Tim Lincecum pitches first ever no-hitter for Giants
Tim Lincecum over the moon as he makes huge contribution to Giants victory
Tim Lincecum tossed aside his recent struggles and pitched his first career no-hitter and the second in the majors in 11 days, a gem saved by a spectacular diving catch by right fielder Hunter Pence in the San Francisco Giants' 9-0 win over last-place San Diego.
Lincecum has won two Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings. Now he has something really remarkable - a no-hitter in which he threw a whopping career-high 148 pitches.
"Right now I think I'm just kind of coming down and don't know where to be emotionally," a calm Lincecum said.
The slightly built right-hander was in control from his first pitch until his last, which settled into left fielder Gregor Blanco's glove and set off a wild celebration in front of a pro-Giants crowd at Petco Park. Catcher Buster Posey wrapped Lincecum (5-9) in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground. Lincecum was then mobbed by his teammates.
Blanco, who caught Yonder Alonso's fly ball to end the game, found Lincecum in the mob and handed him the ball.
Lincecum, who witnessed Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter against San Diego in 2009 and Matt Cain's perfect game last year, was given a champagne shower by his teammates in the clubhouse.