[新聞] Ford embraces role as Giants' running man
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Ford embraces role as Giants' running man
Outfielder's speed on basepaths valuable in clutch situations
By Chris Haft and Adam Berry / MLB.com | 05/11/11 9:55 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- The afternoon after providing the spark -- and the winning
run -- in the Giants' 1-0, walk-off victory over the D-backs, Darren Ford was
back on the basepaths in AT&T Park.
Ford entered Tuesday night's game at first base after Buster Posey's leadoff
walk and stole second with an impressive burst of speed, not even drawing a
throw from Arizona catcher Miguel Montero. But Wednesday afternoon, the
"Bullet" was receiving instruction from first-base coach Roberto Kelly,
seeking further improvement in his role as the Giants' go-to pinch-runner in
late-game situations.
The speedy outfielder has been caught stealing this season nearly as many
times (three) as he has successfully swiped a base (four), but he is no less
comfortable serving as a critical weapon off the Giants' bench in key moments
-- and he has the full confidence of manager Bruce Bochy.
"Anytime I get in the game, I know it's a clutch situation, so I've got to be
the best I can be, go out there and just keep fighting," Ford said Tuesday
night. "With this team, you never know what's going to happen.
"It's always a good feeling, just going out there and basically telling them
that I'm going to beat you, and that's going to be that. I'm going to beat
you any way that I can to try to get that bag, and tonight it showed."
Bochy acknowledged that Ford is on the roster "pretty much" exclusively as a
pinch-runner, but that doesn't make him any less valuable to the team.
"It has to be exciting for him. I wish I had that kind of speed," Bochy said.
"It's not like he's going to sneak attack them. They all know why he's out
there.
"There are very few guys who can do what he can do, and that's go out there
and steal a base when they know he's going to try to steal a base. That's
Rickey Henderson-type speed and quickness."
Injured Zito throws off mound for first time
SAN FRANCISCO -- Nearly a month after being placed on the disabled list,
Giants pitcher Barry Zito was throwing off the mound for the first time.
The left-hander, out with a right mid-foot sprain, threw for about eight to
10 minutes before Wednesday night's game against Arizona, Giants manager
Bruce Bochy said. Bochy couldn't say for certain how long it will be until
Zito returns, but he estimated it could be about three or four weeks.
"He's coming along fine," Bochy said. "He's just got to get his arm strength
and stamina back. It's hard to put a target on that."
Zito threw on flat ground from 60 feet Friday and Saturday but had yet to get
back on the mound. He was taken out of the game during the second inning of
an April 16 start against the D-backs. In three starts this season, Zito
compiled an 0-1 record with a 6.23 ERA, walking eight batters while striking
out six in 13 innings.
In other injury news, right-handed reliever Santiago Casilla is still
awaiting the final details of his rehab assignment. Casilla threw a simulated
inning before Tuesday's game, and Bochy expected the right-hander to test his
inflamed right elbow in either Triple-A Fresno or Class A San Jose, most
likely beginning this weekend.
Bay Area inspires Huff to relocate full time
SAN FRANCISCO -- Aubrey Huff intends to demonstrate the depth of his
oft-expressed appreciation for San Francisco.
Hoping to become full-time Bay Area residents, Huff and his family plan to go
house-hunting locally after this season's conclusion. The Giants first
baseman said that he and his wife, Barbara, formerly considered relocating to
Southern California. But Northern California has grown on Huff, who fell in
love with San Francisco and its environs since joining the Giants last year.
Huff, 34, grew up in Texas and recently has made his offseason home in Tampa.
But he's ready for a change. "A change for the good," he said Wednesday,
reiterating comments he made during a MLB Network appearance last week. "The
people here are nice and much more laid back."
Affeldt gets arm marked with meaningful ink
SAN FRANCISCO -- Jeremy Affeldt joined the tattooed legions earlier this
week, but did so in understated fashion.
The Giants left-hander had the phrase "Solus Christus" -- Christ Alone --
inked into his right forearm near the crook of his elbow. It won't be visible
unless Affeldt wears a short-sleeved undershirt, which might not happen too
frequently at AT&T Park. But he'll know that it's there.
"You want something that has meaning, because I feel like it's going to be
there for the rest of my life," the deeply spiritual Affeldt said Wednesday.
"I'm not going to get the Tasmanian Devil on my arm. Or a baseball with
flames."
Affeldt said that Solus Christus "reminds me of part of my life journey and
things that I deal with."
Chris Haft is a reporter and Adam Berry is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its
clubs.
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