Season Opener- Giants vs Padres

[GiantsFanatic]

Jake Peavy vs Barry Zito

[GiantsFanatic]

Hope and hype will merge for the Giants on Opening Day.

Their Tuesday game against San Diego at AT&T Park promises to be one of their most anticipated season openers in recent memory, primarily because Barry Zito will make his Giants debut.
The Giants signed Zito to a seven-year, $126 million contract, the most lucrative deal ever given a pitcher. That placed him under the sort of scrutiny he never encountered during 6 1/2 seasons with the Oakland A's.
Pitching the most symbolic game of the regular season is no way for Zito to escape the attention. But after starting the 2005 and '06 openers for Oakland, Zito appreciates the day's significance.
"It's definitely an honor," Zito said. "That's what every pitcher wants to do -- start the season for his team the right way. I'm going to be able to do that up in the Bay, in a beautiful stadium with great fans."
That goes for any pitcher with any team. But this opener is coated with an extra layer of meaning for Zito and the Giants. He knows that there's no better time than the present to begin justifying his huge contract. He realizes that the Giants are facing the Padres, winners of the last two National League West titles. Zito readily acknowledges that this is the perfect opportunity to announce, with a dynamic performance, that a new era for the Giants has dawned.
"You definitely have to set the tone and let these guys know that we mean business here as a team," Zito said.
Zito's seriousness was evident from the first day of camp in Spring Training. He demonstrated a new pitching motion when he threw off a bullpen mound. Though Zito's switch caught manager Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Dave Righetti off guard, it conveyed the left-hander's desire for improvement. Zito has reverted to his previous delivery, although he has amended it to include a slightly longer stride. "There's a couple of adjustments, none that you could see from the [naked] eye -- very subtle stuff," he said.
Omar Vizquel, the Giants' 11-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop, believes that the Giants' younger pitchers will watch more than Zito's mechanics and his arresting curveball. He envisions Zito as a pacesetter for the rotation, which includes Matt Cain, 22, and Noah Lowry, 26.




"Zito's going to be a big difference in the pitching staff," Vizquel said. "He's going to create a lot of motivation for the younger guys and he's going to be a tough act to follow, so they better be ready."
Zito downplayed the possible effects of switching leagues, such as performing in different ballparks.
"I don't pitch to the park. I never have, really," he said. "The park's going to play the way it plays. Maybe on a particular pitch on a count in a situation, you might pitch to the park. But in general, I don't change my approach based on the foot marker in left field or right field."
Bochy anticipates a smooth transition for Zito.
"In the American League, with the DH, he's pitched well," Bochy said. "Now you come over here to the National League and you get the pitcher hitting. There's no question it's easier to get through a lineup. But with Barry's stuff and command, I don't care what league you're in."
Zito's pitching gifts are enhanced by his earnest search for higher professional ground. He won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award. He possesses a 102-63 career record. He owns the distinction of never having missed a start in the Major Leagues. None of that is enough for Zito, who keeps baseballs autographed by Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays in his locker as reminders of the greatness to which he aspires. "Who wants to be [just] good? You tell me," Zito said. "You can never be satisfied. I'm not in the business of being satisfied or getting complacent. I don't care what kind of contracts are going on or any accolades. Look at a guy like [Roger] Clemens. He's won seven Cy Youngs. He's not sitting back and resting on his laurels. He's still working his butt off. That's the only way you can repeat success at the highest level, is to not be satiated."

Lets go Giants, lets go!

[love_that_reefer]

Down 3-0 right now in the 6th after Zito gave up three runs, one earned thanks to a Feliz error. Bonds is 1-1 with a SB. Bonds is poised this year to shut the critics up and prove a 43 yr old can still play and win.

[love_that_reefer]

Padres just simply outplayed the Giants today as the beat us 7-0. Jake Peavy shut the Giants down by striking out six in six and allowing just three hits. Zito was decent in his debut going five innings and giving up two runs. Padres had timely hitting and our bullpen got hurt. Sanchez and Chulk blew dick. Feliz made an error that lead to a run and went 1-4 with two strikeouts. Bonds went 1-3 with a walk and a SB. Nice to see Bonds trying to make things happen as even he knows Durham won't hit 26 homers.

[GiantsFanatic]

Game-2

Giants up 2-0 in the bottom of the 3rd, Bonds hit HR number 735 in the 1st inning off of Chris Young, Vizquel hit a opposite field rbi single in the 3rd inning.

[GiantsFanatic]

Great catch by Roberts in the 4th inning, saving a extra base hit.

[GiantsFanatic]

Khalil Green hits his 430932045th HR against the Giants, Giants 2-1 in the top of the 5th.

[GiantsFanatic]

Ouch, Giles hit a 2 run Bomb off of Cain, Giants down 3-2, Bottom of the 5th.

[GiantsFanatic]

Feliz with a 2 out RBI single, Giants and Pads tied up at 3-3 at the bottom of the 6th inning.

[GiantsFanatic]

Randy Winn with a bloop single, runner on the corners with 2 out, Klesko pinch hitting for Cain, so Cain's night is done, he had a solid outing, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 SO, 1 bb.

[GiantsFanatic]

Nice AB by Klesko, drawing a walk, Bases loaded with Roberts up.

[GiantsFanatic]

Roberts grounds to 2nd to end the inning, all tied up at 3 a piece.

[GiantsFanatic]

****ing bullpen, Gonzalez hits a 2 run bomb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Giants down 5-3 in the 8th, we need a ****ing miracle.

[GiantsFanatic]

Nice catch by Cameron.

[GiantsFanatic]

Giants lost, 5-3, our bullpen needs to step it up, its only the beggining of the year, I might be over reacting, but its a concern, 2 straight days bullpen allows runs.