04/11/2008 3:01 AM ET Correia shuts down Cards in opener Righty tosses 7 2/3 scoreless frames; Lewis paces offense By Chris Haft / MLB.com SAN FRANCISCO -- Fred Lewis didn't want it written, but he revealed Thursday night that he recently was fined $12 in the players' kangaroo court for wearing his black uniform belt with a blue suit. "I'm a color-coordinated guy," Lewis said, explaining that he mistakenly grabbed a brown belt and left his black one at home. For the Giants, everything else matched nicely. They won their third game in a row, receiving early offense from Lewis and impressive pitching from Kevin Correia in a 5-1 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals. Suddenly, everything's going right for the Giants. Lewis stumbled running the bases, but by then he was already completing a triple. A fan wearing Cardinals garb seated along the left-field line plucked a seemingly catchable foul ball before Lewis could grab it in the first inning, but Correia calmly slipped a fastball past the dangerous Albert Pujols for a called third strike on the next pitch. Aaron Rowand hit a first-inning grounder up the middle that struck second base and bounded away for an RBI single. Correia was stricken by cramps, but not until he carried a shutout into the eighth inning. The Giants' output against the Cardinals represented a single-game season high, reflecting how limp their offense has been. But their pitching has thrived, as starters Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Correia have combined to allow one run in 19 2/3 innings during the winning streak. "We don't see any reason why we can't be one of the best in baseball," Correia said of the Giants' rotation. "If you look up and down the rotation, all of these guys could be No. 1 starters in a year or two -- or already have been." That type of potential is being associated with Lewis, who could become a fixture in left field as Dave Roberts prepares to undergo left knee surgery. One night after generating a brilliant double play with a shoe-top catch and a strong one-hop throw home, Lewis displayed his offensive skill. He doubled and scored in the first inning before tripling and scoring in the third. "This guy's got tons of talent," manager Bruce Bochy said of Lewis. "He has discipline at the plate, power, speed -- all the tools to be a real good Major League player. He's going to get his opportunity, and tonight he looked much more comfortable up there." At least until he legged out that triple. Third-base coach Tim Flannery initially ordered Lewis to slide, then signaled that he could stand up after the Cardinals mishandled a relay. Usually a fleet, elegant runner, Lewis' indecision caused him to lurch, stagger and tumble into third. By the end of the game, Lewis already had several teasing text messages awaiting him. "My brother and everybody were telling me about that slide," he said. The Giants added a pair of seventh-inning runs on doubles by Ray Durham and Jose Castillo and a single from Rich Aurilia, leaving Correia safely ahead. He allowed five hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings despite lacking optimal sharpness. "I got behind a lot of guys but somehow it worked out," said Correia (1-1). "Stuff-wise, I don't think it was very good." Cardinals third baseman Troy Glaus attributed Correia's effectiveness to location. "He had that down-and-away spot really locked in," Glaus said. "We didn't really get where you look back and say, 'I just missed that one' or 'I should have hit it' or whatever. He had that spot and kept going to it." Correia's cramps -- likely a lingering effect of the dehydration he endured last week along with a stomach virus -- beset him with two outs in the eighth and a 3-2 count on Cezar Izturis. This prompted manager Bruce Bochy, pitching coach Dave Righetti and athletic trainer Mark Gruesbeck to check on him. Correia remained in the game, but after Izturis singled and Skip Schumaker doubled, Jack Taschner relieved and coaxed pinch-hitter Ryan Ludwick's fly to center. Taschner has stranded all eight baserunners he has inherited to lead the bullpen, which has marooned 23 of 25 runners this season. Taking a cue from Taschner, Brian Wilson replaced Brad Hennessey with runners at the corners, one run in and one out in the ninth and earned his second save. This encouraged Wilson, who blew a save against San Diego on Tuesday. "I needed to get that positive outing in there," he said. "Not as confirmation that I'm still the same pitcher I was last year [when he saved six late-season wins in seven tries], but just to pick the team up." Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. --

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