Bay Area Sports Blogging

The Giants were able to experience a sweep on both ends.  Sweeping the Nationals brought ultimate joys while getting swept by the A's brought only misery and disappointment. 

Tuesday, June 3, 2008 :: Giants 6 - Mets 9

The Mets bounced back from the shalacking they received the night before on Pedro Martinez's comeback start.  Martinez even had a few RBIs to help his cause as the Giants' Cy Young winner loses yet another game. 

Wednesday, June 4, 2008 :: Giants 3 - Mets 5

A marquee matchup between two former Cy-Young winners tonight will most likely draw millions of fans from both coasts.  The story lines feel as if they were taken straight from a textbook drama.  Pedro Martinez returns from the disabled list holding the hopes of an entire organization and its fans to turn the Mets season around.  Barry Zito hopes to continue his rise from the pits of an 0-8 start to reclaim his former glory.  Who will come out on top?! Tune in to find out.

GO GIANTS!  

Sunday, May 25, 2008 :: Giants 6 - Marlins 8

The path to Barry Zito's win was tough for the team, having to endure a six-game losing streak. But, it was all worth it when Zito finally was able to get his first win of the season, against the same Marlins that gave Brandon Webb his first loss of the season.

Monday, May 12, 2008 :: Giants 3 - Astros 7

Barry Zito had a quality start against the Astros, limiting them to 3 runs in 6 innings. The bullpen was unable to hold the Astros down afterwards, giving up 4 runs in the next two innings. Lance Berkman was the star of the game as he has been for the entire season. He jacked a two run homer to chase Zito out of the game thus ensuring Zito would not get his first win against the Astros.

For some reason, the San Francisco Giants just play well against the Philadelphia Phillies this year. That or the Phillies just play poorly against the Giants because of their overconfidence. Either way, the Giants can usually feel happy after a series against them.

Friday, May 9, 2008 :: Giants 4 - Phillies 7

Patrick Misch pitched a good game for the Giants. He doesn't have eletric stuff, but he knows how to work the plate.  He pitched six innings of effective ball and left with the score tied 4-4. 

The bullpen was unable to hold things together though, giving up three runs in the 8th. One run would have been doable for the Giants to make a come back, maybe even two; but, three was/is too much.

Over the work week, the San Francisco Giants faced the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates and were swept in a three-game series. The games began at 4pm PST, making things difficult for the West-coast fans to watch the game. Good going, MLB schedule-makers.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 :: Giants 6 - Pirates 12

The Pirates jumped on Jonathan Sanchez, putting up a 9-run lead before the Giants scored. Sanchez's career record against the Pirates was pitiful and this outing didn't help matters either. The only batters able to hit Zach Duke were the veterans on the team; as the young kids failed mightily at getting any contact. Nate McLouth stayed hot for the Pirates, clubbing two homeruns and seriously helping my fantasy team.

On getaway day in Philadelphia, a troop of bungling clowns replaced the Giants fielders as five of the six runs scored by the Phillies were unearned, including the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

The scoring for the Phillies began with a throwing error by Emmanuel Burriss which pulled Rich Aurilla off the first base bag. Aurilla's swipe tag of Shane Victorino was clearly true on the television replays but the umpire at first ruled him safe. Pat Burrell eventually doubled home Victorino and another runner later in the inning to make it 2-0.

The Giants tied things up during their half of the inning on a Jose Castillo RBI-single and an Aurilla RBI-double.

Bengie Molina does it again.

With a runner in scoring position, Molina slapped a single down the left field line to score Randy Winn from second to give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

Brian Wilson bounced back from his blown save the night before to collect his 10th save with a little bit drama thrown in to keep things interesting.

The Philadelphia Phillies ballpark, Citizen Bank Park, is a joke. The city isn't up on top of a mountain like Colorado, but balls jump out of the park at an exponential rate. One can see why Chase Utley is the homerun leader as even popups have a chance to leave the field.

The first game against the Philadelphia Phillies was building up to becoming the stamp of the Giants' season. Throughout the early part of the season, the Giants won with scrappy small ball play, keep-it-close pitching, and timely hits.

The game had much the same feeling. To many, the Giants' lineup does not strike fear in anyone. No one is a big bopper. There are a couple speedy guys in Emmanuel Burriss and Eugenio Velez, a good RISP guy with not much pop in Bengie Molina, and decent 15-20 hr power guy in Aarond Rowand in an emotional comeback to his former team.