Lincecum's arm, McGehee's slam top Marlins
SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Lincecum struck out eight batters in six innings Friday night and received plenty of support, including Casey McGehee's grand slam, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Miami Marlins, 6-0.
Lincecum (3-2) yielded three hits and trimmed his ERA to 2.00, his lowest through six starts since 2010 (1.70). Though the two-time Cy Young Award winner expressed satisfaction with his early-season success, he said, "I try not to take it as a lump sum. I'm just trying to ride whatever's going on right now."
McGehee's second-inning grand slam off Marlins starter Jarred Cosart put the Giants in control. Brandon Belt went 4-for-5 and Justin Maxwell added RBI singles in the fifth and seventh innings.
"A good fastball down-and-away right there maybe is a double-play ball," Cosart said of McGehee's slam. "I've just got to execute the pitch better."
Video: MIA@SF: McGehee swats a grand slam to center field
One night after amassing a season-high 17 hits, the Marlins moved four runners into scoring position and went 0-for-7 in those situations as they endured their third shutout defeat of the year.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Defense never rests: Lincecum's outfielders supported him impressively. Center fielder Angel Pagan made a nice running grab of J.T. Realmuto's second-inning drive, then ended the frame with another eye-opening catch as he caught up with Donovan Solano's smash to the warning track. Left fielder Nori Aoki highlighted the third inning with a sliding catch that robbed Christian Yelich of a hit.
"I've been fortunate to have the defense play really well behind me," Lincecum said.
Video: MIA@SF: Aoki makes a nice sliding grab in left field
Cosart's 39-pitch second inning: The first inning was a breeze for Cosart, who retired the side in order on 10 pitches. It was a different story in a stressful, 39-pitch second inning. McGehee's grand slam was the damaging blow. But the inning compounded itself for the Miami right-hander when Maxwell worked a 10-pitch walk to load the bases.
"That's a great at-bat," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He laid off some tough breaking balls and saw some pretty good stuff -- 94, 95 [mph] -- and really battled. That's what you have to do, grind out the at-bat. He set up the grand slam."
Lincecum fans Stanton: Trailing by four in the fifth inning, the Marlins threatened, as Adeiny Hechavarria singled and Solano walked. Lincecum retired pinch-hitter Justin Bour on a pop to short. After Yelich struck out, a walk to Martin Prado loaded the bases for Giancarlo Stanton. Lincecum doused the threat by striking out the slugger on three pitches, concluding the confrontation with a changeup.
"I knew I had to get the ball down," said Lincecum, who also fanned Stanton to end the first inning.
Video: MIA@SF: Lincecum fans Stanton to get out of trouble
QUOTABLE
"He threw strikes. He pitches. He's a little bit like Dan Haren. He's able to command a breaking ball for strikes. He doesn't give in. Guys have a difficult time picking up his changeup, and offspeed pitches. He got those runs early, and then pitched." -- Marlins manager Mike Redmond on Lincecum
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
McGehee's second-inning grand slam was the first slam Cosart had surrendered in his career. The right-hander entered Friday having allowed 14 homers in 45 Major League starts. More >
ON THE MEND
Miami second baseman Dee Gordon, riding a 12-game hitting streak, was not in the lineup Friday as he rested a tight right hamstring. Gordon tweaked his leg in the ninth inning Thursday and was given a day off as a precaution. More >
WHAT'S NEXT
Marlins: David Phelps takes the mound Saturday in the third of four games at AT&T Park. Since filling Henderson Alvarez's rotation spot, Phelps is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts.
Giants: Madison Bumgarner, who's scheduled to oppose the Marlins on Saturday, has compiled an uncharacteristic 4.34 ERA in five career starts against them, along with a 1-2 record.
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