The Giants had a .500 record in April and won two of their first three games in May despite scoring the fewest number of runs in the majors -- 77 through April. Why the winning record? Because of pitching. The Giants' staff owned the NL's third-lowest ERA in April, 3.90. Since April 17, the ERA is lowest in the majors.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Matt Cain, the Giants' most consistent starter in April (2-0, 2.08 ERA in four starts), had his worst start of the season Saturday (five runs, three homers, four walks, six innings) against Colorado, leaving his ERA at 3.09. He blamed his performance on his lack of locating his fastball, something he had little trouble with throughout April.
--RHP Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless ninth inning Sunday. He finally rested Saturday after appearing in five of six games, the final two requiring four outs. Manager Bruce Bochy said the Giants need to "lighten his load," especially considering that on Friday the Giants started a stretch of 17 games in 17 days.
--LHP Jonathan Sanchez will make his first career start against the Cubs Monday. His only appearance against Chicago was in relief (one scoreless inning on July 19, 2007). Sanchez, the No. 5 starter who's 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA, has gone 12 2/3 straight innings without yielding an unearned run.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LF Randy Winn (right oblique cramp) left the May 2 game and sat out on May 3. He is day-to-day.
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
