Just as the full “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire fizzled, the Giants’ half-Filipino flash, Tim Lincecum. was rocked in a first-inning that began with a walk to the first batter he faced.
It was the only walk he allowed the whole game.
That’s the positive.
But then he gave up two 2-run homers in that same first inning. That’s a four-run inning, a typical Lincecum start.
Lincecum has given up three-or-more runs in an inning 10 times from the start of the 2012 season to date.
But the Giants’ offense eventually picked him up. Pinch-hitter Nick Noonan (batting .600 on this road trip) lined a single to left to give the Giants a 5-4 lead, and cap a 4-run inning in the 6th.
Lincecum was still in for the win. But the Cubs came back to regain the lead 7-6 in the 8th.
That set up a 2-strike homerun by Hunter Pence to tie and extend the game at 7-7. Lincecum was off the hook totally for another no-decision start. And then the Giants with some clutch hitting pulled away with a 3-run 10th, 10-7.
Suddenly, the Giants aren’t reliant on pitching so much. They are confident and showing enough offense to erase deficits late in the game.
Mark of a champion? Team is going well at 9-4. And Lincecum? Well, the team has won his last three starts.
Tim’s next start is likely Saturday night against the Padres at AT&T.
