Dodgers@San Fran

[love_that_reefer]

SF: RHP Jason Schmidt (9-7, 3.00 ERA)
Schmidt pitched a super game in his last outing, shutting out the Dodgers over eight innings but seeing counterpart Greg Maddux do likewise. Schmidt struck out nine batters and allowed only five hits, yet the Giants had only two hits -- both in the first inning -- and were shut out.

LAD: RHP Brad Penny (13-5, 3.48 ERA)
Penny beat the Giants for his third straight win, but it wasn't his best effort. He squandered a three-run lead, but he was throwing hard and didn't get many close pitches from plate umpire Larry Poncino. Penny likes to challenge Barry Bonds, who doubled off him last week and has three home runs off him in 17 at-bats.

Player to watch
Rookie Kevin Frandsen, who hit his first Major League homer on Thursday, may be in the starting lineup against the Dodgers in the series opener, Alou stated. "I've got to get him a place to play."

• Saturday: Dodgers (RHP Greg Maddux, 10-11, 4.20) at Giants (RHP Brad Hennessey, 5-2, 2.71), 6:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Dodgers (RHP Derek Lowe, 10-8, 3.97) at Giants (RHP Matt Morris, 8-10, 4.62), 1:05 p.m. PT

This is a huge series and even if we take 2 of 3 we are right back in this thing. Schmidt's on the hill and hopefully the Giants will give him some run support thistime around. Bonds is expected to be in the lineup. Let's extend our own hot streak as we have won 4 in a row.

[love_that_reefer]

Giants take the first game and have won five in a row. Hillenbrand had a big night with three hits including a two run shot. Vizquel and Finley also homered. Schmidt pitched well but wasn't himself. The bullpen shut thngs down as the Giants won 7-3.

[realmofotalk]

In the game Penny had a 9.00 ERA, which coincidentally was the same figure when he pitched against the Giants in the 2003 NLDS.

[DirtyKash]

Yay for Brad Hennessey

[love_that_reefer]

Hennessey got his dick knock off as did the rest of the Giants. The only thing good I can say is that they never gave up and made it a game for a second coming back to a 10-6 deficit. Alou and Alfonzo homered.

[love_that_reefer]

Giants lose again and lose two of three from the first place Dodgers. We aren't out of it yet but it keeps getting harder and harder to say that. We have 3 games against the Dbacks and 4 against the Reds. WC hopes are still there but with the way the Dodgers are playing, the West might be out of reach.

[realmofotalk]

Barry Bonds at the plate with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 9th was a scary scenario.

[love_that_reefer]

Bonds hasn't been scary for a while. Its sad to see such a great hitter take such a fall but his time is over after this season.