Touring the American West

Disappointment in Seattle - The last place Seattle Mariners took two out of three from the 'jelling' Giants over this past weekend.   Sunday's game was particularly disappointing since it wasted a terrific pitching performer by Bumgardner, the relief staff failed,  the best hitters were unsuccessful in the clutch and the Dodgers won their series with the White Sox to move 5 games in front of the Giants. The Giants hit two home runs to win Friday's game the last round trippers they would  hit in the series while the Mariners supplied the home run power against Lincecum Saturday.

'C' Street Car - 1940's

Book Cover

Notes -  Pablo looked about 270 lbs on TV this weekend and I believe last year they were hoping to keep his weight in the neighborhood of 245. . . A very loyal  Giant fan and a very successful attorney in the East Bay e-mailed me that Lincecum would break out his funk but needs to quit smoking pot. . . Many believe that Lincecum lost 20 lbs  over the winter because he was on the 'The Drinking Man's Diet.' . . .  The Giants played the American League Champion Rangers since the NL West is playing the AL West this year except the Dodgers who are the only team in the NL West to play the AL Central Division White Sox. . . .  The Giants play the Astros nine times this year while the Dodgers play them only six times which are  a couple more examples of the horrible major league schedule that throws baseball tradition out the window for the almighty dollar.  The schedule will reportedly be better balanced next year since the Astros are moving to the American League to the disgust of most of their fans.  It couldn't be any worse! . . . Justin Christian hitting .364 was called up from Fresno. He spent some time with the Giants last September and we wrote at the time that we thought he could compete to be the fifth outfielder.  Then we learned that Sabean didn't think much of him so we revised our thoughts and said if the was in Fresno he would be a outfielder to bring up in case of injury. . . Roger Kieschnick hitting .319 with a team leading 14 home run is on the DL.  He probably would not have been called up since the Giants need a right handed bat off the bench which Christian has an opportunity to provide.   Brett Pill is hitting .400 in his first nine games back at Fresno. . .  It still being decided if before his next start at AT&T Matt Cain will hit golf balls from home plate like he did before his perfect game last week.  It is known however that Rory Mcllroy defending Open Champion from 2011 who did not make the cut at Olympic will not be throwing out any first baseballs in the near future. . .  The fog rolled into the Olympic Club Sunday after a few beautiful days in San Francisco.  It reminded me when I was young and returning from a Sunday doubleheader at sunny Seals Stadium on the 'C' street car that once we arrived at the top of Geary and Presidio the fog was rolling in to welcome us back to the Richmond District. . . Gregor Blanco's  sensational perfect game saving catch for Matt Cain will be hard to top this year for both excitement and importance.

Homer Sweeney