8:00 p.m.: And with another 96 mph fastball, Wilson strikes out Shane Victorino and the side. Game One to the Giants, 4-3.

Game Two details: Air time is 5 p.m. PDT on Fox (KTVU-Channel 2 in the Bay Area). Jonathan Sanchez, Giants' left-hander, who started the deciding game against the Braves in the National League Division Series, will take on the Phillies' Roy Oswalt.

7:59 p.m.: A strikeout (Raul Ibañez, who watched a 96 mph fastball), a hit batsman (Carlos Ruiz), a strikeout (Ross Gload, who swings through another 96 mph fastball). Wilson's got two out, man on first.

7:49 p.m.: Giants fail to score after loading the bases with one out against Phils' reliever Brad Lidge. Wilson back on the mound to try to get save and the win for the Giants.

7:35 p.m.: Bottom of the 8th, and both teams are into their bullpens. The Giants' Brian Wilson just gave up a two-out single to Jayson Werth--but hey, he kept him inside the yard. But the big news is the preternaturally dark beard Wilson sports (yes, the same facial hair that gave birth to the fans' slogan, "Fear the Beard." In fact, the beard has its own career with its own biography. Here's the story). Now Wilson strikes out Jimmy Rollins--an East Bay native--and the game's going to the 9th.

[ad fullwidth]

7:01 p.m.: I haven't paid close enough attention to the Giants this year to tell you the players' favorite flavors of Ben & Jerry's (or their favorite chaw), so excuse this question: Who the heck is Cody Ross? (The answer, after tonight, will be, "He's the guy who homered twice off Roy Halladay the first time they faced each other in the postseason").

Halladay of the Phillies was half of the expected pitcher's duel for tonight's game. The other, of course, being the Giants' Tim Lincecum. Halladay no-hit the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the playoffs. Lincecum throttled the Atlanta Braves 1-0 last time out, giving up two hits and striking out 14.

Ross's first two at-bats were the loudest in the pitching non-duel that no one had predicted for this game (writing in the bottom of the 6th, it's Giants 4, Phillies 3. Philadelphia's Jason Werth just homered off Lincecum).

Besides the long balls, the main drama tonight has been supplied by the Phillies fans, who have been wolf-whistling at Lincecum--apparently because they don't care for his shoulder-length locks.

Phillies fans. Their jeering once prompted the great and strange Richie "Dick" Allen to write "boo" (and other messages) in the infield dirt at his position. Word has it that they chased Ben Franklin out of town because they didn't like his haircut, either.

Some food for thought about what the Giants are facing in this series: Giants Beat the Phillies Big Three.

cody rosscody ross

Video: Brian Wilson, Cody Ross, and Lou Seal Glom Onto Internet Meme Keenan Cahill

Giants-Phillies, Game 2: The Appetizer

Game 1: Giants 4, Phillies 3