Brandon Belt News

Two nights ago, Brandon Belt stepped into the plate against Heath Bell and whacked a first-pitch single to center off Heath Bell to drive in a ninth-inning run.

Play of the game: Richmond first baseman Johnny Monell executed a snag-and-tag, unassisted double play.

Does this mean the end of the irritating and nonsensical "Golden State"? Don't get excited, pal.

The Marlins held on for the 7-6 win Friday night, so Ozzie Guillen made the right move in the short term by lifting Heath Bell with one out in the ninth inning and the tying run on second base for the Giants.

Chris Coghlan’s three-run homer highlighted a five-run sixth, two innings after Giancarlo Stanton put one off the sculpture.

The San Francisco Giants have played enough games this year to determine which positions they need to address before the trade deadline on July 31.

Emmanuel Burriss #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on May 24, 2012.

Miami -- - After swamping Miami 14-7 in their inaugural game at Marlins Park on Thursday night, the Giants should be loose and happy when they try to double down behind Tim Lincecum on Friday night.

Melky Cabrera had three hits and drove in four runs Thursday for the San Francisco Giants, who gave Ryan Vogelsong robust run support for a change to beat the Miami Marlins 14-7. Vogelsong allowed three runs in 6 1-3 innings, which hiked his ERA to 2.50. The Giants had 22 runs in his previous seven starts.

Lately the Giants have been hitting much better. Not coincidentally, they have also been winning more games.

The Brewers scored eight runs off Barry Zito in the first two innings Wednesday afternoon and beat the Giants 8-5 to close out a three-game series.

Sometimes I hate wading into the whole first-base thing. It's like running your lawnmower over a nest of wasps.

Milwaukee -- - It's all set for this weekend, Buster Posey versus Giancarlo Stanton for the heavyweight scoreboard-crushing championship of the world.

San Francisco, CA -- The Giants picked up where they left off Thursday and got off to another impressive start for the offense.

As the San Francisco Giants make it around the track for the first time this season, they stare up at a different opponent in the standings, the dreaded rival Los Angeles Dodgers .

Milwaukee -- - There was a time a when most catchers hit eighth and any home runs they provided were a rare gift.

That isn't to say that it isn't going to be fun ever again. Right now, though, the Giants have five starting pitchers.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he'll find a start or two for Aubrey Huff on the Giants ' seven-game road trip through Milwaukee and Miami, and nothing happened to change his mind in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the A's . Huff most likely will start at first base for Brandon Belt , who struck out three times Sunday.

Collin Cowgill drove in the go-ahead runs and scored in a home plate collision with pitcher Tim Lincecum, and the Oakland Athletics snapped an 11-game losing streak in San Francisco with a 6-2 victory over the Bay Area rival... Collin Cowgill drove in the go-ahead runs and scored in a home plate collision with pitcher Tim Lincecum, and the Oakland ... (more)

MAY 20: Collin Cowgill #12 of the Oakland Athletics scoring from second base on a wild pitch, collides at home-plate with pitcher Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning at AT&T Park on May 20, 2012 in San Francisco, California.