NewsRested Lincecum is bad news for foes
San Francisco (73-60) at Philadelphia (76-54), 4:05 p.m. PT
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
09/02/09 10:16 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA -- Extra rest occasionally hampers some starting pitchers, who struggle to cope with the disruption in their routine. Tim Lincecum isn't one of them. Then again, did you think he would be? Nothing seems to bother Lincecum -- not runners on base, a high pitch count or the pressure of ending a losing streak. But he is human, and this is September. So Lincecum accepted pitching coach Dave Righetti's suggestion that an extra day of rest might benefit him after he threw a season-high 127 pitches during his eight-inning effort last Friday in the Giants' 2-0 victory over Colorado. "He came to me and told me he felt like this would be better for me, and I agreed," said Lincecum, who'll face the Philadelphia Phillies on five days' rest in Thursday's series finale. Lincecum's statistics sparkle under any circumstance, but they're especially impressive in games when he has received five days' rest. On four days' rest, Lincecum has been excellent, posting a 26-11 record (.703 winning percentage) with a 2.91 ERA and a 3.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Opponents have hit .225 in these games. But on five days' rest, Lincecum has been even more untouchable. He's 10-2 (.833) with a 2.31 ERA and a 3.89 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His opponents' batting average in these starts? A mere .198. Lincecum is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies. Pitching matchupSF: RHP Tim Lincecum (13-4, 2.33 ERA)
Lincecum pitched eight shutout innings Friday against the Rockies, winning for the first time since Aug. 1. He struck out eight and allowed just four hits. On his fifth try, Lincecum broke through for his 13th win. He was 0-1 in his previous four starts before beating the Rockies. Lincecum is 1-0 against the Phillies this year, having pitched eight shutout innings with eight strikeouts in a 2-0 win on Aug. 1 at AT&T Park. PHI: RHP Pedro Martinez (2-0, 4.50 ERA)
The baseball gods have been against Martinez lately. He has pitched twice at Citizens Bank Park this season, but both starts have been shortened after just three and two innings because of rain. This will be Martinez's third start in Philadelphia since he debuted with the Phillies on Aug. 12 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He is hoping this time there are clear skies. Tidbits
A pair of San Jose Giants gained significant recognition. Left-hander Craig Clark was named California League Pitcher of the Year and outfielder Roger Kieschnick earned Rookie of the Year honors. They will join outfielder Thomas Neal on the league's 14-man end-of-season All-Star team. Clark, who owns a 15-2 record with a 3.01 ERA, has won his last 14 decisions. He's the second San Jose hurler in a row and the third in four years to win the league's top pitcher award, joining Kevin Pucetas (2008) and Brian Anderson (2006). Kieschnick, San Francisco's third-round selection in last year's First-Year Player Draft, entered Wednesday with 23 home runs and 106 RBIs. Tickets
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• Friday: Giants (Barry Zito, 9-11, 3.94) at Brewers (Jeff Suppan, 6-8, 5.20), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Giants (Matt Cain, 12-4, 2.50) at Brewers (Yovani Gallardo, 12-10, 3.56), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 6-11, 4.15) at Brewers (Braden Looper, 11-6, 4.92), 11:05 a.m. PT
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
