The Surge Back to Mediocrity

The Giants have returned to .500 for the first time since July 27th when they were 51-51. Behind the power surges of Barry and Shea Hillenbrand, the team has put together a 7-3 record in their last ten games, in spite (or because?) of and injury to WC Papi himself. Bonds and Hillenbrand have combined for 10 HRs and 22 RBIs in the recent stretch. Bullpen anchor Mike Stanton has stepped up, finishing Benitez's 0.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB outings with the final 0.2. Unfortunately the recent string of W's has been more or less matched by the Dodgers and the Padres. Also, while the team has shown remarkable resilience to return back to the .500 mark, it has been equally inept at escaping the mark's gravitational pull.

As Henry Schulman points out, if Barry's two-week tear continues, the Giant front office faces an increasingly complex decision regarding the future of their superstar.

Also good to see that Alfonzo is okay. He may have plenty of 0-4 games under his belt flailing weakly at sliders that bounce ten inches off the plate but seems to come up with that clutch hit more often than not.