MIAMI -- The San Francisco Giants announced that rookie Jerome Williams will start Saturday afternoon's critical Game 4 in the Giants' series against the Florida Marlins. The Marlins lead the best-of-five series two games to one.
Previously, the Giants had suggested that they would bring back their ace, Game 1 winner Jason Schmidt, on three days' rest in the event Florida won Friday night's Game 3. Schmidt, 17-5 with a 2.34 ERA during the regular season, threw 111 pitches Tuesday night in a complete-game, three-hit shutout.
The Giants may have changed their thinking based on recent postseason history. ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that the last 30 playoff starters to come back on short rest have compiled a 4-16 record with a 6.39 ERA.
Williams was 7-5 with a 3.30 ERA this season.
Giants manager Felipe Alou also announced that Jeffrey Hammonds will bat second and play right field, replacing Jose Cruz, and Alberto Castillo will bat eighth and catch instead of Benito Santiago.
Previously, the Giants had suggested that they would bring back their ace, Game 1 winner Jason Schmidt, on three days' rest in the event Florida won Friday night's Game 3. Schmidt, 17-5 with a 2.34 ERA during the regular season, threw 111 pitches Tuesday night in a complete-game, three-hit shutout.
The Giants may have changed their thinking based on recent postseason history. ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that the last 30 playoff starters to come back on short rest have compiled a 4-16 record with a 6.39 ERA.
Williams was 7-5 with a 3.30 ERA this season.
Giants manager Felipe Alou also announced that Jeffrey Hammonds will bat second and play right field, replacing Jose Cruz, and Alberto Castillo will bat eighth and catch instead of Benito Santiago.
