News
Slumping right-handers to start vs. Hamels
San Francisco (57-47) vs. Philadelphia (59-43), 1:05 p.m. PT
By Andrew Pentis / MLB.com
08/02/09 12:10 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- If Freddy Sanchez does indeed make his first start as a Giant on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies, manager Bruce Bochy will have the full complement of his lineup, and he'll need it. The Giants face All-Star hurler Cole Hamels in the teams' final meeting before reuniting Sept. 1 at Citizens Bank Park. The contest will be televised nationally with TBS' Chip Caray and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley holding the microphones for the 1:05 PT game. Sanchez, who was termed likely but "not definite" to start Sunday, will be joined by two more infielders who weren't in Saturday's starting lineup, as his new teammates gear up for Hamels. First baseman Ryan Garko, who's 1-for-12 at the plate thus far in San Francisco, missed his first Giants start, giving way to Travis Ishikawa. "I'm giving him a chance to catch his breath," Bochy said.Shortstop Edgar Renteria, replaced in the lineup by Juan Uribe, will frequently take a day off for the remainder of the season due to his sore right (throwing) elbow. Like Garko, Renteria has struggled of late, his batting average falling 20 points to .253 because of a 12-for-68 slump spanning his last 20 games.
Nevertheless, Bochy wanted both right-handed hitters in the lineup against the left-handed Hamels, who is 3-0 with a 4.03 ERA in four career games against the Giants.
Pitching matchup
SF: LHP Barry Zito (6-10, 4.54 ERA)
Barry Zito finished one out shy of notching his third straight quality start Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The veteran lefty allowed one earned run over 5 2/3 innings before giving way to the Giants 'pen. While his 4.54 ERA could come down a bit, Zito has also managed to get by while receiving zero runs of support in seven of his 21 starts this season. Zito didn't face the Phillies last season, but holds a 2-1 record and a 3.50 ERA against Philadelphia all-time. PHI: LHP Cole Hamels (7-5, 4.42 ERA)
Hamels is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA (nine earned runs in 33 innings) in his past five starts. The Phillies have won each of those games. Hamels has thrown at least seven innings in his previous two starts, the first time this season he has done that. "That's something I've really worked on, trying to go deep into the game," Hamels said. "Then you feel like you've really pitched and have actually helped the team. That's what I was able to do [Tuesday in Arizona]. I was able to throw strikes and battle all the way to the end." Tidbits
Eugenio Velez assumed the leadoff spot in Bochy's lineup for the third time this season Saturday. Bochy said Velez having success in that role for Triple-A Fresno figured into his decision. ... After throwing two scoreless innings Friday, right-handed reliever Merkin Valdez was unavailable out of the bullpen Saturday. Valdez hasn't allowed a run in five of his last six appearances. ... The Giants finished July with 14 wins, their lowest monthly total since the team's 10-10 April. ... Rich Aurilia (infected toe) will resume his rehab with Class A San Jose after playing two games for Triple-A Fresno. ... San Jose's Yukiya Oba was selected as the California League Trainer of the Year, an honor voted on by his peers. Tickets
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On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• CSN-BA, TBS On radio
• KNBR 680, KIQI (Español), KATD 990 (Sp.) Up next
• Monday: Giants (Matt Cain, 12-2, 2.12) at Astros (Mike Hampton, 6-8, 5.36), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 4-9, 4.81) at Astros (TBD), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Giants (Ryan Sadowski, 2-4, 4.45) at Astros (Brian Moehler, 7-6, 4.99), 11:05 a.m. PT
Andrew Pentis is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
