GIANTS 83-62 ... Magic number: 10.
Los Angeles 76-70 7.5 GB Walk-off rally ties 'em for wild-card.
Yesterday
Giants defeated Arizona, 3-2, as Barry Zito won his 12th game.
LA defeated St Louis, 4-3, and now are tied with the Cardinals for the second wild-card spot.
Today
Giants finish up at Arizona; 2:10 local time (4:10 EDT). Ryan Vogelsong starts.
LA completes the St Louis series; 1:10 PDT at Chavez Ravine.
Last Night's Game
There's no way around it; right now the Giants' three most effective starters are Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and Barry Zito, and the first postseason game is only three weeks away. Zito continued to make his case with six-plus innings of six-hit one-run ball, and the Giants have now won eight consecutive Barry Z starts. Arizona's Rookie-of-the-Year candidate, Wade Miley, also pitched well, but Angel Pagan led off the game with his San Francisco-record 13th triple and scored on Marco Scutaro's single. In the fifth, Buster Posey launched his 22nd homer, a two-run shot that was enough to carry Zito, and three relievers, to the finish line, where Sergio Romo got his 11th save.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
GIANTS 82-62 ... Magic number: 11.
Los Angeles 75-70 7.5 GB Locked in a wild-card battle.
Yesterday
Giants defeated Arizona, 6-2, as Matt Cain won his 14th game.
LA defeated St Louis, 8-5, after losing on Thursday.
Today
Giants at Arizona, 8:10 PM EDT (6:10 PM local). Barry Zito starts against Arizona's rookie 'phenom' Wade Miley, who has already won 15 games. Amazingly, the last time the Giants lost a Zito start was on August 2.
LA hosts St Louis again, 5:10 PDT.
Last Night's Game
Hunter Pence belted a 2-2 fastball for a third-inning grand slam, and that was all Matt Cain needed for his 14th win of the season. Cain made it into the sixth, was pulled after the first two batters reached base, and the usual parade of relievers, six in all, followed. 34 of Cain's 106 pitches came in a lengthy, improbable first inning in which he gave up three walks and one hit yet didn't allow a run, thanks to Buster Posey throwing out Adam Eaton trying to steal third. After Pence's blast, the only remaining drama came in the eighth, when Bruce Bochy allowed Santiago Casilla to bat with the bases loaded and two out. The reliever then grounded one through the hole into right for a two-run single, his first career hit and RBI. So unfamiliar was Casilla with this whole "hitting" thing, he wasn't sure what to do after he got to first base. And people say Roberto Kelly has it easy over there in the first-base coach's box...
Los Angeles 75-70 7.5 GB Locked in a wild-card battle.
Yesterday
Giants defeated Arizona, 6-2, as Matt Cain won his 14th game.
LA defeated St Louis, 8-5, after losing on Thursday.
Today
Giants at Arizona, 8:10 PM EDT (6:10 PM local). Barry Zito starts against Arizona's rookie 'phenom' Wade Miley, who has already won 15 games. Amazingly, the last time the Giants lost a Zito start was on August 2.
LA hosts St Louis again, 5:10 PDT.
Last Night's Game
Hunter Pence belted a 2-2 fastball for a third-inning grand slam, and that was all Matt Cain needed for his 14th win of the season. Cain made it into the sixth, was pulled after the first two batters reached base, and the usual parade of relievers, six in all, followed. 34 of Cain's 106 pitches came in a lengthy, improbable first inning in which he gave up three walks and one hit yet didn't allow a run, thanks to Buster Posey throwing out Adam Eaton trying to steal third. After Pence's blast, the only remaining drama came in the eighth, when Bruce Bochy allowed Santiago Casilla to bat with the bases loaded and two out. The reliever then grounded one through the hole into right for a two-run single, his first career hit and RBI. So unfamiliar was Casilla with this whole "hitting" thing, he wasn't sure what to do after he got to first base. And people say Roberto Kelly has it easy over there in the first-base coach's box...
Thursday, September 13, 2012
GIANTS 81-62 ... Magic number: 13.
Los Angeles 74-69 7 GB This is turning into a simple countdown.
Yesterday
Giants defeated Colorado, 8-3, taking two out of three at Coors Field.
LA lost again at Arizona, 3-2; the Diamondbacks swept the series and now are closer to the Dodgers than are the Dodgers to the Giants.
Today
Giants have the day off. They're on their way to Arizona for the weekend.
LA opens a four-game series at home against St Louis. Right now the Dodgers and Cardinals are the contenders for the second wild-card spot, with Pittsburgh just behind and (gasp) the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers coming up on the outside, running hard.
Last Night's Game
Dominant no more, Tim Lincecum pitched smart, got himself out of a couple of jams, and let the Giants' five-run first inning carry him home to win number nine. Oh, he can still bring it, as evidenced by eight strikeouts in six innings, but he also walked four and gave up six hits. His game WHIP (1.67) and ERA (4.50) are pretty much in line with his season totals. The good news is, he hasn't had a bad start since mid-August, and folks, that truly is encouraging. As for that five-run first, it was a six-man effort, with Gregor Blanco's leadoff (yes!) triple and Brandon Crawford's two-run double sandwiched around four singles.
Notes
Blanco replaced Angel Pagan in center and in the leadoff spot, as Pagan is nursing a split callus (not "callous," as sfgiants.com would have it; that adjectival reference is more appropriate for our own attitude toward grammatical and usage errors; snark) that makes it difficult for him to grip a bat... Brandon Belt is hitting .351 over the past six weeks and is spending more time in left field, which ia also good news for Hector Sanchez... All the pennant races are in the American League. Texas can't shake off the Oakland A's, who have closed within three by winning six straight, while Detroit will be trying for a sweep of the White Sox tonight and a flat-footed tie for first place in the Central. Then there's the East, where Baltimore has held on to a tie for first by knocking Tampa back three games, and the Yankees kept pace by beating Boston in Fenway Park last night. The change in status of the wild-card spot has, as we had hoped, made the division pennant much more attractive, and there doesn't appear to be a "settle for" team dampening the enthusiasm in those division races.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
GIANTS 80-62 ... Had same mark at this point in 2010.
Los Angeles 74-68 6 GB Is this turning into a simple countdown?
Yesterday
Giants defeated Colorado, 9-8.
LA lost at Arizona, 1-0, on Ian Kennedy's five-hit shutout.
Today
Giants finish up at Colorado; 5:40 PM local time. Tim Lincecum starts; since being shelled here back in April he has put up three pretty good starts against the 'Rocks.' Jeff Francis (0-1 against the Giants this year) opposes.
LA concludes the series at Arizona. They'll be opening a four-game set at home against the Cardinals tomorrow.
Last Night's Game
Madison Bumgarner's three-run homer, Angel Pagan's record-tying 12th triple, Brandon Belt's 4 RBI-- it's almost enough to make us forget Bumgarner's fourth straight lousy start and the uncomfortable realization that the Giants' best two starts over the past three weeks have both been by Barry Zito. Well, it was three games in one, actually. The first three innings were all about the Rockies, and "Bum's" inability to get them out-- 4-0, Colorado. The middle three were a 8-1 Giants rout, with the youngster blasting his second homer of the year to tie the ballgame in the fourth, Belt doubling home two in the fifth, and Pagan, in the sixth, tying Willie Mays and Steve Finley (!) as the only San Francisco Giants to hit 12 triples in a season. Over the final three, it was The Search for the Missing Outs, starring five Giants relievers, with their co-stars in the Colorado lineup steadily banging out hits, 17 in all, until Javier Lopez finally got Jason Giambi (yes, he's still around) to end it.
Los Angeles 74-68 6 GB Is this turning into a simple countdown?
Yesterday
Giants defeated Colorado, 9-8.
LA lost at Arizona, 1-0, on Ian Kennedy's five-hit shutout.
Today
Giants finish up at Colorado; 5:40 PM local time. Tim Lincecum starts; since being shelled here back in April he has put up three pretty good starts against the 'Rocks.' Jeff Francis (0-1 against the Giants this year) opposes.
LA concludes the series at Arizona. They'll be opening a four-game set at home against the Cardinals tomorrow.
Last Night's Game
Madison Bumgarner's three-run homer, Angel Pagan's record-tying 12th triple, Brandon Belt's 4 RBI-- it's almost enough to make us forget Bumgarner's fourth straight lousy start and the uncomfortable realization that the Giants' best two starts over the past three weeks have both been by Barry Zito. Well, it was three games in one, actually. The first three innings were all about the Rockies, and "Bum's" inability to get them out-- 4-0, Colorado. The middle three were a 8-1 Giants rout, with the youngster blasting his second homer of the year to tie the ballgame in the fourth, Belt doubling home two in the fifth, and Pagan, in the sixth, tying Willie Mays and Steve Finley (!) as the only San Francisco Giants to hit 12 triples in a season. Over the final three, it was The Search for the Missing Outs, starring five Giants relievers, with their co-stars in the Colorado lineup steadily banging out hits, 17 in all, until Javier Lopez finally got Jason Giambi (yes, he's still around) to end it.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
GIANTS 79-62 ... Quality starts harder to come by lately.
Los Angeles 74-67 5 GB In same postseason boat as crosstown rivals.
Yesterday
Giants lost at Colorado, 6-5.
LA was idle.
Today
Giants at Colorado, 6:40 PM local time (8:40 EDT, 5:40 PDT). Madison Bumgarner opposes Jhoulys (how do you pronounce that?) Chacin, whom the Giants haven't seen since April.
LA opens a three-game set in Arizona. Clayton Kershaw against Ian Kennedy.
Last Night's Game
Ryan Vogelsong's string of substandard starts continues, and that's cause for alarm with Tim Lincecum likewise inconsistent. Actually, Vogelsong recovered reasonably well after a bad first inning, and the Giants rallied twice, which on many occasions would have been enough. It was in the sixth, after Vogelsong had departed, that the game really was lost. Pablo Sandoval's two-out nobody-on fielding error led to a two-run explosion, turning a 4-2 game into 6-2, and the Giants tried hard but fell short over the final frames. Buster Posey and Hunter Pence both homered in the losing effort.
Notes
Today, of course, is the annniversary of the 2001 attack on America. We read yesterday that the year-old Flight 93 Memorial near Shanksville, Pa., which opened one year ago, has been attracting more and more visitors. We're doubly glad that the finalized plans for the design have eliminated the odious 'crescent' shape in favor of a true circle, and that urban legends about the number of trees and wind chimes have been debunked. The heroes of '93' deserve a moment of reflection today, and their unflinching stand against evil stands as a reminder to those who still somehow believe appeasement and accommodation are appropriate responses to our enemies.
Monday, September 10, 2012
GIANTS 79-61 ... Great day to be a 'Frisco sports fan.
Los Angeles 74-67 5.5 GB Wild-card spot may be more realistic goal.
Yesterday
Giants defeated LA , 4-0, taking two out of three in the pivotal series, as Barry Zito pitched six shutout innings for his 11th win.
Today
Giants at Colorado, 6:40 MDT start. Ryan Vogelsong looks to get untracked in the rarefied air of Coors Field.
LA has the day off. They open a three-game set at Arizona Tuesday.
Last Night's Game
Well, it's been a long time comin'. Six years after signing that embarrassingly large contract, Barry Zito finally won a crucial stretch-drive game for the Giants with a dominant pitching performance against a quality team. His oft-derided fastball settling in at about 85 MPH, the lefty made judicious use of his changeup and big curveball to hit his spots and blank the Dodgers into the seventh inning. The result? The defeated Dodgers trudge out of the 'Bell one game further back than they were upon arrival, with three fewer games left to do anything about it, an intimidating schedule ahead (Cardinals in a week, then road trips to Cincinnati and Washington, the other two NL division leaders), and an overall feeling that this just ain't gonna be the year. Zito's performance also has ignited some debate about the Giants' upcoming postseason starting rotation (assuming as always that the wheels stay on the ol' wagon). It was easy enough to dismiss him in 2010, but it won't be if he wins a few more games like this! The Giants benefited from a weird, possibly workout-related hip injury to scheduled starter Clayton Kershaw, and instead faced Joe Blanton, whom we all remember from the NLCS two years ago. Angel Pagan, Pablo Sandoval, and Hunter Pence dinged Blanton for two quick runs in the first, Pagan legged out his 11th triple in the fifth and later scored, and Buster "MVP" Posey led off the sixth with his 20th homer. That was plenty. In true Bruce Bochy fashion, five relievers followed Zito, with Sergio Romo getting the last two outs as the sold-out 'Bell erupted in jubilation.
Notes
The American League East continues to entertain. Yesterday, the stumbling Yankees righted themselves and slapped down the chasing Baltimore Orioles, 13-3, before a host of disappointed fans at Camden Yards, and regained their fragile division lead. Tampa Bay remains two back. Boston is out of it for a change, but they have a chance to really hurt the Yanks this week at Fenway... What a pleasure it is to listen to Orel Hershiser and Terry Francona talking baseball and pitching during the ESPN games. Both had insightful comments regarding Zito and the razor-thin margin of command and control that separates his strong starts from his weak ones... Kudos to this week's opponents, the Colorado Rockies, for rightly severing their promotional ties with the "Nickelodeon" TV network after its continued support of actor/thug Jason Biggs' bigoted and hateful public comments.
Los Angeles 74-67 5 GB In same postseason boat as crosstown rivals.
Yesterday
Giants lost at Colorado, 6-5.
LA was idle.
Today
Giants at Colorado, 6:40 PM local time (8:40 EDT, 5:40 PDT). Madison Bumgarner opposes Jhoulys (how do you pronounce that?) Chacin, whom the Giants haven't seen since April.
LA opens a three-game set in Arizona. Clayton Kershaw against Ian Kennedy.
Last Night's Game
Ryan Vogelsong's string of substandard starts continues, and that's cause for alarm with Tim Lincecum likewise inconsistent. Actually, Vogelsong recovered reasonably well after a bad first inning, and the Giants rallied twice, which on many occasions would have been enough. It was in the sixth, after Vogelsong had departed, that the game really was lost. Pablo Sandoval's two-out nobody-on fielding error led to a two-run explosion, turning a 4-2 game into 6-2, and the Giants tried hard but fell short over the final frames. Buster Posey and Hunter Pence both homered in the losing effort.
Notes
Today, of course, is the annniversary of the 2001 attack on America. We read yesterday that the year-old Flight 93 Memorial near Shanksville, Pa., which opened one year ago, has been attracting more and more visitors. We're doubly glad that the finalized plans for the design have eliminated the odious 'crescent' shape in favor of a true circle, and that urban legends about the number of trees and wind chimes have been debunked. The heroes of '93' deserve a moment of reflection today, and their unflinching stand against evil stands as a reminder to those who still somehow believe appeasement and accommodation are appropriate responses to our enemies.
Monday, September 10, 2012
GIANTS 79-61 ... Great day to be a 'Frisco sports fan.
Los Angeles 74-67 5.5 GB Wild-card spot may be more realistic goal.
Yesterday
Giants defeated LA , 4-0, taking two out of three in the pivotal series, as Barry Zito pitched six shutout innings for his 11th win.
Today
Giants at Colorado, 6:40 MDT start. Ryan Vogelsong looks to get untracked in the rarefied air of Coors Field.
LA has the day off. They open a three-game set at Arizona Tuesday.
Last Night's Game
Well, it's been a long time comin'. Six years after signing that embarrassingly large contract, Barry Zito finally won a crucial stretch-drive game for the Giants with a dominant pitching performance against a quality team. His oft-derided fastball settling in at about 85 MPH, the lefty made judicious use of his changeup and big curveball to hit his spots and blank the Dodgers into the seventh inning. The result? The defeated Dodgers trudge out of the 'Bell one game further back than they were upon arrival, with three fewer games left to do anything about it, an intimidating schedule ahead (Cardinals in a week, then road trips to Cincinnati and Washington, the other two NL division leaders), and an overall feeling that this just ain't gonna be the year. Zito's performance also has ignited some debate about the Giants' upcoming postseason starting rotation (assuming as always that the wheels stay on the ol' wagon). It was easy enough to dismiss him in 2010, but it won't be if he wins a few more games like this! The Giants benefited from a weird, possibly workout-related hip injury to scheduled starter Clayton Kershaw, and instead faced Joe Blanton, whom we all remember from the NLCS two years ago. Angel Pagan, Pablo Sandoval, and Hunter Pence dinged Blanton for two quick runs in the first, Pagan legged out his 11th triple in the fifth and later scored, and Buster "MVP" Posey led off the sixth with his 20th homer. That was plenty. In true Bruce Bochy fashion, five relievers followed Zito, with Sergio Romo getting the last two outs as the sold-out 'Bell erupted in jubilation.
Notes
The American League East continues to entertain. Yesterday, the stumbling Yankees righted themselves and slapped down the chasing Baltimore Orioles, 13-3, before a host of disappointed fans at Camden Yards, and regained their fragile division lead. Tampa Bay remains two back. Boston is out of it for a change, but they have a chance to really hurt the Yanks this week at Fenway... What a pleasure it is to listen to Orel Hershiser and Terry Francona talking baseball and pitching during the ESPN games. Both had insightful comments regarding Zito and the razor-thin margin of command and control that separates his strong starts from his weak ones... Kudos to this week's opponents, the Colorado Rockies, for rightly severing their promotional ties with the "Nickelodeon" TV network after its continued support of actor/thug Jason Biggs' bigoted and hateful public comments.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
GIANTS 78-61 ... Suppose rubber-match was inevitable all along.
Los Angeles 74-66 4.5 GB Kershaw takes the mound in prime time.
Yesterday
LA defeated the Giants, 3-2.
Today
Giants and LA square off on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball at 5:05 PDT (8:05 EDT) from the 'Bell. It's the rubber match of the series, with two lefties-- Barry Zito and Clayton Kershaw-- starting.
Last Night's Game
Matt Cain would sure like to try again on pitch number 103, which he slung into the dirt and away from Buster Posey, allowing the tying run to score in the eighth. Up to that point, Cain had pitched well enough to win, and the Giants had just taken a 2-1 lead against Chris Capuano, who also pitched well enough to win and even scored the Dodgers' first run. Given a chance to work his way out of a jam after Juan Rivera led off the eighth with a double and was sacrificed to third, Cain instead uncorked his second wild pitch of the game, and Santiago Casilla came in to get the last two outs. In the top of the ninth, Jeremy Affeldt didn't fare so well. Two of those expensive LA pickup players, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez, tripled and doubled, respectively, costing Affeldt his second loss of the season. Oddly enough, LA then ran, or perhaps walked, themselves out of a potential big inning. After Andre Ethier walked, Ramirez started jogging toward third, apparently forgetting there was nobody on first! Posey quickly rifled one to Pablo Sandoval for an easy tag. Next at-bat, Ethier took off for second and was nailed by Posey's throw to end the inning. Gregor Blanco's two-out double in the ninth put the tying run at second, but Brandon League struck out Hector Sanchez to end it. For the first time in what seems like weeks, the Dodgers actually gained a full game on the Giants, and should they win tonight they'll leave town having taken two of three and ensuring the pennant race will last for some time yet. For the Giants, a win tonight essentially repels the Hated Invader, though a sweep would have likely delivered the death-blow. Well, the folks at ESPN certainly must be happy at the way things have turned out, especially since the NFL season opens today. Go Giants! (And Niners!)
Los Angeles 74-66 4.5 GB Kershaw takes the mound in prime time.
Yesterday
LA defeated the Giants, 3-2.
Today
Giants and LA square off on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball at 5:05 PDT (8:05 EDT) from the 'Bell. It's the rubber match of the series, with two lefties-- Barry Zito and Clayton Kershaw-- starting.
Last Night's Game
Matt Cain would sure like to try again on pitch number 103, which he slung into the dirt and away from Buster Posey, allowing the tying run to score in the eighth. Up to that point, Cain had pitched well enough to win, and the Giants had just taken a 2-1 lead against Chris Capuano, who also pitched well enough to win and even scored the Dodgers' first run. Given a chance to work his way out of a jam after Juan Rivera led off the eighth with a double and was sacrificed to third, Cain instead uncorked his second wild pitch of the game, and Santiago Casilla came in to get the last two outs. In the top of the ninth, Jeremy Affeldt didn't fare so well. Two of those expensive LA pickup players, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez, tripled and doubled, respectively, costing Affeldt his second loss of the season. Oddly enough, LA then ran, or perhaps walked, themselves out of a potential big inning. After Andre Ethier walked, Ramirez started jogging toward third, apparently forgetting there was nobody on first! Posey quickly rifled one to Pablo Sandoval for an easy tag. Next at-bat, Ethier took off for second and was nailed by Posey's throw to end the inning. Gregor Blanco's two-out double in the ninth put the tying run at second, but Brandon League struck out Hector Sanchez to end it. For the first time in what seems like weeks, the Dodgers actually gained a full game on the Giants, and should they win tonight they'll leave town having taken two of three and ensuring the pennant race will last for some time yet. For the Giants, a win tonight essentially repels the Hated Invader, though a sweep would have likely delivered the death-blow. Well, the folks at ESPN certainly must be happy at the way things have turned out, especially since the NFL season opens today. Go Giants! (And Niners!)
Saturday, September 8, 2012
GIANTS 78-60 ... Biggest lead of the season so far
Los Angeles 73-66 5.5 GB Player-pickup frenzy hasn't paid off yet
Yesterday
Giants defeated LA, 5-2.
Today
Giants face LA in round two at 1:05 PDT (4:05 EDT). Matt Cain opposes southpaw Chris Capuano, whose early-season success has faded of late.
Last Night's Game
The Dodgers have been moving heaven and earth, player-wise, to get a pennant-winning lineup onto the field in the face of many injuries and struggles. Last night Josh Beckett, one-time World Series ace for two clubs, kept a lid on things for five innings, allowing three hits and one run. LA held a 2-1 lead thanks to a small-ball rally in the third and a solo homer by Adam Kennedy-- who certainly experienced both the highs and lows of this game within one hour-- in the sixth. Meanwhile, Tim Lincecum was uncharacteristically wild (seven walks to match his seven Ks in six-plus), but overall good enough to win, though he didn't. The Giants picked him up in the sixth when Angel Pagan, fighting his recent slump, led off with a bunt single that Kennedy couldn't handle. Buster Posey worked Beckett for a walk, and Hunter Pence then grounded one between third and short. It appeared to be shortstop Hanley Ramirez' ball, but Kennedy, perhaps trying to make something happen, waved at it and flicked it into left field as Pagan came in to tie the score. LA manager Don Mattingly, clearly irritated by all this, yanked Kennedy in favor of one Luis Cruz an inning later. It didn't help. Hector Sanchez and Brandon Crawford opened with a hit and a walk; Bruce Bochy, sensing blood in the water, sent Gregor Blanco in to run for Sanchez. With the sold-out crowd sending up a tremendous racket, pinch- hitter Emmanuel Burris dropped a perfect sac bunt to advance the two. Facing the toughest defensive situation in baseball, Mattingly had Beckett walk Pagan to face Marco Scutaro. It was six weeks ago the Giants picked this guy up when it became apparent Freddy Sanchez wasn't coming back; that little deal was completely overshadowed by LA's concurrent acquisition of Ramirez. Well, how do you like me now? Scutaro's broken-bat blooper dropped untouched into right field, two runs scored, and the Giants owned the night, They added another run in the eighth and Sergio Romo got the save with three groundouts in the ninth, but the game truly turned in the seventh. And let's give another hand to Bochy: defying the silly habit of holding back your closer until you have a lead in the ninth, he went with Santiago Casilla in the top of that seventh inning with two on, one out, and the heart of the order due up. Matt Kemp grounded out, but advanced both runners, and then with Ramirez up and the Dodgers one hit away from a 4-1 lead, Casilla struck him out on five pitches, setting up the bottom of the inning and earning Casilla his 7th win. Yes, that's a lot of "sevens" in this paragraph, and with a win today and another tomorrow (on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball") the Giants can stretch their lead to seven and a half games, which is mighty big this time of year.
Los Angeles 73-66 5.5 GB Player-pickup frenzy hasn't paid off yet
Yesterday
Giants defeated LA, 5-2.
Today
Giants face LA in round two at 1:05 PDT (4:05 EDT). Matt Cain opposes southpaw Chris Capuano, whose early-season success has faded of late.
Last Night's Game
The Dodgers have been moving heaven and earth, player-wise, to get a pennant-winning lineup onto the field in the face of many injuries and struggles. Last night Josh Beckett, one-time World Series ace for two clubs, kept a lid on things for five innings, allowing three hits and one run. LA held a 2-1 lead thanks to a small-ball rally in the third and a solo homer by Adam Kennedy-- who certainly experienced both the highs and lows of this game within one hour-- in the sixth. Meanwhile, Tim Lincecum was uncharacteristically wild (seven walks to match his seven Ks in six-plus), but overall good enough to win, though he didn't. The Giants picked him up in the sixth when Angel Pagan, fighting his recent slump, led off with a bunt single that Kennedy couldn't handle. Buster Posey worked Beckett for a walk, and Hunter Pence then grounded one between third and short. It appeared to be shortstop Hanley Ramirez' ball, but Kennedy, perhaps trying to make something happen, waved at it and flicked it into left field as Pagan came in to tie the score. LA manager Don Mattingly, clearly irritated by all this, yanked Kennedy in favor of one Luis Cruz an inning later. It didn't help. Hector Sanchez and Brandon Crawford opened with a hit and a walk; Bruce Bochy, sensing blood in the water, sent Gregor Blanco in to run for Sanchez. With the sold-out crowd sending up a tremendous racket, pinch- hitter Emmanuel Burris dropped a perfect sac bunt to advance the two. Facing the toughest defensive situation in baseball, Mattingly had Beckett walk Pagan to face Marco Scutaro. It was six weeks ago the Giants picked this guy up when it became apparent Freddy Sanchez wasn't coming back; that little deal was completely overshadowed by LA's concurrent acquisition of Ramirez. Well, how do you like me now? Scutaro's broken-bat blooper dropped untouched into right field, two runs scored, and the Giants owned the night, They added another run in the eighth and Sergio Romo got the save with three groundouts in the ninth, but the game truly turned in the seventh. And let's give another hand to Bochy: defying the silly habit of holding back your closer until you have a lead in the ninth, he went with Santiago Casilla in the top of that seventh inning with two on, one out, and the heart of the order due up. Matt Kemp grounded out, but advanced both runners, and then with Ramirez up and the Dodgers one hit away from a 4-1 lead, Casilla struck him out on five pitches, setting up the bottom of the inning and earning Casilla his 7th win. Yes, that's a lot of "sevens" in this paragraph, and with a win today and another tomorrow (on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball") the Giants can stretch their lead to seven and a half games, which is mighty big this time of year.
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