Giants Move Into First Place Tie

Well folks, it took a little longer than expected, but the Giants are right back where they belong, atop the NL West. Only problem is, they're currently sharing the position with the Rockies (technically speaking, the Rooks have a 10th of a percentage point of a lead) but an essential tie, but will move a few percentage points ahead themselves with a win tonight!

The Giants offense is still ridiculously in-efficient, yet they're getting tremendous starting pitching, and continue to get this big hits late in close ballgames. In the last two games, it's been Mr. Cody Ross, as the man they call "The Boss" around these parts of the Bay Area, has completely come alive after missing much of the spring and the first portion of the season. Ross drove in the game winning run in a 1-0 win Tuesday night vs. the D-Backs, in a game in which Tim Lincecum was brilliant yet again, but suffered from the Giants disiase I'm dubbing the "Matt Cain Run Support Syndrome" (if you wonder why he gets that name, just look at his 2008 record, then his era, strikeouts and BAA and then you'll get it). The Giants didn't come up with anything off young D-Back righty Ian Kennedy, who looked decent, but nowhere near shutout material like Lincecum did. Timmy K'd 9 in his 8 shutout innings of work, allowing just 4 hits and 2 walks, yet Kennedy nearly mirrored him, pitch for pitch. It wasn't until Darren Ford (who'll we'll get to in paragraph 2) scored on Cody Ross's drive down the left-field line did a runner touch home plate Tuesday. A classic pitching duel, which ended in Ross's 4th RBI in his last 2 ballgames. If you had any doubts about Ross, they have to be flying out the window cause his last 2 games: 3-6, 2 BB, 1 HR, 1 R, 4 RBI. That's the Ross we remember from October!

Now the Giants made a few roster moves before the game with the return of Andres Torres and Mark DeRosa. I think the demotion of Manny Burris and the sustaining of Darren Ford certainly raised some eyebrows for some Giants fans, especially the ones fed up with Tejada. Here was Burris, who can play all over the infield and provide some speed and another SS option with Tejada struggling. The Giants chose to keep their secret weapon instead, and he showed you just why they made that decision just hours later. I must say, I was surprised Rohlinger or Burris didn't stay with Ford going to Fresno with the Sandoval hurt and Tejada's struggles, but I liked it when I heard it. Ford is basically untouchable (as long as he's paying attention) on the base-paths and is a guy who can steal third at pretty much the drop of the dime. He's a game changer on-base, as he showed by immediately stealing 2nd (after coming in to run for Posey in the 9th), which allowed him to be driven in by the Cody Ross hit down the line that sent everyone happy, and the Giants into a first place tie with the Rockies.

Tonight, they have odds on their side with Jonathan Sanchez on the hill vs. Armando Galarraga. As long as Sanchez stays focused (he's had a bit of a focus issue this year at time) and puts last weeks start in New York behind him (5 IP, 5 ER, 6 BB, 6 K in loss), he'll be just fine. For the Giants hitters, they have to make Galarraga throw strikes and get the ball up and they'll be fine. As you can tell by his 5.79 era, he can be hit. I'm just curious to see what lineup Boch throws out there, still no posting of it on the net as of 3 PM Wednesday, but I fully expect Burrell to be back in left, Torres in Center and Ross in right. For the first time all season, the Giants starting outfield together. Infield wise, I like DeRosa back at third, Tejada at short actually (better #'s vs. Galarraga) and the rest as normal. Closest thing to the Giants projected Opening Day lineup in a mightly long time (still waiting for Pablo)