In his first two plate appearances tonight Buster Posey got plunked twice by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ted Lilly, and I don't think it was because of a lack of concentration. In Tim Linceum's two outings against the Dodgers this year, he beaned former Giant Juan Uribe twice, one was bad enough to keep him out of the lineup the next day. Retaliation is just part of the game of baseball, and unfortunately for Buster (and his rib cage/elbow) he was the one selected to take one, make that two, for the team. Buster exacted a bit of revenge though, stealing second base after his second beaning, and could have done it standing up, but the ultimate reprisal was the Giants winning the game and the series against the rival Dodgers.
Maybe Lilly was simply afraid of the reigning Rookie of the Year after his 3-4, 2 RBI showing the night before, but more than likely it was an simple example of baseball recrimination. Both teams were warned after Lilly's second HBP, and the rest of the night was rather uneventful. What am I talking about? When is it ever boring with these Giants?
Keeping up with last year's 'different hero every night' theme they had going, Mike Fontenot had 2 of the G-Men's 4 RBI's, including a moon shot to right field in the 6th, and he wasn't even supposed to start tonight. Mark DeRosa was slated for second base, but was a late scratch as a precaution after he felt some soreness in his surgically repaired wrist. Hopefully DeRo will be fine, but if Fontenot is going to produce like that, than I'm all for giving the kid some more at bats. The bullpen was stellar, using 5 arms in 2 innings, allowing only 2 hits combined and getting Brian Wilson his second save of the year. Buster made his presence felt again in the 7th when he caught Tony Gwynn in a pickle to end the inning with the Dodgers threatening. Should've beaned him three times apparently.
The last two games were definite confidence boosters for San Francisco, almost as if they recaptured some of the magic of last season. Hopefully they can take it on the road with them to Arizona this weekend and keep the good times rolling.
Quick injury update: John Shea reported that Andres Torres will run the bases Thursday to test out his injured achilles after getting some BP in today and felt good. If all goes well he could be back this weekend. mlb.com reported Cody Ross will also travel with the team to Arizona after running on his strained calf for the second day in a row, as well as doing agility drills. He will likely see some time in an extended spring training game while down in Arizona and will be back later this month.