Giants' Ishikawa hits two home runs

Giants' Ishikawa hits two home runs
By Andrew Baggarly
Mercury News
Posted: 02/25/2009 08:09:39 PM PST
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — On the first "Happy Lincecum Day" of the Giants' season, Travis Ishikawa staged his own celebration.

After Tim Lincecum threw 18 pitches in a scoreless inning against the Cleveland Indians, Ishikawa went 3 for 3 with two home runs to earn an early but important designation from Manager Bruce Bochy.

"He's our first baseman right now," Bochy said after the Giants won 10-7 in their first Cactus League exhibition Wednesday. "Ishi's got a great look about him right now. He's confident. He looks like he wants to take this job and run with it."

Ishikawa's presumptive competition, John Bowker, has a minor league option remaining and could begin the season at Triple-A Fresno. The Giants do not have that flexibility with Ishikawa, who would have to clear waivers if the club tried to send him down.

Ishikawa's biggest competition isn't currently in camp. With a big spring, he could persuade management to hold its cards rather than shop for another corner infielder.

"Going in, it's my job to lose," Ishikawa said. "I can't promise you two home runs every day. I wish I could, but I just want to have quality at-bats and get good pitches to hit."

Both of Ishikawa's home runs landed down the right-field line; he hit a solo shot off left-hander Zach Jackson and a two-run shot off right-hander Edward Mujica.

Combined with his 2-for-2 day in Tuesday's intrasquad game, Ishikawa hasn't made an out thus far. He credited the hot streak to a tip from Aaron Rowand on where to focus as the pitcher releases the ball.


"I've really been focused on trying to see the ball longer," Ishikawa said. "I was looking at the top of the (pitcher's) cap and he said look more in front of his face. I've been able to see it better since then."

Rowand, who was packing his duffel bag a few feet away, piped up: "He just did it a little better than I did."

The pregame ceremonies lasted longer than Lincecum had figured, so he threw more warm-up pitches in the bullpen than usual.

The staff had him on a 25-pitch limit, so when he needed 18 to finish the first inning - 17 fastballs and one curve - Righetti decided to let Keiichi Yabu start the second.

Yabu allowed a three-run homer by Mark DeRosa.