Eliezer

Alfonzo

Matt Cain outpitched Orlando Hernandez, and Armando Benitez picked up the save for the Giants. Alfonzo was called up before the game as a replacement for the injured Mike Matheny. He had a .230 average and two homers in 139 at-bats in the minors this season.

The 27-year-old Alfonzo is a subpar defender, and though he’s usually hit pretty well, he was at just .277/.351/.323 in 65 at-bats since a demotion to Connecticut. Before that, he hit .189 in 74 at-bats in Triple-A. He’s not going to be much of a second catcher for the Giants.

The Giants have gotten quite a bit more offense out of the catcher position since Mike Matheny went down. Alfonzo is hitting .290 with three homers and 11 RBI in 62 at-bats.

Manager Felipe Alou has been willing to hit Todd Greene higher than eighth, but Alfonzo has remained locked into that spot even though he’s been the far better player of late. He has five homers in 74 at-bats since being called up to replace an injured Mike Matheny.

Alfonzo used the same out as Ryan Braun, arguing that the shipment and storage of his urine sample did not follow procedure. He’s eligible to play immediately and should report to Triple-A Colorado Springs shortly.

The move clears a spot on the Rockies’ 40-man roster, presumably for left-hander Christian Friedrich, who is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Padres. Alfonzo is currently serving a 100-game suspension for a second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. The 33-year-old backstop batted .267/.304/.320 with one home run and nine RBI over 79 plate appearances with the Rockies last season.

Alfonzo was designated for assignment earlier this week and passed through waivers with ease. He’s serving a 100-game suspension for a second positive PED test.

Alfonzo, 24, hit .281/.335/.456 while splitting time between catcher and first base for Single-A Jupiter this year. The Cubs invited him to major league spring training back in 2003, but he’s not any kind of a prospect.

Alfonzo was outrighted off the Rockies’ 40-man roster last month and then had his 100-game PED suspension overturned due to procedural concerns. The 33-year-old backstop owns a .240/.271/.377 batting line over 624 plate appearances in the majors.

Alfonzo was previously suspended in April of 2008 as a member of the Giants. He joins Manny Ramirez as the only players to test positive twice for PEDs. “I am surprised by this positive test. I learned my lesson in 2008 and have not taken any prohibited substances since then,” Alfonzo said in a statement. “With the union’s help I intend to fight this suspension.” Alfonzo, who is currently on the Rockies’ active roster, is batting .267/.304/.320 with one home run and nine RBI over 79 plate appearances this season.