So Chulk is coming back to The City - who gets sent packing - Hennessey? Is Alex Hinshaw a ML prospect? SF could use another LH relief pitcher. EME finally breaking out the lumber. When does Romo get his Fresno call up? I read the Augusta boxscore and was surprised to see Nooner playing LF, however, when I listened to the game he was back at his usual position at 2B and the boxscore was incorrect. Bmgarner had a nice second start.

I was waiting until the new minor lines post went up to post observations from the SJ Giants game last night, but I can do it here too.

First the funny, irrelevant stuff. Pablo Sandoval is a funny guy. He was shooting baseballs into the ball cart thing basketball style during BP. Then he pushed the ball cart thing around the field going "vroom vroom."

I was in San Jose to speak to Tim Alderson. I asked him for the straight dope on his repertoire, and he tells me he throws two fastballs--a four seam and a two seam, the curve, and the change. So there ya go, four pitches and just 19 years old.

As for the game, three Giants pitchers worked in the game. Jesse English started the game and his velocity was around 84-87 for his fastball and he was around 71 with his offspeed stuff. The speed gun wasn't on for the home half of the 3rd inning so I missed what he was throwing then. Ryan Shaver and Craig Whitaker pitched in relief. Shaver had similar velocity to English but was throwing his offspeed stuff around 76-79. Whitaker threw harder than both pitchers at 90-91.

Mike Mooney was a late scratch in the lineup. Mike McBryde played and reached base three times, a hit and two fielder's choice(s?). McBryde also stole a base. He is as fast as advertised. The whole Giants team put the pressure on in the running game. Lots of hit and run plays, hitting behind the runners, pickoff throws, and the like.

Sharlon Schoop did not play in the game. Instead Juan Ciriaco played at short. Ciriaco is a rule V guy from 2007 and has done almost nothing in previous minor league seasons. His highest level of play was in the Southern League with the San Diego organzation.

Pablito started at first base for the Giants. I watched him taking grounders at first during BP. He moved pretty well around the bag. Pablito also made some good plays in the game. He can stretch like a first baseman. He runs well, an unexpected observation. He even stole a base. There was a minor collision at first base where the Bakersfield runner ran into Sandoval, and Sandoval held his wrist. The trainer came out to look at the wrist but Sandoval stayed in the game. Since Sandoval had the wrist injury earlier in the week we were concerned that he hurt himself again.

Looks like the little Gs might be going with Sarmiento at catcher and Pablito at first now. I have to say, not a bad configuration.

TimA is friendly and accessible, but gave some fairly generic answers.

Please, please, please tell me there's a Crash Davis on the team feeding him what to say.

Wait a second, there is...