The rotation, as expected, has been the strength of the roster. Except for Randy Johnson's 3 1/3-inning stint Saturday, the starters have been exceptional. They've had quality starts in seven of eight games and surrendered six earned runs in 54 innings through Sunday for a 1.00 ERA. The rest of the rotation: Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Tim Lincecum held the Dodgers scoreless for seven innings Wednesday, giving up three hits, but he lost his edge in the eighth. He began the inning leading 7-0, but he allowed three consecutive hits and issued a walk. He was removed with a 7-1 lead and the bases loaded. LHP Jeremy Affeldt allowed two more runners to score. Lincecum is 3-0 in his career against the Dodgers.
--3B Pablo Sandoval exited Wednesday's game after three innings with tightness in his left groin. He was 1-for-2, lifting his average to .307 -- .571 over the past five games. He's listed as day-to-day.
--LF Fred Lewis was 0-for-4 with a walk Wednesday and is 4-for-31 with 15 strikeouts since moving to the leadoff spot. He seemed more comfortable hitting third or fourth. In the season's first 11 games in those spots, he hit .429. For now, manager Bruce Bochy said he'll leave Lewis as the No. 1 hitter, seemingly confident Lewis will snap out of it.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Pablo Sandoval (left groin tightness) left the April 29 game. He is day-to-day.
SS Edgar Renteria (strained left quadriceps) sat out the April 28 game. He returned to action April 29.
OF Andres Torres (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list April 28.
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 won't be able to pitch before mid-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
RHP Merkin Valdez
RHP Brandon Medders
RHP Justin Miller
RHP Osiris Matos
CATCHERS:
Bengie Molina
Steve Holm
INFIELDERS:
1B Travis Ishikawa
2B Emmanuel Burriss
SS Edgar Renteria
3B Pablo Sandoval
INF Juan Uribe
INF Rich Aurilia
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Fred Lewis
CF Aaron Rowand
RF Randy Winn
OF Nate Schierholtz
OF/INF Eugenio Velez
