Game Wrap 08-05-2010: Braves 3 Giants 2

Tim Lincecum and the Giants fell victim to the long ball in a closely fought first game of the 4 game series against the Atlanta Braves that promises more of these kinds of games before it's over. Key lines:

Andres Torres- 3 for 5, 2B(34). BA= .291. Torres certainly did his part in this one.

Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 4. BA= .266. Pablo got 2 hits tonight, but his bat is still sputtering with a .256 over his last 10 games.

Tim Lincecum- 6.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.15. A QS, but not vintage Tim. He's only given up 12 HR's in 151.2 IP including tonight's game, so giving up the long ball like that is not characteristic.

Javier Lopez- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's. This was Lopez' first significant test as a Giant and he passed with flying colors. The Braves had stacked their lineup with LH hitters. Javy entered the game in the bottom of the 7'th with 1 out after Timmy had given up back to back singles to put runners on first and second. Heyward then grounded into a fielders choice out at 2B to put runners at the corners. The lefty forced Larry Jones to bat RH and he flied to CF. In the next inning, he retired 3 consective LH hitters with 2 GO's and 1 AO. 5 batters five outs. It didn't win the game, but he gave the Giants a chance to win the game. If Freddy's drive down the LF line had not hooked at the last minute........

With the loss, the Giants drop 2 games off the pace set by the first place Padres who blanked the Chokers 5-0 behind Kevin Correia and their bullpen. The Dodgers fell back to 7 games back of the Pads along with the Rockies who lost to Pittsburgh 5-1. Arizona remained 23 games back with an 8-4 W over the Nats. Philly and the Cards both won to move to 1.5 games behind the Giants in the Wild Card race.

Barry Zito takes the mound tomorrow night against Tommy Hanson. The Braves look a bit vulnerable against LH pitchers and Hanson is beatable so another loss tomorrow will be disappointing. Come on Zeets! Don't let this turn into a losing streak!!