The Freak (a moniker I haven't used much this season) was dealing from the start. His curveball has become a staple and he used it often. But the split finger looked especially devastating. The four walks were well scattered, so no perfection, but, sheesh, who's complaining? I can't help but think how happy Tim's agent must be. That single flashy win could add MILLIONS to Tim's next contract. Does he now become more desirable to the Giants? After all, is there any Giant more loved? Even after some rough times, the excitement he brings is tangible. And this just adds to the legend. Will it help keep him in SF?
I got to see the end of the game at The Firestone Public House in Sacramento. It was thrilling to join in the cheers of the crowded establishment. The way Buster grabbed Tim from behind will be a visual that I hope I never lose. Tonight is why we love this game so much.
7 comments:
It probably shows that Buster should have been his catcher all along. Like you I thought it more likely that Tim would have tossed a no hitter, earlier in his career. One reason is that the last 2 years he has just taken way too many pitches to get through 9 innings. This game also took many pitches, but I guess they were not high stress pitches. I thought he got a tad squeezed in the 8th inning, and I thought that might cost him the no hitter, but he was just too sharp tonight. Despite the 4 walks and hit batsman, as bad as that sounds his control for the most part was much better. Not a whole bunch of fat pitches. Despite not hitting much, it looks as if he is also having better at bats lately. It was a no hitter, but it was not a no stolen base game. He also gave the bullpen a rest a day before the all star break. Three starters now, from that 2010 World Series team, have now thrown no hitters. Cain's of course was a perfect game. Timmy had a game score of 96, beating out Greinke today.
It was awesome to see him pitch so well. Man, I hope he stays with the Giants.
As the trade deadline has approached, the intertubes have been filled with opinion, and most of it about Lincecum has been negative. I hope all those folks realize what fools they are. Things can change quickly in baseball. Tim has lost speed on his fastball in the last couple of years - a pitch that he did not use very much last night - but he learned a couple of new pitches like the split. His command and, yes, a little luck all came together last night. As Kuip said after the game, "the talk about him becoming a reliever - gone." A couple of days ago, the Chronic reported that he was asked if he wanted to stay a Giant (in the context of the remainder or this season). His answer was straightforward and unequivocal, "Yes." The grin on his face after the final out was fabulous.
Another chapter in the Legend.
From Andrew Baggarly:
“I’m evolving as a pitcher,” he said. “I guess that’s the word you can use. I’m not necessarily throwing fastball-split like I used to. I’m learning how to pitch with what I’ve got. That might mean more changeups or sliders that day or curveballs.
“I think I’ve got to get back to trusting what I have that day and that’s been kind of a turning point to getting out of these bad innings. That’s the key. It’s a real mental, mental game.”
http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/andrew-baggarly/how-tim-lincecum-no-hit-padres-im-evolving-pitcher
I certainly didn't expect Lincecum to throw the no-hitter, but I wasn't surprised that he could throw one this year. He's looked good in his last two or three starts prior to last night. He no-hit the Mets through 4 and 1/3 innings in his previous start, walking one, striking out eleven in seven innings. Unlike last night, Lincecum's performance was ruined by some terrible Giants' defence in that Mets game. Lincecum hadn't won a game in over a month prior to last night, but, in contrast to how he's pitched for most of the last two seasons, I didn't think his recent losses had been due to a lack of stuff.
In any case, I hope he can maintain the kind of control he had in his no-hitter. When Lincecum hits the strike zone in good spots regularly, it's still hard for batters to hit off him, as last night demonstrated.
I think he needed to and may still need to mature as a pitcher because he definitely still has great stuff. He needs to have better control and make every pitch count. He needs to hold runners, and keep his concentration. At this point he needs to do the little things. He can lose a game by a walk, a stolen base, a wild pitch or passed ball and even an error. He needs to not give up free runs. Less fat pitches and more corner pitches. His misses need to be close enough that they are enticing and not easy takes. Posey needs to be his catcher. Enough of back-up catchers calling and catching his games.
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