The Giants scored 10 runs in their opener. Seven runs two days later. Since then, hardly anything -- 18 runs in nine games. Manager Bruce Bochy continues to shake up the lineup, but no configuration was working with any consistency through the first two weeks. Only one team, the Astros, had scored fewer runs. Giants hitters drew the fewest walks in the majors and struck out the third-most times in the NL. Bochy said he'd continue tweaking the lineup if the hitters continue to scuffle.
PLAYER NEWS: --3B Pablo Sandoval welcomes hitting sixth in the lineup. That's where he hit Sunday after manager Bruce Bochy shuffled the order. He went 3-for-4, his one out coming on a bases-loaded strikeout in the fourth inning. "I think it was a huge lift. This game is about confidence. I think a game like this does a lot for Pablo," said Bochy, who had vowed to try the new lineup (LF Fred Lewis is first and RF Randy Winn is third after they flip-flopped) for a few games. Sandoval remained in the sixth slot Tuesday and went 1-for-4.
--LHP Jonathan Sanchez, RHP Tim Lincecum and LHP Randy Johnson combined to throw 21 2/3 scoreless innings against the Diamondbacks over the weekend. Those three pitchers were scheduled to face Arizona in another three-game series this weekend, this time in Phoenix. But manager Bruce Bochy tweaked the rotation because of two off days this week. Now, the three starters will be Lincecum, Johnson and RHP Matt Cain. That way, Lincecum will be on target to face the Dodgers instead of the Rockies next week.
--3B Pablo Sandoval will get his first start behind the plate in Wednesday's series finale. He'll catch LHP Barry Zito. When this battery teamed up last year, Zito was 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA in five starts. C Bengie Molina has caught every inning of every game.
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. In mid-April, manager Bruce Bochy said he hoped Lowry would able to return at some point this season.
RHP Sergio Romo (sprained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He could return as soon as early May.
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
