Steal this game.

Manny awaits his big moment | Photo by Ash Kalra

So there we were. The 'pen had just blown a 2-0 lead for Jonathan "Dirty" Sanchez, who despite all his demons managed to find the better angels of his nature in yet an other "quality start". Before Jeremy Affeldt could utter "Jesus wept," the misfits were down 4-2, and Gio Gonzalez had re-discovered his best stuff. When you consider the Giants have the second-worst run production in MLB, that's gotta be a "Game Over" scenario, right?

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to what would have been certain defeat even two years ago. Bob Geren lifted Gio during a futile 7th inning rally and turned the game over to the vaunted A's bullpen (#sarcasm), Miguel Tejada got his second (second!) hit of the afternoon, and Nasty Nate Schierholtz from San Ramon Valley got just enough of a mistake on the inner half to launch it into the Arcade just inside the fair pole. Tie game. Two innings later, after a refreshingly dominant performance from Sergio "Heart-Crushing Two-Strike Gopher Ball Victim" Romo, @DarRunFord and his BFF Manny Burriss formed like Black Voltron to send the home team and its spoiled fan base home in hysterics... once again.

Countdown to Scottsdale #40: Darren Ford, PR

I sing the song of Darren Ford, who took second on a bunt, third on a short-hop pitch, and home on an errant throw, and in the process propelled the World Series Champs to a critical September victory. On a team with slow gaits and cranky legs, this guy's speed stuck out like a sore thumb the minute he landed at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. I can picture the "Say Hey Kid" marveling at the speed of the young Mr. Ford, musing under his breath, "You know, once upon a time, I could run just like that..." He may not be able to hit a lick in the bigs, but thanks to Bruce Bochy, we may never find out. Thanks to the New Jersey Department of Corrections, at least he's got a fighting chance.

Thanks, Darren.