Schierholtz's homer supplies victory

Correia sharp over four frames in Giants' win over A's

GIANTS 3, A'S 2

Chris Haft - MLB.com

A's at the plate: Rob Bowen's leadoff seventh-inning homer against Merkin Valdez broke a 1-1 tie. Dan Johnson also homered in the second inning.

Giants at the plate: With two outs in the seventh inning, Eugenio Velez singled and Nate Schierholtz homered to erase a 2-1 deficit and help the Giants end a four-game losing streak. Rajai Davis grounded an opposite-field double to right to score Dan Ortmeier in the second inning.

A's on the mound: Starter Dana Eveland yielded one run and five hits in three innings. Chris Gissell outdid him with three no-hit innings.

Giants on the mound: Kevin Correia, who's virtually assured of a spot in the starting rotation, allowed one run and two hits in four innings. The eighth and ninth innings went according to plan, with setup specialist Tyler Walker and likely closer Brian Wilson blanking the A's.

Cactus League records: A's 6-3; Giants 3-7.

Up next: Both teams play split-squad doubleheaders Saturday. For Oakland, Rich Harden is scheduled to oppose Chicago Cubs right-hander Jon Lieber in Phoenix while Justin Duchscherer opposes Seattle's Jarrod Washburn at Peoria. Both games are at 12:05 p.m. PT.

In San Francisco's games, right-hander Brad Hennessey will face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Tempe, Ariz., while left-hander Jonathan Sanchez opposes the Chicago White Sox at Tucson, Ariz.

Comment: The Giants won their third game of the spring. A moral victory for Giants fans. With the Giants current team make-up; speed and defense will be their formula for wins. It is apparent the Giants need to find a place for Eugenio Velez to play. Velez continues to impress...sending him to Fresno will not help the Giants now or in the future. Velez' speed and excitement he generates on the field make up for the other defiencies on this current version of our beloved Giants. The Giants may be showcasing Jonathan Sanchez to the White Sox. They had the choice of where to pitch him and he is facing Chicago in split squad action on Saturday, March 8, 2008. Speculation, sure. However, the Giants are desparate for offense. Either that, or they plan for the top pick in the June 2009 amateur draft. Enough said!