From the Porch: Charlie

May 13, 2012

Giants 7, Diamondbacks 3 at Chase Field

Giants (17-17) 002 220 100  7 14 0

D-backs (15-20) 010 200 000  3 5 0

WP: Zito (2-1)

LP: Saunders (2-3)

SV: None

HR: Pill (3)

Zito: 6ip 5h 3er 5k 3bb 2.53era

Saunders: 5ip 10h 6er 1k 1bb 3.43era

In the NL West: SD lost to PHI, LA is looking like a lock to beat CO, so SF likely still in second 6 games back.

Comments: That was a nice win and nice series win. So very weird to watch Barry Zito actually kinda in control, sorta figuring out batters and forcing them to make easy outs. Weird, weird, weird. But nice. Bullpen was outrageous today; Jeremy Affeldt back active and just nails upon nails, and Sergio Romo striking out three to end the game, and not one of them even made contact with the ball.

Pitching: Zito was ridiculously good; a little run support does wonders.

Defense: Story was Charlie Culbertson's first MLB game; his dad was also a Giants draftee who only made it to A ball at Fresno Giants back in the '80s. But Charlie started year at 2B in Fresno and with Ryan Theiot on the DL, was called up today and got his first MLB hit plus played excellent D.

Offense: Melky was a monstah; Brett Pill didn't improve his average today but hit a key home run. Gregor Blanco was perfection as leadoff batter, plus got 3 RBI today.

Next game: Giants vs. Rockies at AT&T Park, 7:15 p.m. PDT Monday, May 14. Friedrich LHP (1-0, 1.50) vs. Vogelsong (1-2, 2.94). TV: CSN-BA