Giants win 8-6 as Jonathan Sanchez has a great outing to end his Cactus League campaign.

Diamond Notes:

- Today’s lineup was more a travel squad, with only Rowand and Schierholtz/Bowker as the probable starting position players in the field.

It was interesting though as Eugenio, Nate, and John were hitting 2, 3, and 4 in the order and playing the corner outfield positions.

Not that it is a competition between the 3 as Sabean has already said Bowker doesn’t project in RF and Velez doesn’t appear to be in contention for a starting job, but there are battles going on for OF spots in general. Nate went 2-4 with 3R, RBI, & BB. John went 2-3 with a R, 2RBI, BB, and a HR. Velez 2-5 wih 2R, 2RBI, BB, and a HR.

They all certainly brought their game.

- Speaking of Velez, he had a great AB in the 1st against Bush. He ripped a pitch to RF and did a little “drop of the bat and stare” move. The ball was barely foul and he had to walk back to the plate to take another pitch. He took it alright. He took the very next pitch on a ride to RF to visit the other ball he smashed there, except this time it stayed fair.

He dropped the bat again and stared at this one too. Oh man, it was great. I included a series of photos to show you both swings.

- Prince Fielder is also hilarious to watch field 1B. On Rowand’s lead off AB, he dribbled a ball down the RF and was slow out of the box thinking it may have been foul. Fielder comes rumbling down to get it but he’s slow as well. Grabs it, turns and air mails the underhand toss to Bush covering 1B. It was an interesting play to say the least.

The other play that was funny was Jonathan Sanchez’ pop up of a bunt attempt that went down the RF line in foul territory. Like I said, Prince isn’t the most fleet of foot and didn’t get a good break on it. He did dive though and it was just out of reach.

After that dive, I wouldn’t be surprised if some real bowling pins DID fall down out a local alley. Possibly a 5.8 on the Richter.

- As we know, Johnny can be wild sometimes with that slider, especially to LHH’s. Fielder happens to be a lefty, and he got drilled high with a ball that didn’t break.

The ump immediately warned both benches. It’s like come on man, this is ST. Is a warning really necessary? Johnny has been known to hit lefty’s anyway…

It was pretty awesome that Prince got hit again though, I’m not going to lie. I’m not an advocate for “head hunting” but if Johnny’s pitch got away from him, it just got away from him ;)

- Bowkermania is back. Another dinger for the guy that you can’t help but root for. One thing I have been noticing is he is laying of the breaking stuff at his back foot. In fact he laid off that pitch and it was the next one he hit to the outfield berm today. He’s back to being the guy we saw against St. Louis a couple years ago and that’s the John we know and love.

- My camera body had a malfunction after the 5th and the shutter locked up which means I didn’t get any photos of the second half of the game. Luckily I fixed it when I got home today, but just wanted to give you all a heads up.

What you won’t see? Waldis Joaquin, Sergio Romo, Felix Romero, and Steve Edlefsen closing it out.

It was great to see Steve back up for this game, he got Romero out of trouble with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 9th and closed it out.

- If you are wondering who won the sausage race…it was Italian. Chorizo let me down again…

CLICK HERE or full gallery.