Halladay, who threw a no-hitter to extend that Game 1 winning streak against the Reds, seemed to be picking up where he left off. He retired the first seven batters he faced, and the festive fans at Citizens Bank Park were getting that feeling they were about to see something incredible again.
They were right.
Ross, a 5-foot-10 outfielder who was placed on waivers by the Florida Marlins in August, crushed a 1-1 Halladay pitch in the third inning. It was the first hit and first run allowed by Halladay after 111/3 brilliant postseason innings.
No big deal, right? After all, Halladay wasn't going to be flawless forever. Manager Charlie Manuel, perhaps foreseeing a spot of trouble on the horizon, tried to tamp expectations down just a bit before the game.
"Our pitchers, let me tell you something," Manuel said, "they're human. I mean, they're going to give up some runs sometime."
Yes, even Halladay is human. He proved that the next time Ross the Tiny Giant came up, allowing another solo home run to left.
Let's reiterate here: Ross was cut loose by the Marlins. He was on the losing side the night Halladay threw his perfect game in South Florida. The Giants claimed him, they acknowledged at the time, partly to prevent the rival San Diego Padres from getting him. They were batting him eighth only because they had to reserve the ninth spot for Lincecum.
Cody Ross? Really? It was like a gnat flying into Superman's eye and forcing him to crash.
"He's a guy who wanted to be a rodeo clown," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, and it appeared he intended that to be a compliment.
