Pablo Sandoval's return to the Giants lineup was far from heroic. The All-Star third baseman went 0-for-3 and committed a handful of miscues in the field. It is hard to say that he did anything to help Tim Lincecum's cause, whose command is beginning to seriously worry fans and the team. Though the Giants went 4-3 in the last seven days, they dropped two games further behind the surging Dodgers, and things aren't looking like they are going to get much better.
Lincecum has lost his last five decisions, and the Giants have lost the last eight games that he has started. It's starting to look a lot like the Lincecum has traded roles with the Barry Zito of 2010, who struggled all season. With Ryan Vogelsong, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and Zito all pitching well, Lincecum would be the odd man out if the playoffs started today. As a two-time NL Cy Young winner, that isn't the position anyone expects him to be in.
Despite his struggles, his teammates have certainly not given up on him. Aubrey Huff, who has had his fair share of adversity, knows Lincecum is doing the right things to get back on track.
"As ballplayers you get in kind of a rut and everything you try doesn't work," Huff said. "It can grind on you, this game can. Other than that, he's working hard. He's doing everything he needs to do. I see him working out in here, doing everything right. Sometimes you've got to keep going out there battling. It's a tough game."
The same isn't being said about Sandoval, whose conditioning is being questioned by team brass. In an interview with Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area, Bruce Bochy was less than pleased with Sandoval's actions during his rehab from surgery.
"What Sandoval doesn't understand yet is that if his body does not allow him to perform at an optimum level, he is essentially slapping Giants management in the face. The team gave him the benefit of the doubt by giving him a three-year, $17.5 mil deal. He needs to reciprocate by staying in shape."
What may trouble Giants fans the most about Sandoval's situation is the possibility of a move to first base. Though the Giants already have a logjam at the position, if Sandoval continues to struggle in the field, putting him at first may become necessary. The move would allow Joaquin Arias to play third, greatly increasing their defense, but would leave Brandon Belt without a home. Belt has hit poorly enough that the Giants may feel that this would be the right move. From a long-term perspective, this won't help the prospect get the experience he needs to develop.
With every additional loss on Lincecum's watch and Sandoval coming back in less than stellar shape, the team's momentum seems to be slipping away. In order for Sandoval to stay at third and Belt to get his at-bats, things are going to have to change. Fast. With the Dodgers on a hot streak, the Giants don't have much time to play around.
Connor Rose is a Chat Sports senior writer. E-mail: connorarose@gmail.com Twitter: @connorarose.
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