Tim Lincecum No Hits Padres for the Second Time

For the second time in less than a year, San Francisco Giants righthander Tim Lincecum threw a no hitter against the San Diego Padres.  This one was a 4-0 victory on June 25th; in San Francisoco; last year he no hit the Padres 9-0 in San Diego on July 13th.

Lincecum was nearly perfect, allowing only one base runner on a walk to Chase Headley in the second inning.  He struck out six.  Lincecum helped his own cause by going 2 for 3 at the plate and scoring two runs.  In the long history of the Giants franchise, only one other pitcher has thrown two no hitters, the other being Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson who did it over 100 years ago in the first decade of the last century.  He’s also only the second pitcher to no hit the same team twice, and you have to go back to 1908 and 1910 when another Hall of Fame pitcher, Addie Joss of the Cleveland Indians, no hit the Chicago White Sox twice.

To date, Lincecum’s best years were from 2008-2010 when he had won lost records of 18-5, 15-7, and 16-10, with ERAs ranging from 2.48 to 3.43.  He was a flame thrower back then, averaging over 250 strikeouts per season.  He won the National League Cy Young Awards in both 2008 and 2009.  In 2011 he dipped to 13-14, but still had an excellent ERA of 2.74, fifth best in the league, plus 220 strikeouts.  Since then, he’s been mediocre, going 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA in 2012, and 10-14 with a 4.37 last year.  He’s 6-5 with a 4.42 ERA after the no hitter.

Lincecum has been working on being more of a finesse pitcher and not just a guy who can blow out opposing batters with his fastball.  At 30 years of age, he could have a lot of productive years left if this game is any indication.  The Giants certainly think he’s capable of big things yet; after last season, they signed him to a two year, $35 million contract.