Chicks Dig The Long Ball (And So Do I!)

Last night was my first night at the yard in 2011. I failed at going to the park in 2010, only attending five Giants games in one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory, three of which were in Washington, DC, against the Nationals.

But last night I was at the yard, and I saw something (two things, actually) that reminded me of something that the Giants didn't have until last year: power.

Mike Fontenot. Power-fiend. (Getty Images)

Let's look at the last few years: (NL rank) [MLB rank]

2007: 131 HRs (14) [25] -- the last year with Barry Bonds
2008: 94 HRs (16) [30] -- the only team with under 100 homers
2009: 122 HRs (15) [29] -- the number one team had twice as many (NYY, 244)
2010: 162 (6) [11] -- the same amount as Texas, who was "the best offensive team" in '10

You lose Barry Bonds, and you lose a lot of power. But even before then, Giants fans were always clamoring for someone to hit homeruns around Barry Bonds. There was no more Moises Alou or Jeff Kent that backed him up. And then he left.

The Giants sure fell in love with the long ball last year though, and they really stressed that they couldn't rely on it this year to win games. The first few wins of this homestand didn't need the homeruns, but instead were all about "keeping the line moving" and getting runs home. None of them were walk-off homeruns, but walk-off hits.

Last night the Giants fans were treated to two homeruns that got them back in the game, and then ahead. I'll admit, I was already taking a lot of flak from all the Dodger fans that I was with when Barajas hit his homer, and was not expecting jacks from Pablo Sandoval and Mike Fontenot (sandwiched around a Brandon Belt groundout) in the slightest.

But then the Panda hit one high and deep to left-center, and (from our seats, at least) it barely cleared the wall, giving a Kinsler-esque bounce that went the right way. And then Mike Fontenot digs in. Mike Fontenot of the one-homerun variety in 2010. Mike Fontenot who looked like a bat boy when getting his high-fives, AFTER he took Ted Lilly way over the Willie Mays Wall in right.

Which one is the 6-year veteran? (Getty Images)

That was not a cheapie. And it put the Giants ahead. And late in the game, that back end looked very strong, once again. Ramirez, Lopez, Romo, Affeldt, Wilson. Game over.

Homers get it done. If the Giants can sprinkle in a few game-winning hits to go with their bevy of homers like last year, they'll win more games. I don't think they'll live and die by the homerun as much, which also leads to less pressing to hit homeruns, and a higher overall average and OBP.

I love when the Giants win. Especially when they beat the Bums. Homers by unexpected people just make it more fun.