Reliever Osiris Matos did not stick around long enough to bask in the glory of his RBI single Monday night. The Giants optioned him to Triple-A Fresno and recalled left-hander Pat Misch .
The Giants have been running through relievers like popcorn and decided they needed a fresh arm. Matos threw 43 pitches Monday, so he was the logical candidate to go. "We have to cover ourselves the next couple of days and we don't want to wear down our bullpen," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Matos will go down and work on stuff, but more important, we needed to get someone who could give us some innings."
Misch had a 2.13 ERA in 23 appearances for Fresno.
MORE ON THE RBI: Keen television viewers noticed Matos was wearing Juan Uribe 's helmet when he bounced his single to short right. Uribe said he gave Matos the helmet after the pitcher asked him for batting gloves. Uribe also offered some unsolicited advice.
"He told me, 'I've got to hit, but I'm not going to swing,' " Uribe said. "I said, 'Hey, you've got to swing.' "
Matos complied and accomplished something no other Giant has done in 2009. He drove in the team's 11th run of a game.
BLAKE'S RESPONSE: Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake told the Los Angeles Times it was "uncharacteristic of me" to mimic Brian Wilson 's post-save crossed-arms gesture, said he had no idea about the symbolism behind it and added, "Should I have done it? Probably not."
At the same time, he did not apologize, saying, "If he's going to do that on the mound, obviously there are other closers and other players that do certain things on the field. If they can't handle somebody doing it back to them, then that's their deal."
BRIEFLY: Fred Lewis sat Tuesday with a left-toe injury incurred while chasing a foul ball Monday. Lewis was available to pinch-hit. ... Fox gets a good pitching matchup Saturday, when Randy Johnson, in search of his 299th win, faces the Mets' Johan Santana .
