SAN FRANCISCO The Giants had Tim Lincecum on the mound Wednesday night. 

If you accept the premise that the 2009 Giants are supposed to represent a bridge between the awfulness of the last four years and greater things ahead, Wednesday night's 9-4 rout of theDodgers was a significant bellwether. 

If you accept the premise that the 2009Giants are supposed to represent a bridge between the awfulness of the last four years and greater things ahead, Wednesday night's 9-4 rout of the Dodgers was a significant bellwether. 

Bill Neukom said theGiants are on course and conducting business as anticipated. 

ROUNDUP 

--RHP Matt Cain or RHP Tim Lincecum batting eighth? Manager Bruce Bochy said he'd consider it, putting a speedster ninth, maybe 2B Emmanuel Burriss or OF/2B Eugenio Velez, as a second leadoff hitter. 

The rotation, as expected, has been the strength of the roster. 

The Giants finished April at . 

On the day that he batted his pitcher eighth,Dodgers Manager Joe Torre laughed and said he didn't want to see the move backfire on him. 

Considering where Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants stood 12 days earlier, the right-hander was grateful to head into May with his game back on track and his club back at . 

--LF Barry Bonds said he attended Monday's game because the Giants played the Dodgers. 

The rotation, as expected, has been the strength of the roster. 

The Giants have very little power. 

There were more errant throws by both teams at AT&T Park on Tuesday night, more misplayed balls in the outfield, more bullpen trouble. 

Andre Ethier doubled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Tuesday night, avoiding their longest losing streak of the season.