Spring's denoument

The Giants compiled an impressive Spring Training record down in the Arizona desert, the best in the Majors. The boys looked good. Hitting had improved. Pitching great. Great vibes in the clubhouse. High hopes for the upcoming season arise! Then yesterday they played an exhibition game at AT&T against the Oakland A's and got—there is no other word for it—clobbered, 9-zip. Starting pitcher Zito looked completely out of whack. Fielding was laughable. Hitting nonexistent, or nearly so—4 hits in 9 innings, compared with the A's 14, including their two dingers and assorted doubles. It was so awful that I did something I thought I'd never do—I turned it off. Couldn't watch, couldn't listen. Dipped back in late in the game to watch the seagulls circle the field. Their calling cards pretty much summed up the whole thing.

True, it's still Spring Training; the season doesn't start for the Giants until Monday, when they play the Astros in Houston. But last night's game was a cruel reminder that Spring Training victories mean nothing. The only thing that counts is the numbers in the win-loss column come Oct. 3. Here's hoping last night's debacle really was just a Spring Training game.