Game 2 of the 2010 World Series matchup between the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers went to the Giants 9-0. The team along with its manager and staff are simply in a zone. Those athletes who know about being in "the zone" know that its more than physical and as close to perfection as the malaligned universe will allow human effort to reach. I call it Harmony, Championship Harmony!
Not quite the twilight zone. Orange Man is Giants fan Kevin Boutin returning to his seat at AT&T Park. Photo: Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle
Giants pitcher Matt Cain handled the Rangers lineup like a a teen texting on an iphone. Watching Cain deliver 102 pitches in seven innings so effortlessly, you almost forgot about the slugging threat the Rangers reportedly pose to their opponents. Cain gave up four hits and no runs as the Giants played some all-star defense behind him. The pitcher also had a base hit he smacked up the middle.
Yes folks, tonight the Giants pitching was masterful, the hitters patient and the opponent silenced. There was a moment when I swore I saw an angel on the outfield wall. In the top of the 5th with the game scoreless, Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler leads off with a smash hit to left center on an 0-2 count. The ball sailed high and deep into the night as if it had a date with destiny. Its destiny turned out to be the top of the center field wall which it doinked then mysteriously pounced back into the glove of center fielder Andres Torres. Kinsler was limited to a double and Matt Cain would force three of the next four hitters to ground out or pop out to end the inning. I've never seen a ball with so much home run potential bounce back toward the outfield with such........conviction.
Edgar Renteria was Boss Batter tonight as he smashed a home run over the left field wall to give the Giants a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning. It seemed that would be all Cain would need to win it for the Giants, but Texas became generous in the 8th as the Giants scored seven runs with two outs, many on walks with bases loaded. You almost felt sorry for the Rangers pitchers. But Nah, it was a Rangers pitcher who treated our hitters like Rodney Dangerfield, "No Respect."
For the Giants the game became a laugher, for Texas their hopes of winning the series went on red alert!
So the Giants are headed to Arlington, Texas tomorrow where they have three games to either awaken a sleeping giant or put a fork in him and take off with his horse, cowboy hat and boots so he won't try following you home for supper.
