Town Sweeps City -- Giants Embarrassed in Oakland

Well, you asked for a repeat.

And for the first time all weekend, the Giants delivered.

For the second consecutive year the San Francisco Giants were swept in Oakland by their cross-bay rivals. After being swept themselves in San Francisco, the Athletics evened the annual Bay Bridge Series to three games per side.

In a word -- embarrassing. Since the Giants swept the A's in late May, the Giants had lost only 2 of their last 8 series despite losing both Buster Posey and Freddy Sanchez to injury. The A's had only won 2 of their last 8 series, going 8-18 between their two meetings with the Giants.

First, let me disguise myself as a gracious loser. The A's outplayed the Giants in all three games, and thus, deserved the series sweep.

Now, to the whining. With the exception of the outcomes, this East Bay installment of the Bay Bridge series nearly mirrored that of last month's meeting. An inch (read: chair) here or there, and the Giants could have easily won two of the three games.

In May, the Giants' three victories were decided by at total of 5 runs. This month, the A's three wins were by a total of 6 runs.

Unfortunately, close losses are still losses and chairs are still in play. The Giants' offense leaves Oakland with as much confidence as Steve Urkel in the Syracuse Lacrosse team's locker room.