SAN FRANCISCO – No small lineup wrinkle goes unnoticed in the days leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.
Who’s sitting out today? Who’s being showcased? What’s the hidden significance?
And, in the Giants’ 5-4, 12-inning victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday afternoon: why was Eduardo Nuñez suddenly playing shortstop?
Well, sometimes the answer is as simple as this: the Giants played an 11-inning game that went nearly five hours Friday night, and shortstop Brandon Crawford’s legs needed a respite.
They played an inning longer on Saturday. Kelby Tomlinson reached on a failed sacrifice/fielder’s choice, advanced on a wild pitch and scored the game winner on Nick Hundley’s single to the base of the left field wall.