There were two clear instances where the game could have ended, each team having their respective turn, but great defense and pitching from both squads nixed those opportunities.

Most impressive was the Giants bullpen pulling a Houdini act after allowing a leadoff double to Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy in the 8th inning. Kennedy was able to get to third on a deep sacrifice fly by Stephen Drew, yet, the D’Backs simply couldn’t get the run in after impressive displays by both trade deadline acquisitions, Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramierez. Both players have been outstanding since coming over, especially Lopez who’s been routinely thrown into the fire by Bruce Bochy.

It wasn’t until the top of the 11th when the 0-0 tilt was finally broken, thanks to a two out double by Nate Schierholtz which scored both Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey. Brian Wilson came in to handle the bottom half and earned his 41st save of the season, joining Robb Nen as the only other San Francisco Giant to eclipse two seasons of 40+ saves.

The offense again struggled – not to say D’Backs pitcher Ian Kennedy didn’t have good stuff, he did. But did he have two hit stuff in 8 innings? Yea, not really – no. Andres Torres has been leading the struggle, something that has to change quickly. I’d really like to see Torres try to get down a bunt or two here in the next day, just something to get him back into the rhythm. He’s looked just terrible at the plate lately.

The Dodgers weren’t able to extend the Padres losing streak to 11 games, so the Padres still hold a one game lead over the black and orange going into Tuesday evening games. The Giants were able to pick up a 1/2 game on the Phillies however thanks to a double header split with the Florida Marlins. They now sit 1.5 games (only 1 in the loss column) behind the Phillies who lead the Wild Card.

The swingin’ Friars from San Diego are in the middle of a historic meltdown. How bad is it? Well, it’s the third worst losing streak in the organizations history, losers of ten straight. During the stretch, they’ve been outscored 55-23 and they’ve joined the 1932 Pittsburgh Pirates as the only other team in MLB history to lose ten in a row yet still be in first place.

The most damaging news for the Padres however is the fact that only two teams in MLB history have had a 10+ game losing streak and made the playoffs.

Going into Monday’s games, the Padres still hold a one game lead over the Giants (two in the loss column) but still have seven remaining battles to play, four in San Diego later this week and three in San Francisco to end the season. And thanks to the sweep at the hands of the Colorado Rockies, the Padres now hold a 4.5 game lead (5 in the loss column) over the purple people eaters. The Padres and Rockies still have three games to play as well with the Friars making a trip to Denver next week where the Rockies have a 43-22 record.

In short – pull up your huggies – it’s going to be a wild ride to the finish.

As for the game last night, the Giants again struggled offensively but managed to scrap together a run before Juan Uribe’s two run dinger slammed the door on any slim playoff chances the Dodgers might have had. Jonathan Sanchez was spectacular for the second straight start, something he hadn’t pulled off since mid May.

Knock on wood, but, it seems for the most part that the Giants struggles with pitching have calmed a bit after two straight solid starts from Sanchez, a Lincecum-esque performance from Timmy the other night and Cain doing well outside of a three run bomb Saturday evening. It’s the offense that’s really hurting right now as multiple guys (Huff, Torres, Burrell, Guillen, even Posey) are all scuffling at the dish. If one or two of those guys could get hot, the Giants could very well come home to AT&T Park next week in first place. A lot easier said than done though.

The Giants will send Madison Bumgarner to the hill versus Ian Kennedy this afternoon with Lincecum and Zito finishing out the series in Arizona. Assuming all goes right, the Padres series will feature Cain, Sanchez, Bumgarner, and Lincecum going for the Giants.

The Snakes are no joke, despite their poor record. It’s that time of the year for spoilers to come  out and play and after sweeping the Padres after taking two of three in San Francisco, it’s pretty clear the Diamondbacks are in the market to spoil. Be careful.