Giants romp Astros 13 zip, Sadowski now 2-0

Pablo Sandoval waves one 'bye-bye." Ben Margot, AP.

AT&T Park—Pablo Sandoval and Travis Ishikawa combined for two homeruns, a triple, six RBI's, and three runs scored Friday night. Oh, and that was all before the top of the fourth inning began. All told, the Giants scored 13 runs in the first three innings, and held on to enjoy their largest margin of victory of the season, defeating the Astros 13-0.

 

Ryan “the big” Sadowski impressed in his second big league start, holding Houston to just three hits, all singles, in seven innings of work. “The Dude”, as he may soon be known, continued to baffle major league hitters, as he struck out four and walked only one. Sadowski’s yet to allow an earned run in his first thirteen innings in the Majors.

 

Ishikawa again showed off the power that was so vacant through his first 100 at bats of the season. In the second Ishikawa lifted a long blast off the top of the wall in right center field. The play was originally called a double, but after the Giants asked for a review by the umpiring crew, the replay revealed it was indeed a homerun; Ishikawa’s sixth of the season.  Since breaking the ice with his first homer on May 25th, the Giants’ first baseman has averaged a home run every 10.8 at bats; an indication that his power numbers from the minors may translate to this level.

 

The barrage of offense seems less like a surprise these days, as the Giants are becoming familiar with the feeling of their metal cleats crossing home plate. They have now scored six runs or more in six of their last nine games.

 

The early rout allowed Bruce Bochy to give the veterans some extra rest too. Edgar Renteria, who enjoyed a very nice road trip, and is quietly hitting .273, left the game after going 3 for 4 with an RBI. Renteria has driven in 37 runs on the season, the third best total on the team, and sixth most amongst all Major League short stops.

 

Aaron Rowand and Randy Winn picked up hits, and then gave way to Andres Torres, and Fred Lewis. In fact the only non starter that got the entire night off was Bengie Molina. Molina sat in favor Eli Whiteside who once again caught his former minor league battery mate, Sadowski.

 

Jonathan Sanchez pitched two clean innings in relief, closing out the victory. He's pitched quite well, all be it in mop up time, during his two outings since being moved to the pen.

 

The Giants are now 25-12 at home this season: only Texas and the Dodgers have more home victories. Saturday they will send Tim Lincecum (8-2, 2.37 ERA), who was named the NL’s Pitcher of the Month of June, to the mound against former Giant, Russ Ortiz (3-3, 3.36 ERA). First pitch is at 1:05.

 

 

Update: It's Matt Downs who will be optioned back to Fresno to clear a spot for Aurilia.

 

Rich Aurilia is still on the bereavement list following his father’s death. The Giants will be forced to make a move by the end of the series, and possibly will make that move prior to tomorrow’s game. One would imagine Sadowski has earned at least one more start, and though the Giants are carrying 13 pitchers, it’s no guarantee that they move an arm. Matt Downs, Fred Lewis, and Rich Aurilia are all possible choices to be gone. For Aurilia, that would likely mean the end of his career, at least with the Giants.

 

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The Phillies designated Jack Taschner for assignment on Friday. The left handed reliever was sent to Philadelphia from San Francisco during spring training for catcher Ronny Paulino. The Giants then traded Paulino to Florida for Hector Correa. With J.C. Romero’s return to the Phill’s bullpen, from a 50 game suspension for the use of PED’s, Taschner became expendable.

 

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Juan Uribe, one of the team’s more gregarious characters, looked to be sporting a freshly cut mohawk. The new look however didn’t translate to the batter’s box, as Uribe was the only Giants starter, not named Sadowski, to go hitless. He was 0-5 with four left on base.

 

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Stay great Nate. Olympic Nate, as our friends at RaisingMattCain.com like to call him, collected three more hits, and had luck gone his way, could have had a fourth. Schierholtz, who hit .406 in for the month of June, has 18 hits in his last 10 games.