Until last night's victory, the San Francisco Giants have lost 5 straight home games - Monday night to the New York Mets, 8-7 in 10-innings! What’s going on with closer RHP Santiago Casilla? He’s been struggling of late - Monday night a good example! He could have saved the game, but then there are days when things don’t work out. The Mets will be in town until Thursday - Matt Cain on the mound today.

Last weekend the L.A. Dodgers shut the Giants down!!! Tough series! Saturday, devastating score, 10-0, kicked Barry Zito off the mound. Pay back hurts! The Giants did the same when they swept the Dodgers on their turf in June.

Newly-acquired three-time All-Star infielder, traded from the Miami Marlins to the Dodgers, in time for the weekend series, power hitter, HANLEY RAMIREZ, played a key role in the sweep! Friday night dealt a blow to starting pitcher Matt Cain in the 9th, that energized the healthy Dodgers, 5-3. Saturday afternoon, on national TV, MATT KEMP (CF) hit a two-run , first-inning homer off Barry Zito. Kemp had four hits and four rbi’s - devastating 10-0 Giants loss!

Sunday, Ryan Vogelsong on the mound - 6-innings, 109 pitches, 4-0 loss. All weekend the young Giants power hitters couldn’t break the dodgers spell! Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was on his game! The young Giants will rally back - PRESS ON FELLOWS! Surely, help is on the way!

Sunday, prior to the start of the game, over on the Dodgers side of the field; observed batting practice - eyeing Kemp and Ramirez in particular, and the opportunity to briefly chat with both -- kemp optimistic, now that he and several teammates off DL (Kemp back in the HR race); enthusiastic about Ramirez joining the team.

Pablo Sandoval’s hot bat was needed - on the DL, injured last week during the San Diego game, when assigned to first base, pulled a ligament, when stretching to make a fantastic catch and out. AND infielder EMMANUEL BURRISS sent packing - now a FREE AGENT?

After Sunday’s loss, surprised Bochy was cool when fledging questions from the media ... thought Volgelsong was pretty sharp..no run support; Dodgers played well, healthy, and admitted it will be a TIGHT race from now on!

SIDE BAR notes ... In the Sam Skinner media Lounge, legendary game announcer VIN SCULLY, the Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, looked well, smartly dressed in blue suit, tie (told him he looked like a Hollywood Star), really lit up the room as scribes, cameramen held him in conversation. Scully is the longest of any broadcaster - 63 seasons with Dodgers (1950-present) - with a single club in professional sports history.

Curious as to WHY former KRON-4 sportscaster VERNON GLENN, for years with the station, NOW over at Channel-5. Shared, in thinking about the future, the benefits were better for he and his family ... he has three kids to feed - WOW, I only remember his first born!

OOPS ... exciting late breaking sports news just before column goes to deadline! According to the Gary Radnich Sports Show - HELP IS ON THE WAY - at MLB trade deadline - POWER HITTER, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder HUNTER PENCE IS COMING TO THE GIANTS - should be on the field today!

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE ... LOOK FOR ME ... I’LL BE THERE ...
E-mail Rochelle at iheard@earthlink.net