Bochy considers shuffling late-inning relief roles, etc.

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SAN FRANCISCOThe Giants landed Hunter Pence but didnt beefup their bullpen ahead of Tuesdays non-waiver trade deadline. Any deals theymake from this point are likely to be supplemental arms and not a full-fledgedcloser.

But Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he remained confident inhis late-game options.

I feel good about our situation here late in the ballgamebecause we have guys with experience, Bochy said.

BAGGARLY: Pence 'absolutely' would sign long-term with Giants

How will Bochy line up those guys, exactly? What is the pecking order?

Well, the manager acknowledged he wanted to give SantiagoCasilla and Sergio Romo some time out of the fire Tuesday night, when he hadleft-hander Jeremy Affeldt pitch the final two innings of a 4-1 victory overthe New York Mets.

Affeldt entered a 3-1 game and protected Tim Lincecumsvictory by retiring all six hitters he faced, three on strikeouts.

Since the All-Star break, Affeldt has held opponentsscoreless in eight of nine outings while holding them to a .108 average. Hesstruck out 11 and walked two in 11 23 innings.

Sounds like closer material to me.

Although Bochy didnt express a lack of confidence in Casilla, the right-hander has been scored upon in seven of 15 appearances beginning with his rough series June 22-24 at Oakland. Casilla has converted just five of 10 save chances over that run while serving up four homers, and he couldnt preserve a tie in the 10th inning of Monday nights loss to the Mets.

We'll have to see which way Bochy goes if he has a save situation tonight.

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Aubrey Huff was placed back on the 15-day disabled list toclear a space on the active roster for Pence. Bochy said he didnt know howlong Huffs knee would keep him out this time.

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Hector Sanchezs sprained knee passed all the tests atTriple-A Fresno and hes expected to be activated prior to Thursdays game.Bochy didnt commit to starting Sanchez, but its almost a given because BarryZito will be on the mound and its a day game after a night game.

EXTRA BAGGS: Posey welcomes pain in catching Lincecum, etc.

Bochy was asked if hell be more likely to let Buster Poseysoak up more starts at first base now that Sanchez will be on the roster again.The manager danced around the question a bit, but no doubt, it would behooveBrandon Belt to keep getting his hits.

Posey is going to catch for the most part, and Belts beenswinging better, Bochy said. But weve got a chance to get Hector, a prettygood bat in there.

Sanchez wont be appearing at first base any time soon,though. Hes been taking grounders there all season but Bochy said that PabloSandovals strained hamstringwhich he sustained while stretching to receivea throw at first baseinfluenced the decision to take away Sanchezs lightlyused first basemans mitt.

You put a guy at a different position, theres a risk, tobe honest, Bochy said. I didnt think there was with Pablo, but it happened."

Sandoval could find himself back at first base when hereturns, though. If Marco Scutaro keeps hitting as the third baseman, that movewould be almost automatic.

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Nate Schierholtz already has a home run in his Philliesdebut, and you fantasy leaguers already know what to do with your next supplementaldraft pick.

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