A great story for anyone who is a Kruk & Kuip fan.  Click here for the article: A Giant Friendship

Click on the picture to see Posey's Grand Slam.

Click on the picture to see Bumgarner's Grand Slam.

Panda goes deep!  A 3 run blast. 


See the video by clicking on photo.

3/31/14: Buster Posey smashes a two-run homer into the left-center field stands, breaking a tie game in the top of the ninth inning.  "This baby is outta here!"   Click on the photo for the video.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Pablo Sandoval might not have to leave the dugout as often to join the customary post-victory handshake line this season. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Sandoval, who in the past had often been removed in late innings when the team was tied or ahead, will play entire games at third base more frequently.

Bochy's decision reflected his approval of Sandoval's efforts to upgrade his physical condition and his faith in the two-time All-Star's defense.

Indeed, Sandoval's weight loss should help his range, which in turn will improve his fielding. He has shed as many as 30 pounds by some estimates.

"Hopefully I'm not taking him out. That's not the plan right now," Bochy said after the Giants' first full-squad workout of Spring Training. "He's out there. How they play will dictate what moves are made sometimes, but he's a good third baseman."

Making plays never has been an issue for the sure-handed Sandoval, as long as he could reach the ball. Watching Sandoval participate in fielding drills, Bochy saw a spry 27-year-old.

"He looked really good. He has an even quicker first step," Bochy said. "You can see a significant difference."

According to baseball-reference.com, Bochy saw fit to replace Sandoval, usually with Joaquin Arias, 41 times in 137 starts last year. By contrast, Sandoval left only 20 of 149 starts prematurely in 2009, his first full Major League season.

In the 2012 postseason, Arias substituted for Sandoval in San Francisco's final seven games, all victories. Earlier that year, it was Arias who handled Jason Castro's grounder to end Matt Cain's perfect game against Houston on June 13.

Moreover, Bochy benched Sandoval in the 2010 postseason for being unable to move nimbly enough to cover his position. Sandoval did not play a single inning in the field during the Giants' five-game World Series triumph. That prompted Sandoval's first concerted weight-loss endeavor.

"I didn't take it personally," said Sandoval, who constantly engages in extra fielding practice before workouts with roving infield instructor Jose Alguacil. "They needed more defense sometimes."

Sandoval acknowleged feeling much quicker -- "with my bat speed, hips, everything." At the plate, he said that he must adjust to the increased acceleration of his bat through the hitting zone. Otherwise, he'll pull a preponderance of pitches foul.

Sandoval said that Rafael Alvarez, the personal trainer who worked with him through the offseason, will continue to condition him through the season.

"My workout was power, explosion and speed. So I try to maintain all those things," Sandoval said.

Long-term, Sandoval's improved fitness could hike his value in free agency, which he's eligible to enter after his three-year, $17.15 million contract expires following this season -- though he insisted he's not dwelling on that.

Short-term, his being in shape will only help him and the Giants.

"I train myself to play not only nine innings," he said. "I'll play 14 innings."

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Haft-Baked Ideas, and follow him on Twitter at @sfgiantsbeat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Fans wanting an early look at the Giants will have multiple chances as Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (CSN) and NBC Bay Area will combine to televise five Spring Training games.

CSN announced Thursday that it plans to air three exhibitions. Two will be from Scottsdale Stadium, March 8 against Seattle and March 21 against Oakland. The other will be a Bay Bridge Series game against the A's at Oakland's O.co Coliseum on March 29.

NBC Bay Area's pair of spring telecasts will be two other dates with the A's: March 15 and the March 27 Bay Bridge Series encounter.

CSN's 144-game regular-season telecast schedule includes the March 31 opener at Arizona and the April 8 home opener, also against Arizona, from AT&T Park.

Before games on CSN, Giants Pregame Live will preview the upcoming contest, followed by Giants Postgame Live immediately following the final out. The popular KNBR 680-AM "Post-Game Wrap" simulcast returns for an eighth season on CSN following home games, featuring broadcasters Jon Miller, Duane Kuiper, Mike Krukow and Dave Flemming.

NBC Bay Area will air 15 regular-season primetime telecasts, beginning April 11 against Colorado from AT&T Park. NBC Bay Area also will offer "Giants Clubhouse," a half-hour program hosted by sports anchor Geraud Moncure taking viewers behind the scenes of Giants baseball. The show is scheduled to air monthly throughout the season on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. PT starting on March 29.

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Haft-Baked Ideas, and follow him on Twitter at @sfgiantsbeat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.