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Giants Sweep Double Header in Chicago

Well, just like the Giants, we're doing a Double-Post today, but I'm going to keep this one really short cause the Giants did all the talking on the field today.

If you were fortunate enough to watch or listen to the ballgames today, you know exactly what I mean. It felt good to be a Giants fan today, starting off with the offensive out-poor in game one, followed by Barry Zito's triumphant return in the night cap. The unsung hero of the night has to go to Mr. Brandon Crawford, who I admit, I've been particularly hard on at this site in recent weeks, but the kid showed big league ability in that game 2, and that defensive save deep in the hole off taking a hit away from Aramis Ramirez was just as important as any hit of any one's bat today. Who knows what would have happened had that ball gotten through and another run crossed the plate to give the Cubbies a 3-1 lead and keep the inning alive. Zito did what he was supposed to do, pitching brilliantly after that spotty 3rd inning, locating the change-up and fastball throughout the night for 7 strong innings. It was a nice rest for the bullpen after Ryan Vogelsong could only get through 5 innings in game one, thanks largely in-part to some horrendous defense, but he'll be the first to tell you he didn't have his A-stuff today.

Offensively, Cody Ross (4-9, with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored), Nate Schierholtz (4-5, 3 RBI), Brandon Crawford (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Miguel Tejada and Pat Burrel (each with 3 hits and a home run) all were standouts throughout the day, but everyone on the team from Aaron Rowand to Manny Burris got in on the action as well. The bullpen pitched great in both games too, and though the defense was in-sufficient in game 1, they had their A-Defense out there at night and it showed. Now they get 2 more in Chicago which is feeling like home away from home right about now, and they get another couple of starters who have seen better days, starting with Ryan Dempster going up against Timmy tomorrow night. As far as the lineup, it should be interesting, after all the players who played so well today, to see how Bochy fills out the card for Wednesday's game when they'll enter play a season high 12 games above .500 and 2.5 up on the D-Backs in the West!

Comments

#1 Giants Fan said…
I agree, I got the day off and watched both games and was a happy camper. Maybe this team can do it without Posey after all!
3:01 PM
Trevor Cole said…
It's too bad Bochy is sitting Crawford after the night he just had? I wonder if Miggy could play 2nd? If he could handle it, I think he'd be a lot better option than Burris or Hall. Burris just doesn't bring enough offense though his glove has been a lot better in his latest re-call. Hall's defense has been horrendous with the Giants and almost cost them big time yesterday, so it's almost like pick your poison with the 2nd basemen right now; some glove and no bat or some bat and no glove? And after the way Crawford and Miggy played yesterday and over the last week or so, they're the best 2 middle infielders on the roster right now, but both play the same position. Tejada has played 3rd base so he's moved around before, plus I don't think they want to move BC's glove out from SS, to the point where it's starting to make up for his offensive slump (and possibly giving him some confidence at the plate even).

I'd definitely look into using Miggy at 2nd base, at least to start games, then Boch could do the late inning defensive replacement (Burris) at 2nd on games they have the lead in!
4:11 PM
J-Bill said…
Miggy's range isn't the greatest anymore, but he has sure hands so I don't see why he can't play 2nd.. I could have swron I seen him at 2nd when in San Diego last year too, but it says he's never played at the big league level on his MLB profile.
10:50 AM
Schruender said…
Trevor I own Zito in an NL-Only league for real cheap money. What are the odds of him keeping his spot in the rotation once Jonathan Sanchez finds himself after the all-star break?
3:42 PM
The Talking Giants Baseball Blog said…
It's just a shame that the Giants could not take the series after winning the first two. Yea, they split, but you are always disappointed when you take the first two games of a 4-gamer, then lose the next. Hopefully, the pen can rebound in MoTown.
6:01 PM
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