"JOANATHAN SANCHEZ, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

  JONATHAN SANCHEZ!!!!!  NO-Hitter!  WOW!  Was anyone ready for that?  I am stunned.  Just amazing. Granted, its the San Diego Padres, and not against a more robust hitting line-up.  The first no-no for the Giants since 1976 and the first no-hitter at home since Ed Halicki in 1975.  And, obviously, the first no-hitter EVER at A.T.& T. Park!

  The line on Sanchez:  9 innings pitched, NO HITS, NO WALKS, AND 11 STRIKE-OUTS!  

  I know as a baseball fan it's important to let this one sink in, but let's step away and think big picture for a moment.  Randy Johnson is injured, and for now, Sanchez is taking his spot in the rotation.  Ryan Sadowski was sent back down to Fresno for now, and should be back after the all-star break as the team's fifth starter.

  But what does this mean for Sanchez's trade value?  Does the team brass suddenly decide that Sanchez is just too valuable to trade, or does it bolster hit trade value for a significant bat?  

  Great stuff tonight!  All of the pitches were sharp and defined along some tweaks to the delivery seemed to make all the difference.  And how about some props for catcher Eli Whiteside?  What a great job filling in for Bengie Molina behind the dish, and calling a great game for Sanchez.  As a matter of fact, let's not overlook Pablo Sandoval's three-run blast that put the game away and took a lot of pressure off Sanchez.  Sandoval, all-star or no: 14 and 53 to go with a .331 batting average.

  A couple of more thoughts on this unbelievable outing, won by the Giants 8-to-0 to take the first two games of the four game set.  Defense.  Aaron Rowand, in the 9th inning makes a gold glove grab against the center field wall to rob Edgar Gonzalez of a sure double.  Oh, and Jonathan's Dad was in attendance, watching his son pitch for the first time as a starter in a major league game.  Talk about a good luck charm.  What an incredible embrace between Father and son in the doughout after the game.

  Go Giants!, I'll be there Sunday against the Pads, and hopefully a good effort out of Zito.