The Giants suffered their first loss at home today, as the Mariners got revenge for the Cactus League Opener. Tons of great shots today, and some cool stories as well.

Diamond Notes:

- Tim Lincecum had another rough outing as he was pulled after 2 2/3IP. In Spring Training, you know you are getting tagged if the bullpen gets a call before you can complete the inning. Although he got lit up for 4 runs this outing, I will say it was still and improvement from a week ago. He still had 4K’s but 6Hs and 2BBs isn’t the best line. 2 of the 4 runs were unearned due to an error. The big knock he gave up ironically came to….Ryan Garko (More on him later).

I’m sure this will spawn at least a little worry amongst the message boards and sports talk scene. I wouldn’t worry too much. There’s still some more starts before Opening Day.

- Ryan Garko came through with the big hit for the Mariners, something he didn’t do very much of for the Giants. From the crowd there was a heckler taunted Garko, ”You suck, Garko! Thanks for nothing last year!” and so on and so on. Let’s just say Ryan shut that guy’s trap with his 2 out, 2RBI single. You could see the guy creep down in his seat.

- Timmy did make an amazing play on Ichiro of all people. His second time through the order, Ichiro hit a seed right back up the middle. Lincecum stabbed it behind the back after his follow through and got him at first. I didn’t get any pictures because you can’t anticipate that play to happen, but what you should know is that the ball was crushed up the middle. It wasn’t a weak bouncer.

- Ichiro did it to us again, he stole 3B. This one was actually part of a double steal with Figgins on 1B. You would think the pitchers would be cautious with him on 2B…

- The Mariners took infield today as the Giants did yesterday. All I have to say is Ichiro is the man. I’ve seen his tricks before, but it never gets old.

He routinely catches flies behind his back as he crouches. If you have ever tried this, it’s outrageously hard. He makes it look like catching a ping pong ball with a fishing net.

Next, he switches it up but running about 20 feet past the fly ball, and then turning around so his back is facing the plate and tracking it down ala “The Catch.”

Finally, he practices breaking real late to the ball, so much so that he has to sprint to get it and shoestring the catch. After the catch he hits a shagger by flipping the ball out of his glove mid stride.

- Madison Bumgarner relieved Lincecum in the 3rd with a runner on and 2 outs. If you recall, Bumgarner was the pitcher that Ichiro stole 3B on last week. He actually never threw a pitch as he immediately picked off the runner.

Madison wrote a book today called the “Tale of Two Innings.” He did a great job in the 4th, but then got in major trouble in the 5th, which he allowed a couple runs. All in all, 3Hs, 4BBs, 2ER. I‘d still like to see him with the club come Opening Day over Todd Wellemeyer. That’s just me, why waste a year in AAA? I know there’s a lot of debate over this, that’s just my opinion.

- Nick Noonan may have had the play of the game, but it wasn’t a “Web Gem.” 

With Mota on the hill, and Chone Figgins on 1B, there was a sky high pop up to 2B. Noonan got under it, fought off the sun, and caugh…had it bounce off the heel of his glove and drop.

You know, rarely is the reference to Caddyshack yelled out in the crowd when Nick plays. It’s surprising really. However, after that ball dropped, everyone instantly remembered the movie quote. “Nooo-nan!” chants all over the stadium.

Okay so the ball drops, but Figgins is still standing on the base expecting the catch to be made. Now there’s 2 Mariners on 1B. Mota grabs the ball and runs over and tags Figgins, literally. I don’t know if he was trying to be funny or what, but Guillermo kept tagging Figgins with the glove, probably 20 times, just standing there tapping him on the chest with the glove looking at the ump. Figgins is called out. Which, ironically, is probably better for the Giants because it takes his speed off the bases. Bochy wasn’t too happy…

- Tomorrow the team travels to Tucson, so there will be no game coverage. I will won’t be over at the MiLB complex to cover the practice though, so check it out it won’t be on the site tomorrow night. UPDATE- Sorry guys, last minute meeting in Surprise today. Don’t worry, we’ll catch up with them soon enough.

- Lastly, Lincecum is a hot commodity these days and there are a decent amount of shots of him today. Unfortunately, in order to deter usage with permission, I have opted to burn my credit over the entire photo. I try to keep the burn out of the way most of the time to retain the artistic composition, but from now on some photos will be uploaded this way. Hopefully you can understand and look past it to the image beneath. Thanks for understanding.

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