When it comes to a pitcher's duel, sometimes the pitcher himself has no choice but to take matters into his own hands.
Friday night at AT&T Park that's exactly what Tim Lincecum did. The reigning Cy Young Award winner was battling with A's starter Vin Mazzaro through four scoreless innings, when Lincecum made his move.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, the Giants' ace took Mazzaro's offering and promptly sent it to center for an RBI single, as Juan Uribe crossed the plate, giving San Francisco a 1-0 lead. Aaron Rowand then followed with a two-run single, giving Lincecum a 3-0 cushion.
Linceceum's RBI single broke Mazzaro's streak of 18 scoreless innings to begin a career, which set a new A's record for a starter.
That one run was all Timmy would need once he got back to the mound. The righty held Oakland to just seven hits as he threw the third complete-game shutout of his career. Lincecum also struck out eight as the Giants beat the A's, 3-0.
As for Mazzaro, the rookie gave up three runs on six hits in six innings, while striking out four. He also retired the first eight batters he faced in just his third career start.
With the win the Giants take the opener of this season's Bay Bridge Series.
