Will it be one-and-done with the San Francisco Giants? The Richmond franchise is contractually bound to be the Giants’ Class AA affiliate next season. After that, Richmond could hook up with another major-league organization, if both sides want the arrangement. Chuck Domino, Richmond’s chief executive manager, said Wednesday that it’s “too early to tell” if Richmond and the Giants will seek an extension of their Player Development Contract.

SAN FRANCISCO—Giants ace Tim Lincecum will return to the mound today after missing his last start with lower back problems. Lincecum (13-5) will pitch the opener of San Francisco’s key home series against the Colorado Rockies, who lead the Giants by 4½ games in the NL wild-card race. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner pitched eight scoreless innings in his most recent outing against the Rockies on Aug. 28.

SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Giants were working on a deal last night to add RH Brad Penny to their rotation for the stretch run. Penny cleared waivers and need to sign by midnight to be eligible for postseason play with the Giants. Penny was released by Boston on Thursday after going 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA this season—including 1-6 in his last 11 starts. The Red Sox signed him to a $5 million, one-year contract last winter after he spent four-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

DENVER - Ryan Spilborghs desperately wanted a chance at redemption. With the Colorado Rockies looking at a heartbreaking loss, he got his shot and didn’t waste it. Spilborghs hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 14th inning, giving the Rockies a come-from-behind 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night. Spilborghs couldn’t deliver with men on base in the 10th inning, grounding into a double play with a man on third. In the top of the 14th, he misread the carom off the wall on Edgar Renteria’s triple that started the Giants’ three-run rally.

Mostly because of geography, Richmond baseball fans may not initially be energized by the prospect of a San Francisco Giants affiliate relocating to The Diamond next season. But in terms of up-and-coming talent, San Francisco’s minor-league system was rated fifth among all organizations in April by Baseball America, behind Texas, Florida, Oakland and Tampa Bay. Giants farm clubs have distinguished themselves since those rankings were released. From Class AAA Fresno in the Pacific Coast League to Class A Salem-Keizer in the short-season Northwest League, each farm club is winning.

* heading into weekend play

SAN FRANCISCO—Jonathan Sanchez pretty much pulled an all-nighter. A subdued and pleasant one to say the least. Sanchez and his father, Sigfredo, were up until the wee hours watching highlights and reflecting on the San Francisco left-hander’s improbable no-hitter. “I went to bed like at 4 in the morning,“ Sanchez said with a smile yesterday. “I got a lot of calls, a lot of messages, text messages. They’re still going on.“

The Eastern League still intends to relocate one of its 12 Class AA franchises to Richmond next season despite yesterday’s withdrawal of the Shockoe Center proposal and its $60 million ballpark. “Nothing changes,“ said Joe McEacharn, Eastern League president. “It’s more information that we continue to absorb. This does not affect our commitment to be there in 2010.“

WASHINGTON—Randy Johnson had to wait a while for his shot at 300 wins. The crowd was small and the weather was wet. His performance, however, was more than worthy of the occasion. The Big Unit hit the big number yesterday, becoming the 24th pitcher to reach one of baseball’s most revered milestones. Johnson tossed two-hit ball over six innings, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader.

SAN FRANCISCO Mere mention of the milestone causes Randy Johnson to recoil. “I’m not going to talk about this stuff. OK, I got to go,“ he said the other day, quickly leaving his locker and heading to the field. “I get distracted. I just try not to talk at all.“ So that’s how it’s going to be as the Big Unit prepares for his first try at 300 wins tomorrow night at Washington.