Ryan Howard

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.

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Then, with two-outs in the sixth, he hit Chase Utley, and then gave up an RBI double to Ryan Howard.  Howard also drove in the only run off Jonathan Sanchez in Tuesday's 1-0 Philly victory.  Lincecum struck out 11 over seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits with one walk.  He leads all of baseball with 233 K's after fanning 265 last season.  

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 I think he got the Phillies attention with that pitch, and another called strike three on Ryan Howard - but Howard strikes out so much that his teammates must be numb to it by now and just look at the positives (37 homers and 112 ribbies).  I also like Penny's attitude on the mound.  Can we call him a "red ass" and mean that in a good way?  He has maturity, has pitched in big games, AND HE CAN'T WAIT TO PITCH AGAINST HIS OLD TEAM THE DODGERS, YES!...

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In closing, let's look at the NL Leader in Ks. Ryan Howard (who broke Dunn's single-season K record last year with 199) leads the league with 149, eclipsing Dunn's meager 120. Howard's line for the year: .240/.327/.496, 32 HRs (tied with Dunn), 98 RBI.

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R Billy Wagner or Bob Howry or Kerry Wood

 NL BATTING CHAMP

Jose Reyes

HOME RUN LEADER

Ryan Howard

RBI LEADER

Lance Berkman

MVP

Matt Holiday or Lance Berkman

CY YOUNG WINNER

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