DENVER -- Concerned with the state of the Giants' offense, manager Bruce Bochy led a 15-minute team meeting before Friday's batting practice in an attempt to stimulate the hitters.

During a 3-7 homestand, which included seven losses in eight games, the Giants batted only .220 and averaged 2.9 runs per game. Excepting Monday's season-high 16-hit effort against New York, the Giants' average sank to .196. They totaled seven hits while losing the homestand's final two games against the Mets. Yet San Francisco entered Friday leading the National League West by a half-game over Los Angeles and two games over Arizona.

"We have to show some resolve here," Bochy said.

Bochy urged the Giants to "compete better" in their plate appearances -- that is, be more aggressive and sustain more intensity throughout the game.

"You have to be a little tougher," Bochy said. "When you're not getting results, you compound the problem by taking it into the next at-bat."

Colorado's lefties could limit Belt, Crawford

DENVER -- First baseman Brandon Belt and shortstop Brandon Crawford, both left-handed batters, were on the bench Friday as the Giants opposed left-hander Jonathan Sanchez in the opener of three-game series against Colorado.

The Rockies plan on throwing two more lefties, Jeff Francis and Christian Friedrich, against the Giants. But manager Bruce Bochy indicated that Belt and Crawford will start at least once during the series. Bochy added that they'll likely appear as substitutes when they don't start.

"They're going to play," Bochy said, though he didn't back himself into a corner in case first baseman Brett Pill and shortstop Joaquin Arias, both right-handed batters who started Friday, thrive at the plate. "I have the right to change my mind, too."

Platoon splits haven't affected Belt (.232 against righties, .254 off lefties) and Crawford (.233 off righties, .226 against lefties) that much. Pill actually has performed like a "reverse platoon" player (.250 off righties, .188 against lefties). Arias (.304 against lefties, .198 off righties) has been more typical.