For an early season series, both the Giants and Dodgers did little to impress. Although the Giants won two of three games, they played questionable outfield defense the entire series. While the Giants played poor defense, the Dodgers had troubles on the bases. Clayton Kershaw was picked off first in game one. Matt Kemp's four game stolen base streak ended in game two, highlighted by being caught stealing third in the in the top of the second inning. Lastly, in Wednesday night's game, Tony Gwynn Jr. was caught in no-man's land between second and third in the eighth inning. Gwynn represented the tying run.
What went right:
Not much. Outside of Clayton Kershaw extending his scoreless streak to 23 2/3 innings while picking up the win in game one, the Dodgers did not impress in San Francisco.
What went wrong:
In game two, the Dodgers blew a three-run lead when Chad Billingsley gave up back-to-back two run innings in the fourth and fifth innings. In three starts, Billingsley's ERA is 7.71.
In game three, after tying the game on a two-run home run by Rod Barajas, the Dodgers would take the lead in the top of the sixth on a double by Aaron Miles. Ted Lilly would immediately relinquish the lead by serving up solo home runs to both Pablo Sandoval and Mike Fontenot. Fontenot's home run was only his second against left-handed pitching during his five-year career.
What we learned:
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy is already managing games like it is September. Knowing the Giants have a scheduled off-day on Thursday, Bochy was willing to empty his bullpen to ensure the Giants held onto their one-run lead.
Bochy would use three relievers in the 7th inning. With no one on base and two outs, Bochy brought in Javier Lopez to face Andre Ethier. After a base hit by Ethier and only two pitches thrown, Bochy would take Lopez out and summon Sergio Romo to pitch to Matt Kemp. Romo would give way to Jeremy Affeldt in the eigth inning after getting two outs, but yielding a double to Tony Gwynn Jr.
As the sixth Giant pitcher to appear in Wednesday night's game, Brian Wilson would close the game out in the ninth, earning his second save on the season.
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