Game Wrap 08-23-2010: Giants 12 Reds 2

I was a story line that doesn't get written nearly enough. The Giants scored early and often, and Matt Cain cruised to his 10'th victory of the season against a the first place team in the NL Central. Key lines:

Andres Torres- 1 for 3, HR(13), 2 BB. BA= .284. 2 walks and a homer out of the leadoff man, what more can you ask for?

Buster Posey- 2 for 5. BA= .342. Ho-hum! Another 2 hit game for Posey.

Aubrey Huff- 3 for 4, 2B(29), HR(22), BB. BA=.299. Huff Daddy came within a whisker of making a huge play on a sharp grounder down the line, laying out and just snagging it in the tip of his glove. The ball squirted loose as he tried to transfer it to his right hand. It was still a darn good play as it prevented extra bases. Ultimately it didn't matter as the hitter, Nix, advanced to 3B on Votto's ground rule double and scored on a triple by Rolen.

Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .267. Pablo hit some screamers, almost killing the pitcher with one on a drive back up the middle. The pitcher ducked down just as the ball whistled past his ear. Pablo also hit one that nearly took the shortstop's glove off. The SS dropped the ball, but easily forced Guillen at 2B since Jose had to freeze on the line drive right at the infielder.

Freddy Sanchez- 4 for 5, 2B. BA= .269. Moley looked like his old self tonight. A hot streak from him would be welcome.

Matt Cain- 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.07. About time Cain had an easy start. He still used up an awful lot of pitches in the first 3 innings, but then really settled down. Was throwing 95 MPH heaters in the 8'th inning.

With the W, the Giants gained 0.5 games on the idle Padres in the NL West to 5.5 games back. In the Wild Card race, the Phillies dropped a game to the 'Stros 3-2 while the Cards smacked down the Pirates 10-2 leaving the Cards and Giants tied 1 game back of the Phillies.

Jonathan Sanchez tries to keep it going against rookie lefty Travis Wood who has been sensational for the Reds this season. Sound familiar?

Guillermo Mota goes on the DL to make room for newcomer Cody Ross leaving the Giants with just 11 pitchers. Matt Downs gets the DFA from the 40 man roster. Rosters can expand in 8 days, still, 8 days can be an eternity in a pennant race.