California Sports Journal

Niekro may have only joined the Giants to replace injured pitcher Moises Alou on the roster and injured J.T. Snow on first base, but the last-minute addition has proven to be quite valuable.

In the Giants 4-3 exta-inning win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, Niekro pounded a high curve ball for a two run homerun in the sixth. Next, he let loose a deep fly ball to center field which allowed second baseman Ray Durham to advance to second and eventually score the game-tying run.

And for the finishing touch, he smacked a bloop hit off Arizona reliever Mike Gosling to right in the 13th, which landed him on first. Pinch hitter Deivi Cruz’ single then scored Niekro with the winning run.

In an interesting twist however, Niekro may only be wearing black and orange for one more day.

The injured Alou, on the disabled list since April 7 with a strained right calf muscle – gave the room for Niekro to join the roster, but is scheduled to return in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"There’s nothing I can do or say," Niekro said before Thursday’s game about his possible demotion. "I got to do what’s best for the team and if that’s going back to Fresno, they’ll decide."

The 26 year-old Niekro’s run with the Giants has shown that he’s ready for the big leagues, even if they aren’t ready for him. In his six starts since he got called up to the majors on April 8 he has filled Barry Bonds’ usual third spot on the batting order. And he not only bats, he does it with gusto.

Niekro admitted before the game exactly what he demonstrated to the 34, 824 fans gathered at SBC park: he loves to swing. Niekro’s swinging – albeit a bit wild at times – saved the game for the Giants.

Throughout the night, Niekro swung at 15 of 28 pitches, which ranged from in the dirt to above the Giants logo on his jersey. But the consistent swinging paid off when he hit his second homerun of the season – his first was last Monday in San Diego.

"I like to swing. I hate taking strikes," he said, prior to the game. "Sometimes I get myself into trouble and I swing at a ball, but I like taking my chances of swinging."

Although they may not have room for him on the roster, the Giants should not be too hasty in sending him packing. With Barry Bonds and Moises Alou – two of their top batters on the disabled list – the Giants continue to struggle offensively. In 13 innings, they had only 6 hits and left 11 men on base.

Giants Manager Felipe Alou said the more Niekro bats, the harder it is to fathom sending him back to the minors.

"He’s batting third he’s hitting homeruns, he’s getting good at bats. That’s all a statement he’s making to make our lives complicated," Alou said. "He came up because of an injury now he’s in the middle of the lineup, I just hope it doesn’t have to take a guy coming back to send him back down."