Photo Giants suffer first defeat of 2005

By Stefani Rebekah Black

April 7, 2005
Los Angeles Dodgers' Jose Valentin (10) is congratulated by teammate Olmedo Saenz (8) after hitting a three-run home run off San Francisco Giants' Jason Christiansen in the sixth inning Wednesday, April 6, 2005, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
 



SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Giants opened the season this past week against Los Angeles at SBC Park for a three-game series. The Giants quickly lost their fire in the Wednesday night affair.

After winning the home opener Tuesday 4-2, the Dodgers came right back Wednesday night to even the series with a lopsided 10-4 win. The Giants surrendered two runs in the second inning and completely plummeted in the sixth.

Bench coach Ron Wotus served as the manager for the suspended Felipe Alou Wednesday night. Alou was suspended when he was accused in one of the Dodger-Giant games of ordering a pitcher to throw at Jeff Kent, which was argued as a wild pitch.

The Giants didn't seem to adjust to this change and were never able to cue in defensively against L.A. or establish a rhythm on offense.

The Giants couldn't depend on Dodgers defensive blunders since the visitors were competent offensively and hit with ease against the Giants bullpen. Tyler Walker opened the sixth inning by allowing four runs in a row and Jason Christiansen didn't fare much better, surrendering a Jose Valentin three-run home run on a 3-1 pitch that made the score 7-1.

Former Oakland Athletic Olmedo Sanez was 4-for-4 and outfielder Milton Bradley also gave an outstanding performance for the Dodgers. Even rookie Jason Repko squeezed his first major league hit in the ball game.

In the top of the seventh San Francisco pitcher Matt Herges gave up four hits on three runs, sealing the Giants fate with a 10-1 disadvantage. The Giants managed a comeback in the bottom of the ninth with a Mike Matheny home run - his first of the campaign - but the final score ended up 10-4 for the Dodgers.

The Giants continue the homestand by welcoming the Colorado Rockies in a 7:15 p.m. first pitch Friday night in the first of a three-game weekend set.

Stefani Rebekah Black will be covering all Giants home and away games on Wednesdays. She also co-hosts Sportstalk on 1430 KVVN San Jose and 1110 KLIB Sacramento on weekends and co-hosts on raiderfanradio.com Tuesday nights streaming on the website.

 

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