Giants (6) vs White Sox (4)

In a disturbing trend and for the 3rd game in a row now, the Giants regulars could do nothing against a front line MLB pitcher. Today it was John Danks that held the Giants scoreless for 5 innings on 4 singles and a walk, while striking out 5. The last 3 games it has been 15 innings of shutout ball pitched against the Giants in the first 5 innings of the games. I hope this trend does not continue during the regular season.

In a positive trend, for the 3rd game in a row, the Giants replacements came back to win the game against the opponent's bullpen. Today it was Nate Schierholtz, Eugenio Velez, Scott McClain, Kevin Frandsen and Jesus Guzman that got the RBI's from the 6th inning on to win the game. Today's RBI gave Guzman the team lead with his 12th of the spring.

Matt Cain started the game and pitched a team high 5.2 innings. Matt was not real real sharp today as he gave up 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. Cain continues to walk too many batters and the 2 solo HRs were just poorly located pitches. You can make all the excuses for Matt that you want about lack of run support, but if he can't start controlling his pitches, he will never be the star we all hope he will be. In his defense, both of the 1st inning runs probably shouldn't have happened. On a looping line drive to LF, Nate Schierholtz got a late jump on the ball and then compounded the problem by diving for the ball. The ball got by him for a double. With a better jump, the ball probably would have been caught and it certainly shouldn't have been more than a single. In the same inning, Randy Winn went back to the wall in RF, then turned around and looked up at the top of the wall like he thought the ball was a sure HR. Problem is the ball hit at the base of the wall for another tainted double. I am not sure how the ball kept from hitting Randy in the head as his back was turned and there were only a couple of feet between him and the wall. That ball definitely should have been caught. Of course........Cain shouldn't have thrown such a hittable pitch either.

Tomorrow will be the same 2 teams out in Glendale. Hopefully the regulars will be able to put up some runs for starting pitcher, Barry Zito. He usually needs all of the runs he can get. Of course, if the Giants hold true to form, not many regulars will make the bus ride to Glendale. Seems like any bus ride of over 1/2 hr. means a lot of youngsters will play.