<p>10-4 Giants off Sanchez’ fourth double of the game. As I stated previously, opposing right-fielders have virtually no experience on how to properly defend the area at AT&T Park. I don’t quite understand the rationale behind investing such trust in Guerrero.</p>
<p>11-4 Giants off Schierholtz’ single to center. This is transforming into an absolute blow-out.</p>
<p>San Francisco’s ordinarily marginal offense has been absolutely effusive – twenty-seven hits over the past two games.</p>
<p>11-5 Giants on Guerrero’s sacrifice fly. It not only renders the score more respectable but exempts Cliff Lee from his first postseason loss.</p>
<p>EDIT: Now 11-7.</p>
<p>Giants take Game 1. See you all tomorrow night.</p>
<p>Game over. I’m glad Lee didn’t take a loss.</p>
<p>Go Oilers!</p>
<p>Wow.
Tuned in in the 7th inning.
What happened to Lee???
What happened to the pitcher’s duel?
Wow, just wow.</p>
<p>Four Ranger errors. Ouch.</p>
<p>What do you mean Cliff Lee didn’t get the loss? Of course he did. He was behind when they took him out, and his team never caught up to tie it. Hence, Losing Pitcher: Lee, 0-1.</p>
<p>This is a Good Thing for the Yankees. Maybe his price will go down.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Actually, you are correct. Lee was presented with the loss for the contest. Initially, I had thought the Rangers’ offense had mustered enough runs to surpass the number that he had conceded (due to the two-run double off The Beard in the top of the ninth). The Freak received the win but he wasn’t exactly spectacular either. Aside from his peculiar error earlier in the game, his numbers would have been much more stellar had he not become so impatient attempting to strike out the side in the sixth (which eventually yielded two runs). Overall, that was remarkably a very offensively oriented game. I anxiously anticipate Game 2.</p>
<p>Even if they got enough runs to surpass what he conceded, he’d still get the loss, since the Giants never surrendered the lead he gave them. The game could’ve ended 20-19, and as long as the Giants always held the lead, it would be Lee’s loss.</p>
<p>Got a great facebook post last night from my brother in Houston who was watching the series with his sons, age 5 and 7. They were confused by the “girl” pitching for the Giants. They were happy when the girl left the mound so the guys could finally have a chance to win. Don’t you just love little boys? Got to get rid of those girl cooties!</p>
<p>Too funny! Lincecum is a trip and a half to watch!</p>
<p>We are in Louisiana, and very rarely do we get to see any of the West Coast teams on TV. I have been hoping for the Giants to go to the Series just so I could see Lincecum pitch. And our FSN affiliate only shows the Astros now, so it’s rare we get to see the Rangers, too. I am loving this series! Finally getting to see both these teams play a whole game, not just highlights on Sports Center or MLB!</p>
<p>I love watching him, but living on the East Coast, I’ll only see games when they come east for one series against my team, so I’ve only seen him a few times. the West Coast games are on too late for me.</p>
<p>I wonder whether Washington is going to allow Vlad to play right field again. As I wrote earlier, I was afraid that would be an issue. Yes, you want his bat, but good hitters like the Giants know how to pull it to right, the Rangers’ weakness when Vlad is in there. I say put Murphy in that spot.</p>
<p>I’m such a mom. I was getting all choked up when they introduced the starting lineups. Sure, a few have been to the World Series before, some are probably not very nice people, but I kept thinking about how inside each one of those men is a little boy who dreamed of being there…how they have to represent all the little boys and teenaged boys and young men who never never make it there.</p>
<p>Tony: that last note of *God Bless America *was as bad as I feared it would be. (Sounded like Marty Crane singing *O Holy Night *if you remember that episode of Frasier.)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Truly. I happen to adore him – his cute face, his long hair, the way he completely twists his body. He tends to be uptight and worked-up when he opens a game, and last night he was beating himself up a little in the news conference, but at least 5 players, in interviews, admitted having jitters at The Opener. Tim tends to get more relaxed & confident as the game proceeds, but last night he peaked early and lost his confidence. Naturally Bochy was going to take no chances with The Series. One of the sports commentators opined that Tim may be a little tired. That plus the exhaustion caused by the emotion of that first game could have been hard to withstand.</p>
<p>Great job overall by the pitching staff, and especially with better offense]/u] than they’ve shown during the season.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Although Washington is resistant to forfeiting the use of a rather competent hitter, I think he should relegate Guerrero to pinch-hit duties while at AT&T Park and place him as the DH when the series goes to Texas (when separate rules apply). His offensive proficiency simply cannot compensate for his defensive liability. Moreover, due to his seasoned and rickety nature, Guerrero certainly cannot adeptly navigate and defend right field, which is a rather burdensome task to outsiders due to the triples alley. Admittedly, San Francisco’s offensive output was not typical, but forceful blasts to deep right will absolutely torment the Rangers if they don’t utilize their best possible talent in the area. The most astute tactic would be to relocate Nelson Cruz to right and have Murphy defend left. </p>
<p>Anyways, Game 2 will be absolutely pivotal. The team that wins will present itself with a rather notable statistical advantage. If the Rangers can achieve the split in San Francisco, they will have three home games ahead of themselves. If the Giants win, the advantage is self-evident. History is quite doleful for teams down 1-0; you probably don’t care to be acquainted with the historical fates of teams at 2-0 deficits. </p>
<p>The Giants are a 60/40 favorite for Game 2 primarily because of Matt Cain, who’s defending a 0.00 postseason ERA.</p>
<p>Mifune, I enjoy reading your posts. Looking forward to another Giants victory tonight. :)</p>