Weeks 6 and 7: How Quickly Things Change...

I got lazy last week after a weekend up in Davis.. so yeah, here's two weeks packed into one post.

• A terrible two weeks that included five painfully-difficult-to-watch losses against the Diamondbacks and the A's have the Giants barely treading above the .500 mark with a 22-21 record.  Pieces just aren't meshing together.  It seems like every time the starting pitching has a good day, the offense is nowhere to be found, and whenever the offense finally breaks through, the pitching gives it right back.  But in a way, that's a good thing - it's a sign that this might just be a slump, that they'll figure it out eventually.  Well, we can hope for that to come true, but right now, with the way the offense has been going (1 run in 3 games against the A's? WTF?) it seems like this guy might make a ton of money.   The Giants absolutely need a spark - whether its a callup of Posey and/or Bumgarner or a firing of Bochy (highly unlikely), something needs to change.
• The Reds, a surprise success story early on, are continuing to give the Cardinals a heated battle in the Central, and remain half a game out of the division lead.
• To add to the miserable week, the Dodgers have begun to heat up.  Their offense has been hot all season long, and now, their pitching seems to be getting it together... it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this isn't good for us.
• Why you should never walk the bases loaded in front of A-rod, even if he hasn't been all that great: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=8017143&query=game_pk%3D264332
• While we're on the topic of grand slams, proof that Mariano Rivera is human: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=8059633&query=game_pk%3D264362
• With offensive powerhouses such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, nobody could have predicted that at this point in the season, the Toronto Blue Jays are far and away the league leaders in home runs.
• Zach Greinke finally won a game... and then promptly proceeded to earn another no decision in a quality start.
• Why wins are meaningless: Tyler Clippard, a Nationals reliever, has more wins (seven) than all but two starting pitchers.  He also has 5 blown saves and 3 losses accredited to him.
• The Rays continue to rule the AL East, having put up an incredible 32-12 record and sweeping the Yankees in a two game set this week.
• Speaking of the Yankees losing, the Mets took 2 out of 3 in the subway series at home this weekend thanks to timely hitting and strong outings from Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana.  Mets continue to sit at the bottom of the NL East, however.
• Random fact: Nomar is Ramon backwards.
• As epic as the Braves comeback was, it does not excuse this pre-game abomination:

(He's wearing a Hannah Montana backpack, if you can't tell. Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/games/300520115/photos;_ylt=Am4eWjVy9doyfbFmuuRsJ8O4u7YF?slug=reds_braves_baseball )

Other News:

• Phoenix finally won one against the baby killers.  Lakers continue to lead the series 2-1, however.
• Sharks choke again... yep.
• 7th seeded Philadelphia has taken a 3-1 series lead behind backup goalie Michael Leighton's three shutouts in the Eastern Conference finals.  They will look to wrap up the series at home tomorrow and move on to face the Chicago Blackhawks for the Stanley Cup.
• Summer school is starting...... one week after school ended.  This'll be fun..... ha-ha-ha...