Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009

Fresno's Bowker mashes ball, waits for Giants' call

FRESNO, Calif. -- Like Forrest Gump trying to find a seat on that bus, there seems to be no room for John Bowker in the majors right now.

Bowker, Fresno's left-handed power hitter, broke the franchise record for homers in a month Tuesday night as the Grizzlies beat the Salt Lake Bees 4-1 at Chukchansi Park.

Bowker's hot June with the San Francisco Giants' Triple-A affiliate closed with his 12th homer of the month. He hit .392.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy admitted earlier in June that Bowker is on his club's radar, but things by the Bay are tight. Left-handed hitters Fred Lewis, Travis Ishikawa or Nate Schierholtz would have to go on waivers if the Giants demoted one back to Fresno to make room for Bowker.

Without that, Bowker will need a trade or an injury to make his way back to the majors. Grizzlies' Bowker mashes, waits

The Grizzlies head to Sacramento today for a three-game series with the River Cats. Fresno trails Sacramento by six games in the Pacific South division, and the first series between the teams went the River Cats' way.

June 15: Fresno 6, Sacramento 5

June 16: Sacramento 8, Fresno 7

June 17: Sacramento 19, Fresno 3

Also hurting his chances: The Giants are winning right now, and winning teams don't like to change things up.

Bowker said Tuesday that he's simply trying to focus as best he can on each at-bat, and each pitch coming his way.

"Yeah, sometimes you watch the games and stuff, you always want to be up there," he said. "That's not where I'm at right now. I'm here right now. ... If I thought about it every day, that would add pressure. I try to go out there and really just play the game, not really think about what might happen or what might not happen."

One of the reasons Bowker started 2009 in Fresno was his struggle against lefties (.152 in 33 at-bats) as a major league rookie last season.

He has batted .316 against lefties in 79 minor league at-bats this season.

"Hitting lefties is all about facing them," Bowker said. "Last year I didn't get a chance to face lefties. It's helped a lot to be in there hitting against lefties every day."

Fresno manager Dan Rohn said Bowker has improved against left-handers by better-recognizing breaking balls.

Rohn also said the 25-year-old Bowker, in his sixth pro season, has more discipline at the plate.

Entering Tuesday, Bowker was second in the Pacific Coast League in average (.354), first in on-base percentage (.453), fifth in slugging (.623) and fourth in extra-base hits (36).

"I see a lot more selectiveness," Rohn said. "That's exemplified in his on-base percentage and everything else. ... The way he's swinging right now, I've never had a hitter in my managerial career who's been as hot for as long."

Bowker continued to be as hot as Fresno's triple-digit temps Tuesday. He hit his 16th homer of the season in the fourth to tie the score.

Later, he turned on a pitch and ripped it deep down the first-base line, only to see it go foul.

He walked on the next pitch, again displaying that plate discipline.

At this point, Bowker just needs to continue playing well and hope a current Giant eventually scoots over and gives him a place on the major league roster.

"He's kind of forcing [the Giants'] hand," teammate and reliever Alex Hinshaw said. "A guy who's crushing the ball like he is, playing solid defense, helping the team win, it's kind of hard to keep him down here."

Said Bowker: "Hopefully, I can play in the playoffs. That's what everyone wants to do, play in the playoffs, play in the World Series."

Two Grizzlies had previously hit 11 home runs in a month: Damon Minor in August 2000 and Scott McClain in July 2007.