SAN FRANCISCO Giants manager Bruce Bochy wanted to give Fred Lewis a mental break Wednesday night. Lewis had botched a fly ball in left field the previous night. And he'd struck out nine times in 12 at-bats to take the National League lead with 26.
But Randy Winn was sore after fouling a pitch off his left knee in the first inning Tuesday, so Bochy had to put Lewis back in the leadoff spot. While Lewis' struggles coincided with his move to the top of the lineup last week, Bochy said Lewis' problems have nothing to do with where he hits. "He's getting caught in between," Bochy said. "He's late on fastballs and out in front on breaking balls."
Bochy also noticed Lewis is turning his back to the pitcher more than he'd done in the past, perhaps explaining why he isn't seeing the ball as well.
Lewis isn't sure why he got caught in "experimenting mode," especially when he led the NL in on-base percentage in mid-April. In a chat with Barry Bonds on Monday, the all-time home run king told Lewis to go back to basics.
There's one other thing Lewis would like to ask Bonds. How long until the umpires start respecting his strike zone?
"I'm swinging at a lot of bad pitches right now, but I have to cover so much of the plate. For some reason I'm getting called pitches off the plate by this much," Lewis said, holding his index fingers 10 inches apart. "It comes with time, I guess. A young guy like myself, I can't take those pitches. That's all it boils down to right now."
Sandoval and Bonds
Can you imagine Pablo Sandoval with Bonds' eye at the plate?
Sandoval, the Giants' gifted 22-year-old free swinger, was energized after talking balls and strikes with Bonds on Monday. They had been in big league camp together in 2006, but never exchanged more than the occasional nod.
In the weight room Monday, Bonds stressed to Sandoval the importance of getting in favorable hitting counts. He also passed along a tip for when Sandoval bats with runners in scoring position.
"Get on top. Use the top hand," Sandoval said. "That's important for me. It was important for him, and he's one of the best hitters in the big leagues."
Andrew Baggarly, MediaNews staff
