Funky Filipino Espineli earns first big league win
Left-hander is first full-blooded Filipino in Major Leagues since 1956
San Francisco Giants pitcher Geno Espineli made his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 20, 2008. (Photo - The Chronicle/Carlos Avila Gonzalez)
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Eugene "Geno' Macalalag Espineli earned his first major league victory on Wednesday in a game against the Washington Nationals.
The 25-year old side-arming left-hander with a funky delivery took the hill in the eighth inning and got two outs before his teammate, Rich Aurillia sparked a three-run bottom of the eighth Giants rally with a line drive to the left center field gap in AT&T Park. The Giants held on for a 6-4 win and Espineli was credited with the win in his second Major League appearance.
On July 20, Espineli debuted against the Milwaukee Brewers and tossed one perfect inning in a Giants loss. In 1 2/3 innings over two appearances, Espineli has given up a walk and struck out one but has not allowed a run.
"It was a little nerve-racking. .. we got a couple outs and got out of the inning," said Espineli, who's deceptive funky delivery and change-up are his big league signature... for now.
Espineli's parents are both Filipino although he was born in Houston, Texas on Sept 8, 1982. He is the first player with Filipino heritage to appear in the Major Leagues since Chris Aguila in 2003.
Bobby Balcena, Bobby Chouinard, and Benny Agbayani are the other former Major Leaguers with Filipino heritage. Balcena and Espineli, however, are pure Filipino by blood.
Espineli, who is a sidearming southpaw had his contract purchased from Triple-A Fresno on July 20, replacing Keiichi Yabu in the bullpen. Before getting the good news, manager Dan Rohn played a prank on him, calling Espineli into his office and telling the hurler he had flunked a drug test before letting him in on the real reason for the conference.
The Filipino southpaw, who was raised in Texas and acquired in the 14th round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas Christian University, had been a surprise addition to the Team USA olympic roster, having never pitched on a national team before and not being a member of the so-called short list that went to the Major League Futures Game.
But he caught the organization's attention in his first full-time stint in relief at Triple-A Fresno, where he had a 2.06 ERA in 52 1/3 innings, walking six and striking out 43. He also pitched in the Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville, Kentucky before his promotion, striking out three in an inning of work.
Brought up to the bigs, he made his debut the night of his promotion in a 7-4 loss to Milwaukee. The third of four pitchers, he tossed one perfect inning.