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From bad to worse for the San Francisco Giants
By Jeremy Kahn July 28, 2006 |
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If the San Francisco Giants wanted to get back into the thick of the Western Division race, and make a push for the playoffs this was the road trip that could make or break the trend. But instead things have gone from bad to worse, as the Giants dropped their season-high fifth straight after the Pittsburgh Pirates shutout the Giants 3-0 at PNC Park. Kip Wells, who missed nearly the first three months of the season due to arm trouble shut down the Giants, to pickup his first win of the season for the Pirates, who have not had a winning season since 1992. The Pirates won the last of their three consecutive National League Eastern Division Championships with Barry Bonds manning the outfield at old venerable Three Rivers Stadium. In seven innings, Wells gave up just five hits while walking three and striking out three. Bonds went 0-for-4, and flew out with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, an inning that saw the Giants load the bases with nobody out, but failed to score. Freddy Sanchez singled in a run, and Jose Castillo added a run-scoring double, as the Pirates put together a three-game winning streak for just the second time this season. The only prior time the Pirates won three in a row was when they took the final three games against the Giants at AT&T Park in June. Jason Schmidt pitched a masterful against his former team, but was unable to get any run support from his offense. After allowing a leadoff single to Nate McLouth in the bottom of the first inning, Schmidt retired the next 17 batters until McLouth singled off of Schmidt in the bottom of the sixth inning. NOTES: The Giants added another relief pitcher after acquiring left-handed reliever Mike Stanton from the Washington Nationals for a minor league player. This will be the seventh team for the veteran lefthander, who will help out Steve Kline in the bullpen with opposing left-handed hitters. |
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