Lincecum, Renteria deliver Giants elusive World Series crown
Added on Nov 02, 2010 by Ted Sillanpaa in
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Edgar Renteria hit a three-run home run and Tim Lincecum pitched eight masterful innings on Monday as the Giants beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 to claim the club’s first World Series title since moving to San Francisco.
“San Francisco is going nuts, we’re going nuts and it feels really good,” closer Brian Wilson said.
The New York Giants won the World Series in 1954. The club moved to San Francisco in 1958. The Giants finally bring a world championship to the city by the bay.
“This buried a lot of bones — ’62, ’89, 2002,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said, ticking off losing Series appearances. “This group deserved it, faithful from the beginning. We’re proud and humbled by the achievement.”
Lincecum outdueled Cliff Lee in a matchup that was scoreless until Renteria earned the Series MVP award by hitting a stunning three-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning. Nelson Cruz homered in the bottom half, but Lincecum returned to his wicked self and preserved the lead.
Lincecum gave up three hits over eight innings and struck out 10.
“I was very poised out there. From the first inning on my adrenaline kind of just dissipated and I was able to calm down,” he said.
Wilson pitched a perfect ninth for a save.
“All the experts out there picked us last,” first baseman Aubrey Huff said as he teared up during the post-game celebration.
Manager Bruce Bochy, who wins his first world title, was effusive.
“For us to win for our fans, it’s never been done there, and with all those great teams,” Bochy said.
Renteria reprised his role of postseason star. His 11th-inning single ended Game 7 of the 1997 World Series and lifted Florida over Cleveland.
“It was a tough year for me,” the oft-injured shortstop said. “I told myself to keep working hard and keep in shape because something is going to be good this year.”
A team seemingly free of egos did everything right to take the lead. Ross, the surprising MVP of the NL championship series, stayed square and hit a leadoff single and Juan Uribe followed with another hit up the middle.
That put a runner at second base for the first time in the game and brought up Huff, who led the Giants in home runs this year. So what did he do? He expertly put down the first sacrifice bunt of his career.
Lee struck out Pat Burrell to keep the runners put, but Ross began hopping home as soon as Renteria connected, sending a drive that kept sailing and landed over the left-center field wall.
“It was a classic pitchers’ duel down to that home run. Nobody in this room is more disappointed than I am,” Lee said.
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