Rookies Make Mistakes

Sunday's crushing loss to the Phillies was - like many games have been - a fine example of this team's "warrior spirit" and their inexperience. The Giants played a tough team in Philadelphia and played them hard every game. In fact, a strike here and a ball caught there, and this would have been a sweep. Alas, they lost two of three and, thus, the inexperience. This wasn't so much a game where the Giants were defeated, but instead one they gave away. Five of six runs were unearned (including all allowed by starter Tim Lincecum) courtesy of the Giants' three errors. Of course, none were as critical as the two out error by Eugenio Velez that allowed the winning run to score. Mistakes happen, but you hate to see them at a time like that. On the Postgame Wrap, both Kruk and Kuip were adamant that you have to "knock that ball down." I like Velez, but one of the growing pains with playing the young guys is that they will make some unfortunate mistakes. Velez will be leading off today, so he will just have to get back on the horse.

Bright spots from Sunday's game:

• Rich Aurilla seems to have found the sweet stroke, including a key game-tying home run on Sunday.
• Tim Lincecum is second in the league in ERA (1.49) and third in strikeouts (45).

Around the Horn Today:

• Want to know whose making what? SF Gate has all of the Giants' 2008 salaries.
• The San Francisco Chronicle profiles the inspiring story of Steve Holm.