SAN FRANCISCO -- Jerome Williams was outstanding in his first outing of 2005, giving up just one run in seven innings Saturday while scattering five hits, walking one and striking out five.

So what does he get for his brilliance? Three buzz-killers.

First, he got a no-decision, as the Giants didn't rally for their 4-2 win until after Williams was out of the game. Then, Sunday morning he woke up with the same flu bug that earlier in the week floored Jason Schmidt and much of the rest of the Giants clubhouse.

Thirdly, with the schedule-makers giving San Francisco two days off this coming week, in all likelihood, Williams will be forced to miss a start.

Manager Felipe Alou said he and pitching coach Dave Righetti aren't absolutely certain, but chances are Williams won't pitch again until April 19 when the Giants close out a seven-game road trip in San Diego.

"We're going to talk about it," Alou said. "I'm not going to say we're going to change anything, but we're going to talk about it."

With Monday and Thursday off-days sandwiching a two-game set in Los Angeles, the remaining four members of the rotation will get more than the customary four days between starts, "unless we use them in the bullpen," Alou said. "And I don't know if we want to do that, either."

So for now, Williams is the only one in the five-man rotation to get an extended break, even though he pitched better than all but Schmidt.

"I feel like all our guys are better than fifth starters, but somebody's gotta be the fifth," Alou said.

The lineup shuffle: While two off days in one week can throw a rotation out of whack, it's a good thing for the everyday players. The extra day off meant Alou could give second baseman Ray Durham and his tender legs a day off and get twice the benefit because of Monday's travel day.

Toward that end, Alou had Deivi Cruz playing second on Sunday, getting the 32-year-old utility infielder his second start of the year.

Alou's original plan was to have Cruz start at shortstop Saturday.

"I actually wanted to rest (Omar) Vizquel yesterday, and he balked at it," Alou said. "He said, 'I'd rather take Sunday off.'

"The way he's playing right now, I better not take him out because I believe people would crucify me."

Vizquel entered Saturday's game batting .333, with hits in four of the Giants' first five games. He already has four stolen bases this year, but it's his defense that has been most impressive.

"I've already seen a handful of plays in the first five games that I thought wouldn't be made," said first baseman J.T. Snow, citing the much-replayed double-play leap in the ninth inning of Opening Day, and a play Saturday when Vizquel fielded a ball deep on the right-field side of second for another out.

Considering Vizquel already has earned nine Gold Gloves in 17 Major League seasons, those kinds of plays are none too surprising.

"To me, he's like a throwback shortstop, like the guys before the big home run hitters' period," Snow said.

Bonds sightings: Sidelined slugger Barry Bonds received a warm welcome from the SBC faithful when he came on the field before the game to accept his 2004 Overall Play of the Year and National League Outstanding Player awards given by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

The applause didn't match the thunderous ovation he received Opening Day while accepting his seventh MVP Award, but it is certain to be more generous than what he'll hear Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The Giants announced Bonds, on the DL while rehabbing from knee surgery, will accompany the team to Chavez Ravine for the first road game of the year, although he may not continue with the club on to Colorado and San Diego.

Moises Alou, likewise on the 15-day DL with a strained right calf, will make the trip with the club.