San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2010 ) San Francisco 9, LA Dodgers 0
The San Francisco Giants’ fast start to the season could be slowed by injuries.
Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand suffered two broken bones in his left cheek when he was beaned Friday by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla.
And outfielder Mark DeRosa left Saturday’s win with a strained hamstring, leaving San Francisco short-handed for the finale of the three-game series that concludes this afternoon in Los Angeles.
The Giants are weighing whether Rowand needs surgery or might be able to avoid an operation and play with a protective visor.
Rowand also suffered a concussion when he was hit by a Padilla fastball in the fifth inning of Friday’s series opener.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that the team’s medical staff was discussing treatment options and would do whatever was in the best interest of Rowand’s long-term health.
Padilla indicated Saturday that he didn’t intend to hit Rowand. The hit batsman loaded the bases with one out.
Padilla has a reputation for plunking batters and the beaning of Rowand will only further it. San Francisco had scored twice in the inning before Rowand stepped to the plate.
The 32-year-old Rowand was batting .304 in 46 at-bats this season. He’s a gritty player and a stellar defensive outfielder in addition to providing solid offensive production to the team.
Switch-hitter Eugenio Velez batted in Rowand’s leadoff spot in San Francisco’s 9-0 win on Saturday, igniting the offense by reaching base four times on three hits and a walk.
Velez is hitting .412 through 17 at-bats. He hit .267 last season in 285 at-bats.
Los Angeles was also without a key player Saturday as Manny Ramirez missed the game with a calf injury. The Dodgers are hoping Ramirez will return to the lineup today when San Francisco sends left-hander Barry Zito to the mound.
Zito (2-0) has opened the season with two consecutive good outings. He threw six shutout innings against Houston in his first start and then allowed three runs in six innings against Pittsburgh in his second outing.
Zito has allowed just eight hits in 12 innings and has shown signs of recapturing the form that made him one of the top pitchers in the American League when he toiled for the Oakland Athletics.
One player sure to be on the bench is Dodgers first baseman James Loney. He’s just 1-for-20 lifetime against Zito.
Left-hander Clayton Kershaw (1-0) will oppose Zito.