Tim Lincecum, the half-Filipino flash, pitches today for the Giants against the Cubs in Wrigley, and that’s good news for the Giants.
Winners of two of three 1 run games vs. the Cubs, the Giants will have a pitcher who has never given up more than 2 runs per game at Wrigley Field. With a 1.82 ERA in five starts, Lincecum loves Wrigley.
If he pitches to his record, the Giants may be able to muster just enough run support to take three out of four in this Cub series, and give Lincecum his 2nd win of the year.
Lincecum had that rocky 2nd inning against the Rockies this past week. In an answer to my post-game question, he said he saw video in-between innings and saw something he was able to correct.
He didn’t say what it was , but added it wasn’t a mechanical or timing thing.
“Rhythm,” was the word Lincecum used. He went on after that to give the Giants a solid four innings.
We’ll see today if he’s still on the beat and can avoid a bout of the Chicago blues.
RIGONDEAUX-DONAIRE FIGHT:
The Big Apple played host to the best small guys in boxing, the 122 lb. super bantamweights. But it’s hard to say what was on Nonito Donaire’s mind last night at Radio City Music Hall?
Was he waiting for the Rockettes?
It sure didn’t seem he wanted to fight Guillermo Rigondeaux.
I was hoping Donaire would take advantage of Rigondeuax’s lack of pro experience and school him into pronouncing his first name the Filipino way (not Gee-air-mo, but Gil-yer-mo).
But my loyalty to Filipino American Donaire was all off. On this night, Donaire was neither linguist or pugilist.
I had seen both fighters’ televised bouts over the last year, and never was all that impressed with Donaire. He always showboated with his left hand down. I just couldn’t imagine him so much quicker than opponents that he could avoid telegraphing his punch.
Rigondeaux, on the other hand, I’ve always thought was fairly quick and elusive. And he’s a lefty, which meant that with luck, he could possibly catch the righty Donaire flush in the face.
Sure, enough, the left caught Donaire, puffing up his eye, and essentially ended all chance before the 12th was done.
Indeed, the so-called “Filipino Flash” hardly flashed a thing all night, unable to jab or catch up to Rigondeaux. For at least the first six rounds, it was like Donaire wasn’t even in the fight.
Later, in the post-bout interviews on HBO, Donaire admitted, “I never studied (for) the fight. “
It was a stunning admission on his lack of preparation. HBO commentators said that trainer Robert Garcia had been so involved with his other top fighter Brandon Rios, that much of his time with Donaire was spent on the phone. Maybe that’s why Donaire looked like he was “phoning it in.”
It all leaves Filipino American fans wondering if Donaire really has what it takes to replace Manny Pacquiao, a loser in his last two fights.
