Steve Finley to Play Full Time Due to Alou's Injury

Giants outfielder Steve Finley, who had been agitating for more playing time, will get his wish due to a severe injury to starting left fielder Moises Alou. Alou stumbled and violently twisted his ankle Friday as he tried to field a foul liner of the bat of Philadelphia's David Bell, and lay motionless on his face for several tense moments before being wheeled off on a cart. Alou, 39, was in severe pain and unable to walk on the swollen ankle, but X-Rays showed no break. Diagnosis was a severe sprain, an injury that could keep Alou out of action for 2-6 weeks, perhaps more. Alou was immediately placed on the disabled list for 15 days. Finley, 41, the No. 4 outfielder, wanted extra at-bats so badly that he even had begun taking grounders at first base in the hope of playing there from time to time. Finley, whose game is speed, is hitting .286 with a homer and three stolen bases in 62 at-bats. Alou had been hitting at a .378 clip with seven homers in 81 at-bats. The Phillies, who won the game 8-3, also lost outfielder Pat Burrell, who came out in the fifth inning with a tight hamstring.


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