Giants Lose Second Game in Cubs Series

The Giants got off to a good start on Wednesday, with a one-out Freddy Sanchez single followed by an Aubrey Huff double. All that Buster Posey needed to do was to hit a deep flyball, but he couldn't even put the ball in play, as he struck out swinging. The next batter, Pat Burrell, also struck out (looking), and the Giants failed to take an early lead. The next inning, Jose Guillen led off with a double, but the Giants once again failed to knock in the run. After that, the Giants had few more opportunities, as Randy Wells began dealing: 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 6 K, 1 BB. In the 8th, the Giants got things going: Travis Ishikawa took a two-out walk, and Cody Ross followed that up with a double. The Cubs brought in Carlos Marmol after that, and the Giants were shut down. Freddy Sanchez struck out to end the 8th. Marmol then struck out the side in the 9th.

Jonathan Sanchez continues to pitch well. His one big mistake was a fastball in Kosuke Fukudome's wheelhouse that was promptly deposited into the right field stands. All in all, though, he was decent: 5.2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K. The bullpen was perfect as usual: Chris Ray and Santiago Casilla combined for 2.1 scoreless innings.

A few notables from the game:

1. Carlos Marmol's slider. It is nasty. Simply unhittable. The guy has put up incredible numbers this year, the most astounding being his 15.6 K/9 ratio. If he didn't give up six walks every nine innings, he would be the best closer in baseball. During the time he was out on the mound, the fielders behind him didn't have to do anything.
2. Cody Ross is not a leadoff hitter. Well, this is pretty obvious. But the point is, the Giants have better options for the leadoff spot. Cody Ross is not that fast, and his .313 OBP this year doesn't raise any eyebrows either. He's also got decent pop, which would be more useful in a different spot in the lineup. Freddy Sanchez would be a viable option - a .339 OBP, and his lack of power makes it more appropriate to put him there...it would only be for a few days, possibly, as Torres might soon return.
3. The Giants are impossible to understand. Really. Huff has put up great numbers, as has Posey. Burrell takes a lot of walks and has good power. Uribe has good power. Sanchez is a former batting champion (and has been doing well since August). And Guillen, Ross, and Sandoval all have decent pop, and the ability to hit for respectable averages. The pieces just don't fit together, though. One thing that is noticeable is that the team is dreadfully slow: Guillen, Sandoval, Uribe, Burrell, Huff, Posey. All pretty slow. Even Sanchez and Ross aren't too fast. The loss of Torres has really taken a toll on them in this category. Nevertheless, with this decent group of hitters, and the fact that they are playing in hitter's ballparks (Coors then Wrigley), I don't see how they can struggle like this. Maybe they'll get it together tomorrow...

The Giants extended their streaks: they've allowed three runs or fewer in 16 consecutive games, and they've allowed four runs or fewer in 21 consecutive games. They're close to making history... Oh yeah...and which team leads the majors in ERA? That's right...the Giants.

Tomorrow: Madison Bumgarner vs. Ryan Dempster...here's how Giants hitters have done against him in their careers:

Standings/Playoff Chances (According to ESPN.com)

Ten games left....