News
Resurgent Sanchez takes on Rockies
San Francisco (52-44) at Colorado (52-44), 5:10 p.m. PT
By Cheng Sio / MLB.com
07/25/09 1:53 AM ET
DENVER -- Ever since Jonathan Sanchez threw a no-hitter on July 10 against the Padres, life hasn't been the same. For one, he's received more interview requests. Two, when he goes out in the Bay Area, fans will recognize him and go up to the left-hander to pepper him with questions such as, "How did you feel?" "It's great," Sanchez said. "People know you. Anywhere you go, people recognize you for what you did. It's something that will make you feel a lot better." Throwing a no-hitter isn't foreign to Sanchez. He threw four during his four years at Ohio Dominican College in Columbus, Ohio. What is new for Sanchez is pitching in the Wild Card chase since the day he donned a Giants uniform in 2006. Sanchez, however, doesn't feel Saturday's game against the Rockies is as big as most people make it out to be. The winner will take a one-game lead in the Wild Card standings. "It's not like you're getting pressure because we're fighting for the Wild Card," Sanchez said. "But it's another game where you just got to go out there and play." Pitching well is all Sanchez has done since he's been reinserted into the starting rotation for the ailing Randy Johnson. After his no-hitter, which was his first start since returning from his demotion to the bullpen, Sanchez pitched well against Atlanta but left with a no-decision. He went six innings and gave up three runs on four hits with eight strikeouts. Manager Bruce Bochy has been impressed with Sanchez's second incarnation as a starter. "You have to be pretty impressed when a guy throws a no-hitter," Bochy said. "In the second game in Atlanta, he gave up a couple of long balls, but overall, I thought he pitched a pretty good game. He gave us a chance to win. He gave us six innings. The kid's young and he's only going to get better." Sanchez has been better with the help of pitching coach Dave Righetti. When he was demoted to the bullpen, Sanchez realized he was going through the pitching motions too quickly. As a result, he said he was dragging his arm to home plate. Righetti spotted the problem and gave Sanchez a piece of advice. "I was working out with Righetti," Sanchez said, "and he told me if you slowed down your body a little bit, you could get on top of the ball better." If Sanchez gives the Giants the ever-important one-game Wild Card lead, he could have even more fans and interview requests. "Yeah," he grinned. Pitching matchupSF: LHP Jonathan Sanchez (3-8, 4.68 ERA)
Sanchez followed up his July 10 no-hitter against San Diego in respectable fashion. Inconsistent through most of the season, Sanchez allowed three runs and just four hits in six innings at Atlanta last Monday. He wasn't involved in the decision as the Braves scored eight late runs to prevail, 11-3. Despite lacking command of his offspeed pitches, Sanchez struck out eight Braves and walked one, reflecting the wicked stuff he typically takes to the mound under any circumstances. COL: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (7-7, 4.95 ERA)
De La Rosa bordered on dominant while holding the D-backs to one run and four hits in seven innings of a victory at Coors Field on Monday night. Using a new sinker taught to him by staff ace Aaron Cook, De La Rosa is pitching more efficiently than at any point in his career. With the Rockies having changed their rotation to keep Jason Marquis on normal rest, De La Rosa will be pitching on five days' rest. Tidbits
Aaron Rowand (bruised right forearm) and Edgar Renteria (tender right elbow) missed their fourth and third straight starts, respectively, Friday. Bochy said both are probable to start Saturday. ... Johnson recently finished his rehab and will travel to San Francisco on Monday. He will have an MRI and be re-evaluated, Bochy said. ... Bengie Molina is 5-for-12 lifetime with two doubles against De La Rosa. ... The Giants are 4-2 in the season's head-to-head series against the Rockies, but there are still 12 more meetings between the two clubs. ... Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt extended his current scoreless streak to 27 innings by pitching the eighth Friday. He passed former Giant and current Twins closer Joe Nathan for the longest such streak by a Giants reliever in the last 40 years. Tickets
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• Sunday: Giants (Ryan Sadowski, 2-2, 4.15) at Rockies (Aaron Cook, 9-3, 3.94), 12:10 p.m. PT
• Monday: Giants (Tim Lincecum, 10-3, 2.45) vs. Pirates (Paul Maholm, 6-4, 4.63), 7:15 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Giants (Barry Zito, 6-10, 4.68) vs. Pirates (Charlie Morton, 2-2, 3.86), 7:15 p.m. PT
Cheng Sio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
