Jonathan Sanchez threw 89 pitches but only managed to get 12 outs before Ol' Boch had enough and sent up Matt Cain to pinch-hit for him in the top of the 5th. Down 4-1, Todd Wellemeyer started the bottom of the 5th, but gave up hits to the four men he faced, and suddenly it was 5-1 and the Giants were reeling. The Braves hit two more homers today, one by catcher David Ross and the other by second baseman Omar Infante. This is a team with a slugging percentage below .400! To the Giants credit they fought back and closed the gap, and the 'pen kept it close, but it wasn't enough. It was a lackluster ending to a much-anticipated and mostly well-played series.
Pablo Sandoval got a shot at batting second and didn't light the world on fire but did manage a line drive single up the middle in the 3rd. In the 6th he hit a sharp one-hopper that Troy Glaus couldn't handle and it was ruled--unjustly, I thought--an error. Andres Torres scored on the play, but no RBI was awarded. Freddy Sanchez hit an infield pop-up in the 2nd that Alex Gonzalez apparently lost in the sun and failed to catch, and that was ruled a base hit! Funny game, eh? We could sure use some steady production from both of those guys. With the Panda, it's particularly disappointing as he hit so well last season. I expected a drop-off, but not a plunge into the abyss. With FSanchez, it's a little different. I had very low expectations and I am not surprised he's hitting like Aaron Rowand. Let's hope he's got another hot streak or two left in him.
The Giants are home tomorrow to take on the Cubs for four before the big weekend showdown with the Padres. Madison Bumgarner leads things off against Carlos Zambrano. Chicago has a weak offense, lousy pitching, and a crappy record. Get fat on the minnows, lads!
--M.C.
8 comments:
I suppose taking out JSanchez was the right thing to do, but what is achieved by having another pitcher PH for him? Cain may be a slightly better hitter, but so what? And Wellemeyer was predictably awful. They should have gotten another inning out of JSanchez.
I don't like Pablo batting 2nd. I don't know what the better alternative would be, though.
This was a mostly meaningless series. At least we weren't swept.
After hearing about Todd again I wonder...is it too late to take back Bautista?
The Giants are carrying 13 pitchers and 12 position players so that means only 4 extras (non-pitchers) on the bench. Thus we see Matt Cain pinch-hitting.
The alternative to Sandoval is Posey. Repeat after me: Torres, Posey, Huff, Burrell, Torres, Posey, Huff, Burrell, Torres, Posey, Huff, Burrell . . .
Well played by whom? 2 in 33. That is the number of hits by Giants with runners in scoring position. 2 in 33. Pathetic, terrible, feeble, awful. With hitting like this, it makes no difference what order you use. If I'm Bobby Cox, and it winds up that the Braves face the Giants, I am going to try to get Derek Lowe as many starts as possible. Have we ever beaten that guy?
Yeah, at least 4 times in his career (I think he has won 6 times against us now).
Lowe's career vs. SFG
Yes, our July offense (149 R in 28) has disappeared. Our August offense is not so good (18 R, 6 G).
Toddy's been DFA'd.
Indeed. Manny Burriss is back on the active roster--down to 12 pitchers again.
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