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: --3B Pablo Sandoval, batting .387 since mid-April, was out of the lineup for the first time this season. He was the only Giant who started the first 24 games, and manager Bruce Bochy wanted Sandoval to rest his tender groin. He pinch-hit in the eighth and hit into a double play.
--LHP Randy Johnson, Wednesday's starter, is facing the Rockies for the second straight start. Last time, in San Francisco, he tossed seven scoreless innings, scattering four hits, for his 297th career win. It was his 19th win over Colorado, the most against any team. He didn't accompany the Giants to Chicago for their two-game set, instead arriving on his own in Denver.
--RHP Merkin Valdez (Tommy John surgery in 2007, missed much of 2008 with an elbow strain) got a rare taste of late-inning relief, and he may continue to get chances as the right-handed setup man -- instead of RHP Bobby Howry, who has been struggling, giving up runs in two of his past three outings. Valdez has had five of six scoreless outings. Valdez hurled a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Pablo Sandoval (groin) didn't start May 5, but he appeared as a pinch hitter.
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.
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.
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.
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
