Another gray night for Giants in road loss to A's

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 22, 2009 | by Andrew Baggarly

OAKLAND -- The cavalry might come galloping to assist the Giants offense, but don't expect to hear a reveille anytime soon.

Before watching his lineup struggle in road grays yet again Monday night in a 5-1 loss to the A's, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said he didn't expect any deals for bats to develop until the days leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

"Not enough teams are completely out of it, which is why I think the market is going to be late-developing," Sabean said. "You can't definitively know who they have available. And those who are have so many suitors. Whoever makes a trade early is going to really have to pay the price.

"The one good thing is we know what we need."

The Giants managed four hits, struggled to advance runners and failed to create any late opportunities against A's rookie right- hander Trevor Cahill on Monday.

Also, Jonathan Sanchez might have pitched his way out of the Giants rotation, but he hardly had a chance to win.

That's life on the road for the Giants this season.

Entering the game, they were averaging 4.47 runs at home and just 3.4 on the road. They had a markedly better home average (.275 to .244). Even their power numbers had been superior at AT&T Park -- more home runs (24 to 18), doubles (66 to 59) and triples (12 to 3) - - despite less friendly conditions at China Basin.

"That's the crazy thing," Sabean said. "We are so much better scoring runs at home, in a pitcher's park."

Sabean said he and his staff have identified a "narrow list" of potential trade targets. The list includes some impending free agents, but while the Giants would take on salary for a three-month rental, they do not plan to give up premium young talent for one.

Asked if A's left fielder Matt Holliday was on his short list, Sabean said, "I can't answer that. But I will say the list is more right-handed than left-handed."

Sabean hasn't spoken with A's officials about Holliday, but because Oakland GM Billy Beane dealt for the All-Star left fielder this winter as an apparent gambit to extract a better haul at the trade deadline, it's doubtful the A's would give him away just to relieve themselves of his $13.5 million salary.

While the Giants haven't had many questions about their staff, they must decide whether Sanchez (2-8) deserves to stay in the rotation. He had almost no feel for his breaking pitches and failed to complete six innings for the 11th time in 13 starts.

Before the game, Giants manager Bruce Bochy stated flatly that the erratic left-hander was pitching to save his job. After the game, Bochy said he thought Sanchez was more competitive.

"We'll get together tomorrow and talk about what we're going to do with Jonathan," Bochy said. "What you're looking for is improvement, and I thought tonight it was."

Sanchez said he was disappointed in his performance but believes he deserves another chance.

"Yeah, I think I was fighting all the time," he said. "I was battling my (butt) off."

Contact Andrew Baggarly at abaggarly@mercurynews.com.