Here come the A's!

REDS 7 GIANTS 6

It sure looked like it was going to be a good end to the road trip.  The Giants had an early 4-0 lead and Todd Wellemeyer, yes Todd Wellemeyer, was pitching well. 

Then it all fell apart.

First, Wellemeyer gets injured.  Then the Reds try to prove that their entire infield is going to win a gold glove this year by turning some amazing double plays, and the Bulloen fell apart.  After, pitching well for the first 5 games of the road trip, the Giants bullpen gave up 10 runs in the last 2.  Guillermo Mota, the guy a lot of Giants fans were starting to think of as this season's version of Jeremy Affeldt, wound up coughing up a two run lead he was called in to protect in the 8th inning. 

The Reds are a tough team and even though the Giants aren't happy with it right now, a split in their ballpark is a big positive.

A's Vs. Giants

Well it's time to renew the Bay Bridge series once again.  After being completely even against each other for a number of years, the A's have pulled ahead in the all-time series 42-35.  It sure would be nice to turn that record into 42-38.  The Giants actually have a decent chance of doing that since they have the top of the rotation going this weekend. 

Here are the probables:

Friday:
Tim Lincecum 5-2, 3.20 Vs. Gio Gonzalez 6-3, 5.38
Saturday:
Barry Zito 6-2, 3.15 Vs. Ben Sheets 2-5, 4.96
Sunday:
Matt Cain 5-4, 2.11 Vs.Vin Mazzaro 2-0, 4.91

On the farm:
Henry Sosa picked up the win For Fresno last night against the Tacoma Rainiers.  John Bowker went 2 for 5 and has hit .429 since being sent down.  Tyler Graham also had 2 hits, scored 2 runs, and had 4 RBIs  Bringing his season average to .407 with 12 RBIs in 91 ABs with Fresno.  he's slugging .527 and has a 3.447 OBP.  However he has exactly 0 homers with Fresno so I doubt he will be up with the Giants before September, barring injury.

San Jose lost to the Modesto Nuts but Brandon Belt was 2 for 3 and is now batting .380.  Emmanuel Burriss also went 2 for 3 and he is now batting 3 for 9 since he has begun his rehab assignment.

Joe Martinez was supposed to start for Fresno last night but was a last minute scratch leading many to believe he would be called up to help in the bullpen this weekend.  Madison Bumgarner received a 3 game suspension for his antics the other night so he wouldn't have been able to come up anyway.  However Madbum would be able to pitch on Tues if indeed Wellemeyer goes on the DL.  Stay tuned.

Nate watch:
Nate came in as a defensive replacement in the 9th and did not hit.  Bochy has stated that they need defense at AT&T so hopefully that means we see Nate get a start, but Rowand did hit a homer yesterday so I doubt he will be sitting tonight.