Bochy may find starting chance for Adrianza

SAN FRANCISCO -- Rookie shortstop Ehire Adrianza intrigues Giants manager Bruce Bochy, and not just because the 24-year-old looked good as an 11th-inning pinch-runner while scoring the winning run in Sunday's 3-2 decision over Arizona.

"He has good range, he's athletic and he's made so much improvement with the bat from both sides," Bochy said.

Even with the season dwindling, Bochy has stuck largely with his regulars, as was the case in Monday's series opener against Colorado. But he might make an exception for Adrianza, who has spent eight years in the Giants' farm system since they signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 2006.

"I'm going to try to pick a spot to play him," Bochy said.

Adrianza, a non-roster invitee to Spring Training for four consecutive years, has commanded attention primarily with his defensive skills. But he swung a lively bat this season, compiling a higher batting average at Triple-A Fresno (.310 in 45 games) than at Double-A Richmond (.240 in 73 games).