Game 30 Recap: I Hate Working The Afternoon Shift!

How the fuck did the Giants let this guy go for a PTBNL or cash?

So yeah, anybody?  Our new lead off guy is looking mighty nice atop the order.  In the last five games he is flat out smoking the ball, 8 for his last 21, good for a .381 clip.  He has chipped in 6 RBI and scored 5 runs.  Did I mention we are on a five game winning streak?  Coincidence?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.

With respect to game 30, Fred Lewis went 2 for 4 with the only 2 RBI in the game.  Good guys win 2 - 0.  The pitch he hit for the clutch one out RBI double was probably the only mistake White Sox starter John Danks made.  A thigh high 92 MPH fastball right down broadway.  

The big knock on Lewis as a major leaguer was his defense in the outfield.  Granted we have not seen him play that much and granted he is trying to figure out the intricacies of the AL ballparks but in my opinion he looks more than capable.  The sliding catch he made in the first inning to rob cleanup man Alex Israel Rios Cruz was a beauty and his throwing arm is average at worst.  Maybe he just needed some consistent playing time San Fran?

If I didn't mention the effort of number five guy in our starting rotation, Dana Eveland, than I should find another hobby.  His line:

7 IP, 2 Hits, 0 ER, 4BB, 3K, 90 pitches.

He worked himself out of a couple of jams but was around the zone all night which allowed his fielders to stay in the game.  This was especially important since it was chilly 6 degrees Celsius with a 20 KM wind at game time.  We did make 1 error on the game, our 14th on the season, and in all fairness it probably should have been 2 on the Rios Cruz 9th inning pop up "double".  Whatever, our team defense is number 4 in the Majors, fielding at a .988 percentage and we have had the most total chances.  That has to count for something.

One thing that is becoming a major concern to me is Aaron Hill.  His legs are not where they need to be.  In the bottom of the first inning, he was unable to go on the back end of a potential double steal.  Lewis was thrown out at third on a shitty throw but Hill should have been able to get into scoring position for Vernon Wells to drive in.  I know Hill is "toughing it out" and that is honourable but he looks like he is in pain playing the game.  I'm not quite sure what we can do with him in the short term but I fear he may re-injure himself if he continues to grind it out.

One of the nice things about watching a control pitcher like John Danks throw against us is you can see what the other team's scouting report is.  Here are a couple of observations:

• Travis Snider is going to be pitched up in the zone with the hard stuff.  More so when he is behind in the count
• Aaron Hill will be pitched on the inner half, in on his hands, early in the count

If any of you know these fine young gentlemen, please let them know for me would you?

Kevin Gregg recorded his 8th save in 8 opportunities to slam the door.  He looks good with a 0.64 ERA, 18 K, 2 BB and opponents are hitting .167 against him. 

So to sum it all up, three castoffs from three separate MLB teams combine for a solid win.  Thank you Cubs, A's and Giants.   

Up next we got Shaun Marcum 1 - 1, 3.12 ERA vs. Mark Buehrle 2 - 4, 5.30 ERA at 8:10 tonight.  Go Jays!