Sandoval still working on fitness, timing

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.Angel Pagans timing has been thrown offall spring, so he spent an afternoon in minor league camp Wednesday to load up on at-bats.

Now its Pablo Sandovals turn.

Sandoval doubled in the seventh inning Thursday night for the only hit andthe only highlight in the Giants embarrassing, 7-0 loss to 49-year-old JamieMoyer and the Colorado Rockies. Next up for Sandoval is a fullFriday in minor league camp, when hell have an at-bat every inning and try to focus onstaying back longer on pitches.

Sandovals average dipped to .200 before he cranked his doubleoff the right field wall at Salt River Field. For all his prodigious battingpractice early in camp, he hasnt been swatting everything in sight duringgames.

And manager Bruce Bochy has a theory about that.

Hes been doing a lot of conditioning early to get himwhere we want him, Bochy said. Hes probably a little tired when the gamesstart. Weve got to get him where we want him, too, and hes really close.

This is supposed to be a big season for Sandoval. He has anew three-year, 17.15 million contract, clearer vision in his left eye afterLASIK surgery and his left shoulder is no longer an impairment to hisright-handed swing.

The Giants were mostly pleased with Sandovals conditioningefforts over the winter, but he clearly came into camp heavier than at the sametime a year ago.

Sandoval also has developed a bit of the yips when he throwsto second base; for the second time in a week, he turned a double-play grounderinto an error because of a wide throw. Sandoval skipped another throw to theplate, but catcher Eli Whiteside handled it for a forceout.

Sandoval said hes not concerned with his slow spring; hewouldnt even confirm to reporters that he was going to the minor leagues.

Its spring training, guys, he said. Just getting readyfor the season. Just trying to get a tempo going. I feel great at home plate.

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