Jun 24 2009
Lincecum dominant in complete game gem against A’s…
One thing for certain is Tim Lincecum is still one of the top pitchers in the league today. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner couldn’t have a better season as he did last season. Well, it is safe to say that Lincecum is having another pretty special season again, only this time he has some competition and a counterpart on the same staff as him in Matt Cain, who is 9-1 with a 2.28 E.R.A and making a bid to start in the All-Star game next month. Lincecum’s numbers for the season are he is 7-2 with a 2.57 E.R.A. and leads the league in strikeouts with 124: WOW!
Lincecum was dominant in this outing against the A’s last night as he threw another complete game, his 2nd against the A’s this season and 4th complete game overall for Lincecum in his career. Well, Lincecum threw a gem as he gave up just one run on 7 hits and had 12 strikeouts in the Giants 4-1 victory. He was absolutely filthy throughout the game, but there were couple times where he had to work out of bases-loaded jams. And that is what he did, worked out of them without being scored upon as he induced two inning-ending double plays in the 5th and 6th innings respectively. That is what good pitchers do, is they bare down and make their pitches when they need to. Lincecum is definitely seems to be the definition of what a good pitcher is.
Pablo Sandoval got the Giants offense going in the first inning off A’s starter Vin Mazzaro as he ripped a double down the left field line driving in speedy outfielder Andres Torres to put the Giants up 1-0. Bengie Molina would then drive in Sandoval on a sacrifice fly to right field putting the Giants up 2-0. The RBI was Molina’s 42nd of the season. On the night, Sandoval was 1 for 3 with an RBI, run scored, and he drew a walk. Sandoval’s average remained at .336 and he is now 3rd in the NL in hitting.
Other bright spots in the Giants lineup was shortstop Renteria went 2 for 4 with an RBI double and a run scored and Nate Schierholtz went 3 for 4.
A’s were stymied offensively by Lincecum as they could only muster 7 hits and one run on a solo homerun off the bat of Jason Giambi. Orlando Cabrera and Ryan Sweeney both went 2 for 4 for the A’s.
