I got a fresh new haircut today. Meanwhile the San Francisco Giants got a fresh new identity: Pound the baseball.
Led by a dominating performance by Matt Cain (going 7 2/3 innings and giving up zero runs to keep his postseason scoreless streak alive), the Giants did something that has only happened five times previously this season: shut out the Texas Rangers. The final score reads 9-0, but the game was much closer than that until a disastrous eighth inning for the Rangers.
Led by a dominating performance by Matt Cain (going 7 2/3 innings and giving up zero runs to keep his postseason scoreless streak alive), the Giants did something that has only happened five times previously this season: shut out the Texas Rangers. The final score reads 9-0, but the game was much closer than that until a disastrous eighth inning for the Rangers.
With the score 2-0, Buster Posey hit a two-out single which prompted manager Ron Washington to bring in Derek Holland.
Holland forgot how to pitch. He threw 11 straight balls before hitting the strike zone, eventually walking in one run. Washington then turned to Mark Lowe, who didn't fare any better, walking in another run. The Giants ignored their free-swinging identity and forced Rangers pitches to hit the strike zone. That's when they blew the game out of reach. Juan Uribe's hitting became contagious and Edgar Renteria and Aaron Rowand provided clutch hits to add insurance upon insurance runs resulting in a seven-run eighth inning. (Note: this was all done with two outs).
Holland forgot how to pitch. He threw 11 straight balls before hitting the strike zone, eventually walking in one run. Washington then turned to Mark Lowe, who didn't fare any better, walking in another run. The Giants ignored their free-swinging identity and forced Rangers pitches to hit the strike zone. That's when they blew the game out of reach. Juan Uribe's hitting became contagious and Edgar Renteria and Aaron Rowand provided clutch hits to add insurance upon insurance runs resulting in a seven-run eighth inning. (Note: this was all done with two outs).
Not only were the Rangers' pitchers coming up inches short in hitting the strike zone, but Ian Kinsler came inches away from a homerun in the fifth inning. The ball bounced off the top of the centerfield wall and back into the field.
That is how the first two games have gone for the Rangers.
That is how the first two games have gone for the Rangers.
For Giants fans, this game was anything but torture. Two games down, Two to go.
Off to Arlington...
Rangers, really? Showing the AL absolutely no love here! We're supposed to be known for offensive firepower, but this is frankly embarrassing. And it's only getting worse if, dare I say it, the Giants SWEEP in Texas.
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