Tim Lincecum shines as San Francisco Giants defeat Minnesota Twins 2-1 – MLB Update
Tim Lincecum followed Ryan Vogelsong in pitching and took 12 batters as the San Francisco Giants made their second straight triumph over the American League’ Minnesota Twins 2-1, at AT&T Park on Thursday, June 23 to clinch their first interleague series
by 2-1.
Last night, Vogelsong continued his brilliant performance allowing just one run over seven innings and his streak of permitting two runs-or-fewer continued as he now has 9-consecutive starts of two or less than two runs in 2011. It also helped the Giants
to nip their season-high 5-game losing streak with 5-1 victory over the Twins.
Lincecum, who lost two consecutive games, changed his pitching technique that worked and he took out the season-high twelve strike-outs in his 16th start. Taking 12 strike-outs put Lincecum in the top of the list of the pitcher, who has made more
than 10 strike-outs in this season. He had done this four times and is followed by Cliff Lee, James Shields, Tommy Hanson and Clayton Kershaw, all of these have achieved this three times in 2011.
It was a complete day for him as he received full back up from his manager Bruce Bochy.
Bochy said, "Timmy was outstanding. It was good to see him back on track. He was comfortable throwing any pitch and he had good rhythm."
He was in perfect shape to take this game as he told reporters after the game. "Even when I threw a bullpen I wanted to have belief in myself. I wanted that to carry over into games. I was executing my pitches and believing in what I threw at the moment."
His reliever Javier Lopez continued his strong pitching as he tossed a scoreless eighth inning to keep his club into a 2-0 leading position. Closer Brian Wilson allowed a lone run to the Twins in the ninth inning, still managed to save his 21st game of the
season.
The Giants made just two runs, one each in the second and the eighth inning to take their 41st win in 2011. Miguel Tejada scored an RBI single in the second while Cody Ross made a second run in the eighth inning.
Twins’ starter Brian Duensing, despite throwing a strong six innings lost his seventh game. He allowed six hits walked two and struck-out five batters in his 14th start. Closer Glen Perkins also gave away one run in eighth inning. Reliever Alex
Burnett tossed just eight pitches, out of which five were strikes.
The Giants put in a tremendous performance as they managed to beat the Twins. Minnesota fought hard, but it was not enough to contain the Giants’ offence.
Tags: