The Giants muscled up in the season opener, hitting three home runs. But in the next five games, zero. The team was last in the majors in homers in 2008, the only team that failed to reach triple digits. The Giants promised more homers this year though no genuine slugger was added. Edgar Renteria was to be an upgrade at shortstop, a position that produced no homers last year, and full seasons out of Pablo Sandoval and Travis Ishikawa were to make a difference. Through April 12, Aaron Rowand, Bengie Molina and Randy Winn had hit a homer. But they all came in the first game.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Brian Wilson has been perfect in his two outings, both non-save situations. No hits, no walks, two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. In 2008, Wilson's first full season, he earned 41 saves, just the third Giant (behind Rod Beck and Rob Nenn) to save 40 or more games.
--RHP Matt Cain, the only Giants starter with a victory, makes his second start Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. He has never beaten the Dodgers, going 0-6 in 11 starts, including 0-3 in 2008. It wasn't totally his fault, considering his 2.79 ERA in six starts against L.A. last year.
--C Bengie Molina has played every inning of every game. Usually, he could have gotten a rest as the Dodgers were piling on in their 11-1 victory Monday, but the Giants have no backup catcher and Molina caught the whole game. The backup is Pablo Sandoval, who's the third baseman.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Joe Martinez (concussion, hairline fractures in skull) went on the 15-day disabled list April 10. He is unlikely to return before late May.
LHP Noah Lowry (left forearm surgery in March 2008, left elbow surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He hadn't resumed throwing as of opening day.
RHP Sergio Romo (sprained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He isn't expected to return in April.
ROTATION:
RHP Tim Lincecum
LHP Randy Johnson
RHP Matt Cain
LHP Barry Zito
LHP Jonathan Sanchez
BULLPEN:
RHP Brian Wilson (closer)
RHP Bobby Howry
LHP Jeremy Affeldt
LHP Alex Hinshaw
RHP Merkin Valdez
RHP Brandon Medders
RHP Justin Miller
CATCHER:
Bengie Molina
INFIELDERS:
1B Travis Ishikawa
2B Emmanuel Burriss
SS Edgar Renteria
3B Pablo Sandoval
INF Juan Uribe
INF Rich Aurilia
INF/OF Eugenio Velez
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Fred Lewis
CF Aaron Rowand
RF Randy Winn
OF Nate Schierholtz
OF Andres Torres
