Lincecum retires side in order on nine pitches

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tim Lincecum insisted that he doesn't pitch many innings like the one he did in Tuesday's intrasquad game.

Lincecum threw seven strikes in a nine-pitch first inning, retiring Ivan Ochoa, Tomas De La Rosa and Nate Schierholtz in order. Ochoa flew out to left field on Lincecum's first pitch, De La Rosa struck out on four pitches and Schierholtz was retired on a nice diving catch by center fielder Dan Ortmeier.

"I'm a big-pitch guy," said Lincecum, the Giants' top pitching prospect, acknowledging that he often accumulates high pitch counts by amassing strikeouts and enduring control problems. "It's good to get those pitch counts down and get them to swing early."

De La Rosa, who lashed a two-run homer in the third inning off Justin Hedrick, confirmed that Lincecum threw effectively. De La Rosa said that Lincecum's fastball had decent movement and estimated that it traveled at 95 mph to 96 mph. He added that Lincecum hung a curveball slightly. But De La Rosa, a veteran of 11 professional seasons, was impressed overall.

"I've faced a lot of pitchers. He's good," De La Rosa said of Lincecum, who'll likely begin the season with Double-A Connecticut or Triple-A Fresno. "He's going to be here soon."

Early execution: Although none of the established Giants participated in the three-inning intrasquad game, manager Bruce Bochy appreciated the defense he saw.

Ortmeier set the tone with his catch.

"I didn't think he had a chance," Bochy said.

Catcher Todd Jennings pounced efficiently on Luis Figueroa's second-inning bunt, and pitcher Oscar Montero made a nice stop on Eddy Martinez-Esteve's second-inning comebacker.

"That's what we're striving for," Bochy said. "The guys really executed."

All of these plays were made by Triple-A Fresno manager Dan Rohn's "Raiders," who still fell, 3-2, to Minor League coach Shane Turner's "Titans." Steve Holm's two-run single and Clay Timpner's sacrifice fly accounted for the Titans' scoring, all in the second inning off Montero.

Big-time experience: Interestingly, five of the intrasquad participants spent time with the Giants last season, albeit briefly: De La Rosa, Ortmeier, Chad Santos, Travis Ishikawa and Billy Sadler. And second baseman William Bergolla played with Cincinnati in 2005.

"That's so important to have that, in case something does happen," Bochy said. "They've been up, and that's a valuable experience. They have an idea of what they're looking at when we have to call on them."