Ishikawa tests team's patience

Ishikawa tests team's patience
By Andrew Baggarly
MediaNews staff
Posted: 05/24/2009 07:11:22 PM PDT
Updated: 05/25/2009 08:06:14 AM PDT
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May 24:
Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa finally got a start in his hometown Sunday and showed panache while starting a 3-6-3 double play.

But that was his only highlight. He went hitless in Seattle, and he knows the pressure to produce went up the moment Jesus Guzman joined the team Thursday.

"I knew this wasn't my job to keep even when I made the team," said Ishikawa, who hit seven home runs in spring training but hasn't cleared the fence in 96 at-bats while hitting .219. "I'll continue to work hard, make the adjustments and try to become that everyday guy someday we can all rely upon."

The Atlanta Braves will start three right-handers in a series that begins today at AT&T Park. Giants manager Bruce Bochy hadn't decided upon a first baseman, but there's a good chance Guzman will be in the lineup today.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean hinted strongly that Ishikawa's window of opportunity might be closing.

"He obviously had a good spring, but with him, its consistency," Sabean said. "He's had some real good at-bats against some real good pitching and just the opposite. In his case, while we really love the defense during the time when he's struggling, the strikeouts don't help and the low on-base percentage doesn't help."

Because Ishikawa is out of minor league options, he'd have to pass through waivers before the Giants could outright him to Triple-A Fresno.