Tim Lincecum Extends Scoreless Streak to 23 Games

Sports Betting News - July 5, 2009 - Written by Bruce

Giants Pitcher Tim Lincecum extended his career high scoreless streak to 23 games in a 9-0 beat down of the Houston Astros on Saturday. The win earned Lincecum his 3rd straight victory. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner only gave up three hits striking out nine in seven innings pitched. A stat just as impressive as the scoreless streak is the 18 consecutive innings he has going without allowing a base runner past 2nd base. Lincecum was coming off of back to back complete games before this one. The pitcher will likely be named an All Star this Sunday for his second straight selection. He has a good chance to be named the NL starter as well. He is 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA on the season with 141 strikeouts in 121 innings pitched.

The Giant's star pitcher has put himself in historic company with his great success in his young career. His dominant performance on Saturday gave him his 14th career start with at least seven innings pitched. This is tied for the fourth most in MLB history over a players first 75 games pitched. Dwight Gooden owns the record with 23 such games. Lincecum missed last year's game with an illness that hospitalized him. As for being the frontrunner to be named this year's NL All Star starter, "It would mean a lot, the hard work paid off." said Lincecom. He has been arguably the best pitcher in MLB since the start of last season.

Going into the All Star break Lincecum is first in the National League with his 141 strikeouts, has the most innings pitched with 121, and also is leading the league with his 3 complete games. His 2nd in the league with his 9 wins, 2.23 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.05. He has quickly made a name for himself as one of the best pitchers in the game. He is probably smaller than the 5'11 and 170 lbs the Giants have him listed as. It is remarkable how much velocity he throws with at such a small stature. He is able to throw 95pmh even late in games. It will be interesting to see how long the Giants' pitcher can extend his scoreless streak for. With a chance to win the Cy Young in his first two seasons in the majors, Lincecum is sure to give Major League batters a tough time for years to come.