Maybe Ishikawa can quit holding his breath now

Maybe Ishikawa can quit holding his breath now
By Andrew Baggarly


abaggarly@mercurynews.com

Posted: 07/22/2009 08:26:43 PM PDT
Updated: 07/22/2009 08:26:44 PM PDT


Maybe Ishikawa can quit holding his breath now

ATLANTA — Last weekend in Pittsburgh, Travis Ishikawa reached on a fielder's choice and struck up a conversation with Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche.

LaRoche was among the Giants' rumored trade targets, and because the two men play the same position, it could have made for an awkward moment. But Ishikawa said they talked about less juicy topics.

"You know, 'How was your break; what did you do?' " Ishikawa said. "The usual stuff."

The Pirates dealt LaRoche on Wednesday, but not to the Giants and not for a large sum. The Boston Red Sox parted with two of their less-heralded prospects — a deal that wouldn't have been tough for the Giants to top.

The Giants didn't consider LaRoche enough of an upgrade to warrant the added cost in salary (almost $3 million) and minor league talent. But they remain watchful for a corner infielder, with third baseman Pablo Sandoval able to float as needed.

Could Ishikawa interpret the Giants' taking a pass on LaRoche as a vote of confidence?

"I guess every day in the lineup is a vote of confidence," Ishikawa said. "I'll just take it as a blessing. I can't worry about what the organization will or won't do. I've got to prepare to play hard and hope the numbers keep me in the lineup each day."

Those numbers are much better at home. Ishikawa is hitting .353 at AT&T Park and .144 on the road. In


a smaller sample last year, the opposite was true: A .143 home average and .350 on the road.

"Naw, there's no rhyme or reason for that," said Giants Manager Bruce Bochy, who mentioned Ishikawa's glove as a factor keeping him in the lineup. "I don't think he changes his approach. But it's a pretty significant split, I know."