Sandoval is a hitter.  He swings at and seems to hit almost everything thrown his way.  This is a bat that must get into the lineup, no matter what.  However, the only position that is currently open is that of third base.  No matter, as Sandoval seems to have taken to the position (as he has to any he’s been asked to play) very well.  However, third base requires mobility and Sandoval isn’t the world’s most spry of characters.  If this proves problematic, he’ll probably move across the diamond to first base. 

Should Sandoval need to move, there are several posibilities that the Giants could explore at third base. 

The first and most obvious are either Rich Aurilia or Juan Uribe, two veterans picked up in the offseason.  Either could give solid, if not horribly spectacular, play at the corner. 

Another possibility is rule 5 pickup Jesus Guzman who, this last winter, tore up the Venezuelan league, setting a mark for RBI and being named Overall Offensive Performer of the year for that league.  He has some pop in his stick and is a natural third baseman.  He’s one to keep in mind, should Sandoval not be able to hold up.

Ryan Rohlinger is another option for the Giants.  However, he hit atrocious in 21 major league games in 2008.  This is an option that perhaps shouldn’t be explored.

The final alternative is Conor Gillaspie, the eventual heir apparent at third base.  While this might pique the interest of some orange and black faithful, the kid isn’t yet shaving.  He has less than 30 games at a professional level and I have no idea why he was with the big league club late last year.  Gillaspie needs minor league seasoning.  The last thing he needs is to be tossed into the fire at this early point in his career.

While the Giants have several alternatives, they’d be best suited if Pablo Sandoval plays adequately at the hot corner in 2009.  Of course, it could be worse.  They might still have Jose Castillo at third.  *shudder*  Learn the position, Pablo.  Please.

The Giants got a good effort from starter Jonathan Sanchez, he kept the Mets scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when he gave up a three run shot to Met’s catcher Ramon Castro.  There was a 42 minute rain delay in the bottom of the fifth, and Sanchez did not return to the mound.  In his four innings of work, he allowed three earned runs on three hits while walking three and striking out six.  Keiichi Yabu worked an inning and a third and allowed two runs on five hits-however, he got no help from second baseman Ray Durham, that guy has no range!

Johan Santana and the rest of the Met’s pitching staff kept the Giants’ offense in check shutting them out for a second straight night.  As a team the Giants left 6 guys on base.  The only real time the Giants looked as if they might score was in the top of the fourth, with two out Rich Aurilla hit a double to left and Jose Castillo walked, but Santana got rookie Emmanuel Burris grounded into a force play at short to end the inning.  In the top of the fifth, with the rain pouring down on Shea Stadium, Ray Durham worked a two out walk, but Randy Winn flied out to center to end the inning.  All in all the entire Giants’ offense never looked like they were even in the game. 

San Francisco will try to salvage a win in the third game of the series before heading off to meet up with a hot Cubs team.  Barry Zito will be on the hill for the Giants and the Mets will counter with John Maine.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. 

Giants Blog

Jonathan Sanchez tossed  7 2/3 innings and gave up five hits and one run in the game.  Sanchez struckout eight Indians batters and kept the Giants in the game as the offense struggled until the late inning.  Sanchez pitched well enough and and was able to come away with the win and improved his record to 7-4 on the season.

Tyler Walker recorded the last out in the eighth inning and then Brian Wilson earned his 20th save of the season in the ninth inning. Wilson did give up one run (an error really hurt in the inning) in the ninth but struck out Kelly Shoppach to end the game.

Jose Castillo and Omar Vizquel both had a rbi for the Giants at the plate.  Randy Winn scored the other run for the Giants on an error by Shoppach so there was no rbi recorded for that run.  The offense didn’t do much but it was enough to get the victory atleast.

I’ll take a win any way it comes especially on the road.  The Giants now need to string together four or five wins in a row and get things going.

Giants Blog

Matt Cain took the loss after throwing five innings and giving up five hits and five runs.  One of those five hits was a two run home run by Jose Reyes in the fourth inning.  Cain dropped to 2-4 on the season with the loss.

Jack Taschner, Keiichi Yabu, and Tyler Walker pitched the final four innings of the game and did pretty good.  Yabu gave up three hits over 2 1/3 innings but the other relief pitchers didn’t now allow one hit.

The Giants a rbi in the game from the following players.  Jose Castillo, Bengie Molina, and Omar Vizquel.  The Giants struck out five times and left 15 runners on base in the game.

Giants Blog

Jonathan Sanchez only lasted 4 1/3 innings as he gave up six hits and seven runs.  Sanchez walked three batters, struck out four batters, and gave up two home runs.  Terrible performance by Sanchez.

Brad Hennessey wasn’t any better then Sanchez as he pitched in relief.  Hennessey gave up seven hits and five runs in only 2 1/3 innings.

Jose Castillo came up with the biggest hit for the Giants as he hit a three run home run in the eighth inning.  John Bowker, Rich Aurilia, and Dan Ortmeier all had one RBI each.

Giants Blog

Kevin Correia was the opening pitcher for the Giants throwing for six innings and giving up eight hits, three runs, and two walks.  He was only able to strikeout two Arizona batters.  This loss put him at 1-3 for the year.  Merkin Valdez and Brad Hennessey were brought in to pitch the last two innings.  Valdez did allow one run to cross the plate while Hennessey pitched a scoreless inning.

The Giants scored in the second inning when Jose Castillo singled to center field and scored Aaron Rowand.  The scond Giants run came in the third inning when Fred Lewis hit a solo home run.

The Giants will face off against the Diamondbacks one more time tonight in Arizona before heading to San Diego to take on the Padres for a two game series.

Giants Blog

Starting pitcher Kevin Correia took the loss after pitching six innings and giving up five hits and five earned runs.  Correia’s record is now 1-2 on the season.  Brad Hennessey pitched two innings in relief of Correia and gave up three hits and two earned runs.  Erick Threets pitched one inning and gave up one earned run.

Aaron Roward and Jose Castillo had one RBI each for the offense.  That was all the offense the Giants could get off the Diamondbacks pitchers.

Giants Blog

The Giants bats put a lot of pressure on Adam Wainwright and Ron Villone during the game.  The middle of the lineup did most of the damage for the Giants as Aaron Rowand, Randy Winn, Bengie Molina, Jose Castillo, and Rich Aurilia all had one RBI.

Kevin Correia picked up the win after pitching 7.2 innings and not allowing a run to cross the plate.  He did give up five hits and two walks, but he struck out four batters.  Brad Hennessey was the only Giants pitcher to allow a earned run on the night.  Brian Wilson picked up his second save of the season in the game as well.

Giants Blog