A Weekend of Firsts

For the second straight game the Giants couldn't escape the first inning unscathed. Yesterday Matt Morris gave up a 4-spot in the first, just as Brad Hennessey did the night before. The team needed to at least show some fight in the series, especially while the Dodgers and Padres duke it out, but so far it has merely tested the faith of its fanbase. Yesterday's loss put the Giants back at .500 and each one from here on out will further shift the scope from October to April, and, according to Scott Ostler, life without Barry.

Originally seen as a pillar of strength for the Giants, the starting rotation (minus Cain) has put the team in early holes that Alou believes the offense can't climb out of. And since the All-Star Break Morris has been a shell of his former self, losing seven of his last nine decisions and no longer oozing the confidence he once did as a redbird. Simply put he looks defeated; his post-game sound bytes used to carry an air of bitterness toward an inconsistent offense, but as of late the burden falls exclusively on his shoulders, and he knows it. Mentoring youngsters in Cain, Lowry, and Sanchez is all and good, but Morris and Schmidt might need to step back and rethink their own approaches to the game.