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		Timmy's alright in win over the Orioles By Morris Phillips June 16, 2010

	One thing’s for sure, Tim Lincecum didn’t experience the ultimate indignity. The reigning two-time Cy Young award winner didn’t lose the lowly Orioles, unquestionably baseball’s worst, who are on pace to win just 45 ballgames this season. But it wasn’t easy, and while Timmy put up good numbers and was staunch in a couple of tough spots, Lincecum, once again, did not look like the Timmy of old. Here’s the breakdown of his afternoon, his 14th start of the season: STRIKEOUTS UP: Any interleague opponent unfamiliar with Lincecum should be in for a difficult afternoon and that was the case for Baltimore. The 26-year old right hander, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, struck out ten batters, the fourth time he’s done that this year and the 23rd time in his career. With plenty of traffic on the basepaths, Timmy needed his strikeout pitch to escape some tough jams. Home plate umpire Bruce Drake helped out by ringing up Adam Jones on a borderline fastball at the knees in the third. SEASON-HIGH IN HITS: Prior to Wednesday, Lincecum has been hurt by walks and a few poorly-timed long balls. Against Baltimore, Timmy allowed a season-high eight hits, but none for extra bases. The station-to-station approach by the Orioles was a reflection of their adherence to a scouting report that demanded they simplify their approach at the plate. Julio Lugo, who had three hits on the day, and other Orioles had success hitting Lincecum’s cutter which grabbed a bit too much of the plate on occasion. Repeatedly, the Birds hit the ball where it was pitched or delivered ball back through the box. BETTER CONTROL IN THE ZONE: Lincecum was much better with his overall control in this one, despite issuing four walks. By being around the plate and throwing strikes (32 of his first 48, and 74 of his total of 111 pitches were strikes) Timmy benefitted by getting batters to chase pitches just off the plate. Baltimore cleanup hitter Luke Scott, who puts balls into play at a rate among the highest in the American League, struck out chasing an elevated fastball just off the plate in the third inning. COMING UP BIG IN BIG SITUATIONS: In the one spot where Lincecum could have possibly ended up being on the hook for a loss, he came up big on Wednesday. Facing former Athletic, Miguel Tejada, with runners in scoring position in the fourth and leading just 2-1, Timmy refused to give in. Lincecum pounded Tejada inside with fastballs, not allowing him to extend his arms, before striking him out on a fastball away. STAYING HEALTHY, BARELY: On his final pitch of the afternoon, Lincecum barely avoided serious injury as Tejada hit a hot drive directly through the box. Timmy turned and bowed, taking a line drive in a glancing manner off his shoulder. The blow knocked him down, but Lincecum hopped right up. Luckily, the ball caromed to Freddy Sanchez at second, and he threw out Tejada. DEALING WITH INCREDIBLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS: When you’ve won two Cy Young awards and thrown as dominantly as Lincecum has, the bar moves to incredibly high position. And while Lincecum has clearly struggled this year, pitching below average for an extended period of time for the first time in his careerhe hasn’t fallen off the table. At 7-2 with a 3.11 ERA, Lincecum has managed to win games and he’s battled throughout, showing that his competitiveness hasn’t waned. And if continues to win at this pace, he will surpass his career-best 17 wins in a season. “He worked hard, and those guys made him work,” manager Bruce Bochy said of Lincecum’s outing. “It was a gutty effort. He has that ability to turn it up a notch when it’s needed. “ “A few balls got away from me. I had to battle out there, throw a lot of pitches. I’m not going to let it get me down, “ Lincecum said.