Major League Baseball

Sandoval's lineup spot in jeopardy

Published Oct. 10, 2010 10:10 p.m. ET

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Buster Posey and Freddy Sanchez said they were fine, though Pablo Sandoval might not be when he sees the lineup card for Game 3 at Turner Field today.

Sandoval has an infield hit in six at-bats in the series. He also has struck out twice and grounded into a double play. Moreover, his inability to throw out Melky Cabrera after his slow roller in the eighth inning contributed to Atlanta's three-run tying rally in the Giants' Game 2 defeat.

As the Giants prepared for a light workout at Turner Field late Saturday afternoon, manager Bruce Bochy was asked if Mike Fontenot might play third over Sandoval against Tim Hudson. Sandoval led the National League with 26 groundball double plays. With 32, Hudson induced the most.

"Yeah, we've talked about putting Fontenot in there," Bochy said. "Of course, we'll have to look at Freddy and see how he swings the bat, but yeah, that was discussed and could happen."

Sanchez skips batting practice: Fontenot over Sandoval would be predicated on Sanchez's ability to play second base after he was struck in the right middle finger by a Kyle Farnsworth fastball in the 10th inning of Game 2. Sanchez declared himself fit for today's game. Bochy said he expects Sanchez to start.

Sanchez did not join batting practice. Instead, he took treatment in the training room. But he did clutch and swing a bat inside and later said, "I'll be fine."

X-rays on the finger taken late Friday were negative. Sanchez said he did not think it was broken. He had to take his position for the 11th inning because the Giants were out of middle infielders. Asked if he would have been able to make a throw, he said, "I don't know. We would have found out."

Posey walked to the X-ray room with Sanchez. The medical staff wanted to make sure he did not crack a rib when he collided with Sandoval chasing a foul ball in the first inning Friday. His pictures were negative, and Posey said Saturday that he felt good. Posey also acknowledged the foul pop was Sandoval's ball.

A call for small: Had the Giants won Game 2 in the 10th inning, Edgar Renteria would have been a hero for his leadoff bunt single. The Giants rarely bunt, but Renteria likes the strategy.

"You see? You can win games with bunting, not only home runs," he said. "That's what I always say. You can win with the small game, especially in the playoffs."

No break: The Braves did not replace injured closer Billy Wagner on their roster, preserving the option of using him in the next round. He is done for the Division Series after injuring his oblique muscle Friday.

The Braves are confident they can succeed without him, and the Giants will not argue. They failed to score in 9 2/3 innings against relievers Jonny Venters, Peter Moylan, Mike Dunn, Craig Kimbrel, Kyle Farnsworth and Wagner in the first two games of the series.

"That's what's been the difference," Bochy said. "Their bullpen has shut us down."

Briefly: The Braves flew overnight and landed in Atlanta at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday. The Giants left in the morning and arrived about 5:30 p.m. They headed straight to Turner Field for the workout. ... After batting practice, bench coach Ron Wotus kept Sandoval on the field to practice fielding and throwing on slow rollers like the one he misplayed Friday.

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