After the 11-4 drubbing the San Francisco Giants suffered yesterday that effectively ended their 6 game winning streak, there’s nothing to do but shake that etch-a-sketch that is your memory and move on to the next. The Giants are still one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning 8 of their last 10, and will hand the ball to Ryan Vogelsong this evening to get the job done against the Chicago Cubs.
Vogelsong (2-0 3.05 ERA) had a great performance in his last outing at AT&T, giving up one hit in 6.1 innings of work on Mother’s Day, making it a special day for him all around. From MLB.com:
“That’s the best experience I’ve ever had in baseball. My first start here [at AT&T] as a Giant, then to pitch like that, then to have the fans recognize not only the way I pitched but also the journey that it’s been. To have them recognize that and give me an ovation, that’s what made it the best thing ever.”
Vogelsong’s opposing pitcher, Doug Davis, is making his first start in the majors since July 2010 after a serious health scare when he found out he had mild pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart. But he is back and ready to go this evening, and if Cubs manager Mike Quade is right, it could be a long day for the Giants:
“Every time he’s taken the mound against clubs I’ve been around, it’s been very bad for the clubs I’ve been on,” Quade said.
Hopefully that won’t be the case for the G-Men today.
Interesting fact: Today will be the first night game played on a Saturday at Wrigley Field since 2002, with the last one being part of a double-header. Guess they’re pulling out the red carpet for the defensing champions…..
First pitch is set for 4:10 PT this afternoon and can be found on the FOX Network and KNBR 680 AM.