News
Bochy inserts veterans vs. Dodgers
Aurilia, Uribe get starts over Ishikawa, BurrissBy Chris Haft / MLB.com
04/15/09 10:05 PM ET
LOS ANGELES -- Hoping to enliven the Giants' offense Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Bruce Bochy replaced first baseman Travis Ishikawa with Rich Aurilia and second baseman Emmanuel Burriss with Juan Uribe. The Giants entered the game averaging two runs a game and batting .211 during a four-game losing streak. They hadn't drawn a walk in three games and hadn't homered since Opening Day. Ishikawa, batting .227, was benched largely because the Dodgers started Clayton Kershaw, a left-handed pitcher. Bochy has repeated that first base is not a strict platoon between Ishikawa, a left-handed batter, and Aurilia, who hits right-handed. Thus, Bochy said that Ishikawa possibly could return to the lineup in Thursday's series finale against left-hander Eric Stults. The switch-hitting Burriss, who had started each of San Francisco's previous games, was batting .100 (2-for-20). By comparison, Uribe went 1-for-3 while playing shortstop last Sunday in San Diego and singled in his only at-bat here Monday. Bochy termed Burriss' benching as a mental break as much as anything. "It's early in the season, but these guys are human," said Bochy, who left open the possibility that Uribe also might start Thursday. "It's human nature to add a little pressure." Pablo Sandoval remained in the lineup at third base, despite his .192 average and 0-for-12 skid. Bochy acknowledged that Sandoval has been "a little more overanxious" at the plate overall, but the manager noticed some improvement from the switch-hitter in Monday's game."I think Pablo is getting some good swings off," Bochy said. "I thought that he was more in control in his last game. He kept his weight back better."
Aurilia occupied the No. 6 spot in the batting order that Ishikawa has occupied, while Uribe assumed Burriss' role as the eighth hitter.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
