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: --1B Travis Ishikawa hit a run-scoring double off the wall and was 2-for-3, raising his average to .250, the first time his average has been that high since April 11. He has four hits in two games.
--LF Fred Lewis was removed from the leadoff spot, where he has struggled, and inserted at No. 6 in Friday's lineup. Lewis was shining in the middle of the lineup and took a dive once manager Bruce Bochy made him the No. 1 hitter. He was 4-for-31 with 15 strikeouts hitting first. RF Randy Winn batted first Friday.
--3B Pablo Sandoval returned to the lineup after being pulled from Wednesday's game with a mild groin strain. He went 2-for-4 to improve his average to .316. He's 20-for-51 (.392) since April 16.
--RHP closer Brian Wilson earned his sixth save of the season. Furthermore, he earned his 11th career save in which he needed four or more outs. He was summoned with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth and finished the inning, then followed with a scoreless ninth. In save situations in which he records four or more outs, he's 10-for-11.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Pablo Sandoval (left groin tightness) left the April 29 game. He started the May 1 game.
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
