Lincecum Dominant In Walkoff Win Over Astros

As Mike Krukow said, “the screws were against the wall” for Tim Lincecum. A rough start, at home, versus the Astros? Yikes – I’m not sure I want to know what that would’ve looked like in the media, but thankfully after a dominating start tonight we wont know – at least not for another five days.

The Giants played well overall, even though they struggled with runners on base, stranding ten through the first nine innings, six of which were left in scoring position with two outs. The two big blows of the night offensively came from Melky Cabrera and Hector Sanchez who both knocked in a run, the Melk Man with a fifth inning single that scored Tim Lincecum and Sanchez with a sixth inning double that plated Angel Pagan.

Sadly, another blown save from Santiago Casilla ruined Lincecum’s wonderful evening but the Giants were able to win in walkoff fashion thanks to Hector come the 12th inning.

And Tim Lincecum Is Bac… – Okay, so it was the Astros, who just a few short weeks ago were on the wrong side of a perfecto by Matt Cain. And yes, they only have nine road wins on the year, so it’s not like Lincecum went through a Murderer’s Row but we’re grasping for anything right now and Lincecum’s start tonight was something firm to grab onto. Lincecum did have his moments, especially early where he struggled to find his fastball command but he eventually turned it around, striking out 11 ‘Stros in his eight innings of work. The Freak also kept the bases empty for the most part, only allowing one walk to go with the five hits, making sure a ‘big inning’ wouldn’t be his undoing. Yes, people are going to point to it being the weak hitting Astros (and they’d certainly have a point) but it was impressive outing nonetheless and right now, we’ll take any positives in regards to Lincecum. Pretty sure he feels the same way…

Day Off? Say What? – Seriously, I understand Bruce Bochy wants to get Buster Posey‘s bat in the lineup but playing 1B is not a day off. Yes, it’s a day removed from the grinds of being behind the plate but if the plan is to get Posey some rest, please, just rest him. That is all.

Stinky Casilla – Another save opportunity, another blown save. Entering with a two run cushion, the Giants closer couldn’t get the job done after a walk and a double plated a run. A strikeout on a wild pitch should’ve ended the game, but an errant throw to first that pulled Belt off the bag allowed the game tying run to score from SECOND thanks to Casilla not covering home plate.

Short recap tonight with an early game tomorrow. The win moved the Giants back into first place thanks to a CRAZY game in Los Angeles that involved the Padres stealing home, twice, on the same play with two outs in the top of the ninth.

Giants go for the sweep tomorrow.