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Bowker, Lincecum propel Giants past Cards

Apr 14, 2008 - 1:28 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - San Francisco Giants rookie outfielder John Bowker is making a strong case to remain in the major leagues.

After collecting two hits, including a home run in his major league debut on Saturday, Bowker did the same on Sunday and sparked a five-run fourth inning as San Francisco posted a 7-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

"I definitely had fun today," Bowker said. "I went out there got some good pitches to hit and helped the team get a win out of it."

The Giants received another solid outing from starter Tim Lincecum (2-0), who allowed two runs on six hits and struck out 11 in six innings. It marked the third time in Lincecum's career that he has struck out 10 or more batters in a game and he came within on strikeout of equaling his career-high of 12 set against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 12, 2007.

"I felt good. I felt strong," Lincecum said. "Other than throwing about 40 pitches in the first two innings, it went well. We pulled off the win so that's good."

Bowker, who was recalled on Saturday after the Giants optioned Clay Timpner to Triple-A Fresno, is quickly establishing himself as a fan-favorite at AT&T Park. The Giants' right fielder came to San Francisco after playing seven games in Fresno earlier this season.

"I got a chance to play with him (Bowker) in (Single A) San Jose a couple of years ago and he was doing the same thing," Lincecum said. "It's nice to see him up here in the limelight and doing the same thing."

A third-round draft pick out of Long Beach State in the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Bowker also posted impressive numbers last season at Class AA Connecticut where he batted .307 with 22 home runs and 90 RBI while playing in 139 games.

"The kid has been a real shot in the arm for us," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He came through again today. It is great to have a kid come here and do what he is doing. He looks comfortable and he had a good year last year in (Class AA)."

In just two games, Bowker accomplished a feat no other San Francisco Giants player has done before by hitting home runs in his first two major league games. Elijah Dukes was the last player to hit home runs in each of his first major league games when he did it for the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays last season.

Bowker went 4-for-6 with two home runs and seven RBI in his first two major league games.

"It's crazy. It was my dream and I am really having a lot of fun with this," Bowker said as he reflected on the last two days. "I just feel comfortable at the plate right now. I go out there and just try to get good pitches to hit. I got them and just didn't miss them."

With the Giants trailing 2-1 in the fourth, Bowker hit the first pitch from Cardinals starter Joel Pineiro (0-1) over the right-field arcade for a two-run home run that gave San Francisco a 3-2 lead.

After a Rich Aurilia fly out, San Francisco strung together five consecutive two-out hits as Lincecum and Eugenio Velez produced run-scoring hits.

Pineiro was making his first start of the season after being activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game.

St. Louis had taken a 2-1 lead in the third inning on a run-scoring double by Rick Ankiel and a single up the middle by Ryan Ludwick.

The Cardinals rallied for two runs in the eighth had the tying runs on base, but Tyler Walker came out of the bullpen to retire Skip Schumaker on a ground ball to first base. After allowing the first batters to reach base in the ninth, Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save of the season.

Bowker will have a little extra time to reflect on his accomplishments of the past two days as the lefthanded hitting outfielder will not be in the lineup Monday night when the Giants open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Lefthander Randy Johnson is scheduled to make his first start of the season after opening the year on the disabled list.

"No, I think I will give him a day (off)," Bochy said. "He faced a lefthander today and got a run in. That was impressive, but (Aaron) Rowand will be ready to go and Randy (Winn) will be in right field."