Tim Lincecum thought he was in immediate trouble Friday afternoon.
Los Angeles Angels leadoff hitter Chone Figgins scorched a one-hop smash down the third-base line. And Lincecum knew third baseman Juan Uribe was playing on the grass, guarding against the bunt.
"I was thinking a double for sure," Lincecum said.
But Uribe speared the hot shot and made a strong throw across the diamond for the out. Watching from center field, Aaron Rowand wasn't surprised.
Rowand can't think of Uribe without flashing to one specific play in 2005. The clinching out of a World Series tends to stick in your mind that way.
Houston's Orlando Palmeiro hit a chopper up the middle. Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks leaped but couldn't reach it. Uribe, playing shortstop, ranged to his left.
"I remember thinking he had no chance," Rowand said. "Next thing you know, he's scooped it up with those lightning-quick hands, fired a bullet, and bang-bang, we win."
With the ability to back up at second, short and third, plus provide some right-handed pop, Uribe is expected to play a key role for the Giants this season.
"He is going to be really, really big for us," catcher Bengie Molina said. "You watch."
Rowand is glad to be reunited with his former White Sox buddy for another reason. Uribe doesn't speak much English, but his personality transcends the language barrier.
"He is just bubbly," Rowand said. "We'd go to Toronto and he'd start singing 'Oh Canada.' A month later, he's still singing it."
Uribe, like Rich Aurilia, is signed to a minor league contract but expected to make the team with a decent showing this spring. Club officials have said the two infielders are not necessarily in competition for one job.
Helped by Uribe's glove, Lincecum kept on rolling. He faced the minimum over three shutout innings and has retired 20 of 22 batters this spring. Lincecum threw 28 pitches, one more than his previous three-inning start.
"It's nice, but you've got to take it with a grain of salt in spring training," said Lincecum, who threw mostly fastballs. "It's nice to get three up, three down. It helps with your confidence."
Randy Winn is 1 for 21 this spring, but Manager Bruce Bochy said the steady right fielder is the least of his worries.
Nate Schierholtz (bulging disk) will be sidelined another five to seven days, Bochy said. The manager termed the injury "a minor setback."
Right-hander Sergio Romo professed to be ready by opening day, saying his sprained right elbow was feeling less achy.
Merkin Valdez reentered competition for a bullpen spot, retiring all three hitters he faced in his Cactus League debut. Bochy was impressed that Valdez showed good command of his fastball, slider and change-up.
"He would've been big last year, and our hope is he'll get his health issues behind him," Bochy said. "If he's healthy, he's going to help you."
Billy Sadler took a significant step back in the bullpen competition. Moments after Ryan Rohlinger's two-out, two-strike, two-run home run put the Giants ahead in the top of the ninth inning, Sadler lost the game on just three pitches. Former Giant Luis Figueroa doubled and Brad Coon followed with a home run as the Angels celebrated a 5-4 victory.
"The guy was just trying to move the runner, but the pitch was up in the zone and it got hit," Bochy said.
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