Winning the West

The San Francisco Giants are one win away from their first NL West division crown since 2003. San Francisco’s 4-1 triumph over the Diamondbacks coupled with the Padres’ slip-up to the Chicago Cubs pits the Giants in ideal position heading into this weekend’s series. The Giants play San Diego beginning tonight, and unless the Padres sweep the Giants at A T & T Park, Bruch Bochy’s club will be headed to the playoffs. The Giants have been on a tear as of late, winning eight of their last ten and sweeping the Diamondbacks in three games. Last night, Arizona slapped seven hits but crossed the plate just once. The Giants garnered six hits but tallied a more productive four runs.
Madison Bumgarner and Barry Enright battled in a pairing of rookie hurlers on Thursday night. Bumgarner, looking for his first ever victory at home for the Giants, pitched out of jams to earn the win. The San Francisco rookie southpaw surrendered one run through five frames. He struck out seven to stave off the Diamondbacks and give the Giants their 91st win this season. Enright struggled in his start, allowing three homeruns through five innings of work. Arizona’s offense didn’t help the rookie. The Diamondbacks stranded a runner on second base in each of the first four innings as Enright suffered his fifth loss in his last five tries. The Giants were the first team to light up the scoreboard when Pablo Sandoval deposited a fastball off Enright into McCovey Cove for a 1-0 lead. It was the third baseman’s 13th long ball of the season and 62nd RBI.
The Diamondbacks evened the contest in the fourth inning after loading the bases against Bumgarner. The Giants’ 21 year old hurler limited the damage to a single tally via Enright’s sacrifice fly. Bumgarner was bashed around in the fifth on back-to-back one out singles, but remained composed and got the final two outs to keep the ball game tied 1-1. In the San Francisco half of the fifth, Andres Torres gave the Giants a one-run advantage when he 16th homerun landed over the right-center field wall. The leadoff centerfielder had two hits Thursday night and also stole his 25th base of the year.
Rookie-of-the-year candidate, Buster Posey, pulled the Giants ahead by three with some sixth inning fireworks. Posey’s two run drive followed Aubrey Huff’s leadoff walk and was the 16th time the Giants have clubbed one out in their last seven games. San Francisco used a trio of relievers to pen down the DBacks the rest of the game. A three run cushion was all the bullpen needed to contain the ailing Arizona offense. Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo and Ramon Ramirez held Arizona hitless through four frames. Ramirez picked up the save in place of Bochy’s usual closer, Brian Wilson. Wilson will be well-rested for the upcoming series against San Diego. The Giants’ pitching staff leads the majors in strikeouts, and has already topped the single-season franchise record for K’s. San Francisco looks to pitching sensation, Matt Cain, when they try to win the West this evening.

Parting Points: October kickoff!

I guess the Mets will be hunting for a new manager next season. Joe Torre anyone?

No mock turtlenecks on the NBA sidelines? Hmm, I hope college football doesn’t follow suit and start banning sweater vests.