Despite being sidelined for 12 days in September last season with a strained shoulder, Giants reliever Jack Taschner pitched in 63 games, reaching his goal of at least 60 appearances. Now in his second full season, Taschner has his sights set higher.

As the Giants dropped their second game in a row to the Colorado Rockies, 7-2, rookie right-hander Sergio Romo got his turn to make an impression Tuesday. Romo worked 1 2/3 perfect innings, his second scoreless appearance in as many games and third in a row since being recalled Aug. 16.

The Giants cleared the way for Jonathan Sanchez to rejoin the starting rotation next Monday by optioning right-hander Matt Palmer to Triple-A Fresno after Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Two-plus decades after his Major League debut, Ellis Burks is helping today's starry-eyed crop find their own paths to success. After a short stint with Boston in 2004, Burks retired and joined the Indians in '05 as a special assistant to general manager Mark Shapiro.

The Giants' offense started quickly and then stalled for the rest of the evening as their season-high five-game winning streak dissolved Monday in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

The Giants' offense started quickly and then stalled for the rest of the evening as their season-high five-game winning streak dissolved Monday in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle would prefer not to see Brian Wilson pitch against his ballclub, because the closer's appearance likely would mean San Francisco is closing in on a victory. But Hurdle still has a healthy appreciation for Wilson's skills.

San Jose right-hander Kevin Pucetas led the Class A Giants' representation on the California League's postseason All-Star squad by capturing the league's Pitcher of the Year honors Monday.

For several Giants pitchers, there'll be something to play for until the season's final week, regardless of the National League West standings.

Will Travis Ishikawa stay with the Giants for the rest of the season? Why didn't San Francisco try to trade Matt Cain? Beat reporter Chris Haft answers these questions and more in this week's mailbag.