Yes, I like taking 2 of 3 from the Giants. But, as Buddy Black said after Sunday’s game, there’s a lot of baseball left. So, 46 games to go, 5 game edge in the loss column. Before getting into the week in review, lets keep a few things in mind:

1. Latos is at 135 innings, if they’re shutting him down at 170, he has 6 starts left… if the number is 180, then he gets 7 – 8 more. That means of the remaining 46 games, Latos only gets the ball in 13 – 17% of them.
2. The Rockies and Dodgers have given the Friars fits all year and we still have to play them 12 more times.. not a pleasant thought.
3. The Rockies are back healthy… I’m concerned they’ll make another ridiculous September run like they did in 2007. (sorry to bring up a sore subject)

I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade, but let’s just not pop the champagne just yet.. long way to go, folks… let’s keep the gas pedal down.

On to the week in review: 

Nothing to say about the Pirates series, except to say it’s nice to win when you’re supposed to (see: Diamondbacks, Arizona).

Friday in SF:

Clayton Richard got very very very lucky. His fastball was straighter than an arrow… and the Giants rarely made him pay. There’s something to be said for working around trouble, but I’d really like to see a little more control, and better breaking stuff moving forward. Also, I know he’s a fast worker, but there are times I wonder if it might help to just take a breather every so often, I got tired watching the dude.

Jonathan Sanchez was not sharp either and it stressed me to see the Padres not take advantage. But, a win’s a win… and it’s even better to shut up certain big-mouthed pitchers.

Saturday:

It was really bad. First, your ace has a 2-run lead in the middle innings, he’s thrown a bucket-ful of pitches and I’m not sure why you send him out there to get homered off of. Granted, the Kung Fu Panda hacked at a high fastball like he was a lumberjack, but even so, not sure why Buddy tried to milk another inning out of him. I like how Frieri and Thatcher held the G-men.

Greggerson, I’m not overly concerned with the blown save, nobody’s perfect.

Chase Headley absolutely sucked in extras; twice he had a chance to win the game, once with a runner on third and 1 out.   It’s not that he struck out, those things happen. But with a 1-0 count in that 11^th inning at-bat, he swung at a 98MPH fastball up and in towards his eyes. That is a pitch you have to lay off. If he doesn’t swing there, it’s 2-0 and a hitter’s count.

And don’t you dare pin this loss on Stauffer. He gave up a 57-hopper up the middle, which neither infielder felt like stopping. Then, Tony Gwynn didn’t bust his ass to come up and collect the ball. Neither fact is Timmy’s fault. He then gives up a little flair to right field. Game Over. Neither was hit hard, both had eyes… hey, that’s baseball.

Sunday:

On paper, weren’t you scared? Lincecum vs. LeBlanc…. Ouch, right? Except, that’s why they play the games. 

I loved the Padres’ approach at the plate against Lincecum. Lay-off the breaking stuff, gear-up for the fastball (which was not peaking at its usual 94-95, it was more 90-91, which is great.. Maybe dude has a tired arm, love it).   When Lincecum can’t throw strikes with his off-speed pitches, and you can key on the fastball, dude is human. And he was behind all afternoon… then when he has to throw a strike, boom.

Over on the other side, that may have been as good as LeBlanc’s change-up has looked all year. And that is saying something, given how wicked that change-up usually is anyway. But I loved the velocity, 86 – 88. I loved the control (painted the outside corner on the first at-bat by Burrell) and he mixed his pitches well.

Friars have the Cubs and Brewers as part of a brutal 10-game roadie. I’d be happy with 4 -3 this week, to make it 6-4 on the trip. (also, we luck-out by missing Yovani Gallardo in Milwaukee).