Despite seeing the Giants set up runners on the corners in multiple innings on this night, Masashi Itoh got himself out of many jams. However, he definitely did not have his best stuff. Luckily, super-rookie Teruaki Sato looked ready to carry his teammate, even the entire team, on his broad shoulders. His first two at-bats ended in RBI doubles and gave the team a one-run lead both times. He even hit another double later in the game. But unfortunately, Itoh had Justin Smoak up against the ropes with an 0-2 count in the bottom of the fifth, but could not find the strike zone until the count was full, and that ball had a one-way ticket to the left field stands. The late charge was a fruitless one in the end, and we will have to settle the series tomorrow with newcomer Raul Alcantara set to start for the Tigers.
