Too Good to be True

The setting was too perfect. In struts a giddy Armando Benitez in the bottom of the 10th from the PETCO bullpen (or should we just call it the cage?) with a chance to save his third straight one-run game against the team that started the Giants' epic plummet. It was a great game; the Giants' bats bailed out Noah Lowry, sent the game to extra innings and took the lead on two-out hit by Ray Durham in the top of the 10th. The stage was set. Enter Benitez and his renewed confidence. Heck, he even looked like he was having fun the last couple of nights. I could practically see West Coast Big Papi shaking his behind in the clubhouse. Unfortunately, reality set in, and with Benitez it is almost always the first batter. Ben Johnson homered on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the inning, and the game was tied at 5. I'm glad I was listening to the game instead of watching it, because my right fist would have probably been lodged somewhere deep into the screen, middle finger fully extended. Anticipating another heart-wrenching loss, I went to sleep. So many disappointments cannot be good for one's health.

Then the Giants did something they haven't done all year: they played like the Giants of 1997-2004. Relievers came in and shut the door. The team rallied for two in the top of the 13th and Mike Stanton saved the victory. It was shades of the good old never say die Giants. I felt like I was seeing Kenny Lofton or Marquis Grissom's (or, gasp, Ruben Rivera's?--highly recommended link) agressiveness behind Moises Alou's steal in the eighth; the clutch hitting of Rich Aurilia, David Bell or Jeff Kent in Durham and Eliezar Alfonzo's go-ahead singles. Even Barry knocked one out. I'm not sure if this three-game winning streak is a sign that the G-Men are going to climb back into things, but it sure is a relief that they are finally beating some of their NL West rivals. The wild-card isn't too far off, but Felipe isn't concerned. I guess that the NL West crown is still a possibility.

In more somber Giant-related news, here is an update on Greg Anderson, Bonds' infamous trainer. He looks like a porn star. Bonds' homer tied him with Willie Mays on the all-time RBI list.

The next Peter North?

Today's game will be crucial if the Giants want to bring momentum into a season-defining series against the hated Dodgers. Come out in full "Duck the Fodgers" force.

(Unfortunately, there is no more Lima Time.)