March 22--AT THE PLATE -- After starting his regulars in back-to-back games, Manager Mike Scioscia gave most of them Saturday off, going with a lineup of bench players and minor leaguers instead. And one of them, third baseman Kyle Kubitza, drove home the winning run with a bases-loaded single in the ninth. Efren Navarro, battling for the final bench spot, had two hits to raise his spring average to .433. He also scored a run. Collin Cowgill doubled and scored the first run and is hitting .412.
ON THE MOUND: Jered Weaver pitched into the sixth inning for the first time this spring, shutting the Giants out on four hits and striking out six. "Everything's coming along good," said Weaver, who hasn't given up a run in his last eight innings and has allowed just five hits in his last 10. Closer Huston Street and set-up man Joe Smith each pitched a hitless inning of relief
EXTRA BASES: The competition for the starting job at second base could be decided by who is healthiest. Josh Rutledge and Johnny Giavotella were both unavailable Saturday, Rutledge with a tight hamstring that has kept him out of the last four days and Giavotella with a bad left thumb, hurt sliding in Friday's game. X-rays of the thumb were negative. And then in the eighth inning Saturday, Taylor Featherston, also battled for the second base job, took a pitch off his wrist. He stayed in the game, though, and Scioscia said the injury did not appear serious.
UP NEXT: San Francisco Giants on Sunday, 1 p.m. at Scottsdale Stadium. On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 830.
