I almost never watch games live, because of one thing or another. Tonight, for example, I had plans until about 9 pm, and started watching the game at about a quarter to ten. Usually my friends are pretty good about not giving anything away, because they know my crazy schedule and how much of a premium I put on watching games without knowing the final score. Today, I had three messages from friends waiting for me before I turned on the game. I did my best to shut myself away from the world, but I knew that something exciting was going to happen.

And let me tell you, knowing it’s gonna happen doesn’t diminish it in the slightest.

Matt Cain is unbelievable. He’s been my favorite Giant for years, even before he became the uncontested de facto Ace this year with Tim Lincecum’s crash and burn. His whole career he’s been the unheralded star of the franchise. He was here before Timmy, and he’ll probably be here after Timmy’s gone. He’s the ultimate captain: he’s not flashy, he’s not a loudmouth. When the team loses, he blames himself. When the team wins, he credits his teammates. Even tonight, after pitching the 22nd perfect game in Major League Baseball history, the first thing he talked about were the amazing defensive plays by his outfielders. And he’s got a mean takeout slide to break up double plays.

When the contract negotiations came to a head during the offseason, my brain and my heart were in conflict. My brain told me that there was a certain level, a specific dollar figure, where Cain was simply not worth it anymore. But my heart told me that there was no such thing. Cain needed to stay. I would’ve set up a lemonade stand on the corner of 2nd and King if it would’ve helped earn money to keep him. I would’ve commissioned an artist to design a caricature of Matt Cain to show him how silly he would look in pinstripes. He needed to stay. I love the Bumgarner contract, but I haven’t been as ecstatic about a contract as I was when Cain got his deal.

And he got a hit. Not bad for a guy who is 2 games above .500 for his career.

Continue reading →

In Brian Wilson’s absence, Tim Lincecum has taken it upon himself to make Giants baseball torturous once again. Remember, Torture doesn’t mean bad. Torture means just good enough to hang onto your hopes and your dreams and feel like there’s a reason to wake up each morning. Torture is good pitching and bad hitting, or good hitting and bad pitching, or stranding baserunner after baserunner when your team trails by a run. Losing 10-0 isn’t torture, it’s just not fun.

No, this is torture:

After blowing three pitches past Ian Kinsler and getting Elvis Andrus to ground out, Lincecum walked the bases loaded. He battled well with Josh Hamilton and David Murphy, but when it came to the payoff pitch, it seemed like he had no idea where it was going.

And then in the second inning, he struck out the side on 13 pitches.

It’s official, folks. Tim Lincecum isn’t broken. He’s turned into Jonathan Sanchez.

Continue reading →