Okay Giants' fans, it's time to get over Wednesday's loss, and get ready for the Rockies Friday night. Hey, I can be just as greedy as anyone, especially when it comes to a potential three-game sweep of the defending N.L. Champion Phillies. Everything was looking good: Lincecum on the mound, a three-run lead in the top of the 9th, and Brian Wilson getting loose in the pen should Timmy run out of gas. Then, with one out, a four-pitch walk to Shane Victorino, Bochy yanks Lincecum after 106 pitches, and Wilson cannot close the door. Jayson Werth's bases-clearing bloop double down the right field line tied the game at 4-4. In my opinion, total fluke! Wilson had not allowed a single run all season, and actually retired the first batter he faced. There were two outs before Utley singled and Howard walked to load the bases. Listen, if Wilson had finished off the game as he usually does, we wouldn't be having this endless discussion about Bochy's ill-fated pitching change. If he had left Timmy finish the game and he blew it, the same people would be criticizing Bochy FOR NOT making a move. It's really an impossible position for the skipper. I don't mind seeing Lincecum throw 120 pitches, but you have to figure it will make a difference later in the season once he exceeds the 200-inning plateau. If Bochy can save him, and limit the pitch count here and there, it could keep him fresher into September, and that's really the big picture. Don't pound your horses into the ground in April. Yes, it would have been nice to see the complete game, but IT IS Wilson's job to slam the door, and Wednesday just wasn't his day.
For Lincecum, although he didn't get the win, what a great effort: 8 and one-third innings, one run, three hits, one walk, and 11 strikeouts. He showed better velocity with the fastball, reaching back for 94 and 95 when necessary. This made the change-up and curve ball that much nastier. Just filthy.
Can we step back even further and look at this home-stand as a whole? Two out of three over the Cardinals last weekend despite very little offense, and two out of three from the Phillies with double-digit hit counts in each of the three games? Let's appreciate a solid 4-and-2 home-stand to date with the rival Rockies coming to town this weekend. Big picture Giants' fans, big picture.
How about Brad Penny on Sunday? Just dealing in a 2-0 shutout as the Cards avoided the sweep. Very pointed comments by Penny after the game saying how overly aggressive the Giants' hitters were, making his job that much easier. I think Penny is exactly right. Take a couple of pitches, show some patience, work some walks, and make the pitcher work. That's what the Cardinal hitters were able to do to Matt Cain and drive up his pitch count. Penny still looked strong into the 8th inning long after Cain had hit the showers. I think the Giants' overall patience at the plate will improve once Freddy Sanchez and Aaron Rowand return from the DL. Edgar Renteria could hold on to that number two slot in the batting order if he keeps hitting around .300 (actually .320 with 10 RBI's to date).
I hope this is the same Barry Zito we will see consistently through the 2010 season. Zito is 3-and-0 with a 1.32 ERA following Saturday's masterpiece (just three hits allowed over 8 innings, three walks, and 10 strikeouts). Even better, Zito out-dueled last year's Cy Young candidate Adam Wainwright. Two runs was just enough for Zito, and thank you Andres Torres for finally getting on track with the bat on this home-stand. His batting average has jumped from about .130 to a respectable .275.
Finally, let me say that I was recently on vacation, and unable to follow the Giants for about a week. Thank god I missed that dreadful road trip with the Dodgers and Padres! We were able to see parts of a couple of Anaheim Angels games and their series in Toronto. There we were, watching a few innings and relaxing before dinner, and who comes to bat for the Jays??? The recently acquired Fred Lewis!!! We were thrilled, high-fives all around! To finally see Lewis in another team's uniform was euphoric enough, and to watch him strike out was even more satisfying! Hoo-ray!!! By the way, Lewis is hitting .229 thus far with Toronto.
Hey, the Rockies are short-handed in their starting rotation right now. Jorge De La Rosa is on the DL with a finger injury. Let's take advantage!!!
Keywords: Aaron Rowand, Adam Wainwright, Barry Zito, Brad Penny, Brian Wilson, Bruce Bochy, Chase Utley, Colorado Rockies, Fred Lewis, Freddy Sanchez, Jayson Werth, Jorge De La Rosa., Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Cain, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Shane Victorino, Tim Lincecum, Toronto Blue Jays
