It was a treat on Friday night to watch a reigning Cy Young winner. From a Phillies standpoint, Saturday night wasn’t as fun with a different reigning Cy Young winner on the mound.
The Phillies were shutout for the second time in four days, but Tim Lincecum deserves loads of credit. He pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed seven hits and one walk. He struck out eight and his ERA lowered to 2.18. Tonight further proved why Lincecum is one of the best, young pitchers in the game, silencing a potent Phillies lineup.
Joe Blanton didn’t pitch badly and kept pace in the pitchers’ duel. He gave up two earned runs in seven innings. He allowed seven hits, but majority were bloop hits. He allowed only one extra base hit and did not walk a batter. He struck out five. He was the tough-luck loser as the Phillies continue to slump with runners in scoring position. On the current road trip, the Phillies are hitting .103 (6-for-56) with RISP.
Juan Uribe has quietly been trouble. He broke up Cliff Lee’s no-hitter (double) and shutout (run scored) last night. Tonight, his two sacrifice flies put the Giants ahead, 2-0. Aaron Rowand scored on the first sac fly at a close play at the plate. Matt Stairs caught a shallow fly and fired home, but the throw was a tad wide and Rowand slid past Paul Bako, who could not apply the tag. (Injuries to Shane Victorino, knee, and Carlos Ruiz, thumb, made room for Stairs and Bako in the lineup).
Tim Lincecum doesn’t need much support. Two runs were plenty. Brian Wilson closed the game with an easy 1-2-3 save as the Giants moved past the Phillies, 2-0. The Giants took a 2-1 series lead over the Phils, who hope to even it out tomorrow.
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