--RHP Matt Palmer was optioned to Class AAA Fresno after getting knocked out of Tuesday's game in the fifth inning. He made three starts and looked lost in two of them. He was replaced on the roster by RHP Osiris Matos, a reliever, and likely will be replaced in the rotation by LHP Jonathan Sanchez, who threw a pain-free bullpen session before the game and declared himself ready to come off the disabled list. Sanchez has been out with a sore left shoulder.
--RHP Tim Lincecum, Wednesday's starter, is 14-3 and might have helped his Cy Young Award chances Tuesday despite not throwing a single pitch. It's because his main competitor, Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb, gave up six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings at San Diego. Webb's ERA is 2.96, compared with Lincecum's 2.48 mark. --INF Rich Aurilia had three hits, scored both Giants runs and made solid plays at third base. He raised his average to .270 and, unlike other elder Giants whose contracts end after the season, could have a chance to return in 2009.
--INF/C Pablo Sandoval went 0-for-4, a rare hitless game for the newcomer. He had hit safely in nine straight games before his oh-fer. He started at first base.
--LHP Noah Lowry threw off the mound for the second time since his spring training forearm surgery. While manager Bruce Bochy suggested recently that he wasn't ruling out a return from Lowry this year, he changed his course Tuesday and said it's "remote" Lowry will pitch for the 2008 Giants.
BY THE NUMBERS: 200 -- Strikeouts for Tim Lincecum, tops in the NL. He also has the lowest ERA, 2.48.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's been unbelievable. Counting all the wins we couldn't pull out for him earlier in the season, he would have been up there with (Brandon) Webb -- 18, 19 wins. He's doing a great job. I hope he stays the same." -- Catcher Bengie Molina on Tim Lincecum.
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