Giants relievers undaunted by pressure situations

SAN FRANCISCO -- Experience, said manager Bruce Bochy, largely explains the overall effectiveness of Giants relievers so far this season.

Bochy pointed out that most of the relievers have filled the closer's role at some point in their careers. Besides current closer Sergio Romo, virtually every other member of the bullpen -- Juan Gutierrez, Jean Machi, Santiago Casilla, Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez -- has been asked to protect ninth-inning leads.

"Those guys want to be out there," Bochy said. "They're not afraid. They're used to being out there with the game on the line."

Entering Monday's series opener against San Diego, Giants relievers owned a 2.13 ERA, second-best in the Major Leagues. Interesingly, the Padres were No. 1 with a 2.03 ERA.