IN THE SHADOW OF BONDS

GIANTS 5 - RED SOX 4


After the last two rough outings by the Giants top starters it didn't look to good for the Giants coming in to this series against the team that leads the majors in runs.
After Jonathan Sanchez gave up a three run homer to Kevin Youkilis in the first inning it didn't look to good for the Giants.
But these 2010 Giants seem to have a lot of fight in them compared to last season's Giants. Last season's Giants would have seen Sanchez implode and give up 6 or 7 runs in that first inning. They would have gone into a tremendous offensive funk and managed to only score 2 or 3 runs. 

This year's Giants scored 3 runs in the second and then took the lead for good in the third.  They battled the Red Sox who had baserunners all over the place.  They got to Brian Wilson who was able to shut the door to get his 21st save.  Sure he loaded the bases but that is just the way that he does things!

Buster Posey got the scoring going by driving in the first run of the game.  He also had 3 hits on the night so hopefully this is the beginning of the end of his little hitting slump.  Maybe all those days off Bochy gave him worked?

Juan Uribe further cemented his case for the All-Star game and kept up his role as the team's MVP by hitting his 12th homerun of the season which put the Giants ahead to stay in the third inning.  I know it's next to impossible for him to get in via a write-in but hopefully he gets picked as one of the reserves.

The biggest news of the night came after the game however.  Bochy confirmed what had been suspected all week long.  Madison Bumgarner will start today against the Sox.  Bum was once again tearing the Pacific Coast League up to the tune of 7-1 with a 3.11 ERA.  Buster Posey will be catching him which a lot of Giants fans must be dancing around their living rooms over because it means that Bengie Molina will be out of the lineup.  The Giants are showing a lot of faith in Madbum by letting him start against the vaunted Red Sox offense and on National TV.

Nate watch:

Nate had a single and scored what would ultimately be the game deciding run.  Meanwhile Aaron Rowand went  0 for 3.  He came into the game hitting over .600 against Wakefield and didn't get a hit.  This is yet another bit of evidence that Aaron Rowand's skills are declining and that Nate Schierholtz is still finding ways to contribute to the team even while getting an at bat every other game.