San Francisco Giants Look to Keep Bats Hot Against Rockies

Game 2: Tim Lincecum (7-4, 3.86 ERA) vs. Chris Rusin (3-2, 5.03 ERA)

Jun 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Lincecum suffered through the shortest start of his career against the Dodgers on Sunday, recording only four outs while giving up seven hits and five runs. Though the overall numbers don’t suggest as much, Lincecum has struggled mightily lately. In his last six starts, he’s thrown 27 innings and allowed 22 runs, complemented by a 1.444 WHIP. He’s lasted more than five innings just twice.

This could be Lincecum’s last shot at keeping his job. He seems like the most likely candidate to hit the bullpen as a long reliever, seeing how he fits the mold better than Vogelsong or Hudson.

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For Lincecum to succeed, he’ll have to be extra careful with Arenado, who is 5-12 (.417) with a home run, and Wilin Rosario, who is 6-19 (.316) with two doubles and two home runs.

Rusin, a former Chicago Cub, is now hurling in the higher altitudes with Colorado. He started his Rockies’ tenure with a string of three solid outings, allowing three runs in 18.2 innings and earning two wins. His last three starts have been the complete opposite. He’s surrendered 16 runs in just 15.1 innings, and is 1-2.

Rusin faced the Giants once in 2013, while he was with Chicago, and shut them out over seven innings while giving up just three hits. Only three active Giants have faced Rusin before: Joaquin Arias (1-3); Belt (0-3); and Buster Posey (0-2, walk).

Next: Game Three