It could have been worse...

Sorry to disappoint any of you masochistic Giants fans, but there will be no record-breaking losing streak--at least yet. In case you missed it, the Giants won yesterday for the first time in their last ten games, beating the Nationals 8-6 and avoiding a season sweep at the hands of the NL East cellar dwellers. It was not easy though, as the Giants nearly blew a 5-run lead in the top of the ninth, even seeing the tying run step to the plate before Mike Stanton finished the job. Moises Alou went 4-4, while Shea Hillenbrand finally got off the schneid and hit his first home run for the G-Men. While Schmidt looked strong, the bullpen once again appeared shaky.

The Giants win even included an appearance by the West Coast Big Papi and everyone's favorite son, Armando Benitez. While the phrases "Giants win" and "Benitez appearance" haven't been used in the same breath recently, it's nice to see the big fella keep a lead, even if all he contributed was a ninth inning five-pitch walk to the only batter he faced. The saga of Benitez has taken another turn of events, with possible disciplinary action for his on-field conduct during Tuesday's loss. If you happened to miss the links yesterday here on HMB, here they are: 1 and 2. Manager Felipe Alou does not want to ostracize the struggling Benitez, who finally acknowledged his poor performance. He would not, however, acknowledge inciting the boo-birds. Benitez claims that he was "stretching his neck". I don't know how you can strech your neck by cupping your hand to you ear, but hey, Armando is definitely different.

The demise of Benitez--one of the best closers in 2004 before he joined the Giants--is similar to that of former Diamondback closer Byung-Hyun Kim in the 2001 World Series, although I watched the latter with much greater delight. Kim famously blew saves in back-to-back games in Yankee Stadium, and his closing career was never the same. Like Benitez, Kim began to lose touch with the fans and reality, and demanded to become a starter, and has seen his career enter eternal baseball purgatory. One quick side note, however: at least Armando has remained a bit intimidating. Kim was a complete ninny, the second least imposing closer of all-time behind "The Closer" Todd Jones. Seriously, between the handlebar 'stache, ballooning ERA, and the seventh-grade level writing ability, how could this guy intimidate anyone?

Is there a possible closer of the future pitching in San Jose? Unlikely, but at least someone is doing their job.

True Warrior (not to be confused with the Ron Artest recording label, Tru Warier) Mike Matheny is out for the year and possibly his career. Always hurts to lose a hard-nosed good guy.

The Giants are off today but commence a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies starting Friday. The Humm-Baby Crew will be there Friday in full-force to see, up close and personal, the Giants for you.