San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy says he’s not concerned
about closer Brian Wilson, who still isn’t ready to appear in an
exhibition game.
”
It’s early,
”
Bochy said.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy says he’s not concerned about closer Brian Wilson, who still isn’t ready to appear in an exhibition game.
“It’s early,” Bochy said.
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But ask him about the hard contact Pablo Sandoval has made in five Cactus League games, and Bochy changes his tune.
“I don’t care that it’s early,” the manager said of his slimmed-down third baseman, who is 6 for 13 with two homers and two doubles. “I’m excited with where Pablo’s at, and he should be, too.”
Sandoval had another eye-popping day, hitting two deep doubles in a 3-2 exhibition loss to the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. He drove the first one to the opposite field, splitting the gap in left-center off Ryan Dempster. Then he took a pitch from Todd Wellemeyer off the wall in dead center, 430 feet away.
Sandoval also tagged from second base on a fly ball to center — something he didn’t have a prayer of doing a year ago, when he was carrying 278 pounds on a 5-foot-11 frame.
Sandoval’s first double knocked in a run and came after he let a Dempster pitch get deep. That’s something Sandoval seldom did a year ago, usually getting far out in front of pitches and over-rotating through ugly swings as he tried desperately to knock in runs.
In 2010, he hit .208 with runners in scoring position; his average was even worse (.182) with runners in scoring position and two outs.
Now he looks like a hitter who could drive in 100 runs — something no Giant has done since Barry Bonds in 2004.
“I tried to do too much in that situation last year,” said Sandoval, who has talked to Bonds about plate discipline. “Last year, anything close, I swung. “¦ I’ve grown a little more. This year I put it in my mind, get a pitch and try to help my teammates. I calmed down.”
Sandoval said he also has gotten used to wearing contact lenses — one other variable that led to nonstop tinkering last season.
The Kung Fu Panda isn’t messing with his elaborate, bat-tapping ritual that precedes every plate appearance, though. It’s the only thing he hopes to carry over from last year.
— Bochy acknowledged that Wilson’s last mound session wasn’t very good and the bearded closer will throw live batting practice again Wednesday. If it goes well, he would pitch in a Cactus League game after that.
“We expect it to be his last time,” Bochy said. “He’s not where he needs to be right now. That’s fair to say. “¦ He needs more pitches under his belt. His back is fine, but he’s a little rusty, to be honest.”
The Giants told Wilson to lay off throwing over the winter because of his heavy workload in the postseason. As a result, he is behind in terms of control and velocity.
Bochy remained unconcerned, saying Wilson had plenty of time to get 10 appearances, ramp up to pitch back-to-back days and do everything he needs to be ready for the season.
“There’s nothing lingering,” Wilson said. “I’m in shape. I’m ready. It’s spring training. It happens every year. Either a hamstring pull or pitching muscle tightness “¦ that’s what spring training is — getting the cobwebs out. That way during the season, you don’t get shut down. You can manage it.
“We’ll treat this and get this 100 percent.”
— Tim Lincecum worked on fastball command and hit his spots while facing the minimum in three hitless innings; his only baserunner came on a throwing error by shortstop Miguel Tejada. Madison Bumgarner gave up six hits and three runs in his two innings, but struck out four and said he had better stuff.
— Second baseman Freddy Sanchez made his exhibition debut — his first Cactus League game as a Giant, actually — and stung a lineout to the first baseman in his first at-bat. Sanchez is fully recovered from a left shoulder cleanup procedure over the winter.
— Pinch hitter Brandon Belt hit a scalding lineout to deep right field, ending the game and stranding the tying run at third base.
— Center fielder Andres Torres (tight left oblique) felt better but he’ll rest for a few more days as a precaution, Bochy said.
— Backup catcher Eli Whiteside (inflamed right elbow) is swinging freely in the cage and playing catch from 90 feet, but is not yet ready to play.
— Third base coach Tim Flannery has been out a few days with the flu.
— Story by Andrew Baggarly, San Jose Mercury News
