Tim Lincecum hadn’t pitched in nearly a month. He was, without question, the forgotten man on the San Francisco Giants. But then, last night, he got his chance. Mop-up duty. And he did OK in that role. An inning and two-thirds. Struck out a couple of guys. Didn’t allow any base runners.
It ended on a down note, though, with the two-time Cy Young Award winner having to leave with back stiffness after a couple of wonky pitches, including one that came close to plunking Sal Perez. After the game he and Bruce Bochy said he’d probably be OK. It’s possible that Lincecum, if he is OK, could be the righty that Bochy calls on in situations where he might’ve called on Hunter Strickland before his meltdown last night.
Whatever the case, I’ll always be fascinated by the guy once known as The Freak. A rare, elite pitcher who suddenly lost it despite not, apparently, suffering any major injury. A guy who just became ordinary overnight.
