De-Funkifying Tim

Clearly showing signs of returning to his ace status, Tim Lincecum snapped off eight quality innings for the victory as the Giants throttled the A's 6-2 this evening. It started off slowly for Tim - giving up a leadoff double that didn't score but another run that did thanks to two wild pitches! I admit that I was fearing the worst...sorry, but Tim hasn't been oozing confidence lately and I panic easily. Tim got through the second and third innings, but he did give up a walk ( his only one!!) and the gratuitous stolen base ( 14th this year ), so I was still pretty cranky and expecting the worst. I was scared.

Then, in the bottom of the third, Pat the Bat hit his first homer as a Giant and gave Lincecum the lead.

Evidently that made Tim feel ever so much better. He proceeded to rip through the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings in order ( getting 11 in a row ). In the seventh he gave up a hit to break the nifty streak, but then produced a double-play grounder immediately. Finally, he gave up a hard hit ball ( a triple ) and another run in the eighth, but by that time the game was already in control. Tonight's performance may not jump out as one of his greatest: 8 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits ( only two XBH ), 1 walk and 7 strikeouts, but it sure might be one of his sweetest. I am a whole lot less scared.

There is no doubt that it is awfully hard to stay a contender with Tim in a funk.

Here's to the end of the Freak Funk!! Be Gone and Never Return!!