Alfonzo works on hitting in Scottsdale

The key is his plate coverage Posted on Fri, Mar. 21, 2003 Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Barry Bonds doesn't think anyone can protect him in the San Francisco Giants' lineup, but Edgardo Alfonzo certainly is going to give it his best shot as the club's new No. 5 hitter.

Alfonzo didn't make the trip to Tucson for an exhibition Friday. Instead he worked on his hitting with batting coach Joe Lefebvre, a stroke which has made him one of the National League's premium clutch hitters.

In six years as a New York Mets' regular, Alfonzo batted higher with runners in scoring position every season than he did with none on. In that 1997-02 span, his average with RISP was .327. Overall, it was .296.

"The key is his plate coverage," Lefebvre said. "He can hit any pitch with a short, compact swing - and that makes him dangerous. Playing in New York definitely toughens you up. He can handle anything."

Alfonzo agreed, adding: "The New York pressure never got to me. The fans and media can be tough, but it's really no different than winter ball. When you play in Venezuela, it's very intense from the first pitch to the last. It makes you very aggressive."

EXTRA BASES - Following a 1-6-1 Cactus League start, the Giants appear to be peaking at the right time. The 6-3 victory over the host Colorado Rockies was their sixth in seven games, and squared their exhibition record at 12-12-1. "They're pretty good; they'll be OK," manager Felipe Alou said as the club faces some tough roster decisions with 38 players still in camp.

_ General manager Brian Sabean said sentiment wouldn't be a factor if non-roster players Andres Galarraga and/or Ruben Rivera make the team. Galarraga played Triple-A ball for Alou in 1985 and makes his winter home near the manager in Florida. Rivera was signed in 1991 by Sabean, who was the Yankees' scouting director at the time.

_ When asked what his toughest decision will be, exclusive of the pitching staff, Sabean promptly mentioned utilityman Edwards Guzman, an infielder who can catch. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that Guzman is out of options, along with first baseman Damon Minor, catcher Yorvit Torrealba, infielder Pedro Feliz and pitcher Joe Nathan.

_ Livan Hernandez, the likely No. 3 starter behind Kirk Rueter and Jason Schmidt, pitched in a minor league game at neighboring Mesa, and reliever Tim Worrell worked one inning at the minor league complex.