The On-Deck Circle

TICKET SALES SURGE IN WAKE OF BACK TO BACK NWL TITLES

They're going, going, go....  Order yours now before it's too late!

Ticket sales for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 2008 season are flying out the door in the wake of the team's back to back championship season and selection as the 2007 National Minor League Team of the year.

The Volcanoes attractive home schedule again will include six fireworks shows, a strong lineup of special events and attractions and a nationally recognized series of community outreach events.  Yet, with ticket sales approaching 70,000, the Volcanoes have excellent seating available in every category including lower level, box seat season tickets.  The 5-, 10- and 19-game ticket packages continue to be popular with fans.

This year's 5-game package includes Opening Night on June 17^th when the franchise will raise the 2007 championship pennant prior to the game, Fireworks Friday June 27^th, Kid's Run the Bases with Crater after Sundays game July 27^th, concluding the plan with Mondays match-up with Spokane August 18^th and Fan Appreciation Night September 3^rd.

Catch every team in the league with this season's 10-Game Package.  You be the judge as to which team has the best young talent in the Northwest League.

Games include: Opening Night on June 17^th; Sunday, June 29^th vs. Everett is Kid's Run the Bases with Crater, 4^th of July Fireworks Friday, Tuesday July 15 vs. Vancouver, another Fireworks Friday July 18^th; Monday July 28 vs. Boise, two of the 6 games played against the rival from Eugene Sunday August 3^rd & Wednesday August 27^th ; Tuesday August 19^th vs. Spokane and rounding out this great plan is Fan Appreciation Night September 3^rd

For the fans that want more...how about the 19-Game Package? One half of the team's home schedule provides the live summer action your looking for: Opening Night on June 17th, Fireworks Friday June 20^th, Bi-Mart Monday June 28^th; Prize Wheel Saturday July 5^th, July 7^th, 14^th, Volcanoes Idol June 16^th, 19th Fireworks Friday July 25^th ,July 26^th, 29^th Games Two & Three of the Eugene Series August 4^th & 5^th, Fireworks Friday August 15^th, Kid's Run The Bases August 17^th, 26^th, Dollar Beer Thursday August 28^th; and September 1^st & Fan Appreciation Night September 3^rd.

Sales of group nights have also been brisk and groups and organizations interested in booking an evening at the Stadium should contact Greg Herbst, the Volcanoes Director of Group Ticketing, as soon as possible to reserve their evening, especially if they want to come on a Fireworks Friday.

For information or reservations, visit the ticket office at Volcanoes Stadium or call 503-390-2225, extension 3007.

ELEVEN VOLCANOES MAKE GIANTS' OPENING DAY ROSTER

"Where Giant Dreams Begin" Continues

* Optioned catcher Eliezer Alfonzo to triple-A Fresno.
* Designated left-handed pitcher Steve Kline for assignment.
* Reassigned right-handed pitcher Bartolome Fortunato and infielder Justin Leone to minor league camp.
* Placed right-handed pitcher Vinnie Chulk on the 15-day Disabled List, retroactive to March 21, with a right shoulder strain.
* Placed left-handed pitcher Noah Lowry on the 15-day Disabled List, retroactive to March 21, with a left forearm surgery.
* Placed infielder Kevin Frandsen on the 15-day Disabled List, retroactive to March 21, with left achilles tendon surgery.
* Placed infielder Omar Vizquel on the 15-day Disabled List, retroactive to March 21, with left knee surgery.
* Have purchased the contracts of right-handed pitcher Keiichi Yabu, catcher Steve Holm and infielder Brian Bocock from Fresno.

The 2008 Opening Day roster includes:
Pitchers (12)
Matt Cain RHP
Kevin Correia RHP
Brad Hennessey RHP
Tim Lincecum RHP
Jonathan Sanchez LHP
Jack Taschner LHP
Erick Threets LHP
Merkin Valdez RHP
Tyler Walker RHP
Brian Wilson RHP
Keiichi Yabu RHP
Barry Zito LHP

Catchers (2)
Steve Holm C
Bengie Molina C

Infielders (6)
Rich Aurilia IF
Brian Bocock IF
Jose Castillo IF
Ray Durham IF
Daniel Ortmeier IF
Eugenio Velez IF

Outfielders (5)
Rajai Davis OF
Fred Lewis OF
Dave Roberts OF
Aaron Rowand OF
Randy Winn OF

Former Volcanoes in Red

Story Credit from San Francisco Giants & MLB.com 

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals will be happy not to see Tim Lincecum again for the rest of the season.

The San Francisco Giants right-hander struck out 11 Cardinals in his last start and on Saturday afternoon tossed seven shutout innings against St. Louis as the Giants defeated the Cardinals, 3-0, at Busch Stadium.

"He really pitched well," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He used all his pitches today very well. He did a great job getting out of jams. He pitched very well in traffic today. He had to go through some tough hitters at times. Seven shutout innings against this ballclub is very good. It's an impressive job."

San Francisco (7-11) snapped a three-game losing streak.

"When Timmy's throwing, the way he competes, he just picks up the ballclub," Bochy said. "We needed somebody to stop the skid we were in and that's what it takes, somebody to go out on the mound and pitch the way he did."

In his last start, against the Cardinals on Sunday, Lincecum struck out 11 in six innings as he allowed two runs on six hits.

On Saturday, Lincecum (3-0) scattered six hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking three. Of his 95 pitches, 60 were strikes. He lowered his ERA from 2.25 to 1.57.

"Those guys were swinging early," Lincecum said. "I had to try to take advantage of it by keeping balls down in the zone and just trying to utilize all my other pitches, especially my changeup and my slider and then also my curveball later. My guys played great defense behind me, turning three double plays, so I can't ask for much more than that."

Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick said that Lincecum reminded him of a young Roy Oswalt. St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said Lincecum was outstanding.

"You look at what he did to get guys out and you just have to tip your cap to him," La Russa said.

The biggest moment of the game came in the fourth inning.

The Cardinals (12-6) had runners on first and second with no outs and first baseman Albert Pujols up. After throwing three straight balls, Lincecum threw a fastball away for strike one, a curveball down the middle for strike two and then a hard curveball in the dirt that Pujols waved at for strike three.

Even though the runners advanced on a double steal on the strikeout, the second-year hurler struck out the next batter, Rick Ankiel, and then got Adam Kennedy to ground out to shortstop to end the inning.

"Both my slider that I developed this year and my changeup have helped me out tremendously," Lincecum said. "I went from a two-pitch guy coming up to a four-pitch guy now. I'm getting more comfortable with those pitches and they are just helping me get out of big situations."

The sequence showed how much Lincecum has matured as he approaches the one-year anniversary of being called up.

"I think he's doing a better job of pitching," Bochy said. "Early, he used to power his way through lineups. Now he's pitching, he's throwing any pitch in any count. He has the confidence to do that. He's learned the hitters. He picks this up fast. He makes adjustments out there and that's what you need to do up here. He's already shown that at an early age."

"He threw the ball great today and he battled through some rough innings," Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand said. "It's a character and confidence builder. He made his pitches when he needed to. That's the sign of a good pitcher. And he's going to get better."

The Giants gave their young right-hander just enough offense.

San Francisco jumped ahead early with a run in the third when third baseman Jose Castillo scored shortstop Brian Bocock with a double off Cardinals starter Joel Pineiro into the left-center-field gap.

Rowand made it 2-0 in the fourth with a solo home run to left field. It was the first homer of the season for Rowand, who signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Giants in December and has been battling some nagging injuries so far this season.

"I'm definitely feeling better," Rowand said. "I'm still battling this groin thing a little bit. My ribs are feeling a lot better. It's always nice to feel like you can go out and be healthy and play. But in this game of baseball you're not going to be healthy all the time."

Rowand added a run in the sixth with a two-out RBI single to left.

"I think he's healthy and it showed," Bochy said. "This game is hard enough to play when you're not 100 percent. He's such a warrior and he wanted to keep grinding it out and now he's coming around. He's a big part of this club. He'll be a guy we're counting on. Today and yesterday, you could tell a difference with how he's swinging."

The Giants got two scoreless innings from the bullpen to close out the game.

Left-hander Jack Taschner retired two batters in the eighth, and righty Tyler Walker came in and got out Pujols for the third out. In the ninth, closer Brian Wilson worked around a leadoff single to earn his fifth save in six chances.

Nate Latsch is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

UPDATE:  Tim Lincecum is now 4-0 on the season after leading the Giants to a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday, April 24th.

VOLCANOES COMPLETE 2008 SCHEDULE AND EVENTS LISTING

Things are shaping up to provide another Volcanic Season

For the second consecutive year, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes will feature six fireworks shows as part of a full complement of special events, feature attractions and community outreach activities.

Fans will get their first look at the team on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15^th, when the Volcanoes host the College All-Stars for the fourth consecutive year.  The Northwest League home opener is Sunday, June 17^th, against Yakima.   The 2007 NWL Championship banner will be unveiled prior to the game.  Fireworks will be featured after every Friday night home game and on the Fourth of July.

Look for the Inaugural Volcanoes Idols competition that will entertain fans seven times this season starting June 18^th, 19^th, 20^th & 21^st, Wednesday July 16^th, August 26^th & September 3^rd.  The annual, free Kids Baseball Clinic will be Sunday, July 27^th; the Turn Back the Clock game will be Sunday, August 17^th and Crater's Birthday Party (mascot night) will be Monday, August 4^th.  The Volcanoes' Cancer Awareness Weekend will be August 15^th-17^th.

Five pre and post game concerts are scheduled for this season starting Father's Day!

Sunday, June 15^th Lost Creek Bluegrass Band

Friday, July 4^th Courtney Jones

Friday, July 18^th The Young Bucs

Saturday, August 16^th Liquid Assets

Sunday, August 17^th Johnny Limbo & The Lugnuts

Watch for Bi-Mart Mondays for special values.  Show your Bi-Mart card at the Stadium for any Monday home game and receive an outfield General Admission ticket for $6.00.  Kids 12 and under on Bi-Mart Mondays can also have a hot dog and soft drink for just $1.00 each.  "Two for Tuesdays" offer two reserved tickets, two hot dogs and two soft drinks for $22.00 when purchased in advance.  The Volcanoes will also continue their long tradition of letting kids run the bases after every Sunday home game.

For companies, organizations and individuals planning to schedule group nights at the Stadium, it is important to make reservations early to insure your first choice of dates, especially for groups of 25 or more.  For group ticket information and reservations, call Greg Herbst at 503-390-2225.