Giants Win In Possible Lincecum Farewell Outing
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- Tim Lincecum stood at his locker, sweat dripping from his sideburns beneath a gray beanie cap, trying to find the right words after possibly pitching his final game for the only team he knows.
Or, maybe not.
He would like to stay, just as he would like to keep his options open to the idea of free agency.
Reflection made Lincecum uneasy after the San Francisco Giants beat the rival Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Thursday night, when fans roared at every chance and waved signs to honor him.
After the game, he tipped his cap in a rare gesture for the right-hander. It's not his style.
"That's the first or second time I've ever done that," he said. "I just went with what most people do, and it worked."
Angel Pagan hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the eighth inning to give San Francisco a win.
He has won two World Series championships and a pair of NL Cy Young awards while pitching all seven of his big league seasons in the Bay Area.
Catcher Buster Posey couldn't think of it being Lincecum's last, and neither could manager Bruce Bochy.
"I've just been one of the most fortunate pitchers in this organization just to be a part of so many things," Lincecum said.
"To have the guys around me, Barry Bonds, Randy Johnson, big names, Buster Posey coming up, Pablo Sandoval. The names just don't end. To be here to witness all the things they've done, and be there for also the team things, it's been pretty special for me."
Meanwhile, former Giants closer Brian Wilson, now a Dodgers reliever, could be seen yelling at CEO Larry Baer near his box seat after the game over the World Series ring he was owed from 2012.
San Francisco spokeswoman Staci Slaughter said the club tried many times to give Wilson his ring but he didn't respond, and he voiced his "displeasure" to Baer.
So, Baer delivered the ring to Dodgers personnel outside the Los Angeles clubhouse.
"It's just unfortunate because he was an important member of our organization," Slaughter said.
Pagan's fifth home run in an injury-shortened season was surrendered by losing pitcher Paco Rodriguez (3-3) and plunked off the top of an ambulance parked just beyond the fence in left field.
Lincecum struck out Yasiel Puig three times among his six Ks, but missed a win against the NL West champion Dodgers.
Santiago Casilla (7-2) earned the victory with a 1-2-3 eighth, while Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his 38th save.
Lincecum is wrapping up a $40.5 million, two-year contract that paid him $22 million this season. The 29-year-old right-hander allowed two runs and three hits in seven impressive innings.
The NL Cy Young Award winner in 2008 and `09 and four-time All-Star was drafted 10th overall by the Giants in 2006.
He pitched a no-hitter July 13 at San Diego and pitched the 2010 World Series clincher at Texas as the club captured its first championship since moving West in 1958. He moved to the bullpen and became an effective reliever for last season's title run.
Lincecum received a roaring ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,221 when introduced before the game—and several more times throughout.
"I certainly hope Timmy is back with us," Bochy said. "Timmy has been a pleasure all my years here and I hope that continues."
Lincecum allowed two doubles to begin the fourth, then struck out the next three batters. He followed up Barry Zito's victory in his likely Giants farewell a night earlier in a 6-4 win with another emotional outing for the franchise and its supporters.
"It was pretty special," Lincecum said. "Just to be in that kind of like situation today, you kind of really see what's going on and the emotions that are tied with it. I'm still trying to figure out how to handle it."
Fans held large banners reading "We love U Timmy!" and "Timmy Don't Leave" and cheered when he ran off following a fifth-inning sacrifice. Pagan had an RBI groundout in the inning, Gregor Blanco walked and Brandon Belt hit a trying double to make it 2-2.
"I thought that was one of the best sacrifice bunts I ever hit in my life," he joked. "That ovation was pretty special. I always have an awkward way of acknowledging it. I do have an appreciation and respect for the way they do (receive) me."
After Adrian Gonzalez put the Dodgers ahead on a first-inning sacrifice fly, the Giants saved Lincecum a run in the second. Tim Federowicz was thrown out at home by left fielder Blanco as he tried to score on Puig's single.
Dodgers starter Edinson Volquez's winless stretch reached seven starts since he beat the Mets on Aug. 17. He didn't beat the Giants in five tries this year.
The Giants took the season series with their rivals 11-8, earning just their third series win at home in the second half in 13 tries.
San Francisco third baseman Pablo Sandoval was scratched with flu-like symptoms, and Nick Noonan replaced him.
NOTES: A moment of silence was held before the game for Jonathan Denver, a Dodgers fan stabbed to death Wednesday night a few blocks from the ballpark. ... Lincecum is 9-6 with a 2.92 ERA in 23 career outings vs. L.A. ... Giants SS Brandon Crawford was awarded the "Good Guy" award by the local baseball writers' chapter for his cooperation and good nature during the season.
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