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07/08/2002 01:22 am ET 
Opponents taking notice of Jensen
By Rich Draper / MLB.com

Ryan Jensen, shown in earlier action, notched his ninth win of the season. (Ron Frehm/AP)
PHOENIX -- Who is this kid?

That's what National League hitters want to find out, and what Giants rookie Ryan Jensen wants to keep a secret.

Sorry, Ryan, the word's out. Your low-profile days are numbered.

The 26-year-old right-hander upped his team-leading record to 9-6 by scattering seven hits over seven innings in San Francisco's 5-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. He became the first Giants rookie to compile the team's highest win total at the All-Star break since John Burkett was 9-2 at the half in 1990.

In spite of a confident attitude, it's almost mind-boggling to Jensen his stats are among the team's elite.

Surprised even yourself with nine wins? "I wouldn't have imagined it," the Utah native said.

On leading the staff: "Not even close," he said. "I thought the veteran guys would have the advantage."

All along, Jensen has felt he could fool even Major Leaguers for a while, as long as he avoided drawing attention to himself and just keep pitching with a positive attitude.

"It's better when no one knows you, no one expects too much out of you -- that way you don't have to put a lot of pressure on yourself," said this quickly maturing rookie. "You pretty much have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

    Ryan Jensen   /   P
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 205
Bats/Throws: R/R

More info:
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Stats
Splits
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etopps
The second half might be a different story, with the hitters making adjustments against the rookie, said manager Dusty Baker.

For now, however, Jensen is unfazed by his fledgling status and not in awe of big-time batters, as he held Arizona's Luis Gonzalez, Tony Womack and Steve Finley hitless Sunday.

Jensen, who spent three years at Triple A-Fresno and pitched in 10 games for the Giants last season, doesn't seem distracted by outside influences. He admitted he wasn't even aware of the NL West-leading Dodgers losing Sunday, putting the Giants closer at 4 1/2 games behind in third.

"I was just focusing on the game at hand," he said. "You can't worry too much on what [the Dodgers] are doing. You have to worry about what you're doing."

If Jensen was worried after giving up all seven hits and two runs in the first four innings, he didn't show it, and he settled down after a word to the wise from pitching coach Dave Righetti.

"I'm going to give up hits," he explained, "so I have to hit spots better and mix it up. They were getting comfortable out there so I had to mix up my pitches. Rags told me I was too fast to the plate, to slow down, get on top of the ball and throw strikes."

Jensen got, well, giant support from the offense, with Benito Santiago hitting a two-run shot off losing pitcher Rick Helling in the second inning, then Barry Bonds blasting a three-run homer in the third, the 27th of the season and 594th lifetime.

  Barry Bonds   /   LF
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210
Bats/Throws: L/L

More info:
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Bonds is back in stride after finally breaking a homerless streak of 33 at-bats Saturday, a day in which manager Dusty Baker felt the slugger was struggling because of fatigue and going through his annual pre-midpoint doldrums.

During Baker's interview, Bonds strolled by the manager's office and shouted, "Man, I'm burned out."

Now he's back to burning opposing pitchers. It was Bonds' 18th career four-bagger against Arizona and fourth this season.

Baker was relieved the Giants won their last two games before the break and feels the team will remain in contention in the second half. He likes the club's chances.

"We'll come back refreshed and renewed and invigorated," said Baker. "I believe we'll come back smoking after the break. We scraped and fought for everything we got and I truly believe our day is still ahead."

Right fielder Reggie Sanders, who contributed two singles Sunday, agreed. But first he'll enjoy a three-day respite.

"It's time for us to mentally and physically rejuvenate," said Sanders. "We need to get our bodies where they need to be for the long haul. The second half is a little bit tough and you want to be there at the end."

Rich Draper covers the Diamondbacks for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.





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