GOODYEAR, Ariz.Emmanuel Burriss started in right fieldWednesday because Nate Schierholtzs strained right forearm needed one more dayto rest up.
But now its Burriss who might need some time to heal.
His terrific spring was interrupted in the fourth inningwhen he spoke up and said his right hamstring was a little tight. JustinChristian replaced him in right field.
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Ive got a good thing going, said Burriss, who has a .417average. Might as well speak up if you dont feel right. Ive played a lot ofinnings. Its nothing at all serious.
Burriss was clearly not pleased to be battling an injury,however minor. Remember, this is the guy who re-broke his foot in the firstgame of the spring two years ago. It happened here at Goodyear Ballpark, too.
You couldnt blame Burriss if he never wants to step in thisballpark again.
Burriss, who has no minor league options remaining, isexpected to make the clubespecially if Freddy Sanchez begins the year on theDL as expected.
San Francisco Giants
We dont want to take any chances, Giants manager Bruce Bochysaid. We took him out there and see how hes doing tomorrow. It wasnt worththe risk.
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The other day, Bochy said there was no separation betweenAubrey Huff, Brandon Belt and Brett Pill. Left unsaid: Pill has been thequietest among the bunch in recent days.
Not anymore.
Pill crushed a no-doubt, three-run home run off Kevin Sloweyto power the Giants to a 5-3 victory. The shot to left field came after BusterPosey singled and Belt walked.
He kind of lost it there for a couple days but he threw outa good at-bat, Bochy said. Theyre all good players. It wont be easydeciding which way well go. Its what you want to seeguys doing what they need to do.
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The most undecided competition in camp is backup catcher, although Chris Stewart continues to throw well. The Indians Asdrubal Cabrera got ahuge jump on Surkamp in the fifth inning, but Stewart came up throwing, got offa rapid throw and it was on target to throw him out.
Bochy said its a total tossup between Stewart and EliWhiteside. If management came to him now and demanded a decision, he wouldntbe able to provide one.
Hector Sanchez, by the way, was 2 for 2 to boost his averageto .480. He also appeared to tweak his groin after sliding into second base,but trainers checked him and he stayed in the game.
Ive said it before, but I think Sanchez should break withthe club to give the Giants a nice switch-hitting bat off the bench, as well asa third catcher for additional coverage behind Poseyat least for the firstweek of the season. When Ryan Vogelsong or Freddy Sanchez gets activated, assumingone or both begins on the DL, then you can option Hector back to be theeveryday guy and get more experience at Triple-A Fresno.
Why not just make Sanchez the backup catcher? Well, the Giants feel he still has a lot of work to do to improve behind the plate. And he won't be able to do that while sitting on the bench.
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Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla both threw scorelessinnings. Neither pitcher has allowed a run this spring. Casilla was a littleout of sorts at times, though. Hector Sanchez had to block a number of 54-footbreaking balls.
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I was riffing with Tim Lincecum this morning about entrancemusic and hes going to stay with Electric Feel by MGMT. Its become one ofhis trademarks and he says it gets him pumped up without getting overly amped. It just seems to fit him right.
Lincecum will take on Jamie Moyer and the Rockies onThursday night. I wonder what music Moyer will pick from his era -- baroque or romantic?