By C. Trent Rosecrans Bad news for the defending champs, who enter the day two-and-a-half games behind the Diamondbacks in the National League West, as they've placed reliever Sergio Romo on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation.
While Romo doesn't rack up the saves or have any national commercials, he does have a mighty nice beard and may be the Giants' best reliever. The 28-year-old right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA and a save, but more impressive is his big-league best 13.25 strikeouts for every walk. The Giants' main setup man has struck out 53 batters and walked four in 37 2/3 innings this year. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 18 appearances and opponents are hitting just .154/.179/.246 against him.
Romo's absence will mean the Giants will lean more heavily on Santiago Casilla, who has been pretty darn good himself. Casilla, 31, is 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA for the Giants with opponents hitting .191/.310/.264 against him this season.
San Francisco called up lefty Dan Runzler from the disabled list to take Romo's place on the roster.
