SAN FRANCISCO -- Since manager Bruce Bochy announced Monday that rookie Emmanuel Burriss would receive more playing time at shortstop, Omar Vizquel has started three consecutive games, including Thursday's series finale against the Chicago Cubs.

Despite the apparent contradiction, Bochy wasn't being misleading. He said he has noticed positive signs in Vizquel's swing, despite the .148 batting average the 41-year-old took into Thursday's game, and hoped he could continue to work toward regaining his offensive form.

Vizquel rewarded Bochy's faith by going 2-for-4 with an RBI, lifting his average from .148 to .159. After grounding out in his first two at-bats, he ended an 0-for-18 skid with a seventh-inning bunt single. He added a sharp run-scoring single up the middle off shortstop Ryan Theriot's glove in the eighth.

"You can see it's close," Bochy said. "We need him. We need his presence, his defense and his offense."

Said general manager Brian Sabean of Vizquel, "He's squaring some balls up. They're certainly not dropping in for hits. The great thing is it seemingly hasn't affected his defense."

Vizquel, who entered the game hitless in his previous 16 at-bats, and 2-for-46 in his last 15 games, remained likely to sit against left-handed starters. Burriss, a switch-hitter like Vizquel, was batting .366 against left-handers and .220 off right-handers.

Bochy's aware that the Giants need to determine whether Burriss, 23, has the aptitude to hit right-handers as they approach evaluations for next season.

"Internally, we've been talking about what's the best thing for Manny," Bochy said. "Right now, we're in this [National League West race] and we want to put our best club out there."