It was the matchup of aces. Tim Lincecum vs Mat Latos. Latos has come on this year in a huge way. He came into this game a Cy Young award candidate with a 14-5 record and leading the Majors in era at 2.21. He's the new kid on the block trying to gain his respect, and he definately has. He is a big strong guy, 6-6" 225lbs, and only 22 years old. He's gonna be a tough customer for years to come in this league.
On the other hand, Tim Lincecum has had a tough year. His first eight starts of the season he looked like the 2-time Cy Young winner that he is, going 5-0 with a 1.76 era. Since then he hasn't been the same pitcher. He wasn't staying focused on the mound, and he couldn't hit any of his spots. Then August hit. That month was an all-time low point for Lincecum, he went 0-5 with a 7.82 era and a WHIP of 1.82.
Then something changed. Not just the calendar month, but something in Lincecum's head. He is way too much of a competetor and athelete to just take this slump laying down. His first 2 starts in September were spectacular. He was 2-0 with a 2.45 era, giving up 10 hits in 14 2/3 innings and striking out 20.
Lincecum showed everyone, especially the Padres, and Mat Latos, that he is still the ruler of this NL West kingdom. He shut the door on the Padres, giving up 1 run and 7 hits over 7 innings while striking out 9 and walking only 1.
Buster Posey set the tone early when he hit a 97mph fastball on the outside corner from Latos into the section of the stands that jets inward right near the foul pole. It was right in the section that Yorvit Torrealba hit his game-winning homer the day before. That ended up to be all Timmy needed.
Lincecum also made a statement with his bat, slicing a 2-run single to left field in the 4th inning off of Latos. That was after Pablo Sandoval walked and Juan Uribe doubled him to third. Later in the eighth inning the Giants scored an insurance run on an error by center-fielder Luis Durango.
Even though they had a five run lead in the ninth, Bruce Bochy wasn't taking any chances. Jeremy Affeldt came in to finish off the ninth, but gave up 2 hits. Bochy brought in closer Brian Wilson even in a non save situation to get the last out. They have Monday off so he thought, why not. These games are way too important to take any chances.
Now we begin again. It's come down to an 18 game season for the Giants. They have a very favorable schedule, having 12 of the 18 at home. I figure if they go 12-6 down the stretch, they will be headed to the playoffs on a date with destiny.
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