--RHP Brian Wilson retired the first two batters in the ninth inning Thursday but issued a walk, then got the final out to end the game. It was Wilson's seventh save in eight chances, and he struck out two batters. It was a smoother save than Wednesday's, when he allowed a run in the 13th and got the final out with the bases loaded.
--RHP Tim Lincecum lowered his ERA to 1.23 and improved his record to 4-0 by throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings Thursday. The Giants love life when Lincecum pitches. In Lincecum games, the Giants are 5-0. In all others, they're 5-13. Lincecum has a streak of 16 2/3 scoreless innings. --RF Randy Winn missed Thursday's game with a stiff neck, and Eugenio Velez was his replacement in right. It was the third game Winn missed among the first 23. He has started 17.
--1B/OF John Bowker had a tremendous start, homering in his first two games and going 6-for-10 in his first three. But since then, he's 4-for-30, including Thursday night's 0-for-3. His average is down to .250.
--Owner Peter Magowan and GM Brian Sabean seem as if they won't be suspended for allegedly being enablers to steroid use in the Giants' clubhouse -- giving Barry Bonds' trainer Greg Anderson the run of the clubhouse -- as described in the Mitchell Report. Commissioner Bud Selig hinted Thursday executives implicated in the report aren't facing penalties other than public service. "They're going to be treated the same way," Selig said of execs and referring to suspended players whose suspensions were canceled as part of an agreement with the union.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Home runs by OF John Bowker in his first 22 at-bats.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Anytime you win against the Cardinals and that type of team, it's great." -- C Bengie Molina on taking a series in St. Louis.
