Matt Cain must play the role of stopper for the Giants against Arizona tonight. Not only that; he has got to go DEEP into the game, eat up some innings, and give a bewildered bullpen a break. What can one say about Monday night's 14-inning nightmare? There are still 37 games remaining on the schedule starting TONIGHT against the D-Backs (for three games), and then - guess who's coming to town for the weekend for three more games? - the Colorado Rockies. Is it just me, or are the Rocks becoming almost as annoying as the Dodgers?
There is no time to whine, or jump off a cliff, or pout in the corner about losing three of four in Coors Field. Only on rare occasions has Coors ever been friendly to the Giants. Following Friday night's lone win behind Jonathan Sanchez, San Francisco was actually in all three of the games they lost, and could just as easily WON three of four if not for some faulty pitching.
Ahead 6-3 Saturday night, the Giants could not stop Colorado, who exploded for seven runs in the 6th-inning - and no, let's not blame Aaron Rowand for opening the flood gates with that ill-advised throw to third base; allowing Brad Hawpe a free 90-feet to second base. I guess it was a moot point anyway when the very next hitter, Ian Stewart, launched a three-run homer to tie the game. It was mostly down hill from there. As bad as it was to see both Justin Miller and Merkin Valdez give up four earned runs apiece in relief of Joe Martinez; it was great to see Ryan Garko finally flex his muscle, and smash two homers in the same game. Rowand, Schierholtz, and Pablo also went deep in a wild, old school night at Coors Field, that saw 25 runs on 27 hits! Humidor, what humidor?
One other thought about the kid Martinez. No, things didn't go so great on the mound, but how about a nice 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored. Anyway...
Sunday was another winnable game with Lincecum on the mound, (not sharp with five walks) but still tossing a no-hitter into the 6th-inning. However, it was Seth Smith's two-run homer in the 7-inning that proved to be the difference in a 4-2 Rockies win. Smith, who's had an unbelievable year as a pinch-hitte; was actually in the starting line-up in left field and leading-off Sunday. Lincecum allowed only three runs on three hits, and struck-out seven over seven-innings, but there just wasn't enough offense conjured up against the flame-throwing Ubaldo Jimenez.
And that brings us back to Monday's heart-wrenching 6-4 loss. It was odd to see all of those zeros in a 1-1 game for so long, and then suddenly, a 5-3 frame in the 14th-inning. Another wasted effort by Barry Zito, who allowed just one unearned run in six-innings, and continues dropping that ERA since the all-star break well into the low-two's. He did have six walks - in fact the team issued 13 total walks over 14-innings, and its hard to win any ballgame with those numbers. (Colorado pitchers issued seven walks by the way). It was certainly a series that Merkin Valdez would like to forget as soon as possible, after surrendering four "earnies" Saturday, and the game-winning grand slam to Ryan Spilborghs Monday. It wasn't totally his fault thanks to Justin Miller and Brandon Medders' three combined walks issued in the inning. Three of the runs were charged to Miller, who walked pitcher Adam Eaton during the rally! Really a great game if it had ended 4-1 after San Francisco's gutsy three-run rally in the top of the 14th. Eugenio Velez is hopefully waking up a bit after banging out three hits in the game.
On the injury front - Come back real soon Freddy Sanchez. We could have used you in Denver. His shoulder is going to be examined further today. Also, Pablo left Monday's game early with a tight calf. Hopefully, nothing serious.
Great match-up tonight with two 12-game winners on the hill: Matt Cain and former Oakland Athletic Danny Haren. Time to start a new winning streak and build some momentum heading into the weekend. Let's go! Are you STILL IN?
