Bear
05-29-2008, 05:26 PM
05/28/2008
By Chris Haft
MLB.com
PHOENIX -- Bob Melvin has never been shy about expressing his admiration for Giants pitchers, most notably Matt Cain and Noah Lowry.
Wednesday, Melvin added Tim Lincecum to the list -- or, put another way, the Arizona Diamondbacks manager joined the legions of observers that the right-hander has wowed during barely more than a season in the Major Leagues.
"He's already one of the better pitchers in the National League," Melvin said, one day after Lincecum improved to 7-1 by subduing Arizona, 6-3.
Melvin cited Lincecum's familiar assets, specifically his fastball ("electric"), curveball ("plus-plus") and changeup. But Melvin was especially impressed with Lincecum's sinking fastball, which tamed the D-backs all night.
"It runs from one side of the plate to the other when it's down. That's just another pitch for him, whether he tries to keep the ball on the ground with that pitch or give you a different look," Melvin said. "Before, [against] the lefties, it was basically fastball-changeup, righties fastball-curve. Now he's got some different weapons."
Lincecum's success has recalled brighter eras. The last Giant to open a season 7-1 was Kirk Rueter in 2003. He finished that year 10-5. Sunday against San Diego, Lincecum will try to hike his record to 8-1, a mark no Giant has reached since 1993, when John Burkett did so on his way to a 22-7 season.
I would take a 22-7 record for big Tim! :toast:
By Chris Haft
MLB.com
PHOENIX -- Bob Melvin has never been shy about expressing his admiration for Giants pitchers, most notably Matt Cain and Noah Lowry.
Wednesday, Melvin added Tim Lincecum to the list -- or, put another way, the Arizona Diamondbacks manager joined the legions of observers that the right-hander has wowed during barely more than a season in the Major Leagues.
"He's already one of the better pitchers in the National League," Melvin said, one day after Lincecum improved to 7-1 by subduing Arizona, 6-3.
Melvin cited Lincecum's familiar assets, specifically his fastball ("electric"), curveball ("plus-plus") and changeup. But Melvin was especially impressed with Lincecum's sinking fastball, which tamed the D-backs all night.
"It runs from one side of the plate to the other when it's down. That's just another pitch for him, whether he tries to keep the ball on the ground with that pitch or give you a different look," Melvin said. "Before, [against] the lefties, it was basically fastball-changeup, righties fastball-curve. Now he's got some different weapons."
Lincecum's success has recalled brighter eras. The last Giant to open a season 7-1 was Kirk Rueter in 2003. He finished that year 10-5. Sunday against San Diego, Lincecum will try to hike his record to 8-1, a mark no Giant has reached since 1993, when John Burkett did so on his way to a 22-7 season.
I would take a 22-7 record for big Tim! :toast: