Mailbag: Will Feliz be ready?

03/13/2006
I love the World Baseball Classic -- it has been great. However, I have noticed that Pedro Feliz is not getting many at-bats with the Dominican club. Obviously, they are stacked with talent, and Pedro has wait behind Adrian Beltre and Albert Pujols. But, will Pedro be ready to go at the plate with so little action?-- Dan M., Vancouver, Wash.
That was a big concern of Feliz when he reported to camp, and after Monday's action, he had only six at-bats -- without a hit. Meantime, potential backup Angel Chavez has had 22 plate appearances this spring for the Giants and is batting .364 with five doubles and three RBIs. You know Pedro is impatient, and once the Classic is done, he'll have only about 15 days of preseason play.
Who is Shairon Martis? I heard he threw a seven-inning no-hitter against Panama, and he's only 18! Is this kid the real deal or did he just have a good game?-- Scott W., Eureka, Calif.
Martis is a prospect, and his stock certainly rose with his performance. He'll turn 19 on March 30 and has been sensational in two lower-level Minor League campaigns. He had a 1.79 ERA over 14 games in 2004 and a 1.85 mark in 11 games last season in the Arizona Rookie League. The right-hander from Willemstad, Curacao, is definitely for real.
Every year the Giants talk up their rotation, like last year, telling everyone how good it is. Is this year the year that it lives up to expectaions?-- Cole T., Petaluma, Calif.
It should. Jason Schmidt is feeling good and says he's mentally tougher after his rough 2005, while No. 2 Matt Morris is a realiable veteran who can wolf down innings. Add youngsters Noah Lowry and Matt Cain, and you've got a great mix.
Brett Butler is managing the Class A ballclub for the Diamondbacks this year. What are his chances of becoming the Giants manager when Felipe Alou retires?-- David B., Paso Robles, Calif.
Highly doubtful. Just like players making the Majors, managers have to learn their trade in the Minors, going through the ranks. Butler's barely a rookie. When Felipe retires, look for a seasoned skipper.
Whatever happened to Alex Sanchez? It seemed like he had some good things going for him besides his defense; is he still with the organization? If not, why wasn't he invited to camp?-- Joaquin L., Mill Valley, Calif.
Sanchez hit .256 for the Giants over 19 games last season, was placed on the disabled list with a sprained left elbow July 24, then designated for assignment Aug. 8 and released. He definitely was a defensive liability.
Who is this McMains guy!? It's amazing what he's done. Is there a bright future for him with the Giants?-- Clayton A., San Francisco Derin McMains, 26, has been frequently injured and had three surgeries over a 10-month period last year. He did well at Class A San Jose in 2005 with a .325 mark before shoulder problems. The upbeat McMains did have a great, but aborted, spring with the Giants with three homers in his first four at-bats. But he was reassigned to the Minor League camp Monday. Too many veterans ahead of him in the infield.
Is Matt Cain a good fantasy option? Will he start? Does it look like he should have a good '06 season?-- Gabe W., Honolulu, Hawaii
Yes. Yes. Yes. The 21-year-old is a smart pitcher who shows poise and adjustability on the mound beyond his years. Excellent stuff.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Durham solid for Giants in defeat

03/13/2006
Giants at the plate: Leadoff hitter Abraham Nunez singled to start the game and added a double in the fifth off Jose Valverde. The lone Giants regular in the lineup -- Ray Durham -- got two of the Giants' first three hits and also stole a base. Daniel Ortmeier got the Giants on the board with a sacrifice fly in the sixth that scored Lance Niekro.
Diamondbacks at the plate: Jeff DaVanon walked three times in the leadoff spot. Tony Clark hit his second homer of the spring, a solo shot in the third inning off Giants starter Matt Kinney. Clark added a two-run single to left in his next at-bat.
Giants on the mound: Kinney struggled a bit with his control, as he walked three Diamondbacks and left trailing 4-0. Pedro Liriano did not fare much better, as he allowed three runs in his one inning of work.
Diamondbacks on the mound: Claudio Vargas, competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, kept the ball down and did not allow a run over four innings. Vargas pitched out of a jam in the second, striking out Kinney.
Cactus League records: Giants 6-5; Diamondbacks 10-3.
Up next: The Giants will return to the friendly confines of Scottsdale Stadium on Tuesday to take on the Rangers at 12:05 p.m. PT. Matt Morris will get the starting nod for San Francisco against right-hander John Danks.
The Diamondbacks will face off against the White Sox on Tuesday at Tucson Electric Park, with Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez starting against Brandon McCarthy at 1:05 p.m. MST. Luis Vizcaino, acquired with Hernandez from the White Sox in the Javier Vazquez deal, will also see action.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Bonds homer, Niekro RBIs boost Giants

03/14/2006
Rangers at the plate: D'Angelo Jimenez ripped a two-run homer to right in the second inning and Hank Blalock had two singles.
Giants at the plate: Designated hitter Barry Bonds went 3-for-3 with a solo homer, two singles and a sacrifice bunt. First sacker Lance Niekro had two RBIs on a double, single and infield out.
Rangers on the mound: John Danks, 20, allowed four hits over four frames.
Giants on the mound: Starter Matt Morris pitched five innings -- most by a San Francisco hurler this spring -- giving up six hits and two runs. Jamey Wright threw three scoreless innings.
Cactus League records: Rangers, 5-6, Giants, 7-5.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Notes: Durham feeling no pressure

03/13/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Doing well, thank you for asking.
Giants veteran second baseman Ray Durham has had an unremarkable Spring Training, and that's just the way he likes it. No hurry about anything, no pressure about this being perhaps his last year in San Francisco livery.
"Staying healthy -- that's it -- knock on wood," said Durham, who banged two singles in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Tucson Electric Park, boosting his average to .353 over seven Cactus League contests.
"That's all I can hope for, just getting my work in and trying to stay healthy," added the 34-year-old infielder. "[Contracts] don't bother me -- I just go out and play and it'll speak for itself. If I do well, so be it; if I do bad, so be it."
Durham's new steady-as-he-goes credo and solid offseason workouts have made him physically and mentally stronger, as he won't overextend himself on routine plays -- he admits that was a difficult transition after a career of pushing hard at all times.
"I felt pretty good last year until a checked swing screwed up my groin -- go figure," said Durham. "But I definitely feel stronger. We've got some games left and the key for me now is to maintain and get my work in. But I also have to be careful to avoid that freak accident, freak injury, which last year was.
"That kind of hampered me all year," said Durham, who still hit .290 with 33 doubles and 62 RBIs and never went on the disabled list after two consecutive seasons of DL time.
Also on Monday, outfielder Dan Ortmeier hit a deep RBI double to left-center following Kevin Frandsen's base hit and also had a sacrifice fly in the sixth, scoring Lance Niekro, who had singled.
Niekro, who struggled last season against right-handed pitchers, went 2-for-3 Monday, with both hits vs. starboarders. He's batting .500 (10-for-20) over his last seven games.
Kinney so-so: Losing pitcher Matt Kinney (1-1) gave up five hits and four runs over three innings, but didn't feel he threw that poorly, save for giving up a homer to Tony Clark in the third.
"I thought at times I made some good pitches, and I thought the results were worse than the way I threw -- one of those days," said Kinney. "I felt I had some good stuff, but there were a few pitches that could have changed the momentum of the game. I didn't think I threw the ball horrible."
Top of the heap: The Giants' hottest hitter this spring is perhaps the least known -- Abraham Nunez.
The 29-year-old center fielder, plucked from free agency last December after stints at Florida and Kansas City in 2005, slammed a single and double for San Francisco on Monday.
That raised his average to .454 over seven games.
A pro since 1997, Nunez has a .209 Major League average in 136 games and is a long shot to make the Giants' outfielder-laden squad, but seems a sure bet for Triple-A Fresno this season.
On the sweet spot: After a slow start, Frandsen has picked up the pace, going 7-for-13 (.538) with a double, homer and three RBIs in his last six games. ... Third baseman Angel Chavez leads all National League hitters with five doubles, and over his last five games is batting .500 with three two-baggers, a triple and two RBIs. ... Outfielder Jason Ellison has hit safely in five of his last six games, batting .381 with three doubles, a triple and pair of RBIs.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Giants' focus goes beyond Bonds

03/14/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It's likely to happen in April, probably in a Giants home game, when Barry Bonds will rocket career home run 715, surpassing Babe Ruth's legendary lifetime total.
A moment to treasure, a feat to remember, but surely one of the most controversial events in baseball, with reactions running the gamut of opinions and emotions, but separated into two distinct factions.
For. Against.
There is, it seems, never an in-between for fans' feelings regarding Bonds, who is only seven blasts shy of Ruth's mark. Yet the Giants will play it straight as the megastar circles the bases after the historic blast.
"It's a tremendous achievement," said Larry Baer, San Francisco's executive vice president and chief operating officer, Monday at Scottsdale Stadium. "We don't know exactly what we're going to do ... but it's not something that will go unrecognized. There won't be silence."
Silence, however, is essentially what's coming from the front-office team when the topic is in regards to what managing general partner Peter Magowan calls the ongoing "legal proceeding" baseball Commissioner Bud Selig's office is conducting in the wake of allegations Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs.
Excerpts from the book "Game of Shadows," which excoriates Bonds' off-field life? Reaction to the allegations? Will Bonds be suspended?
"I can't comment on any of this," Magowan said. "It's a position we've taken for two years now. The Commissioner has his investigation going, a review. He had broad power. He has promised to do a careful review and we'll cooperate any way we can. Until we have the facts, we can't comment."
And his emotions about it all? "I can't comment," he said.
One sentiment has been commented on ad nauseam -- that the tornado of questions surrounding Bonds' multiple issues has detracted from the team and its quest to rebound from its subpar 2005 season.
Baer said he and manager Felipe Alou are somewhat distressed over the all-Bonds-all-the-time media mindset.
"We have a damn good team this year," Baer said, "but it's completely lost. That's one of the melancholy feelings I've had. There are 24 other guys going to go north to San Francisco and they've played well. They're top professionals, and I wish that piece wouldn't be lost."
Still, Bonds is the overriding story, the team's main man. Magowan said if he knew everything that would occur with the slugger during the past few years, he would still have signed the seven-time MVP.
"He's a winning ballplayer," Magowan said. "He's helped us win."
And, given relatively good health, Magowan said Bonds will continue to help the Giants win.
"I think from all that I've seen and heard, I think he's going to do fine," Magowan said. "You never know. He could trudge out to left field at any point and his career could be over. But he still seems to be able to hit the ball and he says he's not in pain."
Magowan is confident San Francisco fans will embrace Bonds as rewrites the homer record book. The Giants have sold about 2.5 million tickets already for the 2006 season, and 3 million is all but certain.
Magowan said he is optimistic about this season, yet laughed, saying he had similar thoughts about the Giants prior to their underwhelming performance last year -- 75-87 record, third place in the National League West.
"I think the division is going to be a lot better -- it won't be the laughingstock of baseball like it was last year," Magowan said. "The Dodgers are definitely improved, the Padres are improved, Arizona has improved, too, with some good young players."
The Giants hope Bonds, who played only 14 games in 2005, will play a minimum of 100 games. "I don't know what the number is, but the more he can play the better," Magowan said. "It has to be more than 14, but even if it was 14, we have a better outfield than we had last year."

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Griffey defends Bonds

03/14/2006
FULLERTON, Calif. -- Ken Griffey Jr. stepped up to the plate on Tuesday during a Team USA practice at Goodwin Stadium on the campus of Cal State-Fullerton and defended Barry Bonds against the latest allegations that the San Francisco Giants slugger used performance-enhancing drugs. And that Griffey knew about it.
The newest twist, allegedly involving a 1998 conversation between Griffey and Bonds at Griffey's Florida home, is detailed in a new biography by Jeff Pearlman about Bonds entitled, "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero." The excerpts of the book have yet to be released, but on Tuesday a quote from the book attributed to Bonds was read on ESPN describing how Bonds told Griffey that offseason that he was going to start taking "some hard-core stuff."
"I've been to Barry's house, he's been to my house since we were kids, so that is nothing new," Griffey told a group of reporters. "The conversation that supposedly happened, I don't ever remember happening. That's it. I just don't remember talking about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
"I know Barry differently than most people. Baseball is probably the furthest thing from his mind once the season is over. Once the season starts, that's when all hell breaks loose."
Pearlman, asked if he was quoting Bonds directly, said that the information didn't come from Bonds or Griffey, but from "multiple sources."
Details of the latest book about Bonds came a week after another book was excerpted in Sports Illustrated alleging Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs during a five-year period beginning in 1998.
That book, entitled "Game of Shadows" and written by a pair of San Francisco Chronicle reporters who covered the federal investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO), says Bonds used an array of steroid-based drugs from 1998 to 2002, including the 2001 season when Bonds hit 73 homers to break Mark McGwire's three-year-old record.
Griffey said on Tuesday that players were growing weary of all the chatter about Bonds.
"As baseball players, we're all tired of being asked about Barry and anything that's negative toward our sport," Griffey said. "We have enough problems in the world. Let's talk about those rather than what's happening here."
Griffey said he knows nothing about Bonds using performance-enhancing drugs and said that all of Bonds' 708 homers were accomplished "naturally." Bonds goes into the season six homers behind Babe Ruth's 714 and 47 in arrears of Hank Aaron's 755.
Bonds, at 41, is recovering from having surgery on his knee three times last year. But Griffey said his friend's success is easy to explain.
"How do I explain it? He works hard," Griffey said. "I've got cousins who work in gyms. All they do is lift weights and they make Barry look small. When you go in the gym and give 100 percent, you're bound to see results. That's the way things work. I have to do it with rehab -- give 100 percent in rehab to get back on the field."
When asked if he thought Bonds had obtained his strength and size naturally, Griffey said: "Does it really matter what I think?"
Pressed again on the question, Griffey said: "Yeah!"
Griffey, 36, was once considered the heir apparent to Ruth and Aaron, but because of a series of injuries since he left the Seattle Mariners for the Cincinnati Reds after the 1999 season, he has missed more games than hit home runs.
Griffey, who has three homers in the World Baseball Classic, has 536 in his 17-year career.
Bonds has consistently denied the use of steroids, and until 2003, Major League Baseball did not test for a wide variety of drug use. During the past three years, as the incidence of testing and the penalties for being caught has increased, Major League Baseball has yet to report that Bonds failed a drug test.
No one has ever insinuated that Griffey used performance-enhancing drugs and on Tuesday, Griffey defended himself on that front when it was posed that all the stats from this era, including his, are tainted.
"You can't look at mine," Griffey said. "You know damn well that what you see is what you get. You can look at other people and speculate all you want. But you guys know that from looking at me, I didn't touch a thing. I don't worry about other people's numbers. You guys know me. I don't worry about your relationships with other people."

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Notes: Bonds plays small, long ball

03/14/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Barry Bonds can't help himself.
Even when he tries something "just for fun," it pays off in a Giants victory.
Fresh off a homer to right field -- his second of the spring -- Bonds surprised everyone, except himself, by laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt off Rangers pitcher Kevin Walker in the sixth inning.
What?
That's not a misprint. After Steve Finley laced a double down the right-field line, Bonds moved pinch-runner Jason Ellison over to third with the score tied, 2-2, with a bunt that Walker fielded and tagged Bonds out. Then Lance Niekro cracked a hard infield grounder, allowing Ellison to race home, the winning margin in San Francisco's 3-2 win.
"I don't know any signs," said Bonds, who also singled twice, raising his spring average over three games to .714. "I did it just for fun. It's just getting your at-bats during Spring Training."
Did Alou give the bunt sign?
"I flashed it," said the manager, smiling, then adding quickly, "No ... I didn't. Barry can do anything he wants with the bat and baseball. He looked OK, but he's still being cautious [in running] is what I see."
Whether Bonds will play again Wednesday when the Giants host the Milwaukee Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium remains to be seen. "We'll see," said Alou.
Bonds, who DHed Tuesday, isn't certain if he'll play, but as for returning to left field again, he took a jab at reporters.
"No, I'm not looking forward to that at all," he said. "I'm just trying to stay out of the way. But it might be fun to get out there and misplay one so you guys will have something to write about -- 'He's slowed down now ...' Just for the attention."
As a footnote, Bonds said he has begun piano lessons and practices about two hours a week, trying to keep up with daughter Aisha, 7, who Barry admits plays much better.
Solid effort: Giants pitcher Matt Morris thought, at least for a few moments, that someone -- maybe a prank-pulling teammate -- had hidden his civvies for fun.
"I hate this place," he laughed.
Fresh out of a postgame shower, he looked in vain for his clothes in his clubhouse cubicle ... then found them neatly folded on a hanger.
"I like this place," he said, laughing again.
It was indeed a happy day for the 31-year-old right-hander, who pitched five innings in the Giants' victory, allowing two runs on six hits.
It was the longest Cactus League outing by a San Francisco pitcher this spring.
"When you have a defense like that, it's nice just to throw strikes and let them work," said Morris of his 76-pitch stint, which features an outstanding running catch deep in center field by Finley, a nice double-play-grounder pickup by Niekro and a perfect throw by catcher Mike Matheny to nail a runner.
"Physically I'm recovering -- that's the main thing, increasing your pitch count every time, your endurance and stamina, then recover and do it all over again," said Morris. "I've been pretty on pace with that."
Alou is delighted to see the No. 2 starter getting stronger with each outing.
"He's not quite there but he's getting better," said Alou. "He's getting close. He has very steady tempo on the mound."
Alou also liked the three scoreless innings pitched by winner Jamey Wright (1-0), the fifth-starter candidate having thrown five shutout frames over two outings.
"His curveball was erratic and he was a little wild, but we like his arm, and today was a standard outing for him," said Alou.
Lance hot: First baseman Niekro is having a great spring. He went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs on Tuesday, raising his average to .462 over 10 games.
He's now hit safely in his last eight games and had 10 RBIs over that stretch.
Finley's speed: Although Finley called his back-to-the-infield catch of a Jason Botts shot in the second inning "easy," it was far from that ... at least for a "normal" outfielder.
"That's why we won't start him in right or left field," said Alou. "Finley's a tremendous center fielder."

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Bonds still could join Team USA

03/14/2006
FULLERTON, Calif. -- The story that won't go away began to heat up again at Team USA practice on Tuesday and this time the team's manager gave it some credence. With Johnny Damon's left shoulder ailing, Barry Bonds could be asked to join Team USA if it ascends to the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Saturday at San Diego's PETCO Park.
Bonds is on Team USA's 52-man provisional roster and has missed the first two rounds while he's rebuilding strength in his thrice surgically repaired right knee in the San Francisco Giants camp at Scottsdale, Ariz. And with a crucial second-round game against Mexico at Angel Stadium on Thursday, manager Buck Martinez said it wasn't out of the question that Team USA could ask Bonds to play if the U.S. moves on.
"At this point I think I would contact anyone," Martinez said in the wake of Monday night's 7-3 loss to Korea that has placed the U.S. in jeopardy of elimination. "If we have a need to add somebody to this roster then we would be open to anybody who is on that provisional roster."
Bonds said last week that he would not personally pursue joining the U.S. team, but he did leave the door open a crack when he said that he might reconsider that position if asked by USA Baseball officials.
On Tuesday in Scottsdale, where Bonds went 3-for-3 with a homer as the designated hitter in a 3-2 Giants win over the Texas Rangers, Bonds was asked again whether he'd consider joining the U.S. for the semifinals and possible finals next Monday.
"I can't answer that until I get the call," Bonds said.
Bonds played his first game as a DH last Thursday and his first in left field on Sunday. Martinez said that the late spring start for Bonds wouldn't hinder the lefty-slugger, who has 708 career homers, from being added to the team.
"Barry Bonds with a couple of games under his belt is pretty potent," Martinez said.
Damon said before Tuesday's workout that he won't throw for about a week. That would make him ineligible to play the outfield during the remainder of the tournament. Damon added that he could still help as a pinch-hitter or DH, although Martinez has been using either Chipper Jones or Alex Rodriguez lately in the DH slot with the other playing third base.
Any team in the Classic can add a player in between rounds if one on the 30-man roster has an injury or must depart on a bereavement leave.
"I really think I would (stay) on the roster," Damon said. "It would be a lot tougher to pull somebody off their Spring Training team and have them come out for a couple of days. Buck knows he can use me in many different ways, whether I have to run, pinch-hit or DH."
Martinez said the decision to add Bonds would be up to the manager, the coaching staff and Bob Watson, USA Baseball's general manager and a Major League Baseball executive. He also said other players on the provisional roster -- Eric Chavez, David Wright, Morgan Ensberg and Bill Hall -- would be considered.
Bonds is the only other eligible outfielder. Luis Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Lance Berkman have already opted out for injuries or personal reasons.
"He's still a guy we can use," Martinez said about Damon. "I don't think we've gotten to the point of making a decision. Yet. We've been considering some things. We've got a couple of more days before that decision has to be made. We also need a big win and have to have some help."
Bonds has been surrounded by a buzz during the last week that has involved two books that have restated allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs for a five-year period from 1998 to 2002, including the 2001 season when he hit 73 homers to break Mark McGwire's three-year-old record.
Commissioner Bud Selig said last week that he would read any appropriate material about the matter before commenting on the accusations. Bonds is six homers behind Babe Ruth's 714 and 47 in arrears of Hank Aaron's MLB all-time leading 755.
Asked if Selig would have any input regarding Bonds being placed on the roster, Martinez said with a laugh: "No. He's on our provisional roster. I think he's our property."
Martinez also said that adding Bonds to the team wouldn't be a distraction.
"I don't think so given the way he went over and talked to the players on Friday in Scottsdale," Martinez said, citing Bonds' visit before the U.S. beat South Africa, 17-0, to qualify for the second round. "He just wanted to lend support to the team, let them know that he was behind them and kind of alleviate any misconceptions. He went down into the dugout and shook hands."

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Giants cruise to victory over Brewers

03/15/2006
Brewers at the plate: Bill Hall singled, tripled and scored a run in the fourth on Corey Koskie's double.
Giants at the plate: Barry Bonds went 2-for-2 with a double and three-run homer, lifting his spring average to .777 (7-for-9) with three homers and six RBIs. Steve Finley, 41, blasted a three-run homer to the left-field corner in San Francisco's four-run first inning.
Brewers on the mound: Starter Doug Davis gave up eight hits and seven runs over three innings.
Giants on the mound: Starter Brad Hennessey threw three shutout innings, then yielded two runs in the fourth. Reliever Tim Worrell allowed three runs in the eighth.
Cactus League records: Brewers 8-6; Giants 8-5.


Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Notes: Hennessey likes power surge

03/15/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Pitcher Brad Hennessey wouldn't mind if slugger Barry Bonds is in the lineup every time he pitches.
Hennessey picked up his first victory of the spring on Wednesday in a 10-6 verdict over the Milwaukee Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium. The Giants right-hander squirmed out of several jams and allowed two runs over 3 2/3 innings.
Hennessey had the pressure off early, as San Francisco put up four runs in the first inning, with outfielder Steve Finley clubbing a three-run homer, and Bonds adding a double.
Bonds later departed the game following a booming three-run shot to the right-field picnic pavilion in the second inning.
Poor Barry. So old, so weak-kneed.
The 41-year-old Bonds is sizzling this spring -- he's 7-for-9 (.777) with three homers and six RBIs in only four games -- and he has yet to show signs of knee problems.
"It's amazing someone could be out on his front foot so much and still hit it as far as he does," said Hennessey. "He was strong enough to absolutely hammer it. It's nice to have him in the lineup, with the potential to go up top every at-bat.
"It's pretty impressive to come in and do what he does," said Hennessey, who's fighting with veteran Jamie Wright for the fifth starter's spot. Wright has thrown five scoreless innings of relief.
Hennessey is getting plenty of work -- he's pitched 12 1/3 innings over two starts and appears to be sharper with each outing.
"I feel pretty good," said Hennessey. "Obviously I'm not in midseason form and hitting all my spots all the time, but I feel good about how I've done so far and how I'm getting ahead of hitters. I'm going to keep chugging away."
Bonds was not talking to the media on Wednesday, but manager Felipe Alou admitted concern that opposing pitchers will have a defensive strategy facing Bonds during the regular season.
That means more rubber chickens -- signifying intentional walks -- hanging from that right-field wall at AT&T Park.
"I'm afraid for many reasons I don't want to discuss now," said Alou. "They won't give him pitches to hit."
Bonds won't make the hour-long ride to Surprise, Ariz., on Thursday when the Giants play the Texas Rangers, but he is expected to start in left field against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale on Friday.
Injury update: Giants closer Armando Benitez, who missed 3 1/2 months of action last season after ripping his right hamstring, has swelling in his left knee and will miss several days, according to trainer Stan Conte.
Benitez said he felt soreness in the knee while warming up for his relief stint against San Diego on Sunday -- he was rocked for six runs over a 36-pitch effort -- but pitched anyway.
"I didn't think it was serious," said Benitez, who had a cortisone shot to reduce the inflammation. "It was a mistake to go out there. Look what happened."
An MRI was taken, and the injury was diagnosed as an inflamed bursa sac. "He threw today in the back field and felt much better than yesterday," said Conte on Wednesday.
Benitez says he expects to be out three to four days.
"I heard it's not a big deal," said Alou. "It's not his bad knee. He'll be OK."
Also expected to miss a few days is infielder Jose Vizcaino, dealing with a minor right squad strain for the second time this spring. The 38-year-old Vizcaino has played in seven Cactus League games.
Finley still torrid: Finley has blasted two homers, driven in five runs and played excellent defense. At 41 years and three days old, Finley seems to be on his first legs, not his last.
"Finley will never be an old guy, not with that body," said Alou.
The 17-year big-league veteran says he's usually "all over the place" with his spring swing but discussions with Bonds have kept it in a groove.
"He's helped me a lot, talking about the swing and different approaches," said Finley, hitting .444. "It's been a big help -- just to be able to apply that and make a good pass every time. Even if I do make an out, it feels like a good swing."

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Correia shines in Giants' loss to Texas

03/16/2006
Giants at the plate: Tyler Von Schell had a double in the eighth and scored on Kevin Frandsen's single to break a 2-2 tie. Jason Ellison led off the game with a single and scored on Dan Ortmeier's triple to right-center. After Todd Linden was hit by a pitch, Lance Niekro hit into a double play to drive home the second run.
Rangers at the plate: Tim Olson had a game-winning, two-out single in the ninth. Kevin Mench hit a two-run home run, his fourth of the spring, and he has 13 RBIs. The Rangers were 1-for-28 with runners in scoring position over the past three games before Rashad Eldridge had an RBI double in the eighth.
Giants on the mound: Starter Kevin Correia, trying to win a spot as the Giants' fifth starter, entered the game with a 7.36 ERA but held the Rangers to one hit in four innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out two.
Rangers on the mound: Starter Kameron Loe gave up two runs in the first inning but settled down and retired 12 batters. He gave up a single and a double in the fifth before coming out of the game. Scott Feldman took the loss by allowing a run in the eighth.
Cactus League records: Giants 8-6, Rangers 6-7.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Notes: Bonds feeling close to ready

03/16/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- There's bad news for pitchers coming out of the Giants camp.
Barry Bonds is feeling good despite sore hamstrings due to heavy leg workouts, there's no swelling in his thrice-repaired right knee, and as for his batting eye, that .777 average, three homers and six RBIs say it all.
Bonds, who didn't travel to Surprise for Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers, won't evaluate his overall physical condition during the spring, saying he's only trying to get in shape for the regular season, but when asked if could play nine innings now, the answer was yes.
With a caveat.
"I'm able to play a nine-inning game now," said Bonds after a round of batting practice at Scottsdale Stadium. "You saw it in the World [Baseball] Classic, we're capable of playing nine. Do you want to? No, not when you can take advantage of the rest period."
Every day is different in Arizona, says Bonds, who turns 42 on July 12 and feels the effects after 20 professional seasons.
"Some days you feel you're ready to go and the next morning you wake up and all of a sudden your swing has left you, your back's all tight and you're just grateful to have extra days [off]."
The left fielder said he feels comfortable in the cleanup spot, and expects Moises Alou to bat fifth, with Steve Finley powering the third hole, switching with Ray Durham.
Although manager Felipe Alou fears Bonds will be routinely walked this season -- the slugger was walked 230 times in 2004, 120 intentionally -- the player isn't concerned.
He's certainly used to the four-finger waggle.
"I don't really care; I gotta run the bases more," said Bonds, whose theory is he's really not the focus of the passes. "The [walks] are based on how the team does, it's never based on how I do. It's the guy behind you, or what I'm doing in front of him, or the guy ahead of me. That's baseball. That's just common sense."
Correia's big day: Lost in the fifth-starter competition -- supposedly between Brad Hennessey and Jamey Wright -- is 25-year-old right-hander Kevin Correia, who had a sensational outing in the Giants' 4-3 loss to Texas in Surprise on Thursday.
Correia allowed a game-opening double to David Dellucci, then retired the next 12 batters in a four-frame shutout, recording two strikeouts.
"I'm trying to get quicker outs this year," said Correia. "Today I got ahead of a lot of guys and forced them to swing at some pitches. It went as good as it could have."
Correia mixed in a fastball, a change and a two-speed slider that had hitters guessing.
What's the difference between Correia of 2005 with a so-so 2-5 record and 4.63 ERA? For one thing, it's a no-pressure attitude.
"I'm at a point where I'm not looking around at other guys and trying to figure out where I fit in on the team," said Correia. "I took it upon myself to just pitch as good as I can and not worry about what everybody else is doing."
Correia admits he was comparing himself to others and putting an extra burden on his efforts. No more.
"I just focus on what I need to do," he said.
Felipe Alou said Correia threw hard.
"He had a good slider late in the outing, which is very encouraging," he said. "When he's on the mound, I always expect something good to happen because of the arm he has. He has been erratic, wild and inconsistent -- it's a matter of him doing what he did today."
Minor League pitcher Merkin Valdez yielded three runs against Texas, including a two-run homer by Kevin Mench. Valdez had been unscored upon in 3 1/3 relief innings before Thursday, but Alou says Valdez's arm is strong and he's throwing electric stuff.
Hot hitters: Second baseman Kevin Frandsen went 3-for-4 with an RBI single vs. the Rangers, raising his spring average to .314, while Lance Niekro is batting .433 and 10-year pro Abraham Nunez is hitting a surprising .393.
"Frandsen's a fighter," said Alou. "He struck out his first at-bat, then had three hits. We like to see that."
Vizquel joins squad: Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel returned to Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday after his Venezuelan team was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, and he was happy with the experience.
"It was a pleasure for me to be around the best players in Venezuela," he said. "I felt really emotional, like a kid, being with Davey Concepcion and Luis Salazar, who have always been the biggest heroes to me."
Vizquel hit .300 with two doubles, an RBI and five walks over six tournament games, sporting a .440 on-base percentage.
"Overall, it was one of the best experiences of my life," said Vizquel. "We felt Venezuela was one of the better teams in the tournament and things didn't turn out the way we wanted to. We struggled to score runs."
Vizquel said he felt sad that other players around the world opted out of the event.
Playing the high-tempo, high-pressure games was accompanied by the dangers of injury due to diving for balls and going all-out, but he's now close to regular-season form.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Giants quick hits

03/17/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Considerably strengthened in depth, pitching, and power with new acquisitions and more experienced youngsters, San Francisco should be back in contention for the National League West title after last season's troubles.
There are few gaping holes for 2006, and while success may depend on how Barry Bonds' health holds up, the veteran-laden lineup features great hitters and solid defense.
Team strength: A Big Four rotation with two veterans (Jason Schmidt and Matt Morris) and two youngsters (Noah Lowry and Matt Cain) has the wherewithal for eating innings and eating hitters for lunch. Despite his youth, the 21-year-old Cain has the potential for double-figure victories.
Achilles heel: A big issue this season is keeping the older players fresh and avoiding injuries. The Giants had too many significant players on the disabled list last season.
Top newcomer: Veteran right-hander Morris was a key signee, giving the team a one-two pitching punch with ace Schmidt. He's a nine-year Major Leaguer, a two-time All-Star, and his 79 victories since 2001 are second best in the National League.
Ready to make the leap: Starting first baseman Lance Niekro's great spring bodes well for the 27-year-old, whose rookie campaign of 2005 featured 46 RBIs, most for any Giants fledgling for 20 years.
On the hot seat: Center fielder Steve Finley had an off-year with the Angels in 2005 due to a shoulder injury. Signed as a backup, he'll get plenty of starts, and is motivated to show that he hasn't lost a step or offensive clout at age 40.
You can bank on: Mike Matheny is a team leader, one of the finest defensive catchers in the game, and he showed surprising power last year. He has been instrumental in guiding young pitchers in the subtleties of the game.
Litmus test: If Bonds' knees act up, this team must compensate, but if he plays 100-plus games, the Giants will be winners. There's too much talent here to be a flop.
Games you don't want to miss:Braves, April 6-9: Four-game set against NL East champs will be early test for Giants.Dodgers, May 12-14: Two strongest divisional squads square off and keep rivalry flames roaring.A's, June 23-25: Crossbay clubs go head-to-head in renewed feud for Bay Area bragging rights.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

MVP's knees keys to season

03/17/2006
He's the MVP, all right -- Most Visible Player. And definitely the MWP -- most watchable.
Maybe ever.
We're talking about Giants outfielder Barry Bonds, and if you believe the seven-time Most Valuable Player's value to the club has diminished despite being four months shy of his 42nd birthday, you haven't been paying attention.
No need to dwell on what and who Bonds is. Love him or hate him, he's one of the most explosive players on the planet, and the obvious key to San Francisco's division-winning chances in 2006.
When knee problems kept Bonds out of the first 148 games last season, the Giants plummeted to third place in the National League West, logging an uncharacteristic 75-87 record, the low-water mark since a 68-win 1996 campaign.
As Bonds goes, so go the Giants.
It was a fluky, bizarre 2005, with the rotation and bullpen going through injuries and funks, the defense struggling early, and the offense sputtering too often.
You'd rightly figure that if Bonds had been healthy for even 50 games, the ending might have been a happy one.
So here we go again. As in years past, the Giants are a veteran team -- now even more with the acquisition of pitcher Matt Morris, outfielder Steve Finley and backup infielders Jose Vizcaino and Mark Sweeney.
How much does Bonds mean to the Giants? Let them tell you.
"No doubt about it," said infielder Sweeney of the big man's positive impact. "A lot of it has to do with the way guys are pitched. You know he's up at a certain time and you know you have to be perfect to keep people off base when he's hitting.
"As a visiting player, that's all we talked about," said Sweeney, who's played for five NL teams in his 11-year career. "We're a better team when he's out there."
Manager Felipe Alou is likewise a Bonds booster, and he decried the team's downfall last year, partly -- nah, prominently -- due to the latter's absence.
"I don't care how good an offensive team you have; if he's missing, a lot is missing. It's not the same," said Alou. "I know I feel better, and I'm not even in the lineup. Everybody is better -- the pitcher worries more, your own pitcher feels better about his chances of winning the game."
All eyes and ears will be keeping track of Bonds' quest to surpass Babe Ruth's fabled 714 homer total, but that is nothing new. Neither is how much Bonds' presence propels the Giants to another level.
But the concern in 2006 is how Bonds' thrice-repaired right knee will do, for the outfielder says he's finished as a ballplayer if he needs another surgery. He doesn't limp and says a new lightweight knee brace gives him protection and confidence.
So far this spring, Bonds continues to live up to his legendary hitting standards. Entering action on Wednesday in Arizona, he is batting .777 (7-for-9) with three homers and six RBIs.
And no one has brought a folding chair out to him so he can rest in left field.
His knees haven't been really tested so far, but Alou says Bonds will be cautious to protect those fragile hinges.
"We know he's going to hit home runs into the next county, but we want to get him ready on defense [for the regular season]," he said. "In his prime, he was one of the best left fielders in the game, and there's still a lot of that left."
For the Giants, they can only hope those MVKs -- most valuable knees -- hold up for one more season.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Prospect inspired by brother's life

03/17/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It's a private ritual that will never change for Kevin Frandsen.
While standing in the batter's box, the Giants' second-base prospect will touch a tattoo -- 'DJ' and '19' -- inscribed on his back memorializing his older brother, who battled kidney cancer for 19 years and died at age 25 in September 2004.
DJ, says Frandsen, was always a calming, yet upbeat, soul and even now pokes fun at his younger sibling if Kevin gets down on himself or -- at those rare times -- feels a bit smug.
"He's probably laughing up there right now," said Frandsen, who hears his brother whisper mischievously, "No way ... I'll give him an 0-for-5."
Reminders of DJ are everywhere -- a picture of him smiling is in Kevin's clubhouse cubicle, and the player sports a red wristband bearing his sibling's favorite credo, "Go the distance, never give up" -- and Frandsen can visualize his brother and guiding spirit at any moment, watching inner video-tape replays of their all-too-brief life together.
Only 23, Frandsen is one of the San Francisco Giants' premier prospects, who burst into the spotlight with super seasons at Class A San Jose, Double-A Norwich and Triple-A Fresno last year, a rare quick ascension up the Minor League ladder.
The San Jose native had an eye-opening campaign in his hometown, hitting .351 with two homers, 40 RBIs and 13 stolen bases, earning California League Player of the Month honors and helping the Giants win the loop title.
A stupendous year for the quick-footed second baseman, and DJ was along for the ride.
"He's wearing a Giants uniform, and I'm playing for his team, too," said Frandsen, who credits his personal coach -- that's his dad, Dave, who also played baseball at San Jose State -- for the gift of athleticism and sports fundamentals and DJ for putting life and the looming threat of death into perspective.
Wilms' tumor -- a nasty cancer, which coils around the kidneys in young patients -- struck DJ at age six, and the Frandsens' life was forever altered, with years of pain, chemotherapy, hospitals and surgeries.
And the gamut of emotional traumas.
"He was my best friend and the biggest influence in my life," said Frandsen. "Through his battles and everything, I experienced more than most ... day-by-day just watching it. It wasn't fun, but you also saw how DJ rose and became who he was.
"It was hard to get down with him because he was never down, except for a few select days," said Frandsen. "He was the entertainment for the family. For someone on chemo and shriveled ... if it wasn't for the physical aspects, you couldn't even tell he was sick."
DJ was desperately ill, but he survived longer than anyone anticipated, even when doctors removed a kidney, dissected it, radiated it, destroying the cancer, then reattached the organ, though it was only one-eighth its original size.
A brave, spirited boy, DJ was expected to live another few months, but he made it 18 more years.
"It sounds like such a cliché, but I grew up with my brother battling cancer," said Frandsen. "He'd go to chemo sessions then watch me play. That was his goal. He wanted to get to the next day to watch me play. No one does that. He was so excited about life, seeing the next day."
Kevin says his brother's illness brought the Frandsen family together, and he's come to grips with DJ's passing.
"You know he's not in pain," said Frandsen.
Despite a slow start, Frandsen had a wonderful seven-game spurt -- 7-for-13 (.538) with a double, homer and four RBIs. The prospect dismisses talk of "belonging" in the Majors, as it hasn't happened yet.
Frandsen is confident, hardly self-effacing, but even as a teen, he never felt cocky that he was better than anyone else, despite all the accolades, MVP honors and eventually that cherished "hot prospect" label.
Frandsen is a good listener and coachable, and Giants manager Felipe Alou calls him a special player.
"He is tempting fruit," said the manager of pushing the youngster. "But I don't want to mess with Frandsen, who's such a blessed player. He has a good swing and he'll get stronger over time.
"He reminds me of Jeff Kent -- I saw him in A ball in the Florida State League," said Alou. "Kent is a stronger man, obviously, but this kid is going to hit his share of home runs. He has power, and he's going to be an excellent second baseman. He has more range than Kent."
Frandsen shrugs off comparisons, and if an arrogant thought ever enters his mind, there's always DJ chastising him for such nonsense.
But if injuries cripple infielders this year, or someone goes into a tailspin, Frandsen will be on the minds of Giants coaches. But the player still realizes he must wait his turn.
"I'm still young, but having 'Giants' across my chest makes me the happiest guy alive," said Fransden. "I'm getting closer and closer, and I'm really grateful to have a chance, but I have to be patient for an opportunity."
DJ will make sure he does.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Bonds key to Giants success in 2006

03/17/2006
As Barry Bonds goes, so go the San Francisco Giants.
The story line of their 2006 season can be boiled down to that simple phrase. Bonds didn't have an MVP 2005 season. In fact, because his right knee went under the scope three times in a four-month span last year, Bonds missed 148 games. The Giants made a late run at catching the Padres for the National League West title, but that didn't happen. In fact, they finished third.
Now Barry is back and seemingly healthy this spring. If the controversy surrounding his alleged past steroid use doesn't engulf him and the team, he'll pursue Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron on the all-time home run list and that longed-for World Series title.
"If I get a ring this year, I'm gone, bye, bye," Bonds said recently about his present and his future. "I don't care about records. I've never cared about records. I'm not in this game for the records. I'm in this game for the ring."
The Giants don't have many, rings that is. They haven't won the World Series since 1954 at New York's Polo Grounds when Willie Mays, Bonds' godfather, was roaming center field. Bonds doesn't have any. The closest he came was in 2002 when the Giants lost to the Angels in seven tough games.
Bonds has seven NL MVPs, 13 All-Star appearances, eight Gold Gloves, two batting titles, the single-season home run record (73), and 708 homers -- six behind Ruth's 714 and 47 in arrears of Hank Aaron's all-time Major League Baseball record of 755.
But like Ernie Banks, Dan Marino, Charles Barkley and Jeff Bagwell, he doesn't have the all-elusive ring.
"That's what we play for," Bonds said. "No doubt about that."
It was a busy offseason for Giants general manager Brian Sabean, spent patching the holes in an ancient team.
When the Giants ended a devastating 75-87, 2005 season, Sabean admitted that the team was too old and too thin to withstand the rash of injuries that racked it. He vowed to bolster the starting pitching staff, beef up the bench and get a credible left-handed-hitting outfielder who could play if Bonds' problematic knee reduces him on occasion to pinch-hitting.


Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Ninth-inning rally falls short for Giants

03/17/2006
Giants at the plate: Ray Durham cracked a single and a to-the-wall double, while Jason Ellison doubled and hit an RBI single in the ninth. Kevin Frandsen also tripled in two runs in the ninth.
Cubs at the plate: Aramis Ramirez smoked a solo homer to left field, his third blast of the spring, in the fifth off reliever Jeremy Accardo. Jacque Jones had two singles.
Giants on the mound: Losing pitcher Noah Lowry (1-1) had a rough second inning, giving up five runs (three earned), including a double, as he walked two batters and saw an infield error account for two runs.
Cubs on the mound: Starter Greg Maddux (2-0) allowed only five hits over four innings, issuing a run in the fourth. Will Ohman gave up three runs in the ninth.
Cactus League records: Giants 8-7; Cubs, 8-6.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Notes: Bonds' legs get a workout

03/17/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The ongoing Barry Bonds saga in Spring Training continues to have, uh, legs.
The Giants left fielder had to work his legs hard in a five-inning stint, making two catches, running down balls in the gap and -- some fans held their breath -- galloping from first to home in the fourth on Mark Sweeney's double to the right-field wall.
Any leg problems, he was asked?
"No," said Bonds, who then hustled out of the clubhouse, saying, "I've got to meet my wife."
Bonds, who singled in two at-bats, will rest Saturday when the Giants host the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium, but is expected to again be in left field Sunday vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at home.
"He was tired but feeling all right," said manager Felipe Alou.
Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux said he had enjoyed throwing to Bonds, a longtime rival against whom he first pitched in 1986.
"It was fun to actually face him and not worry about winning the game and walking him," said Maddux, adding manager Dusty Baker putting on the infield shift with Bonds batting was pretty automatic.
"That's how you play," Maddux said. "You still throw strikes, run the bases, and when Bonds comes up, you put the shift on. We're not going to shade him the other way just because it's Spring Training. If he wants to bunt, go ahead."
Bonds is now 8-for-10 (.727) with three homers and six RBIs, and has yet to limp or show discomfort, even after that 270-foot run that didn't require a slide.
Lowry unhappy: "It's only Spring Training" is typical phrasing when things go north, or south, for a player trying to keep an even mental compass during Cactus League play, but Giants pitcher Noah Lowry was still a bit miffed over one so-so inning Friday.
"Locating out of the stretch ... still trying to get that timing down," said Lowry, pinpointing problems that resulted in a five-run second inning, even though an error -- the first of five for the Giants -- tallied two unearned runs.
No excuses, said Lowry, who pitched well in a recent Minor League outing and threw one-run ball over three frames for a victory over the Angels on March 6.
But no time for panic, either, says the left-hander, despite being off-form Friday before a Scottsdale Stadium record crowd of 11,975.
"Any time you go out and you don't do the job you want to do, you're not going to be happy about it," said the 25-year-old second-year pitcher. "I take it with a grain of salt -- it's not the end of the world and I'm going there again in five days and try to turn it around."
Lowry had a nice first inning, retiring the side with a pair of strikeouts, but a single, two walks and a sacrifice fly got him into a hole, then came Juan Pierre's double and things started to unravel.
"It's just consistency with all [pitches]," said Lowry of what he must have to be successful. "There's plenty of time, there's no need for any kind of panic. It's one start, and basically one inning out of the stretch."
Lowry will have three more Cactus League outings before the regular season.
Cain vs. Minors: Rookie Matt Cain took his regular turn Friday, throwing in the Minor League camp. Cain, 21, is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three Cactus League games.
"It wasn't bad; I threw the ball all right, but I couldn't get strike one, so I couldn't work on offspeed stuff," said Cain, who gave up only one earned run. "I put myself in a hole and had to battle out of some situations."
Injury update: Closer Armando Benitez, who has a sore bursa sac in his left knee and had a cortisone shot Tuesday, is doing well, said trainer Stan Conte.
"There are no surprises at this point, and he'll pitch off the mound Saturday, or Sunday at the latest."
Benitez has thrown 3 1/3 innings this spring, and had allowed only one run over three outings before tweaking his knee while warming up against San Diego on Sunday, but pitching anyway.
He regretted it, being lashed for three hits and six runs over one-third of an inning and aggravating the injury.
Veteran pitcher Jamey Wright, slated to throw in Surprise against Kansas City in a split-squad contest, had a high temperature Friday, and it's not known if he'll be OK for the game.
Iron man: Second-base prospect Kevin Frandsen tripled in two runs Friday, lifting his average to a lusty .324 -- quite a turnaround after he started Cactus League play 0-for-12.
Since that 0-fer stretch, Frandsen is socking the ball at a .480 clip.
It's a good thing Frandsen is only 23. He's played in all 15 Giants spring games, the lone player to do so.
Coming up: Right-hander Jason Schmidt (1-0, 3.00) make his third spring start at 12:05 p.m. PT Saturday vs. Seattle at Scottsdale Stadium. He'll oppose Mariners righty Felix Hernandez (0-0, 5.40).

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Giants' offense romps past Mariners

03/18/2006
Mariners at the plate: Richie Sexson led Seattle's assault with a leadoff homer deep into the left-field seats in the second. The Mariners were held to three hits until the ninth inning, when a four-hit rally was capped by Jose Morban's two-run homer.
Giants at the plate: Jason Ellison was 5-for-5 with an RBI and three runs, collecting a quartet of singles and a ground-rule double. Steve Finley was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, two runs and three RBIs. Mike Matheny hit a three-run homer in the fifth and a two-run double in the sixth.
Mariners on the mound: Starter Felix Hernandez gave up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings. His case was not helped by some sloppy field work, including his own throwing error on a pickoff attempt at second and two wild pitches. Emiliano Fruto struggled in relief, facing seven batters and giving up five runs on five hits and two walks without recording an out.
Giants on the mound: Starter Jason Schmidt pitched five innings, giving up one run on three hits and and a walk, the only blemish being the solo homer from Sexson. Tyler Walker, Pedro Liriano and Michael Tejera followed with three shutout innings, allowing only one runner to reach, on an error.
Cactus League records: Mariners 6-9; Giants 9-7.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/

Notes: Linden, Ellison make their case

03/18/2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It's hard to ask more of a man than to give you three hits and four runs with an RBI triple while raising his average 36 points and keying a 14-run outburst. Not a bad day at the office.
But Todd Linden is playing musical cubicles these days, fighting for limited office space, and the stakes of being the odd man out in San Francisco, accepting an assignment in Triple-A Fresno, is much bigger than the three-hour commute down Highway 99. At the end of the day, he still has to wonder if his work was good enough.
"It affects you in every way," Linden said of the ramifications of the roster battle he is waging. "Where you're going to be. Where your family is going to come see you. How you need to pack your clothes. Where you're going to send your car. Financially. The meals. Everything. It's night and day. Such a fine line, yet it's night and day."
The only reason Linden has to keep his focus on the subtle shading that delineates day from night is that even on a 3-for-6 day, he finds himself in the dust cloud left from his chief competition for the reserve outfielder spot, Jason Ellison.
For every three hits Linden roped Saturday, Ellison knocked five. For each 36-point improvement Linden made to emphatically underscore his .293 average, Ellison improved by 70 points, hitting .475 at day's end.
"I'm not competing against him, I'm competing against the game of baseball," Linden said of Ellison, his teammate for three years as the two have split time at Fresno and San Francisco. "I want him to do good. I would hope and I would bet that he wants me to do good. It's unfortunate that in all likelihood, somebody's going to be the odd man out. I'm not competing against him, I'm competing against every outfielder in the league."
Regardless of how much Linden and Ellison want to downplay it, there's no mistaking the fact that the two friends are competing for one spot, making it hard on each other and hard on the men who have to judge the results.
"If I say it's not a competition, I won't be telling you the truth," said manager Felipe Alou. "It's good to see guys compete. It makes the organization better, it makes the team better."
Ellison's case: A day before another round of cuts were to be announced, Ellison's 5-for-5 with three runs and an RBI was a statement not lost on the manager.
"I believe he saved his life today," Alou said lightheartedly, unable to keep a straight face at the prospect that either candidate would be cut this early in the camp. "I don't want to jump to any conclusions right now. I'm going to just let it go.
"But Elli is a battler, we've known that. I found that out last year, and now it looks like Todd wants to give it a battle."
For Ellison, the battle is often about restraint, about not overreaching as he competes in a high-stakes showdown.
"I'm not greedy," he said, after being pulled in the eighth, robbing him of the chance to collect a sixth hit that inning. "I've made some adjustments this year and I'm trying to settle in and not try to do too much at the plate. For a guy like me, that's the key. If I try to get big and do too much, [I'll get into] bad habits. Just try to stay short and [take] good swings. The rest will come, I guess."
Opening tune: Jason Schmidt was sharp for five innings Saturday, efficient at 67 pitches with the stamina to go deeper in the game. His only complaints were about letting guys hit into outs when he thought he could have struck them out.
"My 0-2 pitches were not quite as sharp," Schmidt said. "When you got a guy 0-2 or 1-2, I try to take a little pride in getting the strikeout. Pop flies are nice, ground balls are nice, but if I don't make a quality 0-2 pitch, I'm not quite as happy."
His only hiccup came on a 1-0 pitch to Richie Sexson, who turned the fastball around and dropped it deep into the left-field picnic area. Schmidt called the pitch a "cookie," a fastball right down the middle with a tad less velocity on it, hoping to catch Sexson looking or out in front.
"I get burned on that all the time when I do that," Schmidt said. "I don't know why I keep doing it."
If he keeps pitching like he did Saturday, however, he'll be pitching on Opening Day.
"We're going that way right now," confirmed Alou. "Everything stays the way it is, that's going to happen, but we haven't named anybody yet."
Home early: Randy Winn was back in the Giants camp Saturday after Team USA was knocked out of the World Baseball Classic by Mexico on Thursday. Winn hit .273 (3-for-11) during the tournament, and his team won in each of his three starts.
"Everybody wanted to play more," Winn said of the team's early exit. "I really had a blast. It was a little disappointing in the end, but overall a good experience."
Winn was not surprised by the level of competition, as the U.S. lost games to Canada, Korea, and Mexico, but the nature of the quick elimination common in international play was definitely an eye-opener.
"In a short series like that with only three games, you've really got to play to win every game," Winn noted. "We're used to 162 games, where if you lose a game in April, it's probably not going to kill you. But there's a sense of urgency -- you have to try and win and fight and battle. That was different for us."
Turn out the lights: The last two of the six Giants in the Classic completed their tournament Saturday as the Dominican Republic fell to Cuba in the semifinal.
Moises Alou started for the Dominican Republic, going 1-for-4 with a ninth-inning single. Alou finished the tournament hitting .333 (8-for-24).
Teammate Pedro Feliz did not play Saturday, keeping him hitless in six Classic at-bats.
On deck: The Giants play a pair of split-squad games Sunday, with Matt Morris pitching at home against the Brewers and Jamey Wright traveling to Surprise to face the Royals.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/