"For the first time since 2003, the Giants have reached 50 wins by the All-Star break. How apropos they hit the milestone with a 2-1 victory against San Diego on Thursday night. It fit their 2011 template.

The Giants got tremendous work from a starter, as Barry Zito allowed only a Ryan Ludwick homer over eight innings; they scored one more run than San Diego; and Brian Wilson saved it.

"We did enough to win. That's the code we live by," said Bill Hall, who really took one for the team. He needed seven stitches to close a gash on his left leg after he was spiked by Jason Bartlett in the fourth inning. That was a key play. Eli Whiteside caught Bartlett trying to steal, stanching a first-and-third, no-out rally that threatened to turn the game the other way.

Zito improved to 3-0 since his return from a foot sprain. The Cubs, Tigers and Padres together have scored three runs in his 21 innings.

Moreover, Zito has provided manager Bruce Bochy a lot of innings when they have been needed most: seven in the second game of a doubleheader at Chicago, six that bookended a 2 1/2-hour rain delay in Detroit and eight more after Wednesday's 14-inning win.

Still, no matter how many games the Giants win like this, everyone wants to see more offense, and that includes general manager Brian Sabean.

Before the game, Sabean said that given the dire need for hitting, he would be more "open-minded" to trading for a rental player eligible for free agency after the season.

"We would have to be pretty damn sure that this, quote, rental player was a difference-maker," Sabean said, "and I don't know how many actual premium choices there would be at the end of the day.""