Giants 8, Reds 5 (10 innings)

Any other game where the Giants fell behind early by four runs, I would have said "Game over; let's get them tomorrow." However, today, despite the quick 4-0 deficit, you had to feel that the Giants were going to get back into the game and at least make it interesting. Perhaps it was Homer Bailey's inflated ERA and inexperience, but also the fact that the Giants were making solid contact against Bailey all game, even in line-drive outs. Lo and behold, the Giants pulled off one of their most impressive victories of the 2009 season.

Players of the game: Randy Winn and Ryan Garko, hands down. It looks like Winn is starting to heat up, and we Giants fans know how much of a catalyst he can be when he's swinging a hot bat. Not only did he come through in the 6th inning with a clutch, two-out, two-run double, but he also drew a key walk in the 10th inning in front of Garko.

Ryan Garko's first few weeks as a Giant haven't gone as well as we had expected, but hopefully he'll begin to relax and demonstrate that he can be a valuable contributor to the Giants, just as he was in Cleveland. Although he hasn't hit much as a Giant (only a .208 average coming into today's game), as he showed tonight and also last Saturday against Johan Santana, Garko has a remarkable ability to grind out and come through in his at-bats with runners in scoring position. His knack for the clutch hit is exactly why Brian Sabean acquired him at the trading deadline, and I have a good feeling that he'll starting hitting for power soon.

Tim Lincecum, who is from just outside Seattle, and hot and humid weather just don't go together well. His line tonight: 6 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO. He didn't have command of his pitches and it seemed like he was behind in the count against every hitter he faced. His last start in a hot and humid environment was on July 22 in Atlanta, and that game, he went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits (although he struck out 9 Braves that game). We're so accustomed to Lincecum dominating, but even the greatest pitchers have off nights, and let's hope that he returns to his usual self Sunday against the Rockies.

Some final tid-bits: Pablo Sandoval looked completely lost at the plate today. He struck out three times despite seeing many pitches up in the zone for him to drive. Today he was only able to foul them off. The Giants ride Sandoval so hard because he's their best hitter, but he deserves a day off and Bruce Bochy should rest him either tomorrow or Thursday...Bengie Molina, after drawing two walks today, has four walks for the month of August, which is 40% of the total number of walks he's drawn all year...Bruce Bochy has been ejected three out of the last eight games...