Major League Baseball

Giants 7, Athletics 2

Published Mar. 19, 2012 2:06 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Tim Lincecum worked around five extra-base hits for his second spring training win.

The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner lasted six innings, the longest of any Giants starter this year, and Ryan Theriot, Angel Pagan and Pablo Sandoval homered in Saturday's 7-2 split-squad win over the Oakland Athletics.

With a brisk wind blowing and his long hair flowing, San Francisco's ace fought through a couple of inconsistent early innings.

''He threw well, got better as he went. He was throwing all his pitches for strikes and got in a groove there,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ''They were aggressive, but he kept pounding the strike zone.''

Lincecum gave up six hits, including three doubles and two triples, didn't walk a batter and struck out four.

Lincecum was a bit surprised that he was only at around 48 pitches through four innings.

''After I heard that, I thought, `Not bad.' I wasn't worried so much about the pitch count and I could let the ball go,'' he said. ''The fact that I had no walks was huge for me. When I was behind in the count, I was able to throw a wrinkle down the middle, like a two-seamer.''

Lincecum got help from his defense. Right fielder Nate Schierholtz threw Kila Ka'Aihue out at the plate on a single by Daric Barton that ended the fourth inning. Barton, who went hitless in his first eight spring training at-bats, drove in Oakland's first run with a second-inning double off Lincecum.

Chris Dominguez, moving over from third base to start at first for the Giants after Aubrey Huff was a late scratch due to back stiffness, ran down a couple of pop fouls with his back to the plate.

''We had a couple of those plays. Getting those guys out helps keep the game close,'' Lincecum said.

Theriot's home run was a two-run drive in a four-run fourth.

''We got some good at-bats,'' Bochy said. ''The ball was carrying with the wind blowing a bit. It is good to see Theriot start to get his timing down.''

Theriot, who played for World Series champion St. Louis last season, should be a solid option at second base with Freddy Sanchez coming back from shoulder surgery. Sanchez was the designated hitter Saturday.

Pagan, acquired from the New York Mets in the Andres Torres trade, was 2 for 4 after missing the previous two games when he had a wisdom tooth pulled.

Closer Brian Wilson, coming back from elbow soreness that caused him to miss the final week of last season, gave up an unearned run, a hit and two walks in the seventh inning, his third spring training appearances.

''Willie was a little off with his command,'' Bochy said. ''He couldn't get the ball where he wanted `'

NOTES: Huff will not see action until Tuesday at the earliest, Bochy said. ... RHP Ryan Vogelsong (back) had another strong bullpen session and likely will have one more side session before pitching in a game. ... Oakland OF Collin Cowgill, making a bid for an opening-day roster spot after being acquired as part of a trade that sent pitcher Trevor Cahill to Arizona, had two hits to raise his average to .424 (14 for 33).

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball