Giants to keep rotation intact after rainout

DENVER -- The Giants series finale in Colorado was postponed due to rain on Sunday. It was the first postponed game of the season for San Francisco.

No make-up date has been set yet, and with no off days on either end of the Giants remaining two trips to Colorado, a double header is the most likely solution. Saturday, May 23 is a good option, given an already scheduled afternoon game that day.

"They said they were going to call it because of weather," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's pretty socked in. If I had my preference we would have played and stay away from a double header. But if you have to sit and deal with the weather all day, no, I'm glad they made this call early."

This series was split, with the Rockies taking a 4-1 lead in the season series after sweeping the Giants in San Francisco April 13-15.

With a Dodgers series starting Monday, the Giants expect to keep their rotation in order, meaning Sunday's planned starter, Tim Lincecum (1-1, 2.00), will start Monday's series opener, followed by Madison Bumgarner (1-1, 4.63) on Tuesday and Ryan Vogelsong (0-1, 7.71) for Wednesday's finale. A possible consideration would be to skip fifth starter Vogelsong's spot in the rotation this time through and keep everyone else on track.

"We're going to discuss it more, but right now we're staying in order," Bochy said. "We'll have the whole rotation set once we land. Right now, Timmy's going [Monday]."

Bochy said his bullpen was already in good shape, with Tim Hudson pitching seven innings Saturday. Everyone was available Sunday.

Bochy had planned on giving Brandon Crawford the day off Sunday, and had Joaquin Arias penciled into the lineup at shortstop, but the rainout meant Crawford wouldn't need to miss a day to get a little rest. Crawford has started 18 of 19 games, and has played every day.

"Probably [Crawford will] be back in there [Monday]," Bochy said. "I thought he could use a day today, so he got a day. Andrew Susac will catch, Buster Posey will be at first."

Bochy mentioned that Angel Pagan wasn't scheduled for a rest day, but could have used one and would benefit from a day off.

With Justin Maxwell thriving as a result of regular playing time -- 8-for-20 (.400) with a triple, three homers, and seven RBIs in his last six games -- and with Hunter Pence slated to return from the disabled list in a couple weeks or so, Bochy is juggling a crowded and productive outfield.

"There's no way you could take Maxwell out of the lineup right now," Bochy said. "You'd have to find a place to put him, the way he's been swinging.

"[When Pence returns] I think you'd see some kind of rotation where Maxwell would play left, Pagan would get a day, and I could keep them all going, keep them all fresh. It's a dilemma, but a good one."