Ishikawa joins Scutaro, Ross as unexpected Giants hero

Before Travis Ishikawa hooked on with the Giants earlier this summer, he spent time mulling retirement. Opening the year in Pittsburgh, Ishikawa became expendable when the Pirates acquired first baseman Ike Davis. He signed a Minor League deal with the Giants, but by midsummer, Ishikawa was coming off the bench at Triple-A Fresno. Then injuries happened, opportunities opened and Ishikawa became the Giants’ latest out-of-thin-air hero.