Giants 5, Giants 3: The past two weeks I've stumped for the release of Rich Aurilia but tried to insert caveats and hedges in case games like today happened. Aurilia entered on a double switch, singled in the 5th to start a two-run rally to tie the game, then homered for the go-ahead run off Adam Wainwright, half way up the LF bleachers no less (and right over the head of Papa Malo, who was sitting with a buddy in the 1-3-8). A great game for Richie, and another highlight to add to my makeshift collection.
Just for fun: the N.L. wild card standings. And the home records of the three teams the Giants face on the upcoming road trip: 7-16 (Wash.), 9-14 (Fla.), 12-19 (Ariz.). Make hay, boys.
Let's get right to our players of the week:
Among the batsmen, I choose two. Aaron Rowand went 8 for 25 with zero walks, one HBP and 6 doubles from the leadoff spot. If he were lower in the order, he'd probably have more than the three RBI on the week. But I also have to give props to Emmanuel Burriss, who strung together enough choppers, seeing-eye grounders, and the occasional line drive to go 8 for 22 with two doubles. He also drove in three. What makes Burriss's week extra-special was the defense. He turned in several highlight plays, not to mention one bad but understandable error on Friday night that cost a run. As Dave Flemming said on the radio today, if Burriss can get his OBP into the .350-.360 range, continue to play excellent D and drive in the occasional run from the #8 hole, he'll be cooking with gas. Another shout, too, for Edgar Renteria, with his .400 OBP this week and five ribbies.
Pitchers? Tim Lincecum threw the gem Tuesday night amidst a week of solid work from the starters, and Brian Wilson bounced back with four quiet outings. Four innings, two hits, and no walks. Wilson got the official save today, but Jeremy Affeldt got the unofficial one by striking out Joe Thurston on a 3-2 pitch to end the 8th. The Giants were up by one, and a walk would have brought Albert Pujols to the plate. No surprise that the Giants' team leader in WXRL (Baseball Prospectus's measure of how well a reliever throws in pressure situations) is Affeldt, 19th best in the majors.
