With a game reminicent of his Cy Young seasons, Tim "The Freaky Franchise" Lincecum went 8 innings scattering 5 hits and a run with 9 strikeouts to outduel, mostly likely this year's Cy Young winner, Ubaldo Jiminez.
Of course this happens by way of a little speed brought to you by everyone's new favorite September call-up, Mr. Darren Ford. I've watched the clip of Ford stealing 3rd and then taking home on the error by Olivo, at least 20 times now at work and I can't get enough. I'm giddy at the emotion pumping through AT&T park and the Giants at that moment.
After one of the hardest losses I've seen in a long time, the Giants came back in great form, winning the series last night including a dominating performance by YOUR ACE, Tim Lincecum.
This is September baseball people! 3 games back of the now reeling Padres in the NL West, and 1.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies for the wild card. This is what its all about, the playoff push the atmosphere and actually playing for something. And what better way to prove you deserve to be in the playoffs than with a 10 game roadtrip against division rivals.
Victim #1: Dodgers
After a one game break, the Giants head into LA to begin a 3 game set with the ever so hated Dodgers. After the ho-hum departure of Mannywood, the Dodgers have lost 4 of their last 5 including dropping their last two to the Wild Card leading Phillies (thanks for all the help boys...) But as we all know, So-Cal is not that kind to the Giants and we need to go in without thinking about the sorry state of their southern rivals.
Victim #2: Diamondbacks
After dropping 2 of 3 to the d-backs at home the Giants cannot afford to coast through this 3 game series looking ahead to the Padres. After taking the series in San Francisco, the D-backs went home and swept the Padres to add to their misery (the d-backs love company). So we know that the D-backs are playing good baseball right now and out to play the spoiler in the NL West battle.
Victim #3: Padres
The Padres are probably in their worst and only slump all season long. The one thing that has frustrated the Giants is a struggle to match the Padres' consistency during the course of this season. But yesterday the Padres suffered their seventh straight loss, 5-2 against the Diamondbacks. If they continue their slide or even if they match the Giants, the Giants will have an opportunity in this 4 game series to take the lead in the NL West. (Don't you say one word Jonathan Sanchez...)
This 10 game roadtrip can make or break this season. If the Giants come out flat and without the fire that I saw last night, you can kiss the playoff picture goodbye. But with some speed... some fire... and some luck, we might be seeing the Giants in the postseason again.
Laws of the Day
Before this 5 game slide, Tim lincecum had never lost 4 games in a row in his career.
Brian Wilson has pitched 4 days in a row and recorded his 2nd 1-2-3 inning after the broken bat blown save on Monday
Freddy Sanchez with a fantastic catch to end the series
Love this picture! That was such a great catch...
ReplyDeleteAlright, now that's what I'm talking about! Way to go Timmy, oh yeah to Brian Wilson, and not another jinx from Sanchez:)
ReplyDeleteLike I said... all Timmy had to do was establish the fastball. Some great locations and even better changeups! Was great to see him in form.
ReplyDeleteWe've struggled against the NL West... but it's been getting better so let's keep up the momentum and get some sweeps!