Sports Bytes: October 28, 2010

World Series - Game 1

Giants win 11-7

So much for the pitcher's duel. Cliff Lee lasted only 4.2 innings and Lincecum only 5.2 innings. Neither pitcher was able to hit his spots and as a result they combined to surrender 11 runs (Lee: 7, Lincecum: 4) . . .

The highlights of the game for me were Vladimir Guerrero's train-wreck performances in right field. I don't know which error in the eighth inning was funnier-- the first ball he allowed to bounce past him and roll to the wall, or the second ball that he swatted-at with his glove as if he were trying to kill a roach . . .

Six errors is pretty pathetic for two teams in a World Series game. Let's hope it was just nerves . . .

Although Lee clearly did not have his best stuff, let's not take anything away from the Giants' performance. Their approach to attacking Lee was a clinic for other clubs. Too often hitters over-swing when they face Lee. San Francisco's approach was to simply hit the ball where it was pitched, which is why there were so many base hits up-the-middle. Nobody was pulling off the ball in attempt to drive it. Buster Posey's game-tying single in the third inning was also a good example of "hitting it where it is pitched." Focusing solely on contact he reached for a low outside pitch and lifted a soft liner over SS Elvis Andrus head to tie the game. Overall it was an impressive performance by the Giants lineup . . .

Reliever Darren O' Day's performance yesterday was indicative of the problems the Rangers will face if their starters cannot get the job done. O' Day entered the game in the fifth inning with two runners on and the Rangers trailing 5-2. The first batter he faced, Juan Uribe, belted a three-run homer to give the Giants a six-run lead . . .

If the Rangers were able to recover from blowing a 5-0 lead to the defending-champion Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS, don't expect them to lose any sleep over last night's loss. Expect them to come back strong tonight . . .

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