Somehow that game didn’t feel all that painful given the missed opportunities that seemed to pop up left and right.  The Giants continued the trend of not hitting with runners in scoring position as they fell to the Pirates 4-1.  Ryan Vogelsong made his return to the rotation and for the most part pitched well despite some early struggles.  Bruce Bochy sent his B-team bullpen out there following Vogey and as they promptly gave up two more runs (one earned) on bunts, errors, and Pirate pixie dust that I’m sure is probably against the rules.

Not a bad first start, Vogey. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

This game also ended the Giants Major League-best streak of scoring four or more runs in every game this season, as former Giant Kevin Correia shut down what’s been a potent enough offense.  That said, the Giants took a lot of quality at-bats, going against last year’s philosophy of “let’s swing at everything and see what happens.”

The big news (for me at least) was that Brandon Belt got the start, and he actually looked pretty good for a guy who’s probably an emotional train-wreck right now.  He finished the game with a solid double, a well-earned walk, and a stolen base, likely earning him another start two weeks from now when no one else is available to play at first base.

Quick Observations:

• It’s good to see Vogelsong not completely regressing (at least so far).  If he can be a fraction of the pitcher he was last season you can color me happy.
• The Dodger won again against the sad shell of a team that is currently the San Diego Padres.  Thankfully they’ll be facing a team that’s not the Pirates or Padres next, as the Giants get to face some team from Philadelphia that’s totally not that good.
• Angel Pagan is starting to look like he’s settling in at the leadoff spot, as he hit another booming triple into the right-center field alley.  As long as Pagan continues to take pitches and get on base he’ll be just serviceable enough on a team that seems fairly committed to swinging all the time at everything.
• If the 3-4-5 part of the lineup is ever Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, and Belt, the middle of the Giants order will be as formidable as any in the NL West.  For now I’ll hold out the hope that Belt will play himself back into a starting role in his limited time, but for the time being I’ve been impressed with this team’s ability to score runs.

Roy Halladay and the Phillies come to town tomorrow as Tim Lincecum looks to rebound against a tough Phillies lineup.  If Lincecum struggles yet again, expect the national sports media to roll out the “WHAT’S WRONG WITH TIMMY” headlines.  Until we’ve gotten past May I’ll reserve my own judgment.

Halladay will be the first real test for the new Giants offense and now we don’t have Halladay-specialist Cody Ross to lean on.  That and no one’s name spelled backwards is “Ssory Doc” and the closest thing we have to that is Yesop Retsub.  Not quite the same ring if you ask me.

Tags: Angel Pagan, brandon belt, Buster Posey, Dodgers, Kevin Correia, Pablo Sandoval, Pirates, Ryan Vogelsong