Giants-Phillies

The numbers made the move necessary.

Shane Victorino: .354. Jimmy Rollins: .242. With that, manager Charlie Manuel made a lineup change, starting Rollins somewhere other than leadoff for the first time this season and the third time in his previous 200 starts. The switch-hitting shortstop batted sixth on Thursday, with the hot Victorino leading off.

Despite a five-game hitting streak and some recent hard-hit outs, Rollins entered Thursday's game batting .202 in May, while Victorino is at .388 this month.

"I just wanted to change it up," Manuel said.

Though Manuel said Rollins will likely bat leadoff on Friday against Milwaukee, he left himself open to the possibility of changing his mind.

Thursday's game saw Victorino add a single and a key walk, putting his average for the season at .349. Rollins meanwhile, went 0-for-4, sinking him to a season-low .237.

Rollins learned of the move when he entered the clubhouse after his pregame workout. Though Manuel mentioned that he told Rollins he was considering the move on Wednesday, he didn't get a chance to tell Rollins on Thursday.

"When you know before the game, it just makes it a little bit easier," Rollins said. "It's a little different mentality when you're out there warming up. You're not worrying about things other than just getting ready."

Rollins offered a joking reminder to Manuel. When Manuel left the dugout to remove Arthur Rhodes in the eighth inning, Rollins said, "'Hey, next time, just let me know.' [Manuel] started laughing. When my swing gets right, he'll put me back at the top. Until then, let's win some games."

As for Victorino, he's taken to every spot in the order, and has been fantastic filling in for Aaron Rowand.

His offense has been covered, but his defense has been spectacular.

Almost Rowand-esque.

Victorino robbed Carlos Beltran in the fifth inning with a diving catch to his right, and nearly stole a hit from Cliff Floyd in the second. Victorino reached it on the dead run at the warning track, and the ball hit the heel of his glove and bounced out.

"I thought I had it," he said. "I felt it go in my glove. I don't know at what point it came out. The next thing I know, I was on my back and didn't have the ball."

With Rowand scheduled to come off the disabled list on Saturday, Victorino is grateful for the opportunity to show his talents.

"It's been fun," he said. "Those were some big shoes to fill, but I went out there and thought I did my best and did what I needed to do. Whatever happens from here, happens from here. I'm just going to go out there and play and hope for the best for him when he gets back."

An extra out: Closer Tom Gordon recorded an extended save on Thursday, entering the game with two outs in the eighth inning.

He started his four-out save by walking Xavier Nady on four pitches and started Kaz Matsui with a ball.

"I was all over the place with my fastball," Gordon said. "I felt really strong with my curve and cutter, so I threw that a little more. When your fastball is off a little bit, you can go to your breaking ball here or there, or whatever pitch suits you."

The curve suited him fine, and Gordon got Matsui to ground back to the mound, then worked around an Endy Chavez leadoff walk in the ninth. It was the first time this season he's pitched more than an inning.

"I prepared myself thinking I could pitch in the eighth," said Gordon, who had pitched once in the past 10 days. "It's not like I haven't done it before. I've gotten that opportunity a couple of times. In this game, you just have to stay ready."

Nunez vows improvement: Abraham Nunez is often spotted with a bat in his hand, and is usually on his way to or from the batting cage.

His struggles are not due to a lack of effort, but the results aren't there.

Nunez's latest letdown came in the eighth inning of Wednesday's game, when he was sent up with one out and the tying run on second base.

He popped out.

"I know I have to do a better job, but I definitely will get out of it," he said. "I know I can handle this."

Nunez is hitting .170 this season, and is 1-for-18 (.056) as a pinch-hitter. Given an opportunity to play every day last season with the Cardinals, Nunez batted .285.

While he's been a bench player before, he finds himself readjusting to the role.

"It's a tough job, but it's mental," Nunez said. "You only get one at-bat and that at-bat is your game that day. You can't be giving that at-bat away. That situation [Wednesday] night could have been a win for us. I have to be productive. I can't get down on myself, because I'm going to have more opportunities later in the season."

Floyd on three days' rest: Maybe it's because Gavin Floyd threw his 101 pitches two hours earlier than Ryan Madson's 105 during Tuesday's 16-inning marathon, but he was the choice to start Saturday's game against Milwaukee -- on three days' rest.

"It's fine with me," Floyd said. "I'm ready."

Floyd said his routine won't change much, except he'll throw one fewer side session.

"Yeah," Floyd said. "[Two] would be mathematically impossible."

Though Floyd's previous two outings have been similar in that they've had good beginnings and subpar endings marred by one bad inning, Manuel sees encouraging signs.

Notably, Floyd seems to be mixing his pitches better.

"He's getting there," Manuel said. "I think we'll see a better second half from him."

Coming up: Righty Cory Lidle, who opposes Milwaukee's Chris Capuano in Friday's 7:05 p.m. ET series opener, has rebounded well from his two-inning stint on May 10. He gave up five earned runs in that outing (eight total), then five in the next two starts combined, spanning 12 innings. He started against the Brewers on May 16, allowing two runs in six innings.

The Giants' offseason is still a work in progress, but the Winter Meetings proved productive on several fronts.

They all but completed their bullpen for 2006 with the acquisition of veteran left-handed reliever Steve Kline in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for righty LaTroy Hawkins and cash considerations.

This came on the heels of signing ex-Giants closer Tim Worrell to a two-year deal a week before. Kline fills the role of departed southpaw Scotty Eyre, the much-pursued setup specialist who went to the Cubs.

San Francisco also inked the versatile Mark Sweeney, an infielder-outfielder who'll back up Lance Niekro at first and provide considerable pinch-hitting talents.

As a prelude to Sweeney's two-year pact, the Giants also declined to offer arbitration to veteran first baseman J.T. Snow and starting pitcher Brett Tomko.

As Giants officials departed for San Francisco from the chilly climes of Texas, they figure to find out soon whether their No. 1 offseason target, St. Louis free agent pitcher Matt Morris, can be acquired.

Even though Morris has been offered arbitration by the Cardinals, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said the club is among front-runners for the right-hander's services and the pursuit continues.

Deals done: Traded Hawkins to the Baltimore Orioles for Kline. Signed former San Diego first baseman-outfielder Sweeney to a two-year deal.

Rule 5 activity: Lost Triple-A Fresno RHP Mitch Wylie to the New York Mets. Lost Double-A Connecticut RHP Jose Sanchez to Washington's New Orleans Zephyrs. Selected New Hampshire (Toronto) SS Eugenio Velez for Triple-A Fresno. Selected Daytona Cubs (Chicago) 3B Aaron Sisk to Connecticut.

Goals accomplished: The Giants dodged a big bullet by picking up Kline after the loss of super setup man Eyre. Signing of Sweeney gives squad veteran outfield depth and platoon possibilities at first with Niekro, who may or not be ready for prime time.

Sweeney can also spell Barry Bonds in left and Moises Alou in right.

Unfinished business: Starting pitching is still the No. 1 goal. Morris is a target, but if they can't sign him, Sabean will likely wait until the Dec. 20 non-tender deadline for candidates. They're not satisfied with what's available now.

The Giants are still seeking a powerful left-handed bat after weak performances against right-handed pitchers last year.

GM's bottom line: "We're fortunate to be where we're at. We're a heckuva lot better now than before the meetings. Getting Worrell made Hawkins available and allowed us to get Kline and allowed us to cover the loss of Scotty Eyre. And to get somebody like Sweeney to give us versatility."

Bobby Abreu and Tomas Perez are familiar with playing winter ball in Venezuela, but this was a chance with greater significance.

Neither player could refuse the opportunity to represent Venezuela in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, a 16-team tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). The games are scheduled for March 3-20, 2006, and will feature the world's best players competing for their home countries and territories.

Abreu, 31, made his native country proud when he won the Century 21 Home Run Derby at this year's All-Star Game in the first year Derby participants represented their home countries. He is already a mega celebrity in Venezuela, akin to Michael Jordan in the United States.

The lefty clubbed 24 homers and stole 31 bases in 2005, becoming the third player in Major League history to have seven consecutive 20-20 seasons, joining Barry Bonds (nine straight) and Bobby Bonds (seven straight). The two-time All-Star also earned his first Rawlings Gold Glove this year.

If selected, Abreu could be joined by fellow Venezuelans Johan Santana and Carlos Silva (Twins), Freddy Garcia (White Sox), Carlos Guillen (Tigers), Omar Vizquel (Giants) and Carlos Zambrano (Cubs).

As an added bonus, Abreu would play against the Phillies before the tournament, as the Phils have scheduled an exhibition game against Venezuela on March 4 at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, Fla. A split squad will also play the previously scheduled Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

Abreu and Perez are two of eight Phillies who have agreed to participate for their respective countries. A total of 177 big-league players have agreed to play. A player agreeing to participate doesn't guarantee his inclusion on any of the 16 final 30-man rosters.

Also representing the Phillies are: Rheal Cormier (Canada), Rob Tejeda and Eude Brito (Dominican Republic), Carlos Ruiz (Panama) and Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley (United States).

Playing for his home country is also important for Cormier, who was a member of the 1988 Canadian Olympic baseball team. The reliever has always spoken fondly about representing the Great White North. He might be joined by Jason Bay (Pirates), Justin Morneau (Twins) and Corey Koskie (Blue Jays).

Rollins, a native of Oakland, Calif., finished the 2005 season with a club-record 36-game hitting streak, the ninth-longest hit streak in Major League history and the longest by a full-time shortstop. A three-time All-Star, Rollins is familiar with international play, having been a part of a traveling group of Major League All-Stars that went to Japan in 2002.

Sixty-man rosters must be submitted by Jan. 17, while the ultimate 30-man rosters will be finalized 24 hours before the start of the tournament. The final rosters must include a minimum of 13 pitchers and three catchers. MLB has committed to using 60 percent of Major League-affiliated players. All the players announced on Monday have the blessings of the Players Association and the MLB owners, who have collectively spent months in the initial culling process.

First-round action will be played at four sites. Pool A, consisting of Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and China, will meet at the Tokyo Dome on March 3-5. Pool B, featuring the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South Africa, will play at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Scottsdale Stadium, the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants, on March 7-10.

Pool C is Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and The Netherlands, and will play at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 7-10. Pool D, featuring the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia and Italy, will play at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., on March 7-10.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the second round, which takes place March 12-15 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico and Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The semifinals and finals will be held at San Diego's PETCO Park on March 18-20.

Tickets go on sale Dec. 10 for games in Puerto Rico and Dec. 12 for games in the United States. For more information, go to www.worldbaseballclassic.com.

Based upon what he saw during the brief 14-game window in which Barry Bonds played this season, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said Sunday that he hopes the 41-year-old lefty-swinging slugger will be able to play up to 120 games and be a force for San Francisco in 2006.

And San Francisco is where Sabean still expects Bonds to finish his career.

"He never had a Spring Training and had no rehab assignment," Sabean said before the Giants closed a disappointing, injury-riddled season with a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks at SBC Park. "It's pretty impressive not as much that the skills are still there, but how it spurred him to help the ballclub. It was good for everybody."

Bonds missed the final four games of the season after the Giants were eliminated from playoff contention by the National League West-winning Padres on Wednesday night in San Diego to rest his gimpy and thrice surgically repaired right knee.

On Fan Appreciation Day at the now six-year-old ballpark, the team said goodbye to the 40,239 in attendance after Brett Tomko twirled a complete-game victory and Bonds limped onto the field dressed in jeans and a red T-shirt. He waved to the crowd, tossed an autographed baseball into the stands and then disappeared into the offseason, during which he said he hopes to strengthen the knee and eradicate the constant pain he played in, making 13 starts during a period of less than three weeks.

"I gave it everything I had to give," Bonds said. "I couldn't give any more."

Bonds hit five home runs in his first 36 at-bats. That gives him 708 in his 20-year career, leaving him six behind Babe Ruth's 714 and 47 in arrears of Hank Aaron's 755, the all-time Major League Baseball record.

During his first at-bat Sept. 12 after missing the season's initial 142 games, he battled San Diego's Adam Eaton for 11 pitches, slamming the final offering just near the rim of the left-field fence. The shot was called a double instead of a home run because of fan interference, although later the Giants analyzed the replay and determined the decision had been the wrong one.

"That first ball he hit we determined was a home run," said Peter Magowan, the Giants' managing general partner. "The guy reached down to catch it. We ejected him from the ballpark because we thought it hit off him below the fence. But the replay actually showed that it hit the top of the fence and was bouncing over when it hit him."

A little more than a week later, during his second plate appearance ever at RFK Stadium, Bonds hit the ball seven rows into the second deck, making it the 35th Major League ballpark in which he has homered. At that point, Bonds was in the midst of hitting homers in four consecutive starts.

His last homer of the season came Sept. 27 in pitcher-friendly PETCO Park, an opposite-field, first-inning, three-run shot into the left-field bleachers.

Bonds started six games in a row before sitting Thursday and 13 in all after his belated comeback began nearly three weeks ago.

He finished with a .286 batting average (12-for-42) with a double, the five homers, eight runs scored, 10 runs batted in and nine walks, three of them intentional.

"I think we all know he can still hit," Sabean said. "The more we asked him to play, he was able to go out there all those days in a row and do it. Some of those were ginger, whether on the bases or in the outfield. But it was a good thing for him mentally. No matter how great you are, it's very difficult to take a whole year off. He now knows that he's still the force he was before he missed all this time."

Bonds had surgery to clean debris from beneath his left kneecap last Oct. 12 and waited until Jan. 31 to have meniscus removed from his right knee. During what turned out to be an aborted attempt at Spring Training, Bonds went back into surgery March 17 on a knee that is now arthritic, devoid of meniscus and cartilage. It was then that his recovery really began to bog down.

"Right then, I knew there was something seriously wrong with the knee," Bonds said. "It just wasn't right."

For the next six weeks, he showed no improvement and finally visited the clinic of Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles, where he was diagnosed with a serious bacterial infection that jeopardized the very existence of the lower right leg. On May 2, he had the knee flushed with antibiotics and had to wear a portable IV for another week.

The infection was ultimately purged. On June 24, Bonds left the team to rehab at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic under the auspices of Yocum, the Angels' chief orthopedic surgeon, and physical therapist Clive Brewster. When he rejoined the team at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 5 to resume batting practice and baseball activities with the team, Bonds claimed that he never would've made it back without the help of Yocum and Brewster, the latter of whom was in San Francisco this weekend as Bonds resumed his rehab.

Bonds said he will remain under their care for a least a month before resuming the offseason workouts that were once commonplace during the first 19 years of his 20-year career. As a veteran with 10 years of experience and at least the last five with the same team, he must approve any trades. And Bonds has not asked at this juncture to be traded to an American League team where he can finish as a designated hitter, Magowan and Sabean said and Bonds confirmed.

"I would be surprised if he'd come to us and do that," Sabean said. "He's told everybody in the past that he wants to retire as a Giant."

Bonds is under contract next year for $18 million. How much he will have to give is the greatest question.

"We've talked about this internally," Sabean added. "With the intense conditioning program over the winter that I'm sure he's going to partake in, it's reasonable to think he'll play in 120 games. We'll have to watch him and be sensitive to the fact that some days he may come in cranky and not be ready to go. The next thing is to get him into Spring Training and get him in a position to be able to do that. I think he wants to do that. Now whether that happens or not, only God knows. But I think the effort is going to be there."