Tim Lincecum delivers a pitch against the Cardinals on Tuesday night. He threw 113 pitches, 73 for strikes. (photo/MLB)
Tim Lincecum improved to 6-1 lifetime against the Cardinals, by going eight innings and allowing just four hits. He escaped a based loaded, no out jam in the fourth inning and cruised from there as the Cardinals lost 5-0 in the series opener Tuesday night in San Francisco. Lincecum loaded the bases in the fourth before striking out Craig and Jon Jay and getting Daniel Descalso to ground out. That sparked the Giants offense.
Pablo Sandoval hit his 100th career homer to highlight a three-run fourth inning for the Giants, who then scored twice more in the fifth to chase Marco Gonzales (0-1) in his second career start. Gonzales gave up five runs and seven hits in 4.1 innings. St. Louis has lost three straight and four of five, but let’s keep some perspective about this slump.
The Cardinals came into the game, facing their third pitcher to throw a no-hitter this season in the span of five games. After losing to Josh Beckett and Clayton Kershaw this past weekend in the L.A., the Cardinals had to face Lincecum.
