Lincecum matches Koufax in first start of season

April 7, 11:42 PMSan Francisco Giants ExaminerTheo Fightmaster

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Lincecum stands by as Sully lets it fly. AP Photo, Marcio Jose Sanchez

Opening Day 2009, AT&T Park:

Tim Lincecum didn’t have his best stuff on Tuesday, though it was good enough to put him alongside Sandy Koufax in the record book.

Lincecum’s three innings against the Brewers was the shortest outing by a reigning CY Young Winner making his first start of the season since Koufax in 1966. It should be noted that Koufax went on to go 27-9 with a 1.73 ERA, 27 complete games (5 shut outs), and ended up winning the award again in ‘66 while finishing second in the MVP voting.  The Dodgers also made it to the World Series that year.  Let’s hope that’s where the comparison ends as Koufax decided to retire after that season.  That would be a bad career move for Tim.

All in all Lincecum’s first opening day start may not have necessarily been as bad as it looked.  Considering the unusual circumstances that normally come with a home opener, and the added weather, Lincecum did what he could to prepare.

The weather pattern was such that the Giants didn’t know until approximately 25 minutes prior that they were going to begin the game.  From my perspective Lincecum made his way down to the bullpen at approximately 1:12pm. First pitch was at 1:29.  

During those 18 minutes or so the Giants were introduced by Jon Miller, Talyor Hicks belted out the anthem, the “first pitch” was tossed by Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III, Lincecum stretched, threw in the pen, and took the mound.  Actually he took the field, and then had to back off the mound, deferring to Sully.  A testament to how cool the Giants right hander really is.

With all the pomp and circumstance don’t be too concerned with Timmy’s outing. Of course, at some point he’s going to need to be able deal with the pageantry that comes along with opening day; my guess is by next April.

Technically speaking, the 24 year old couldn’t spot his fastball, was short with his change up, and was very inefficient , throwing 78 pitches in his three innings of work.  His battery mate, Bengie Molina, saw this coming, telling MLB.com’s Chris Haft; “I shouldn't say it, but I could tell right away.”

Lincecum himself couldn’t put a finger on his rocky outing. "I don't think there's an excuse or a reason why I did the way I did, It's just part of the game and part of the day."
 

The Giants ace will have some time before his next start, Monday in Los Angeles, to figure things out.  Until the Lincecum will move past his ’09 debut and “take it with a grain of rice... rice, salt, whatever. I’m half Asian.”

Box Score?

— Fightmaster's Fodder—

-There were a few people whose ovation matched Sully’s during the introductions. Of course Lincecum, but what came as a bit of a surprise was the exceedingly warm ovation given to Rich Aurilia.  I suppose I’ve been spending too much time in the blogosphere, as I thought Aurilia had perhaps worn out his welcome here. Not the case.

-Ishikawa looked like the RBI man a team needs in the sixth hole if they’re going to compete. He opened things with a bases loaded triple in the first that would have been a grand slam in any other park.

-The Giants line up impressed throughout as every position starter scored at least one run and the 10 RBI’s were scattered among six different hitters.

-Joe Martinez earned the win in his major league debut.  He looked a bit vulnerable, but eventually the sinker-baller was able to lure a ground ball to one of his defenders after a few found holes for hits.  Surprisingly it was the Giants offense playing the role of the federal government to the pitchers AIG, bailing out the perceived strength of the team, and leading them to victory.

-Defense looked good. Renteria was part of a couple of double plays, and could have had another if he wasn’t slide tackled by Bill Hall on a fielder's choice. Sandoval didn’t come up with one play, but it was a slow roller off Mike Cameron’s bat that likely would have been a hit regardless.  His defense won’t be an issue to the level of Jose Castillio’s, but one concern will be how you replace him at third when he’s also the back up catcher (not to mention a serious threat at the plate)? The only error was on a throw home by Fred Lewis, but I’m giving him a pass. After the ground's crew moved the tarp off the infield the excess water spilled into the left field grass. I assume the ball Lewis threw was a bit damp.

-The Giants won their home opener for the first time since 2006.  That was a day that also featured a short performance from the Giants starter. Noah Lowry was removed from the game, in the first I believe, with a strained oblique.  No injuries were involved in Lincecum’s abridged outing Tuesday.

-The Giants hit three homers in their first game of the season.  They were also a combined several feet from having two more.  I’m not sure the Giants hit their third home run last season until after the All-Star break.  No, I kid, it was their eighth game.