Sunday, September 7, 2008

SJ Giants Posey makes smashing debut in playoffs


TEAM WINS OPENER BEHIND NEWCOMER

MercuryNews

When Posey lined a pitch from Ports reliever Patrick Currin into short right field. Brett Pill then tied the score with a sacrifice fly and Tyler Graham later followed with a game-winning, two-RBI single.

For the night, Posey went 1 for 3 and offered a glimpse of his defensive ability by gunning down a would-be base-stealer.

He also was a winner at the gate. San Jose drew 3,713 fans, which was the largest playoff crowd in San Jose history.

"We've definitely got a little Buster-mania going on here," Giants president Jim Weyermann said. "He sold a few tickets for us."

This marked only the 11th game of Posey's pro career -- having played seven in the Arizona League and then three at Salem-Keizer of the Northwest League. He has been caught in a whirlwind since Aug. 15 when he signed his $6.2 million deal, the largest ever given by the Giants.

"I've been in three clubhouses in the past three weeks," said Posey, who won every major college player of the year honor at Florida State. "It's a new experience."

Giants Manager Steve Decker made it clear that San Jose, which posted a league-best 85-55 record this season, doesn't need Posey to be a savior -- just a contributor.

"I don't want him to come in feeling like he has to carry the team," Decker said. "He's just trying to prove himself and his worth because of where he was drafted. It's unfair to ask more of him."

But he did his share. Posey also was amused that he had inherited Lincecum's jersey.

"It's neat," he said. "I didn't know that."

The second game of the best-of-five series is 5 p.m. today at Municipal.


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