Well, Jonathan Sanchez -- in the final start of what's been the best month of his career -- was great. With the exception of a solo home run allowed to Kelly Johnson and rough second inning (when he loaded the bases), he was nearly perfect: 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB. The four walks are not ideal, but Buster Posey seemed to be able to calm Sanchez down and get him to throw strikes, so it's something that's manageable; but of course, the number of hits he allowed -- three -- was great as usual. He should be in the playoff rotation...there's no question about it. He has some of the best stuff in the National League, and opposing teams surely don't want to face him. He shined, for example, in his start against the Phillies this year -- when he went eight innings, allowed just one earned run, and gave up only two hits.
How about Andres Torres? A leadoff triple in the third inning...hits like that were sorely missed during his absence. With his speed, he can basically self-manufacture runs. A leadoff triple is almost a guaranteed run. I recall a game in Atlanta, also, in which he led off with a single, stole two bases, and scored on a groundout. With him back, the Giants are going to the playoffs. It's a done deal.
Juan Uribe with a fourth inning solo shot. He crushed it. There was no sight more beautiful on this day then admiring the flight of that ball...honestly. His value almost lies entirely in his home run numbers -- he's not fast, not anything special on defense, and doesn't really hit for average. But when he really gets behind a ball, he can hit it far. I'd like to see a few more of those in the coming weeks...
And last, but certainly not least, Nate Schierholtz with a pinch hit RBI single in the sixth inning. He's been great off the bench this year, just fantastic...I'd love to see him as the starting right fielder in 2011. It's probably not going to happen, but it'd be great in many ways...he plays great defense, he's young, fit, cheap, and has respectable power and speed. And a cannon for an arm. This has already been called the biggest hit of his career. I'm certain that won't last long...if the Giants make it to the postseason, he'll get a few bigger ones. Surely.
One more note -- I can't leave out Pat Burrell. He added a nice insurance run with an RBI single in the seventh.
They brought Brian Wilson in with one out in the eighth inning, and runners on the corners...to face the heart of the DBacks lineup. I'll be the first to admit I was nervous about this...a week ago, I wouldn't have been. But after that ten-inning disaster of a game at Coors a few days ago, I'm cautious. The Giants have tortured this man...putting him in high-stakes situations day after day, not even to get three outs all the time, but occasionally for a four-out save, and in this case, five outs. The Giants caught a break when Chris Young was called out on a check-swing strike three, when he really didn't go all the way. Nevertheless, Wilson got the job done, retiring the next batter, Adam LaRoche, and putting up a nice 1-2-3 inning in the ninth.
Thank you, Alfonso Soriano.
Thank you so much. Soriano hit not one, but two home runs against the Padres, to help the Cubs beat them 5-2. The Giants are now two games ahead of the Padres. This means, that in the absolute worst case scenario -- in which the Giants lose the next two games, and the Padres win their next two games -- the Giants will enter the Padres series tied with them for first place. That's the absolute worst case scenario. And to add icing to the cake, the Rockies are officially eliminated.
If the Giants win their next three games, they're going to the postseason. Officially. It's exciting, and nervewracking, but their fate lies in the next five games they play.
Just for kicks, here's ESPN's standings/odds:
Tim Lincecum's start is being moved up a day, so he'll pitch tomorrow. He will thrive...it's the DBacks -- they either hit a home run or they strike out -- and in Lincecum's case, they'll be striking out a lot. Ian Kennedy is rather enigmatic. He can dominate hitters, but he's also prone to being lit up. Nevertheless, the Giants shouldn't have too much trouble with him. Don't be surprised if Posey has a good game -- he is 5 for 9 in his career against Kennedy.
Anyway, by moving Lincecum's start up, he'll be able to pitch game 163 -- which is becoming more and more unlikely as the Giants keep gaining ground on San Diego -- on regular rest. Makes perfect sense. And Bumgarner's arm will get some rest, which is good. He's being worked hard for a rookie. I just hope that too much rest doesn't have an adverse effect on Madison, as it sometimes does with pitchers.
