Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 03, 2008
Pitching to the Weather

Bruce Bochy and Joe Torre tried to align their pitchers to the weather last night, holding their starters until later in the game. Unfortunately, you can't fool mother nature. Just after Lincecum and Billingsley entered the game, a 74 minute rain delay ensued. Bochy, unlike Torre, sent his young starter back to the mound.

In a stunning and risky move involving the young pitcher they call The Franchise, Bochy allowed Lincecum to pitch one inning then return to a cold, damp mound after sitting through the 74-minute delay. Even older, established pitchers rarely do that.

Lincecum threw 84 pitches over four innings, allowing one run and striking out four to get the win. What a turnabout from last season, when the Giants babied Lincecum so he would not overtax his valuable right arm.

Bochy defended the decision, saying, "If we thought we were going to hurt his arm, we wouldn't have done it."

Bochy conferred with Lincecum, pitching coach Dave Righetti and bullpen coach Mark Gardner during the delay. Lincecum reminded them he often sat through rain delays during high school and college games in Washington. But even Lincecum later admitted he had not returned after a delay as long as Wednesday's.

"That," he said, "was a first for me."

Lincecum went on to single and score the winning run. We'll have to wait to see if there are any long term implications to this move.


Posted by David Pinto at 08:23 AM | Management | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Stupid, stupid idea. I mean, it's not like the Giants are contending for the playoffs, even if Lincecum threw a no-hitter after the delay. They should be erring on the side of caution with Lincecum and their other young arms.

Posted by: jvwalt at April 3, 2008 12:04 PM

Even a freakish rubber-armed talent like Lincecum needs smart coaching. Young pitchers, especially, need consistent routines. Sabean tried to trade this kid. Now Bochy tries to wreck him. GOD SAVE US FROM THESE CLOWNS!!!!

Posted by: Mark O'Connor at April 3, 2008 01:36 PM
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