Bridge Ball

Giants Weekly Wrapup -- May 4-9

Record: 2-5
Got swept out of town by the Mets but recovered to win the series vs. the Reds. 14-18 overall, 7 games back of the Dodgers.

Best Game
Thursday at Shea: A classic pitchers duel between Jason Schmidt and Al Leiter decided by a Mike Piazza home run in the 10th for a 2-1 Mets victory, well after the two starters had hit the showers.

Worst Game
Wednesday at Shea: The bullpen corks up six runs with two outs in the 8th inning for a 6-2 loss.

Who’s Hot: Marquis Grissom
On a week that offense was in short supply, Grissom hit .435 scoring a team high four runs and batting in four. Also a team high. With both Bonds and Durham out, Grissom was the offense. Also: Alfonzo seems to be coming out of his prolonged slump. Tucker hit well in his four starts. Schmidt had an excellent change and a little better command of his fastball. Williams pitched well for five innings before the New York rains ended his evening.

Who’s Not: Pick Your Poison
Snow, Torrealba, Pierzynski, and Hammonds all his under .200. Ugly.

Highlights
A 7-6 win Sunday at Great American Ballpark. Dave Miley chose to start the top of the 10th by intentionally walk Bonds. Alfonzo doubled him to third and Deivi Cruz’s sac fly makes the Reds pay.

Lowlights
A sinus infection knocked Barry Bonds out the first two games of the Mets series. Could this be the worst lineup offered by a National League team this year:

B Dallimore 3B
J Snow 1B
M Grissom CF
J Hammonds LF
E Alfonzo 2B
M Tucker RF
D Cruz SS
Y Torrealba C

Hello, I must be going
David Aardsma to Fresno. Sooner or later he’ll stick with the big team.

Welcome Back
Dustin Hermanson

Returning Soon
Ray Durham thinks hell be back from a strained patella tendon Thursday. He has been greatly missed. Since going down, the Giants leadoff hitters are getting on base at a .300 clip, which is just not getting it done.

Phat on the Farm
Todd Linden continues to tear up PCL pitching. He’s hitting .321 although his power numbers aren’t great. Baby Minor is pounding again, but don’t expect to see him back in the Bigs with the Giants anytime soon. Mike Cervenak, a fixture on Norwich Connecticut is off to a hot start. He’s hitting .355 with 9 dingers already. Don’t look for him to move up though. He’s spent the past three seasons toiling for the Navigators and has probably even bought a house in town. Dan Ortmeier is hitting .300. He’s this year’s version of Linden. The highly touted Merkin Valdez still has yet to throw a pitch in a league game. He’s been shut down due to “mild shoulder tendonitis”.

Coming Up
Pennsylvania 6-5000. The Giants entertain the very hot Phillies and the very not Pirates at SBC.