Joaquin Arias is 4-for-11 with 2 RBIs since joining the team. (Allan Henry-US PRESSWIRE)
- Joaquin Arias was the obvious call-up once Aubrey Huff was shipped to the DL with anxiety. The guy was batting .400 in Fresno with power and run production. Now in the big leagues for the first time since 2010, he’s already produced a couple of RBIs in just 11 at-bats. Big RBIs, I might add. His two-run triple against San Diego yesterday afternoon pushed the Giants lead to three, helping Timmy secure his second win of the year.
- Speaking of Timmy, he bounced back in his last couple starts just like we all hoped, prayed and begged he would. Since his nightmarish start to the 2012 campaign, he’s won two straight contests, giving up just one run on seven hits in 13 innings pitched, striking out a batter per inning.
- Back to Arias, he seems to be the better fit to play everyday second base until Freddy Sanchez can figure out how to stay healthy again. Emmanuel Burriss’s play has fallen off a bit since his hot start. He has just three hits in his last 17 plate appearances. And with one career home run, he’s never going to be able to produce any sort of power. The only upside to Burriss is his switch-hitting ability. Arias has more power, similar speed and a hotter bat at the moment.
- That brings us to Brandon Crawford. He just needs more at-bats. He needs a full season. He’s played arguably some of the best shortstop the Giants have seen since Omar Vizquel, and maybe some of the best in the league. The kid is going to win a Gold Glove some day.
- With Miami coming into town tomorrow, the Giants have to prove they can beat the teams they should beat. The Marlins are an interesting bunch, though. On paper, they’re easily one of the best team’s in the NL. A playoff team without a doubt, especially with the extra wild card team. But Ozzie’s squad isn’t off to the hottest of starts. At 8-14, they’ve lost eight of nine and their highest qualified batting average on the team is the newly named Giancarlo Stanton at only .247. Omar Infante is just under the number of at-bats needed for qualification, though, batting .323 with five big flies.
