The Giants two All-Star pitchers weren't particularly sharp Friday night, as Ryan Vogelsong only allowed 2 runs but labored through 7 innings, allowing 5 walks and 7 hits while striking out just 2 Mets batters. He did manage to get out of tough situations and kept the Giants in the game, but he'd be the first to tell you he wasn't on his game Friday night. The same can be said for closer Brian Wilson who's now either lost or
blown a game in 3 of his last 5 outings. Wilson came in in the top of the ninth trying to preserve a tie game and get the Giants back up to bat, who were gaining momentum with the knuckler R.A. Dickey finally out of the ballgame, but was unable to do so. He left a cutter out over the plate to notorious Giants killer Scott Hairston, and Hairston did what he does best against the Giants in late inning, tie ballgames. I can't tell you how many times Hairston has hit a home run against the Giants to give his team a lead, whether he was with Arizona, San Diego and now New York. After Hairston's home run, Andres Torres failed to run down a deep line drive off the bat of Angel Pagan, who also had a great night at AT&T Park for New York, and that run also ended up coming around to score, charging the Giants closer with 2 runs, 1 of which was earned. That swing of the bat by Hairston was all the Mets would need though, as the Giants were unable to come up with anything in the bottom half of the inning.It wasn't all bad news for the Giants however, Nate Schierholtz continues to cement himself into the everyday lineup with yet another impressive showing. "The Great" hit one over the right field wall that got wet, and drove a deep fly ball to center field that netted the Giants other run,
making Scheirholtz the Giants only offense Friday night. Pablo Sandoval hit a double early off Dickey, but the guys behind him had a tough time with Dickey. That really was the case for most of the Giants lineup, as nobody had a multi-hit game, which is rare even for the Giants. Getting back to Schierholtz though, the 27 year-old has absolutely staked his place amongst the Giants regulars and proven he is too valuable vs. right-handed throwers to take out of the lineup. In 8 games this July, Nate is 12 for 32 with 3 homers, 6 RBI and 6 Runs and is now hitting .280 with 7 HR and 29 RBI and 5 steals on the year in a hair over 200 at-bats. Mix in that his defense in right field and you have what is shaping up to look like another Randy Winn. Winn was always a nice player, but didn't really peak until his late-20's when he started getting ample playing time, and then he took off. I really think that is the case here with Schierholtz. Now I'm not ready to go on record saying he's going to be a future batting champ and all-star like Winn was, but he's rounding into that .280-.300 hitter with 20-20 potential and terrific defense, and that is very much like Randy Winn in his prime.Beltran To Travel With Giants: Well, I'm not taking it as sign of a potential deal-in-the-making with Beltran flying to the All-Star game with the Giants all-stars like many are, but I do find it a little interesting that he wouldn't just fly on his own? I know it's just a short skip over to Phoenix, but the Giants who desperately need offense, and Beltran, who will be a free agent after the season and is very available for trade could end up being a nice match and I certainly find it interesting he'll be kicking it with the Giants during the trip. Again, their is likely no significance to the flight arrangement, but if ever their was a time for the Giants to recruit via player influence, now would be it.... Also, the Giants finally be getting back their utility infielder, Mike Fontenot, who's been out half the year on what originally seemed like a 15-day minor groin strain. The infielder will likely figure right into the 2nd base mix as he takes the place of the DL'd Bill Hall.
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