A's@Giants June 23/25

[Giants666]

Friday, June 23 AT&T Park | 7:15 PM PT

Joe Blanton, RHP (7-6, 4.79)VS. Jason Schmidt, RHP (6-3, 2.84)

Scouting Report:
Blanton has been nearly unhittable at home in his last three starts, posting an 0.75 ERA. But it's a different story when he hits the road, as he is 3-3 with a 6.15 ERA away from Oakland. The Dodgers snapped his scoreless streak at home at 21 innings in his last start, but he still managed to win his third straight at home and fourth in five starts.
Schmidt hasn't been sharp since he struck out 16 batters to win his sixth straight game June 6 vs. Florida. His last game was an 8-1 loss at Seattle where he yielded six runs over 6 1/3 innings with only five strikeouts. Schmidt says the multitude of innings he's pitched this season isn't a factor in his recent outings.

Saturday, June 24 AT&T Park | 1:05 PM PT

Dan Haren, RHP (6-6, 3.39)VS. Jamey Wright, RHP (5-7, 4.55)

Scouting Report:
Dan Haren deserved a better fate in a loss in Colorado on Monday. He allowed a first-inning two-run homer, then one more unearned run over seven innings, but saw his record drop to 6-6 when the A's were shut out to end a 10-game winning streak. Haren is 5-3 with a 2.14 ERA and a .213 opponents' batting average over his last nine starts since May 9.
Wright has now gone five starts without a win. Some of that is his own doing -- he gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings against Colorado and six more in 4 1/3 against Florida -- and some of that is the Giants scoring no more than one run in three of those five starts. In alternating starts since the second week in May, Wright has allowed no more than two earned runs. He's coming off a four-run effort in 6 2/3 innings in Seattle on Sunday, so he's due for another low-run outing.

Sunday, June 25 AT&T Park | 1:15 PM PT

Esteban Loaiza, RHP (2-4, 6.94)VS.Matt Cain, RHP (6-5, 4.79)

Scouting Report:
Loaiza didn't fare well in Coors Field in his last start, getting knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing six runs and nine hits. That was in contrast to the two strong outings he made since coming off the disabled list, going 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA. The good news is Loaiza will make this start during the day. He is 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA in his three night starts
The 21-year-old Cain is coming off one of his best outings this year, as he took a no-hitter through 7 2/3 innings Monday against the Angels. He lasted eight innings, giving up just a single and one unearned run while walking four and striking out a career-high 10. He was particularly effective with his mid-90s fastball, getting the heart of the Angels to either swing late or watch them zip past.

[Giants666]

Schmidt starts Bay Area showdown
Oakland (39-33) at San Francisco (36-36), Friday, 7:15 p.m. PT

Giants fans coming to AT&T Park on Friday night will be doing a fair share of time travel when San Francisco takes on Bay Area-rival Oakland in the opener of a three-game series.
Friday night's theme is "80's Retro Night", and will feature a colorful blast from baseball unifrom past, as the Giants and A's don vintage 1982 uniforms.

But the Giants are hoping to ultimately take their fans to back to a more recent point in time ... this past May.

It was at that time that San Francisco traveled across the Bay and got just enough offense to beat Oakland twice in the three-game set.

San Francisco will send Jason Schmidt to the mound. The right-hander has run into trouble in his last two outings, losing both and allowing a combined eight runs. After his last start, where he gave up six runs and nine hits in his hometown of Seattle, Schmidt said it was just a case of the ball finding the bats of Mariners hitters.

Overall, he felt that he didn't pitch all that bad.

"I was locating my pitches and felt it was good enough to win the ballgame," he said. "It wasn't like it was terrible."

Schmidt would love to jump into a time machine of his own and pitch the way he did on May 20, when he gave up only two runs in a Giants win over Oakland.

He will square off against right-hander Joe Blanton. In his last start against the Giants on May 21, Blanton allowed five runs in a four-inning start.

Pitching matchup

SF: RHP Jason Schmidt (6-3, 2.84 ERA)Schmidt hasn't been sharp since he struck out 16 batters to win his sixth straight game June 6 vs. Florida. His last game was an 8-1 loss at Seattle, where he yielded six runs over 6 1/3 innings with only five strikeouts.

OAK: RHP Joe Blanton (7-6, 4.79 ERA)
Blanton's road numbers have been shaky this year. He has a 6.15 ERA away from McAfee Coliseum this season, and has allowed six home runs in seven road starts.

Player to watch

Eliezer Alfonzo has hit safely in nine of his 12 starts since being called up from Double-A Connecticut on June 2. He was Schmidt's catcher June 6 when the pitcher recorded 16 strikeouts and also caught Matt Cain's one-hitter Monday night.

[love_that_reefer]

I expect Schmidt to return to ace form tonight. Last game his head wasn't in the game.

[Giants666]

Wright readies turnaround against A's
Oakland (40-33) at San Francisco (36-37), 1:05 p.m. PT

After dropping the series opener in a game that featured clutch late-inning hits from the top of the A's batting order, the Giants hope to turn things around on Saturday at AT&T Park when they take on Oakland in the second game of a three-game Bay Area series.
The stadium was packed full of nearly 43,000 screaming fans Friday night, but they weren't all screaming "Let's go Giants!" Interspersed throughout those chants were those that said, "Let's go Oakland!" The series brings together fans from two different cities, separated only by a bridge and 1,600 square miles of water. Whenever the teams get together, the atmosphere is always intense.

"The atmosphere was good," manager Felipe Alou said after Friday's game, "It's always good here, though."

Giants fans hope to build a positive atmosphere on Saturday afternoon when Jamey Wright takes the mound for San Francisco. Wright is winless in his last five starts and wants to see things change. Before his current five-game losing streak, the Giants had posted a 6-3 record in games he pitched. During day games this season, opposing offenses are hitting .273 against him.

Oakland will send right-hander Dan Haren out to face him. He is 2-3 in six career appearances against the Giants.

Pitching matchup
SF: RHP Jamey Wright (5-7, 4.55 ERA)
During Wright's five-start drought, lack of run support isn't the only issue. He gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings against Colorado and six more in 4 1/3 against Florida. In three of those five starts however, the Giants also scored no more than one run.

OAK: RHP Dan Haren (6-6, 3.39 ERA)
In his loss to Colorado on Monday, Haren allowed a first-inning, two-run homer, then one more unearned run over seven innings. The loss ended a 10-game A's winning streak.

Player to watch
Mark Sweeney had a six-game hit streak snapped in Friday's game. Entering that contest he was batting .455 (5-for-11) on this homestand. He went 0-for-4.

[Giants666]

I expect Schmidt to return to ace form tonight. Last game his head wasn't in the game.

Well Benitez returned to form..............last night!!

[redsrbetter]

That Durham walk-off HR just cost me $120. GREAT!

[Providence A's]

ugh...he fails to sacrifice bunt and hits a homer...

[Giants666]

Great way to end the game!!!!!! OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH YYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Giants666]

That Durham walk-off HR just cost me $120. GREAT!

That's not good.

[Rufio181]

Huston blew it.

[Providence A's]

it's ok because Texas is getting hammered 7 - 0...we'll still be in 1st place

[Giants666]

Durham's walk-off lifts Giants past A's
Ninth-inning homer caps comeback; Bonds nails 719th


Ray Durham had struggled at the plate the entire game before his ninth-inning heroics.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The heart-breaking Giants have suddenly become heart-stoppers -- and they hope that trend continues.
With their team on the ropes and getting a standing-eight count, trailing by five runs in the sixth, San Francisco fans didn't even bother to wear rally caps, while those rally seagulls were circling the outer bay at AT&T Park, looking for sustenance elsewhere.

Yet the Giants, facing their third straight loss and getting out slugged by the American League West-leading Oakland A's, turned on the offense, cranking out six runs down the stretch to topple the Athletics, 8-7, on Saturday afternoon.

What a finish it was, as Giants second baseman Ray Durham, struggling with an 0-for-4 day and missing a bunt attempt in the ninth, seconds later crashed a three-run homer off usually reliable A's closer Huston Street for the victory.

Slugger Barry Bonds, who was not in the original lineup -- he entered the clubhouse and literally ripped the card off the wall -- would add his muscle to the win, knocking a two-run homer in the first inning, doubling in a run in the seventh, then taking a walk in the ninth, moments after Mark Sweeney stroked a leadoff single.

In another fortunate twist, Durham was slated for a day off, but after hitting a triple and single on Friday night, manager Felipe Alou decided the veteran would play again instead of rookie Kevin Frandsen.

Durham made the move pay off, albeit belatedly.

"We needed a hit there, and I was looking for something I could drive," said Durham. "I kinda of figured [Street] wasn't going to throw me a fastball and was looking for a slider and got it -- I put a good swing on it and see what happened."

When Durham swung, back in the Giants dugout, Alou shuddered. All he called for there was for Durham to bunt, move the runners over, put Sweeney on third and Bonds on second -- simple, by-the-book baseball.

"Ray swung the bat real well -- he did last night -- but not today," said Alou. "I didn't want him to hit it, but bunt it. And then he didn't execute the bunt. That's two bad things right there -- a bad sign and no execution."

There would be no chastising from Alou, however -- he expects to start Durham again on Sunday in the series finale, let Frandsen wait some more.

"It was huge," said Durham of his hit and the Giants' comeback. "They walked Barry twice, and I take it personally. It's my job, when I'm hitting behind him, to protect him and keep them from taking the bat out of his hands.

"Doing it in the clutch that I did, it's a good feeling," said Durham of his first-ever Major League walk-off blast. "I hope it carries over to tomorrow."

Bonds wasn't in a mood to talk after the game, saying he "had stuff to do," but said he wanted to play Saturday because "we're off on Monday."

Oakland starter Dan Haren became the 425th pitcher to yield a homer to Bonds, who reached base five times, going 2-for-2 and walking three times, twice intentionally.

For Giants starter Jamey Wright, it appeared he would suffer his fifth consecutive loss -- he hasn't won since May 22 -- as he yielded eight hits and six earned runs over 5 1/3 innings. Admittedly, his mechanics are off, as in way off.

He was grateful, then, to see the Giants pull it out for his no-decision.

"It was nice coming back for that victory," said Wright. "Getting eight runs, I'd like to get a win rather than a no-decision, having to get that many runs to get me off the hook. The guys came up big today. It was a good win."

Wright said his arm angle has been dropping lately, and postgame videos confirmed it. Earlier in the season, the right-hander was being more aggressive in the strike zone, but he's been a bit off for the past few games.

"Hopefully, that little mechanical thing will get me back on track," said Wright, especially victimized by a pair of RBIs from both Dan Johnson and Mark Kotsay.

Giants catcher Todd Greene helped the cause, ripping a two-run single in the sixth off Haren to close the margin, then Bonds roped his RBI double in the seventh, scoring Omar Vizquel to make it 7-5.

The Giants faced long odds entering the bottom of the ninth, for they were only 2-33 this season when trailing after eight innings -- bad news.

And out came Street. The left-hander hadn't allowed a run in 12 of his 13 June outings and had converted 10 of 11 June save opportunities. Make that 10 of 12 now.

It was Sweeney -- 0-for-3 on the day with a strikeout -- chopping a single to center to open the frame.

"I was happy [about the single], because it puts a different scenario in his mind against Barry," said Sweeney. "That created an opportunity to win the game with one swing."

Bottom line, however, the Giants must build on the heart-thumping comeback, hopefully keep the momentum going. They have yet to have a winning streak beyond three games this season, and the midseason break is nearly here.

"We're all waiting on this team to click in a little bit," said Sweeney. "Beating a closer like that is impressive. That's a huge win for us."

Box Score

[Giants666]

Cain ready to close Battle of the Bay
Oakland (40-34) at San Francisco (37-37), 1:15 p.m. PT

The last time Matt Cain pitched for San Francisco, he was nearly flawless, allowing only one run -- unearned -- and one hit in eight innings of work. The Giants hope for a similar outing when he squares off with the A's in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Park.
"We need those kind of performances," manager Felipe Alou said. "We need a little more stuff like that to get going."

Monday's winning start against the Angels wasn't the only time this season that Cain has pitched well. In fact, the 21-year-old right-hander is 5-0 in his last seven starts. Even the two games in that span where he didn't get credit for a victory ended in wins for San Francisco.

Cain will be opposed by veteran right-hander Esteban Loaiza. Away from McAfee Coliseum this season, Loaiza is 1-3 with an 8.38 ERA. He's also given up five home runs in four road starts.

Pitching matchup
SF: RHP Matt Cain (6-5, 4.79 ERA)
The 21-year-old is coming off one of his best outings this year, as he took a no-hitter through 7 2/3 innings on Monday against the Angels. In eight innings, he gave up just one single and one unearned run while striking out a career-high 10.

OAK: RHP Esteban Loaiza (2-4, 6.94 ERA)
Loaiza got knocked out in the fourth inning of his last start after allowing six runs and nine hits. That was in contrast to the two strong outings he made since coming off the disabled list, going 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA.

Player to watch
Entering Saturday's game, Ray Durham was batting .286 (34-for-119) with five home runs in his previous 34 games. For his career, Durham is batting.294 (5-for-17) against Loaiza.

[love_that_reefer]

So far this weekend, Bonds has been solid and Schmidt did return to ace form. Bonds has gone 2-3 with 4 RBI and even has a stolen base!!!! Schmidt went 7 innings and gave up just 2 runs. Sanchez has yet to give up a run this season and its looks like Hennessey should join the rotation after another Wright performance. Let's hope Cain can get through 5 innings!

In Friday night's game, both Finley and Bonds stole a base. I wonder if they are the oldest to do so in the same game?

[Giants666]

Giants to honor Bonds, Schmidt, Alou and Finley for their milestone performances

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants will pay tribute to Barry Bonds, Jason Schmidt, Moises Alou and Steve Finley to honor the personal milestones they've achieved during the first half of the 2006 season in an on-field pre-game ceremony prior to Sunday's series finale vs. the Oakland Athletics, the club announced today.
Bonds, who currently has 718 career home runs, will be feted for his 715th career clout May 28 off Colorado's Byung-Hyun Kim that catapulted him past Babe Ruth for second on the all-time roundtripper list.

Schmidt, who starts tonight's series opener against the A's at AT&T Park, equalled a 102-year old Giants record when he struck out 16 Florida Marlins June 6 on the Shores of McCovey Cove. Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson originally established the franchise record with 16 whiffs Oct. 3, 1904 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. Schmidt's performance surpassed the San Francisco-era mark of 15, established by Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry (July 22, 1966 vs. Philadelphia).

Alou will be honored for his 300th career home run, a solo shot off Houston's Brandon Backe in the first game of an April 13 doubleheader here at AT&T Park. The Giants outfielder is currently tied for 107th on the all-time home run list with 306 clouts.

Finley hits his 300th home run June 14 off Arizona's Claudio Vargas to become just the sixth member of Major League Baseball's 300/300 club. Wtih 316 stolen bases, he becomes the fifth member of the club who has played for the Giants, joining Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Barry Bonds and Reggie Sanders. Andre Dawson is the only 300/300 player to have never worn a Giants uniform.

Sunday's festivities will be carried live by FSN Bay Area.