Happ recalled to face Giants

Last night Henry Sosa got his first big league win. It had to be especially satisfying for Sosa, who was pitching on only three days rest, to hang a 3-1 loss on the team that traded him away only  a month earlier. Newcomer Jordan Schafer did a good job of setting the table from the leadoff spot. Schafer had two hits, a walk a stolen base, and scored all three runs. Rookie  J.D. Martinez stayed hot, driving in two with a pair of doubles. Wilton Lopez and Mark Melancon provided three innings of scoreless relief against the punchless Giants attack. San Francisco has now lost three of four games against the lowly Astros.  J.A. Happ has been recalled from AAA Oklahoma City and will be on the mound for Houston tonight.

The Giants have struggled on offense all season. They have scored fewer runs than any team in the league. In Ryan Vogelsong‘s two losses to Houston the Giants scored only one run. On the other hand, Happ has proven to be the cure for ailing offenses. This kind of drama is priceless- a team that can’t score against a pitcher that can’t get anyone out. Happ sports a 4-14 record, a lofty 6.26 ERA, and an underwhelming 1.66 WHIP.  The big lefty last pitched in the majors on August 5th. He hasn’t won since July 19th against the Nationals.

Happ fared much better against AAA hitters, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts. Happ threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only one hit in his last AAA start. Can he keep it going against big league hitters? Or will the Giants break out of their funk? Get in a quick nap if you can. Because this must-see action doesn’t start until 9:00 Central.