Thank You Shawn Estes and Don Mattingly

The Giants defeated the Dodgers 2-1 behind the pitching of Vogelsong and relievers Lopez and Casilla before a sparse Dodger Stadium crowd of 32,799.  This much needed win was aided by advise provided by Shawn Estes and the strategies employed by Dodger manager Don Mattingly. 

During the Giants pregame TV show Estes was asked how to you get to Kershaw?  He answered early.  Kershaw has had a strong tendency recently to throw fast balls early in the count.  In the second inning Posey swung at the first pitch and singled to left breaking up the no-hit bid early. Then Pill stepped up to the plate and hit the first pitch he saw a fast ball for the game winning home run.  Kershaw finally wised up but it was too late and the Giants had the two runs needed for the win.

In the seventh inning the Dodgers had runners on first and second with none out and Urbie at the plate.  Giant fans know that Urbie is a great clutch hitter especially in the late innings.  The Dodgers have not learned that yet and Mattingly had Urbie attempt to sacrifice which turned into a double play killing the inning.

Then again in the 8th inning the Dodgers had runners on first and second with none out.  Ellis the #2 batter in the lineup successfully sacrificed the runners along while avoiding the double play in order for the Giants to walk Kemp currently hitting over .400 to  set up a double play.  Mattingly's strategy had taken the bat right out of the hands of the current best hitter in the game.  Then Ethier obliged by hitting into the inning ending double play.

If the Dodgers continue with this type of strategy then perhaps they will not lead the West cradle to grave and many expect them to do.  My Texas Rangers adviser Russ Jackson loves their manager Ron Washington because they play some small ball but seem to have the smarts to allow Hamilton to swing the bat.  He hit four homers last night which makes five in two days.  Do you realize how long it takes the Giants to hit five home runs.  If they can't hit any home runs this weekend at homer friendly Chase Field then the Giants are in big trouble.  Pill showed  again last night that power wins.

Homer Sweeney