Giants vs. Padres, MLB Scores: Giants Battle Back for 4-3 Victory in Extra Innings

For the second time this series the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres had to go extra frames to decide a winner, and for the second time this series the Giants found a way to get it done. Chris Stewart’s sacrifice in the 11th was the eventual game winner as the Giants topped the Padres by a score of 4-3 at Petco Park.

Matt Cain gave up a few early walks, but after that was very solid in his six innings of work. He held the Padres to three runs on three hits along with nine strikeouts before the bullpen took over as Jeremy Afeldt, Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez (W 5-1) kept the Padres offense at bay.

Cody Ross started the Giants off right with a sacrifice fly in the second, followed by a Nate Schierholtz RBI single in the sixth. Andres Torres added an RBI single in the seventh that tied the game, followed by Chris Stewart’s sacrifice in the eleventh to take the lead. Brian Wilson got the save, his 28th on the year, but not without some extra excitement after walking the bases loaded.

With the win the Giants move to 55-41 on the year. Full box score can be found here.

Giants vs. Padres, Starting Lineups: News and Notes Before Sunday's Game

Well, the San Francisco Giants’ bid to go undefeated in the second half of the season was spoiled Saturday night against the San Diego Padres, but can still secure a series victory this afternoon with Matt Cain on the mound to take on every Giants fan’s favorite Padre, Mat Latos.

Cain (8-5 3.06 ERA) is looking to maintain his All-Star form with his first start of the second half, while Latos (5-10 4.04 ERA) has been showing flashes of brilliance, only to be left out in the cold by his Padres’ struggling offense more often than not.

As for the lineup right fielder Nate Schierholtz’s eight game hitting streak ending on Saturday, but he will be batting clean up once again for the Black and Orange. Andres Torres and Mike Fontenot return to the top of the batting order, Miguel Tejada will be back at shortstop, and Eli Whiteside will be behind the dish to catch Cain today.

Your San Francisco Giants:

1. Andres Torres (S) CF
2. Mike Fontenot 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Nate Schierholtz RF
5. Aubrey Huff 1B
6. Cody Ross LF
7. Miguel Tejada SS
8. Eli Whiteside C
9. Matt Cain P

San Diego Padres Lineup:

1. Will Venable RF
2. Everth Cabrera SS
3. Cameron Maybin CF
4. Ryan Ludwick LF
5. Orlando Hudson 2B
6. Kyle Phillips C
7. Anthony Rizzo 1B
8. Alberto Gonzalez 3B
9. Mat Latos P

In other news Giants utility man Mark DeRosa has begun rehab assignment for single A San Jose, going 1-2 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. He’ll play one more with them before he moves over to triple A Fresno on Tuesday.

The Giants used an interesting lineup on Saturday once the blow out was all but finished with newly acquired Hector Sanchez behind the plate and catcher Chris Stewart over at first base. Although it’s a lineup I doubt they would use regularly, it’s good to know they can have a bit more depth with Sanchez on the team.

And as for another Sanchez, Jonathan Sanchez, he’ll join DeRosa in San Jose Sunday night as he’s scheduled to make his first rehab assignment start. If all goes well he’ll throw again from them on Friday.

First pitch is set for 1:05 pm PT this afternoon with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.

Giants vs. Padres, MLB Scores: Zito Shelled Early, Giants Trounced 11-3

When it comes to the second half of the season lately San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito has all but disintegrated on the mound. Zito got rocked for seven runs early in his latest start this evening,  leading the San Diego Padres to an eventual 11-3 rout at Petco Park Saturday nght. 

Zito (L 3-2) lasted only 3 and 2/3 innings this evening, allowing seven runs on eight hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Two of those hits included home runs from Cameron Maybin and Jesus Guzman, marking the first time in their last 53 games the Padres had multiple homers in one game. Zito's command was off from the start, struggling to throw strikes even during his warmups between innings (believe me I saw it with my own eyes at Petco tonight), and his four walks in such a short outing can pay tribute to his struggles as well. For whatever reason Zito has struggled in the second half, hopefully he can pick up the pieces in his next start. 

The Giants offense managed to plate a few runs tonight, including a solo shot from former Padre Miguel Tejada in the sixth, and an RBI double from Mike Fontenot in the ninth. Tejada was the only player for San Francisco to have multiple hits, finishing the night 2-4, while Pablo Sandoval went 1-3 with a run scored after his triple in the fourth. 

With the loss the Giants move to 54-41 on the year. Full box score can be found here. 

The Giants will go for the series win Sunday afternoon as Matt Cain (8-5 3.06 ERA) takes the mound to face the Padres' Mat Latos (5-10 4.04 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:05 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM. 

Giants vs. Padres, Starting Lineups: Miguel Tejada, Aaron Rowand Starting for Giants

The San Francisco Giants have gotten off on the right foot thus far in the second half of the season, winning their first two games at Petco Park and looking for more Saturday evening.

Skipper Bruce Bochy is going with a few mroe veterans in tonights lineup as Aaron Rowand will start in center field and bat in the lead off spot, while Miguel Tejada will be at shortstop and bat second. Cody Ross will start in left and bat clean-up, Nate Schierhlotz will be in right, while Pablo Sandoval will look to start a new hitting streak tonight batting third.

Your San Francisco Giants:

1. Aaron Rowand CF
2. Miguel Tejada SS
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Cody Ross LF
5. Nate Schierholtz RF
6. Aubrey Huff 1B
7. Eli Whiteside C
8. Emmanuel Burriss 2B
9. Barry Zito P

San Diego Padres Lineup:

1. Cameron Maybin CF
2. Jason Bartlett SS
3. Chris Denorfia RF
4. Ryan Ludwick LF
5. Jesus Guzman 1B
6. Orlando Hudson 2B
7. Alberto Gonzalez 3B
8. Rob Johnson C
9. Cory Luebke P

First pitch is set for 5:35 pm PT this evening with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.

For more discussion and analysis of the San Francisco Giants, head on over to McCovey Chronicles to get in on the action.

Giants vs. Padres Preview: Barry Zito Looking to Keep Padres Bats Silent

Since his return from the disable list San Francisco Giant starter Barry Zito has been pitching like a brand new man, and will be looking to keep his progress going Saturday night against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. 

Zito (3-1 3.18 ERA) went 2-10 with a 4.70 ERA in the second half of the 2010 season for the Giants, effectively leaving him off the postseason roster. But Zito's zen like focus and command has been coming back strong in his last few starts, and will hopefully have a much better second half than last year. Zito last start was July 7 against the Padres, going a season high seven innings will holding them to just one run on four hits. If any semblance of that start shines through on Saturday I'm sure the Giants would be more than happy to take it. 

The Padres have won 13 of their last 22 meeting with the Giants at Petco Park, although they're already in a 2-0 hole in this four game series. They also will unfortunately be without their second best bat in the lineup as third baseman Chase Headley went down with a strained calf in the first inning of Friday's game; a big blow to an already inept offense. 

First pitch is set for 5:35 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.

ESPN the Magazine Highlights Lifelong Bonds Made at AT&T Park

Giants vs. Padres, MLB Scores: Giants Use Well Rounded Offensive Attack, Drop Padres 6-1

The San Francisco Giants came into the second meeting of their series with the San Diego Padres with a big boost of confidence stemming from their overtime victory Thursday night, and with ace Tim Lincecum on the mound against a sturggling Padres offense the Giants took advantage of every opportunity given them, leading to a 6-1 win at Petco Park. 

Lincecum (W 8-7) pitched six strong innings, limiting the Pads to only one run on three hits, along with three walks and seven punch outs. Timmy got himself into a few jams, but managed to pitch out of all of them but one when Orlando Hudson scored Alex Gonzalez on an RBI ground out in the fourth. 

Pablo Sandoval began the Giants offensive night with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, but unfortunately went 0-2 with two walks, successfully ending his 22 game hit streak. Cody Ross launched his seventh homer of the year in the second inning, while Andres Torres' RBI single in the fifth was followed by him taking home when Mike Fontenot was caught stealing second later in the inning. He added another with and RBI double in the seventh, then scored again after a wild pitch. 

Jeremy Affeldt, Sergio Romo, and Guillermo Mota finished off the Padres in the seventh, eighth, and ninth, while Padres starter Dustin Moseley (L 2-9) was once again the victim of the Padres inept offense, throwing six innings of four run ball with four strikeouts and two walks. 

With the win the Giants move to 54-40 on the year. Full box score can be found here. 

Game three of the series will have Barry Zito (3-1 3.18 ERA) on the mound looking to keep his recent domiance going against Cory Luebke (2-3 2.57 ERA) for the Padres. First pitch is set for 5:35 pm PT with coverage on CSN bay Area and KNBR 680 AM. 

Giants vs. Padres, Starting Lineups: Chris Stewart Behind the Dish to Catch Lincecum

The San Francisco Giants are undefeated thus far in the second half of the season and are looking to remain that way Friday night against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. 

The Giants will be using basically the exact same lineup as yesterday aside from catcher Chris Stewart who will be behind the plate to catch Tim Lincecum this evening. Stewy has become Lincecum's go to battery mate since Buster Posey went down, thus getting the start despite Eli Whiteside's 3-3 night on Thursday. 

Timmy is 6-4 in 15 career starts against San Diego, sporting a 2.20 ERA In those starts. He's season 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his starts against them this season, hopefully he can put a another W up against their NL West rivals. 

Your San Francisco Giants:

1. Andres Torres CF
2. Mike Fontenot 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Nate Schierholtz RF
5. Aubrey Huff 1B
6. Cody Ross LF
7. Brandon Crawford SS
8. Chris Stewart C
9. Tim Lincecum P

San Diego Padres Lineup:

1. Will Venable RF
2. Jason Bartlett SS
3. Chase Headley 3B
4. Ryan Ludwick LF
5. Orlando Hudson 2B
6. Cameron Maybin CF
7. Anthony Rizzo 1B
8. Kyle Phillips C
9. Dustin Moseley P

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm PT with coverage on NBC Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM. 

For more discussion and analysis of the San Francisco Giants, head on over to McCovey Chronicles to ger your in on the action. 

BREAKING NEWS: Giants Purchase Contract of Catcher Hector Sanchez, Send Pat Burrell to DL

San Francisco Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly has reported that the team has purchased the contract of single-A San Jose’s catcher Hector Sanchez, and will be joining the club sometime Friday before tonight’s game. In a corresponding move the team placed outfielder Pat Burrell on the disabled list due to a bone spur in his foot.

Sanchez joins a club already with two catchers, Chris Stewart and Eli Whiteside, so his role on the squad is a bit hazy as of now. Baggarly points out that he may be there in part to showcase him a possible trade, or maybe just to add another somewhat potent bat coming off the bench (in five season in the minors Sanchez has a .301 batting average and a .379 OBP).

As for Pat Burrell, he saw a specialist over the All-Star break that didn’t give him too promising of news about his injury, causing the team to put him on the DL. Burrell had become almost a burden to put in the game with his almost complete lack of offense as of late, hopefully Pat can get some treatment and some time off to get his mind right.

Giants vs. Padres Preview: Tim Lincecum Makes First Start Since All-Star Break

After some R&R during the All-Star break and a morale lifting victory against the San Diego Padres Thursday night the San Francisco Giants and ace Tim Lincecum are ready to keep the good times rolling in the second half of the season on Friday at Petco Park.

Lincecum is the only Giants starter working on five days while the rest of the staff got a few days more. No doubt Timmy will be ready, the question will be how effective will his stuff be. Well, in his 10 starts this season coming off of five days os rest, Timmy is 4-3 with 78 punch outs and a 2.26 ERA. He's also coming off a sis inning outing against the Mets before the break where he labored through 114 pitches but allowed only one run, so the extra day off might be just what the doctor ordered. 

As for the Padres Dustin Moseley, he's just praying for some run support. His 2-8 record and 3.21 ERA tells a similar story to that of Madison Bumgarner, taking hard luck losses more often than not due to an almost laughable lack of run support. He's allowed three or fewer runs in 14 of his 17 starts, but has received two runs or fewer in nine of those starts, losing seven of them. 

Pablo Sandoval continues his march into the Giants record book after his 2-5 night Thursday extended his hitting streak to 22 straight games, now only four behind Giants legend Jack Clark's historic streak.  

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm PT this evening with coverage on NBC Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM. 

Giants vs. Padres, MLB Scores: Aubrey Huff, Pablo Sandoval Lift Giants to 6-2 Extra Inning Win

It was a beautiful night for a pitcher's duel at Petco Park Thursday evening, and boy did they have one. The San Francisco Giants' Madison Bumgarner and San Diego Padres Aaron Harang duked it out, followed by their respective bullpens all the way to extra innings. But it was the Black and Orange that would ultimately reign supreme, scoring five runs in the twelfth inning to top the Pads 6-2.

Madison Bumgarner began the game and battled through six innings of one run ball, allowing seven hits, no walks, and four strikeouts. All the while the Giants offense struggled, putting up eight straight goose eggs on the scoreboard while Ramon Ramirez and Sergio Romo kept the Padres scoreless thru the ninth inning. And with All-Star Heath Bell in for the save in the bottom of the ninth, Aubrey Huff hooked a bomb around the right field foul pole, his team high ninth of the year, tying the game at one a piece, sending the game into extra innings. 

The bullpens remained strong until the Padres Luke Gregerson's (L 2-3) struggles in the twelfth inning loaded the bases with no outs, and eventually was responsible for five runs after an RBI walk to Mike Fontenot, then three straight singles from Pablo Sandoval, Nate Schierholtz, and Aubrey Huff. But in true Padres form they battled back to load the bases in the bottom of the 12^th against Santiago Casilla (W 2-1), leading skipper Bruce Bochy to call on Brian Wilson. The bearded savior will complete the last two outs of the innings with only one walk, successfully converting his 27^th save of the season.

Pablo Sandoval extended his historic hitting streak to 22 straight games with his 2-5 night, while Eli Whiteside shined going 3-4 with a run scored. Aubrey Huff's game tying homer will hopefully cap off the beginning of a hot streak for the struggling first baseman, with his 2-6 night boosting his batting average to .238 on the year.

With the win the Giants move to 53-40 on the year. Full box score can be found here.

The Giants will have All-Star Tim Lincecum (7-7 3.06 ERA) on the mound Friday night down in San Diego to face Dustin Moseley (2-8 3.21 ERA) for the Padres. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.

For more on the Black and Orange, head on over to McCovey Chronicles.

Giants vs. Padres Preview: Madison Bumgarner Looking to Start Second Half Right

Welcome to the second half of the season boys and girls, glad you all could join us. And what a better place to start than with the San Francisco Giants taking on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. 

Madison Bumgarner (4-9 3.87 ERA) is picking up where he left off after throwing six innings against the Padres in his last start before the break, allowing five earned in a no decision win for the Giants. The Pads have had Madison's number so far this year, beginning the season in April with a 3-1 loss against them at Petco where he lasted only three innings into the game.  Hopefully he can keep it together long enough for the offense to give him some support. 

Pablo Sandoval will be in line to extend his hitting streak to 22 straight games on Thursday, only three behind the Giants all-time record of 25 set by legend Jack Clark. Pablo unofficially kept the streak going in Arizona during the All-Star break, slapping an oppositie field ground rule double in the seventh in his only at bat of the game. The Giants inept offense will need all the help they can get because aside from Pablo, not many Giants hitters are in a groove heading down to San Diego right now, but they may be able to find one in the open spaces at Petco. But don't expect many long balls out of these guys down there, they're the only club in baseball without a hitter with double digit homers.

Aaron Harang (7-2 3.45 ERA) will throw for San Diego this evening, and has been the Padres most consistent starter to date. His 4-2 record with a 1.59 ERA in his last six starts has played a large factor as to the Padres hot streak they had going before the break, and is the lynchpin of their rotation as the eldest and most successful starter they have.  

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM. 

Giants vs. Padres MLB Schedule Preview: After All-Star Game, Giants Gear Up For Padres

Now that we've got the somewhat tedious All-Star game out of the way, it's time to get back to some tangible baseball. The Giants are coming off a three-game set with the New York Mets, and will now make the trip to San Diego to take on the Padres in a set of four games. Everybody is rested, everybody (who isn't injured) is good to go, and the fans are rabid.

As it stands, the Giants hold a three-game lead in the National League West, while the Padres sit in last place - twelve games back of San Francisco. They need this four-game set to make up ground, and the Giants can use it to bury them. Most recently, the Giants took on the Mets and won the final two games of their three-game set. 

The Padres, on the other hand, have lost five straight games dating back to their last four-game set against the Giants, which ended in a split, with San Diego losing the final two games. They went on to get swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the battle for fourth place in the division. They need something to happen fast.

Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and Matt Cain will take the mound for the defending World Champions. They'll be up against Aaron Harang, Dustin Moseley, Cory Luebke and Mat Latos. Game one is set for Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.