Dripping Faucet of Youth

Nothing about the Giants' current funk said they would pull this win off. But then again, this was a different team, fueled by the energy of youth and not the pills and aches of a retirement community.

Last night's 1-0 shutout of the Padres was enjoyed by some fresh, if not battle-worn, faces. The Giants recalled Kevin Frandsen to replace the Jose Vizcaino, whom the team cut yesterday in an almost joyous split. Brad Hennessey started the game, putting up 5 (and two-thirds) zeroes on a night where the Giants could only score off a Todd Walker error. His strong performance unquestionably solidifies his place in the future of the Giants rotation. Regardless Eliezer Alfonzo's RBI single and Todd Linden's game-saving catch in the bottom of the 8th was enough to secure the victory.

And who else to secure it but Armando Benitez, an oft-mentioned member of this 2006 Giants team here on HMB. Once again lacking control but toying with a nice splitter at times, Benitez flirted with disaster and finally struck out Geoff Blum with two men on and after running the count to 3-2.

Some veterans may be on their way out, either through the waiver wire or merely proving to upper management they probably don't belong (read: Barry). The Giants hope with this youth movement they can pull a Dodger-like turnaround and find themselves back atop the division. But increasingly the attractive consolation is maintaining a solid core of players for 2007.

Either way, nobody's getting any younger.