by George Devine, Sr.

The San Francisco Giants are now 17-11, and in first place in the NL West, after a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres in the final game of their second homestand to close out April. The month also saw them notch 34 homers. In the half-dozen games against Cleveland and San Diego, only one was a loss (to San Diego, 6-4, April 28).

The team now leaves AT&T Park for a 10-game road trip which will take in Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Pitching probables for the Atlanta series are RHP Tim Lincecum (1-1, 5.96) facing LHP Mike Minor, who will make his season debut, on Friday, May 3; Ryan Vogelsong (0-1, 5.40) vs. fellow RHP Julio Teheran (2-1, 1.47) on Saturday, May 3; and Madison Bumgarner (2-3, 3.74) against fellow lefty Alex Wood (2-4, 2.93) on Sunday, May 4. All games in the series will be shown on CSN Bay Area.

On Monday, May 5, when the Giants open in Pittsburgh, Matt Cain is expected to return to the team. LHP David Huff will remain on the disabled list until May 7, having been placed on the 15-day DL as of April 21 due to a left quad strain.

The Giants will return to McCovey Cove on Monday, May 12 for a three-game series against the Braves and four games hosting the Marlins.