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Bochy optimistic Scutaro will play in NLCS Game 3

San Francisco second baseman Marco Scutaro has a strained left hip and a sore left knee, but manager Giants manager Bruce Bochy hopes that Scutaro will be able to play Wednesday in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at St. Louis.

Scutaro was hurt in Game 2 when the Cardinals' Matt Holliday took him out with a controversial slide while breaking up a double play.

"He's more optimistic about where he is than when it first happened," manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday before the Giants had a workout at Busch Stadium. "We're still optimistic he's going to come out of this OK and play (Wednesday)."

Scutaro was hurt in the first inning Monday. He hit a two-run single in the fourth inning before leaving the game in the fifth inning of the Giants' 7-1 win. The series is tied at one win apiece.

Initial X-rays were negative, but Scutaro also had an MRI exam Monday night and traveled with the team to St. Louis.

Although opinions varied on the legality of the slide, Bochy left no doubt about his perspective.

"I don't think there was intent, to be honest, (of) hurting somebody, but it was late," said Bochy, who added that his team had no plans to retaliate against Holliday. "That's over. You have to move on."