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National League's Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants talks to teammates during batting practice for the MLB All-Star baseball game Monday, July 11, 2011, in Phoenix. Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press
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National League's Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants stretches during batting practice for the MLB All-Star baseball game Monday, July 11, 2011, in Phoenix. David J. Phillip, Associated Press
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San Francisco Giants catcher Eli Whiteside, left, congratulates pitcher Brian Wilson after the 4-2 defeat of the New York Mets at the end of a baseball game Sunday, July 10, 2011, in San Francisco. Ben Margot, Associated Press
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National League's Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants waits for the start of the MLB Home Run Derby Monday, July 11, 2011, in Phoenix. Matt York, Associated Press
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San Francisco Giants' Miguel Tejada connects for an RBI single off New York Mets' Jon Niese during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 10, 2011, in San Francisco. Ben Margot, Associated Press
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San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval eyes his bat during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Sunday, July 10, 2011, in San Francisco. Sandoval was named to the NL All Star team today by manager Bruce Bochy. Ben Margot, Associated Press
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San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey, right, laughs with Madison Bumgarner in the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Sunday, July 10, 2011, in San Francisco. Posey was injured in a collision at the plate that ended h Ben Margot, Associated Press

By Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants manager Bruce Bochy wasn't shy about recognizing his team's problems at the All-Star break: The hitting is anemic, scoring scarce and statistics mind-boggling.

"I don't mean to be Debbie Downer," he said. "We're in first place."

How the injury-filled Giants are leading the NL West can be a bit baffling. About all the defending World Series champions do well is pitch close and win closer, and that seems to be the only things that matter.

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The Giants open a four-game series at San Diego on Thursday, beginning the season's second half in first place for the first time since 2003 and looking every bit the surprising contender they were a year ago.

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