Error cost Zito Win #2: Reds 4, Giants 2

I wasn’t able to watch the entire game. I was able to get through the 5th inning and because of the rain I thought it would be called a complete game soon. Apparently, it stopped raining and the game continued through 9th.

The Good: Barry Zito pitched well giving up one run in 6+ innings of work. It looked like the game was going to be out of control in the first inning when Zito issued two 2 out walks before getting the final out of the inning. So far, after four starts, Zito is the Giants best starting pitcher in terms of ERA (1.67). I’m happy Zito is doing well this season but, I’m not ready to jump on the bandwagon. Zito has shown signs of being good for half a season before struggling during the second half or vice versa. For now, keep up the good work Zito. Also, I’d be remiss not to mentioned Pablo Sandoval‘s 18 game hitting streak to begin the season, that matched Johnny Rucker’s record of the New York Giants of 1945.

The Bad: Errors. Errors cost the G-men the game. You can tell because the Reds only had 1 ER and Hensley’s ERA is still 0.00. I didn’t see the error made by Clay Hensley, some people described it as a “slip” which may be a result of the wet ground. Some people might say it’s RISP that cost the Giants the game (see next paragraph) but, the Giants are built around pitching, pitching and more pitching. If the starter leaves the game in the seventh inning, the bullpen should be able to hold it regardless of 1 run lead or a 10 run lead.

The Ugly: RISP. What do you call a Giant at second base? A player left there to die. At least in the last 7 games. This is ugly because I don’t know what a coaching staff does to fix this. You can simulate hitting scenarios in batting practice all of the time but, nothing can prepare a player for what happens in a game. The Giants had 10 hits in this game but, were only able to send two of those home. All of the players in the lineup today got hits (this is a good thing), they didn’t however, get hits in the same inning (this is a bad thing). The hits are there but, it’s not clicking like it was at the beginning of the season.

Melky Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey and Hector Sanchez all had two hits each, imagine if they had them in the same inning. Angel Pagan got the only RBI of the game for the Giants with a solo home run in the thrid.

Hopefully the Giants can salvage one game at Great American Ball this afternoon.