The San Francisco Giants are out to extend their lead in the NL West over the Arizona Diamondbacks this evening, and are using some new hardware in the lineup to try and do so.
Newly acquired Bill Hall will make his first start for the Giants at second base, batting seventh. Hall did played pretty well for the Red Sox last season and will be a handy replacement for Freddy Sanchez, but the way Freddy was doing at the plate and in the field this year, really no one can replace him.
Miguel Tejada will get a start at shortstop to give Brandon Crawford a day off against the lefty Joe Saunders, while Pablo Sandoval will be at third, batting third (just feels good to write that). Cody Ross will be the clean-up man tonight, while Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand will both start in the outfield as Andres Torres and Nate Schierholtz get a night off.
Interesting fact: despite his 2-8 record Madison Bumgarner currently holds the third longest streak in the majors for quality starts at nine. Hopefully he can get some run support in the desert tonight.
Your San Francisco Giants:
1. Aaron Rowand CF
2. Miguel Tejada SS
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Cody Ross RF
5. Aubrey Huff 1B
6. Pat Burrell LF
7. Bill Hall 2B
8. Eli Whiteside C
9. Madison Bumgarner P
Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup:
1. Willie Bloomquist LF
2. Kelly Johnson 2B
3. Justin Upton RF
4. Chris Young CF
5. Stephen Drew SS
6. Xavier Nady 1B
7. Ryan Roberts 3B
8. Henry Blanco C
9. Joe Saunders P
Firsst pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
For more on the Giants, head on over to McCovey Chronicles to get in on the action.