Oh, Matt Cain. Alas and alack. He throws 125 pitches, nearly gets through 8 innings and stands on the precipice of an even-steven win-loss record for the first time since, what, double A ball? But Brian Wilson throws one too many outside fastballs in the ninth and gives up a tying three-run homer.
My previous observations about Wilson not throwing inside enough rang in my skull as he gave up a two-strike double to Ross on an outside fastball; an opposite-field single to Amezaga on an outside fastball; then, as I muttered under my breath "In on his hands, dammit!" he threw an outside fastball that Baker planted in the left-center bleachers. It wasn't a terrible pitch, right on the corner, maybe a bit higher than he wanted, but I'll betcha a zillion punts Éireannach hitters are looking exclusively for that fastball away. Sure, he struck two guys out, but with his stuff, Wilson should not be this hittable.
Still, a W's a W, and sheesh, stay hot Randy Winn, now hitting .444 in August. Brian Sabean is working on that two-year, $22 million contract extension at this very moment. Two best at-bats of the night: Dave Roberts leading off the 9th with a walk, taking some very close pitches, and Molina following soon after with a sac fly to win it. He hit a pitch well below his knees to deep center field. I want to love him and hug him and name him George.
Every time Cain and Lincecum take the mound, I think OK, this time Bochy will ease off, and every time they throw 110 pitches or more. In their last 20 starts combined, not including the Houston game that Lincecum left early after the line drive off his knee, they've thrown 110 or more pitches 18 times. I'm no pitch-count Nazi, but I'm feeling a little pitch-count Mussolini-ish these days.
