Sweeping south:
The Giants open a three-game set in San Diego after a four-game sweep of the Cubs.
The Giants flew to San Diego on Monday afternoon after a 6-1 homestand that served as a shove in the back to firstplace Los Angeles. They took two of three from Arizona, then completed their first series sweep of the season, a four-gamer, by beating the lost Chicago Cubs 3-2.
Beneath the surface, though, the Giants’ excellent homestand underscored how much they need Pablo Sandoval’s bat.
They totaled 19 runs in the seven games, yet prospered because of a rotation that was nails. The got several timely hits but no home runs. They have only six in 29 games at AT&T Park.
“This guy is going to make us a better club,” manager
Bruce Bochy said of Sandoval.
But Sandoval has issues that go beyond the ongoing criminal investigation in Santa Cruz over an alleged sexual assault.
Bochy acknowledged Monday that Sandoval’s conditioning is an issue again and he will not be reinstated from the disabled list unless he can demonstrate he is in sufficient physical shape to play third base.
Bochy met with Sandoval briefly Saturday morning. Though the manager would not divulge any details, his tone clearly suggested he is again unhappy with Sandoval’s commitment to his work.
Team officials have been stern with Sandoval since a lack of conditioning derailed his 2010 season and will be sterner still after showing faith in his work ethic by giving him a three-year, $17.15 million contract before the season.
The Giants probably will not activate Sandoval for this weekend’s home series against Texas, partly because they will face two left-handed starters and Sandoval is not ready to hit right-handed. The new target is next Tuesday, when the Giants open a three-game home series against Houston
Sandoval’s ability to play third base is part of the equation, too, in light of Joaquin Arias’ superb defense.
“We’ve told (Sandoval) we have enough first basemen,” Bochy said. “We need to get him in shape to get him to third. I hope we’re not forced to make a change. That’s in Pablo’s hands.
“He has to be able to make the plays that Arias is making. … Before he comes up here, it’s not just his hitting. We have to see how he plays third base.”
Sandoval homered lefthanded in San Jose’s game at Stockton on Sunday. He took 15 right-handed swings in batting practice and felt some soreness in his left hand. On Monday at Stockton, he was 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Sandoval is expected to continue his rehab with Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday.
The Giants have gone 19-12 without Sandoval, but in many wins, they had to scratch for runs. Monday was the scratchiest example, as they left 11 on base.
They got one clutch hit, an RBI double by Brandon Crawford, but scored the tying and go-ahead runs on a Crawford infield out and an Arias double-play ball in rallies that could have been bigger. Both started identically, with walks to Buster Posey and Brandon Belt sandwiched around Angel Pagan singles.