Balkin' Benitez

Last night, the Giants played the Mets in New York. I thought it would be fun to list the four things that went right and the one thing that went very wrong for the Giants in the game...

1. Tim Lincecum's Start - The Franchise allowed just three runs on three hits and struck out eight in seven innings of work. He's coming along just fine.
2. Dan Ortmeier's Homer - Ortmeier hit his first major league home run in the sixth inning to tie the game.
3. Middle Relief - Brad Hennessey, Kevin Correia, and Russ Ortiz, the recently reassigned starter, combined for four scoreless innings of work, which gave the Giants a chance to win...
4. The Top of the Twelfth - San Francisco manufactured a run on a walk, wild pitch, sacrifice bunt, and fielder's choice.

1. Armando Benitez - With a fresh one-run lead, the Giants closer promptly walked Jose Reyes and balked (sending Reyes to second). After Reyes advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, Armando pulled a classic Charlie Brown move by balking in the tying run. Carlos Delgado, seeking to put the suffering stopper out of his misery, sent a Benitez pitch sailing over the right field wall to end the game.

Final Score: Mets 5, Giants 4.

Balkin' Benitez took the loss, his third loss of Month. Luckily, the month ends in another day, so maybe he can turn it around in June.