Behind Oseguera, Giants win opener

The San Jose Giants had the best pitching staff in the California League during the regular season, and Saturday night was no different.

Paul Oseguera and three relievers combined on a five-hitter as San Jose blanked visiting Visalia, 1-0, in Game 1 of the California League North Division Championship Series.

Oseguera (1-0) scattered four hits -- all singles -- while walking one and striking out eight over seven sinnings to win his third straight decision. Ronnie Ray faced three batters in the eighth, yielding a double and striking out two, before Jason Waddell fanned Gregory Thomson to end the threat. Sergio Romo tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his first postseason save.

"I felt better tonight than I had in the last month or so," Oseguera said. "I kept the fastball down, threw the curveball for a strike and was able to use the changeup later in the count."

The 23-year-old left-hander, who went 10-6 with a 3.54 ERA in the regular season, surrendered five runs over 3 2/3 innings in his final regular-season start. But in two starts against Visalia, he went 2-0 and allowed just three runs on seven hits over 14 innings, striking out 10 and walking one.

"They have a good lineup, so I didn't want to let up in any situation," said Oseguera, who was used exclusively as a reliever for 2006 Northwest League champion Salem-Keizer. "The defense made some good plays behind me. We were anxious to get the series started and let them know we were ready," he explained.

Travis Denker, who went 2-for-3, hit his first playoff homer with one out in the first for the game's only run.

Oaks starter Brett Anderson (0-1) allowed a run on three hits while striking out four and walking one in four frames. Anthony Cupps tossed four shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Frank Curreri went 2-for-3 for Visalia.

Game 2 of the best-of-5 series is Sunday at San Jose.