We get so used to seeing CainStarts™ that tonight's performance was a real disappointment. Matt was unable to throw to his corner spots, fell behind, and left too many balls out over the plate. I was willing to live with the 3-2 hit by Troy Glaus--he's a good hitter and made something happen on a good pitch. But giving up an RBI hit to Rick Ankiel was a killer. That's the guy you should put away with two outs. The result was a short night. I was surprised Ol' Boch pinch-hit for him after the double play ball from Aaron Rowand, but with 93 pitches it was understandable. Hudson was dealing, and the Giants were desperate for anything against him. Not only that, Cain will make ten more starts after this one, and it never hurts to save a few extra innings for September. In their last seven games, the Giants have scored 2, 2, 10, 1, 2, 3, and 0 runs (2.86 rpg). They've gone 4-3, which highlights some damn fine pitching. But sometimes the other team out-pitches you, and that's when it gets tough. The Braves have good pitching, and play particularly well at home (38-15).
I threw Pablo Sandoval a bone the other day, and he hasn't really picked it up, although he has a few hits. I abused Freddy Sanchez, and players I abuse usually respond by being Player of the Week. Alas, sometimes my The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves attitude is a real burden. (It hurts me way more than it hurts them.) My new mantra is Torres, Posey, Huff, Burrell. Torres, Posey, Huff, Burrell. Those are the four guys we will live and die with, let's get them the most PAs from this point forward. Uribe and Sandoval (please start hitting, we need you) can fight it out for fifth, and the rest of them can draw from a hat for sixth, seventh, and eighth.
Jonathan Sanchez was dominant last time out, let's hope he's got some of that magic left for tomorrow. And the sleeping bats need to wake up. Just pretend it is still July.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
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