The Giants lost a game they may have won Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks when the umpiring crew blew three critical calls.

The A’s changed three players on their roster, then went out and lost to the Baltimore Orioles, in a game they should have lost in 9 innings, but rallied to tie in eight and then went on to lose after 14 excruciating frames.

What about the player moves Tuesday for the Giants and A’s?

Rich Aurilia is out for four to six weeks due to bone chips in his elbow. Ramon Martinez is the current replacement for the forseeable future.

The Giants will miss Aurilia simply because the guy hit over .330 last year and was a marvelous number two hitter.

This team can’t score many runs even with Aurilia healthy.

So, what do you do?

Ramon E. Martinez will play short until the Giants lose four of five and then they will put Shawan Dunston at short.

Dunston may be 37+, but he can hit and adds speed to the line up. Martinez might as well show up in the eighth inning for games, because that’s when he will play.

Amazing that four intelligent umpires couldn’t tell a foul ball homer from a miscalled, game altering shot last night.

But that’s exactly what happened when first base ump Larry Young couldn’t get the call correct and not one of his fellow umps could help him out.

Unbelievable.

Talk about an ump changing the course of a game.

Last night was blown call 101.

Jason Scmidt pitched beautifully his last time out against Atlanta, this Arizona team can hit and hit in the clutch, which makes Schmidt’s job more difficult tonight.

Miguel Batista, a short or long reliever or starting pitcher for Arizona, depending on the day, goes for the Diamondbacks.

This bouncing around doesn’t help Batista. Schmidt needs to build up more arm strength before I’ll go to the bank with him. However, he’s on his way.

It comes as no shock that the A’s are struggling without Jason Giambi.

Everyone knew that Giambi could carry this team for two or three years. The A’s would not sign Giambi because of potential health issues in projected years four through seven of his multi million dollar contract.

So, get used to the rebuilding. Anyone could see it coming.

Rebuilding comes in various forms. There is the five year plan, there is the “I don’t know what to do plan,” or there is the “let’s get through this year plan, add a key player and we are right back plan.”

I see the A’s in the latter. They have a great nucleus on the pitching staff. Excellent players developing on the field, and the desire to tinker with the roster until they get it right.

I said last year they should take the Atlanta approach. Sign the pitchers, build a rotation that is the best in the league. They have done that. Now, get a big stick for the number three spot (Jason’s old spot) and the other pieces will fall into place.

Last year, they needed a four hitter to protect Jason. When they finally realized John Jaha was through, they made their move with Ron Gant hitting clean up, everyone relaxed, and the rest is history, as they say.

Remember when Jermaine Dye got here on July 28th, this team was already rolling.

Sending Frank Menechino, Jeff Tam, and Carlos Pena down won’t make much of a difference on the field.

The only upside is the chance to see if Esteban German can fill the leadoff spot and play big league second base.

Let’s give him a month before judging just how close he is to being the guy who can fill both roles.

Mike Fyhrie was in the bull pen watching last night’s game, fueling speculation that he will not start this Saturday.

Maybe more pitching moves are on the way.

The plan is in motion to save the season.

Now, let’s see Billy Beane get down to the real nitty gritty of putting a winner back on the field.

C’mon Billy, call Texas (Gabe Kapler or Rusty Greer) and find that number three hitter.