Bear
05-30-2009, 10:01 AM
5/30/09
USA Today
INSIDE PITCH
Pablo Sandoval was back in the lineup after sitting out five games with a right elbow strain — but he was at first base rather than at third.
"If we felt there was some risk still he wouldn't be out there," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who believes Sandoval could be at first for a while. "You still have to throw at first base, but we don't want him to make the long throws or the off-balance throws. Is he 100 percent? No. But first base will help him limit his throwing."
With Juan Uribe at third, Travis Ishikawa is squeezed out. Ishikawa told the San Francisco Chronicle he understands that Sandoval needs to play, but he said, "It definitely hurts. It makes it tough because I was just starting to play more consistently and get at-bats off left-handers.
"I definitely feel I was getting locked in, but this is part of the job. A lot of guys in this league don't play as often as I do and find a way to perform."
Sandoval had two hits Friday and drove in two runs in San Francisco's win over St. Louis. Second baseman Emmanuel Burriss, meantime, is 10 for his past 20, and he drove a run with a two-out single in the fourth inning.
GIANTS 4, CARDINALS 2: Matt Cain, his changeup looking ever more effective, improved to 6-1 after working into the seventh and allowing six hits Friday night. He gave up two runs, one earned, in 6 1/3 innings, and he has won four decisions in a row. Cain has been particularly tough with men in scoring position, allowing opponents a .109 average.
NOTES, QUOTES
—2B Emmanuel Burriss is 10 for his past 20 over the last six games, and he also drove in a run Friday with a two-out single in the fourth and made a nice diving play at second later in the game. He also made a throwing error while trying to complete a double play, allowing Ryan Ludwick to score for St. Louis.
—LHP Randy Johnson collected five strikeouts Wednesday, three against Braves 3B Chipper Jones, who entered the game hitting .394 with six homers in 33 at-bats off the Big Unit. Jones struck out four times on the night. His final whiff was with RHP Merkin Valdez on the mound.
—Executive Pat Gallagher will leave the Giants on June 30 to pursue other interests. He has been in the organization since 1976, dating to the early days of former owner Bob Lurie, and he had a hand in two memorable promotions: Crazy Crab (the anti-mascot) and Croix de Candlestick (a button given to fans who dared to hang out for extra innings at chilly Candlestick Park). Initially, he was director of marketing. Most recently, he oversaw non-baseball activities at the Giants' ballpark.
BY THE NUMBERS: 185 — Consecutive starts in which Barry Zito did not throw a complete game, a streak broken with his eight-inning complete game in San Diego. Ex-Giant Kirk Rueter has the big-league record, failing to complete any of his final 193 starts.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm not going to be perfect. Obviously, I've got to do a better job closing games out." — Closer Brian Wilson, who had a 9.53 ERA, three losses and a blown save over six outings.
ROSTER REPORT
—INF Kevin Frandsen was demoted to Class AAA Fresno to clear a spot for RHP Sergio Romo. Frandsen was 0-for-16 with the Giants, but he's making strides at shortstop, a position he is still learning.
—RHP Sergio Romo came off the 15-day disabled list; he had played in just one spring training game before being sidelined by a right elbow sprain. The 26-year-old, who made his debut with the Giants last year, did not get into Friday night's game with the Cardinals. He had a 2.12 ERA in 29 appearances last year.
—RHP Brian Wilson recorded his 11th save of the season Friday — and his eighth in eight chances at home. He's 2-for-5 on the road. San Francisco is 65-5 overall in Wilson's career when he enters a game with a save opportunity. He needed only 10 pitches Friday to record three outs.
Is it possible the Giants have found the answer with Pablo Sandoval at first and Juan Uribe at third? Stay tuned.:o
USA Today
INSIDE PITCH
Pablo Sandoval was back in the lineup after sitting out five games with a right elbow strain — but he was at first base rather than at third.
"If we felt there was some risk still he wouldn't be out there," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who believes Sandoval could be at first for a while. "You still have to throw at first base, but we don't want him to make the long throws or the off-balance throws. Is he 100 percent? No. But first base will help him limit his throwing."
With Juan Uribe at third, Travis Ishikawa is squeezed out. Ishikawa told the San Francisco Chronicle he understands that Sandoval needs to play, but he said, "It definitely hurts. It makes it tough because I was just starting to play more consistently and get at-bats off left-handers.
"I definitely feel I was getting locked in, but this is part of the job. A lot of guys in this league don't play as often as I do and find a way to perform."
Sandoval had two hits Friday and drove in two runs in San Francisco's win over St. Louis. Second baseman Emmanuel Burriss, meantime, is 10 for his past 20, and he drove a run with a two-out single in the fourth inning.
GIANTS 4, CARDINALS 2: Matt Cain, his changeup looking ever more effective, improved to 6-1 after working into the seventh and allowing six hits Friday night. He gave up two runs, one earned, in 6 1/3 innings, and he has won four decisions in a row. Cain has been particularly tough with men in scoring position, allowing opponents a .109 average.
NOTES, QUOTES
—2B Emmanuel Burriss is 10 for his past 20 over the last six games, and he also drove in a run Friday with a two-out single in the fourth and made a nice diving play at second later in the game. He also made a throwing error while trying to complete a double play, allowing Ryan Ludwick to score for St. Louis.
—LHP Randy Johnson collected five strikeouts Wednesday, three against Braves 3B Chipper Jones, who entered the game hitting .394 with six homers in 33 at-bats off the Big Unit. Jones struck out four times on the night. His final whiff was with RHP Merkin Valdez on the mound.
—Executive Pat Gallagher will leave the Giants on June 30 to pursue other interests. He has been in the organization since 1976, dating to the early days of former owner Bob Lurie, and he had a hand in two memorable promotions: Crazy Crab (the anti-mascot) and Croix de Candlestick (a button given to fans who dared to hang out for extra innings at chilly Candlestick Park). Initially, he was director of marketing. Most recently, he oversaw non-baseball activities at the Giants' ballpark.
BY THE NUMBERS: 185 — Consecutive starts in which Barry Zito did not throw a complete game, a streak broken with his eight-inning complete game in San Diego. Ex-Giant Kirk Rueter has the big-league record, failing to complete any of his final 193 starts.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm not going to be perfect. Obviously, I've got to do a better job closing games out." — Closer Brian Wilson, who had a 9.53 ERA, three losses and a blown save over six outings.
ROSTER REPORT
—INF Kevin Frandsen was demoted to Class AAA Fresno to clear a spot for RHP Sergio Romo. Frandsen was 0-for-16 with the Giants, but he's making strides at shortstop, a position he is still learning.
—RHP Sergio Romo came off the 15-day disabled list; he had played in just one spring training game before being sidelined by a right elbow sprain. The 26-year-old, who made his debut with the Giants last year, did not get into Friday night's game with the Cardinals. He had a 2.12 ERA in 29 appearances last year.
—RHP Brian Wilson recorded his 11th save of the season Friday — and his eighth in eight chances at home. He's 2-for-5 on the road. San Francisco is 65-5 overall in Wilson's career when he enters a game with a save opportunity. He needed only 10 pitches Friday to record three outs.
Is it possible the Giants have found the answer with Pablo Sandoval at first and Juan Uribe at third? Stay tuned.:o