LOS ANGELES On May 1, Emmanuel Burriss had a .176 average and was in danger of falling out of the big leagues. Now after a banner road trip, including a career-high tying four hits Sunday, he is batting .287 and could be moving to the front of the line.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he has discussed installing Burriss in the leadoff spot in place of Fred Lewis, who looks lost at the plate and in the field. The change might not happen today when the Giants begin a homestand with the Washington Nationals "I don't want to change things up too much after a win like this," Bochy said but leading off with Burriss could provide many more opportunities to manufacture runs. Burriss is batting .515 (17-for-33) over his past nine games. He also stole his ninth base Sunday, putting him one away from the league lead.
Burriss said veterans Rich Aurilia and Randy Winn approached him on a recent flight and helped to give him the right mind-set.
"I had such a good spring, maybe my confidence was too high," Burriss said. "I thought I'd turn it on and keep it going into the season. When I didn't get a hit in that first series against Milwaukee, I worried. I started thinking about (swing) mechanics instead of letting the game happen."
Hitting coach Carney Lansford also gave the young switch-hitter a stern talk in the cage last week. A reporter had asked Lansford if there was any talk of abandoning Burriss' left-handed swing, and the fiery coach seized the moment.
"I challenged him," Lansford said. "I said, `The talk is starting now and the only way to stop it is to prove to yourself and everyone else that you can do it.' Maybe that was the kick he needed."
Wilson fuming
Teammates had to calm down Brian Wilson after a friend sent him a cell phone picture of Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake apparently mocking the crossed-arms gesture that the Giants' All-Star closer makes when he closes out a victory. The gesture is a nod to Wilson's Christian faith and a signal to his late father.
Wilson showed the photo to two reporters but declined to comment. "Blake knows what he did," left-hander Jeremy Affeldt said.
Blake had left the Dodgers clubhouse by the time two Giants beat reporters arrived.
Andrew Baggarly, MediaNews staff
