Sunday, April 14, 2013

Almost Terrible Tim

Even for a "light" hitting team like the Giants, it would be a bit surprising to go an entire four game series in Wrigley Field and not hit a home run. Especially if you end up winning 3 of the games, with the one loss being a rare blown save. Well, I guess Hunter Pence figured that out at the last possible second today as he blasted a game tying homer with one strike left in the game to help propel our beloved boys to a 10-7 extra inning victory.  The first place Giants (9-4) get a well deserved day off Monday before heading to Milwaukee to finish the trip.

Once again getting bailed out by his offense, Tim Lincecum did little to raise our hopes with a disastrous 4 run first inning. At least he doesn't make you wait long to see if the "old Timmy" has returned.  Sure, he settled down and (let's say it all together) IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.  Five innings , 4 earned runs. That is totally #5 starter stuff, and, let's face it, that's exactly where Tim is headed.  If Zito and Vogelsong keep up what they are doing, Tim becomes our fifth starter; the guy who loses his turn whenever possible. I suppose he might be considered a very good #5 guy, but still... It makes me very sad.

Tip o' the cap to Nick Noonan! Dude is making the most of his opportunity with 6 hits in hits first 12 AB's. Sure, he's getting some breaks, but he does seem to have a nice level swing that should deliver a lot of line drives.

4 comments:

Zo said...

Tim must be living right. We haven't lost when he has pitched yet. Yet.

M.C. O'Connor said...

Yeah, I'm thinking the same. Tim pitches: Giants win.

I was encouraged by the four scoreless after the first inning nightmare. I have faith in Tim. It is pitching, not throwing, and you throw one pitch at a time. Just keep pitching, Tim. Just keep winning, Giants.

Shankbone said...

Baggs pointed out Timmy was controlling his fastball better. The Franchise just takes mental breaks in a sport where that gets hammered relentlessly. He's completely like Zito now - you have Good Tim/Bad Tim and unfortunately Bad Tim is showing up in games with a frequency that is alarming. I don't think he knows where the ball is going a lot of the time, and that's not a guy you throw 20MM plus at. Makes me sad as well, seeing him as a 5th starter.

Still, if the Giants didn't give up on Zito, they're not giving up on Timmy.

M.C. O'Connor said...

Check out this article re Tim.

Hat tip, Giants Win.