaw’s inning. Sergio Romo made his Major League debut, and was perfect in the ninth inning with two strikeouts.
The Giants had a little bad luck, coming to Cleveland with Lee scheduled to pitch in the series. Lee earned his eleventh win of the season with a dominant effort against the San Francisco lineup. Giants hitters were held to one run on four hits. Jose Castillo, Aaron Rowand, Bengie Molina, and Rich Aurilia each had hits, Rowand’s was the only one that went for extra-bases (a double). The lone Giants run came in the fourth inning when Rowand doubled and then scored on Aurilia’s single.
After a somewhat successful series in Cleveland, the Giants will head back to the west coast for a weekend series at Oakland. Friday’s game is set for 7:05 p.m. Kevin Correia who has struggled since coming back from the disabled list will pitch against Dana Eveland.
