Giants Get 15 Hits In 13-0 Rout Of Astros

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Pablo Sandoval had a feeling back in spring

training that the San Francisco Giants could have high-output

offensive nights like this.

It certainly helped ease any nerves rookie Ryan Sadowski may

have had in his home debut.

Sandoval hit a two-run homer and an RBI triple to boost his bid

for an All-Star spot and stake Sadowski to a quick cushion, and the

Giants routed the Houston Astros 13-0 on Friday night.

"That makes a huge difference," Sadowski said. "It was

awesome today."

Travis Ishikawa added a three-run homer that was initially ruled

a double before the umpire crew went to the replay booth, at the

urging of San Francisco skipper Bruce Bochy. The ball hit off the

railing of the right-field arcade and Ishikawa stayed at second

until getting to finish his trot about 3 minutes later.

The review was the first this season at AT&T Park, where there

was one in late September last year after replay was implemented.

Randy Winn added a two-run triple and Nate Schierholtz an RBI

single in the Giants' six-run second that chased Felipe Paulino

(2-5). San Francisco, which already had 14 of its 15 hits by the

third inning, snapped a six-game losing streak to the Astros.

"That's the offense I knew we had from the start of the

season," Sandoval said.

The Giants' runs were a season high and this was their

majors-best 10th shutout. Jonathan Sanchez pitched two innings of

relief to finish it.

"We don't do that very often," Bochy said. "The offense was

there. The kid was good, he was outstanding. We had it all going

tonight."

Sadowski pitched another gem, not allowing a hit until Lance

Berkman's one-out single in the fourth. The 26-year-old righty has

13 scoreless innings to start his career, the longest such streak

by a Giant since Mike Remlinger's 15 shutout innings in 1991,

according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Sadowski worked six innings in his first big league start last

Sunday in a 7-0 win at Milwaukee, then topped that with seven more

scoreless innings. Pretty impressive for a guy who was never in

major league camp this spring and whose bio is buried among the

minor leaguers in the back of the media guide.

Sandoval tripled in a four-run third. If he and starters Matt

Cain and Tim Lincecum are all All-Stars, it would be the first time

the Giants have sent three players to the Midsummer Classic since

Barry Bonds, Robb Nen and Benito Santiago in 2002.

Schierholtz added an RBI double in the third.

"It was definitely one of those games. We haven't had one of

these for quite some time," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "It

seemed like they knew what was coming the way they were swinging.

It's tough when you're down like that so fast."

Paulino got in trouble in a hurry in his first career appearance

against San Francisco, needing a mound visit in the first from

pitching coach Dewey Robinson. The right-hander was tagged for nine

runs - eight earned - and nine hits in two innings in his second

start since being activated from the disabled list following a

right groin strain. He beat the Tigers last Saturday, but this time

saw his ERA go from 5.51 to 6.66.

"It was unbelievable. They hit everything," Paulino said.

"Even when I made a good pitch they hit it."

The Astros took three of four from the Giants in San Francisco

last year and captured the season series 7-1.

San Francisco scored its most runs since a 13-0 home win against

Arizona on July 1, 2007.

NOTES: After the game, the Giants optioned 2B Matt Downs to

Triple-A Fresno to clear room for INF Rich Aurilia to come off the

bereavement list Saturday. ... Winn left the game following the

second inning after fouling a ball of his foot. He expects to play

Saturday. ... Michael Bourn ended an 0-for-27 streak to start his

career vs. San Francisco. ... Former Giant RHP Russ Ortiz starts

Saturday for Houston. "I think at heart (I'm still a Giant),"

said Ortiz, who pitched Game 6 of the 2002 World Series when San

Francisco collapsed against the eventual-champion Angels. "Most

people recognize me as a Giant. This is where I spent most of my

time in the big leagues. This will always be a special part of my

career."

By JANIE McCAULEY - AP Sports Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)