Giants Take 3 of 4 From Mets

The Giants offense really started to pick up early in July up until the all-star break, and it looks like they've picked right up where they left off. They started off the 2nd half of the season by taking 3 of 4 from the Mets and like always, got tremendous starting pitching in the process.

Timmy Lincecum started the 2nd half with a complete game shutout on Thursday night, allowing just 6 hits while striking out 5 batters and needing just 110 pitches to get through one of the better lineups in the NL. Lincecum was followed by an even stronger performance by Barry Zito, who allowed just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 10 in 8 strong innings to earn his 8th victory of the year. It was a big start for Zito who had hit a rough patch over the last month, and only won 1 game after May 16th. Matt Cain continued to add to the Mets offensive frustration Saturday with 7 strong innings, allowing just 3 hits and 2 runs. The Mets did touch up the Giants bullpen for 2 runs after Cain departed, but Andres Torres, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval provided all the offense the Giants would need. Torres and Posey each hit their 8th home run of the season and Sandoval had just his 2nd 3-RBI day of the year and first 3-hit day since May 31st. The Mets were able to salvage the fourth game of the series Sunday, although Jonathan Sanchez continued the trend of dominant starting pitching. Sanchez went 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits with 5 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Mets got to Chris Ray and Brian Wilson for a run apiece which ultimately cost the Giants the game and the sweep.

What was a little surprising to me was that Bruce Bochy didn't give Travis Ishikawa some more at bats in the Mets series. Ishi was arguably the hottest Giants' hitter going into the break, and got just 1 start in the 4-game set. He did get the call to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth inning of Sunday's game with the tying runs in scoring position, and he delivered a game-tying single off of ace closer Francisco Rodriguez which pushed the game into extra innings. Right now, Ishikawa is as hot as any Giant not named Buster Posey or Aubrey Huff, and I think he needs to be given a steady 2 weeks worth of at-bats to see if this hot streak of his is real or not. If it means that Torres, Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell need to rotate in the 2 outfield spots next to Aubrey Huff in order to get Ishi into the lineup more, then so be it. Another positive in giving Ishikawa playing time right now is that he could be showcased as possible trade bait. The July 31st trade deadline is less than 2 weeks away and with the Giants right in the thick of the playoff race, and knowing that they haven't reached the postseason since 2003, something tells me they're going to be active. They may not make an earth shattering addition, but I do think they're going to attempt to upgrade somehow. There just hasn't been a ton of trade talk on the Giants front so far. I mentioned in our last post a list of premiere hitters who could likely be had for the right price, but the only name that has been directly linked to the Giants is the Brewer's Corey Hart. The right fielder would be a very nice add to the Giants lineup, just not sure the Brewers asking price fits with what the Giants are willing to part with.

Up Next: Now the Giants will play host to the sputtering LA Dodgers. The Dodgers just got swept by the Cardinals in St. Louis and only mustered up 9 runs in the 4-game set. I'm stoked to see how Madison Bumgarner does in his first second half start after looking so good in his first couple of starts.... Also, in roster news, the Giants recalled Eugenio Velez and sent down Joe Martinez to make room.