Irresistable Force vs. Immovable Object

There's an old adage that talks about what happens when two equal but opposite forces collide. So, what do you get what a team that can't score meets a team that can't defend? A July "classic" between the Giants (43-40) and Brewers (37-47), that's what.

It stands to reason that an NL pitching staff needing a boost probably scans the schedule looking for the next time the Giants appear. Maybe struggling offenses can start counting down the days for a visit to Milwaukee (God knows there's no other reason to go there -- the beer is better in St. Louis and Boston).

The Giants blew open a scoreless, uh, battle with a five-run frame that featured two, count 'em, two hits en route to a 6-1 win. Two defensive miscues, an RBI single (the first for starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner) and four walks did the trick. Four walks. For a moment I thought the color was off on my plasma and Jonathan Sanchez had switched teams.

Now I know what the other half feels like. Usually it's Giants fans who stare at the screen and mutter as the G-Men bestow more charity than the Unicef. But for some reason the middle infield for the Brewers has become cursed. I can relate. They have bad luck, we have Edgar Renteria. But when ever-steady Craig Counsell starts winging throws into right field, something supernatural is taking place. When you intentianally walk the automatic out known as Aaron Rowand, you're spitting in the face of fate.

If the baseball gods are gonna smile on us, can't they do it in the form of a better GM and manager?

Praise be to Bumgarner. In his best outing as a pro he went a stong eight, shutting out the Brewers on three hits. After a shaky start, the kid dealt. Amazing what can happen when young players get a chance. Too bad Nate Schierholtz isn't allowed to take part. All the kid does is hit and play great defense, not that the Giants would need any of that.

Of course, it's not a Giants game without Bochy giving me an opportunity to second guess his brillant moves. True, Bumgarner had thrown 115 pitches but he should have been allowed to start the ninth.  Stop babying these guys. The bullpen sucks, and starters get four days of rest. Let the kid go.

Instead Bochy rolls the dice and goes to the pen. Bautista threw exactly eight pitches, and not one was close. Did Bautista need the work? What he needs is a ticket back to the bus leagues. This isn't "who wants to pitch?" day just because the team has a lead. There'a guy in the third deck who had a pretty good fastball in high school. I threw pretty well myself. The beer vendor in the left field pavilion has sampled a little too much of his product but he's ready to go. Any of these are a better choice than going to this lousy group.

Romo came in to clean up the mess but the damage was done and the shutout gone. Hey, no points for shutouts: a win is a win. But how the Giants finish any game speaks volumes about the team. No killer instinct. No ability to put a boot on the opposition's throat and end it.

Lincecum on the hill next, hoping a floundering Milwaukee team is the remedy for his recent struggles. With the Giants just 3-7 over their last 10 and 18-23 on the road, the whole team has to be looking for a break as they try to cut into San Diego's six-game edge.

The Giants could use some luck. Unfortunately you can't depend on the rabbit's foot every game. After all, it didn't work out so well for the rabbit.
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Reader Mail:
From Subscriber "Scott":
Remember when the media was writing love poems about the new hitting coach? Bwahahahaha!

Sure do, and I'm having the same reaction. You know, the one where you laugh because you can't cry any more. Hensley Meulens was supposed to be the answer, which makes it a dumb question. You can't teach an elephant to tap dance. You don't ask Pee Wee Herman to be an Olympic weightlifter. You don't remake an offense by changing hitting coaches. Carney Lansford was supposed to be a difference maker, too. This was yet another cosmetic move that didn't address the real problem.

Hitting coaches can refine, but the student has to (a) have talent, and (b) be teachable. Meulens's sucess at other levels tells me that the problem isn't the coach, it's the players. The Giants tend to acquire hackers, not hitters. Yet another reason to start cleaning house immediately.