Giants 8, Brewers 4: Carlos Villanueva must be thankful to Brian Sabean for trading him to Milwaukee in 2004. The small-time deal led to Villanueva becoming a key part of the Brewers’ bullpen the last two years. Tonight he gave back, handing the Giants the lead in the 7th inning. Two outs, no one on, and Villanueva walked the bases loaded. All three runners scored to make the game 6–4, and the Giants bullpen took it from there.
PLODAG: Lots of candidates, including Roberts, Vizquel and Winn each getting on base three times at the top of the order, but I’m giving G-Rod the nod. Backup catcher Rodriguez drove in three key runs. He didn’t hit the ball particularly hard, but he caught nine innings and got absolutely plowed over by Rickie Weeks in a home-plate collision. (Shades of Prince Fielder making a cow pattie out of Todd Greene last year in the same stadium.) And this only two days after he had to leave the game in Chicago with heat stroke. I like this guy.
Yes, Guillermo definitely deserves the PLODAG title tonight. I got to know him the last couple of years when he played in San Jose. He is a great kid. He even gave a good interview after the game.