DENVER -- They are decidedly different men, Giants outfielders Barry Bonds and Pedro Feliz, and you'll rarely see their names mentioned in the same sentence.

The former is the superstar, a future Hall of Famer, while Feliz has been stationed in Bonds' left field spot and batting cleanup this season while Bonds recuperates from knee surgery.

Hardly more than a fill-in? Not by a long shot.

Under considerable pressure this season with the loss of Bonds, Feliz has responded like an All-Star, and has even surpassed some of Bonds' stats from last season.

Last year at this time, the Giants were also 5-4, and during Bonds' monster MVP campaign -- his record seventh -- the slugger was batting .440 with three homers and eight RBIs over nine contests.

"I never brought it up -- a thing like that is better to leave it alone," said manager Felipe Alou of not mentioning out loud that Feliz is Bonds' replacement per se. Bonds, of course, is irreplaceable. Still, there's no complaints from the skipper over Feliz's hot start.

"We won't compare them ... yet," laughed Alou. "Pedro is the kind of guy -- we know him well now -- who really doesn't care if he's replacing Bonds, playing left field, shortstop. He takes things too easily and calmly.

Feliz, says Alou, feels the Giants trust him now, especially after inking a two-year deal prior to the season.

"He's a legitimate everyday guy, really," said Alou. "Not only is he replacing Bonds in left but also batting cleanup. That's even worse than being in left field."

Feliz, who turns 30 on April 29, outwardly still seems the somewhat shy player, a quiet man. Until he puts on his uniform.

Pressure? He doesn't feel it.

"No complaints," said Feliz. "The more I get in there, the more I learn. I just keep try to do what I'm doing and swing the bat, take advantage of the opportunity they give me. I try to do the best for the team.

"I just go out and play the game," he added. "If I put some pressure on myself I'll do worse. That doesn't work. There's no pressure. I just go with the same mentality."

Feliz says so far he's only happy to be in the game, and glad he's had the opportunity.

Pedro Feliz  /   1B
		Born: 04/27/75 Height: 6'1" Weight: 205 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Giants pitcher Noah Lowry wasn't happy with his outing Friday, but he wouldn't turn down a T-shirt reading, "I Survived Coors Field" after giving up nine hits and six runs over only 5 2/3 innings.

"Anytime you win you can't complain," said Lowry. "It's those losses that are hard to swallow."

Oh, yeah? Funny, but the 24-year-old Lowry has pitched in 22 Major League games, including 16 starts, but has yet to lose. He's 7-0 as a Major League pitcher, and last felt defeat July 28, 2004, vs. Oklahoma for Triple-A Fresno.

"I have lost many times in my life," he said, "but I've been fortunate not to lose up here yet."

There was little doubt Lowry was going to win Friday's battle, not with San Francisco blasting 17 hits, featured by Feliz's slam and Marquis Grissom's two-run homer. Lowry, in fact, had two hits himself and is batting .400 (2-for-5).

"I will take it -- that was my first time pitching here, and it's a tough place," said the left-hander. "Mistakes go a long way at this level already, then you take into consideration the altitude here. It's not a good combination."

Lowry said he didn't have his best stuff and tried to battle.

"The curveball and slider were really inconsistent, and I had to work with my fastball and changeup," said Lowry. "Everybody picked us up and scored a bunch of runs when we needed them."

Did Coors Field live up to its reputation?

"It sure did," said Lowry. "Those two homers I gave up would have been homers anywhere. But the important thing is they were solo home runs -- that's a positive."

Does any other ballpark in the Minors compare with Coors?

"Yeah, the PCL," cracked Lowry of the hitting havens of the Pacific Coast League.