Thoughts from Giants 10, Dodgers 8
By Chris Haft
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Barry Zito owns a 5.79 ERA after two Cactus League starts, but so far this spring he has looked more assertive on the mound than he sometimes has during his two seasons with San Francisco. That’s no accident, Zito said after he lasted 2 2/3 innings in the Giants’ 10–8 exhibition victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Glendale.
“Personally, I’m on a mission to trust myself and let it fly,” Zito said. “I’ve done that for two games.”
Other highlights from the Giants’ third Cactus League victory in four games:
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Catching prospect Buster Posey not only collected his first two hits of the spring but also collected his first RBI with an eighth-inning infield single.
Dave Roberts collected his first hit of the spring with an excellent at-bat in the eighth inning. A left-handed batter facing left-hander Brent Leach, Roberts worked the count to 3–2 before stroking a bases-loaded single that extended the Giants’ lead from 7–6 to 9–6.
Left-hander Alex Hinshaw took his first step toward salvaging what has been a rough spring by pitching 1 1/3 innings for the save. After stranding a runner on first base while recording the eighth’s inning final out, Hinshaw survived shortstop Juan Uribe’s dropped pop-up to strike out Chin-lung Hu and leave runners at the corners.
Has anybody noticed that the Giants have 14 home runs in eight games?
— Chris Haft
