Remember during that hot streak the Giants were on when their pitching was pretty much airtight? Remember how they didn't give up many runs and pitched until late in the game? Those were good times. And not these times as the Giants started off a nine game road trip to Atlanta getting shellacked 13-8. The pitcher getting the shellacking? Staff ace Jason Schmidt. Of note, however, is the Barry sticking it to Hammerin' Hank's Hometown fans and hitting two home runs and robbing Jeff Francouer of a three run home run. Barry is getting hot of late and a hot Barry means good things for the Giants and we're just going to stop right there before we hurt ourselves.

The A's, meanwhile, disappointed a large crowd in Oakland by once again beating the Red Sox, 2-1. Kirk Saarloos outdueled Josh Beckett to win his third straight. The Sawx have been reeling ever since the "Boston Massacre" a few weeks ago when they got swept in a five game series against the Yankees and haven't recovered. Of course, it doesn't help if their big boppers are hurt. Big Papi was sent back East due to heart problems and Manny hasn't really seen any action other than looking for crappy Paul McCartney tunes at Virgin Records.

BTW, in continuing with Our "I Love the 90's Thread," the A's lead of 6 1/2 games is the biggest they've held since 1992.