The Giants are a different team when Tim Lincecum pitches. The clubhouse is loose. The defenders are on their toes. The hitters are feeling good about their swings.
Maybe there's comfort in knowing the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner is about to throw another solid game. Bengie Molina hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and the Giants never trailed in a 6-2 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday. It was Lincecum's third consecutive win. He gave up four hits, issued two walks and struck out seven.
A couple of numbers to consider:
Lincecum is 23-1 in his career when the offense supplies him at least three runs.
The Giants are 11-0 this year in games in which they score first.
Another notch was added to both categories.
Once Molina hit that three-run homer in the top of the first, the stats were heavily on the Giants' side.
GIANTS 6, CUBS 2: Tim Lincecum surrendered two runs in seven innings, and Bengie Molina hit a three-run homer in the first inning. The Giants scored three runs in the eighth, a rally highlighted by Aaron Rowand's bases-loaded double, to clinch it.
