Giants Edge Oaks 3-2 In North Division Finals Opener
Published on September 9, 2006 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
Tim Lincecum struck out 10 over a season-high seven innings as San Jose edged Visalia, 3-2, on Saturday in the opener of their best-of-5 California League playoff series. Lincecum (1-0) allowed a run on five hits and a walk in his postseason debut. The 22-year-old right-hander, who totaled 6 2/3 playoff innings during a brilliant three-year career at the University of Washington, looked calm and collected on the mound, but admitted he was feeling the pressure.
"I was definitely a little nervous going out there," said the 10th overall pick in this year's draft. "But that helped me get the extra edge I needed to stay focused and help my team win.
"The postseason games are obviously the most important. Especially in the leadoff games, it is important to play well. That sets the tone for the rest of the series."
Lincecum grew stronger as the game progressed, striking out the side in the seventh while hitting 98 mph on the radar gun at Municipal Stadium.
"I tend to do that," said Lincecum. "I get into a rhythm as the game goes on. That was definitely the case today."
Lincecum fell behind early, surrendering an RBI single to Patrick Cottrell in the second, but the Giants responded with single runs in each of the next three innings.
Pat Dobson delivered a game-tying RBI single in the third, Steve Holm smacked a run-scoring double in the fourth and Alex Requena tripled and came home on Dobson's groundout in the fifth.
Justin Hendrick followed Lincecum with a perfect eighth, but California League Pitcher of the Year Brian Anderson ran into trouble in the ninth.
After retiring the first two batters, he yielded a double to Cottrell and an RBI single to Christian Lopez. Anderson recovered to fan pinch-hitter Josh Arhart for the save.
The Oaks, who erased a two-run deficit in the eighth en route to a North Division Finals-clinching win over Stockton on Friday, were denied another dramatic comeback.
"I wasn't nervous at all," said Lincecum. "They've been in those situations plenty of times and they know what to do. I have tons of confidence in them coming in at the end of games. He'd pitched a good inning and (Anderson) keeps racking up those saves. I'm proud of both of them."
The series continues Sunday afternoon in San Jose as Giants left-hander Brandon Mann (4-9, 5.64 ERA) opposes Visalia's Darren Sack (7-3, 1.94).
California League Stories from September 9, 2006
- Giants Edge Oaks 3-2 In North Division Finals Opener - Visalia Rawhide
- Barratt Dominates as Oaks Stay Alive - Visalia Rawhide
- Oaks Advance to Take On Giants - Visalia Rawhide
- Oaks Come Back with Six-Run Eighth Inning; Win 8-4 Advance to 2nd Round - Visalia Rawhide
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