SAN FRANCISCO — A single, clear thought came to mind while watching Tim Lincecum on a cool Monday night at AT&T Park: helpless.
The Rockies, by definition and the standings, were the bully in this fight. But the Giants’ ace left them cowering in the fetal position, so thoroughly dominating the Rockies that their single run in a 9-1 loss seemed worthy of celebration.
“There is no reason for us to press, but it’s time for us to get busy,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “Lincecum was great tonight, but we have to start doing more offensively.”
To be fair, San Francisco was playing for everything. Anything less than a win and the Giants’ postseason hopes go the way of the pet rocks and eight-tracks.
But this victory resonated louder than a single triumph because of the nature of the mauling and the trend it extended. The Rockies have lost three consecutive games at the worst possible time, and five straight in San Francisco.
This will definitely cost a few fingernails their lives back in Denver. The Giants, so close to the edge of the cliff Saturday, are officially back in the race. They pulled to within 3 1/2 games of the Rockies’ wild-card lead. If Ubaldo Jimenez wants admission into the club of aces — Lincecum is the current president — winning tonight against Barry Zito would go a long way toward a membership card.
“We need to win; it’s simple,” Jimenez said. “I can’t wait.”
He doesn’t figure to get much help.
The Rockies still aren’t hitting, scoring 10 runs in four games on the road trip. Not even a lineup adjustment could help them against Lincecum. Looking for a catalyst, Tracy inserted Eric Young Jr. into the leadoff spot, benching second baseman Clint Barmes. And Seth Smith moved to fifth, pushing Brad Hawpe, who has just five home runs since the all-star break, to the sixth spot.
It didn’t matter. Young Jr. reached twice and stole a base, but he never scored. Smith singled, but didn’t have an RBI. Then again, no one did against Lincecum.
He struck out 11 in seven innings. It’s the 19th time in his career he’s reached double figures in K’s.
The Rockies knew they were facing a beast when a walk and wild pitch qualified as a rally. Lincecum looked the part of the reigning Cy Young Award winner, offering no evidence of a back injury that forced him to skip his previous start.
All the support Lincecum required came in the second inning off Rockies starter Jason Hammel. The Giants strung together four consecutive hits, including Aaron Rowand’s single to left field that plated two runs. Eugenio Velez’s sacrifice lead widened the bulge to 3-0.
The Rockies’ lone run came in the seventh. Carlos Gonzalez tripled to center field, then scored on a wild pitch as Todd Helton walked.
The sixth provided a snapshot of a sour evening. With two on and two out, Lincecum toyed with Ian Stewart. His first strike was a fastball, his second a bending breaking ball and the payoff pitch a changeup with evil intentions that screamed that the Giants were back in contention.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Giants, 8:15 p.m., FSN
Ubaldo Jimenez (13-10, 3.32 ERA) believes his arm has never been stronger, despite throwing 100-plus pitches in 26 of his 29 starts. He has also worked at least six innings in 25 consecutive games, but all eyes tonight will be on his left leg, wondering if his strained hamstring will hold up. Jimenez has held the Giants to a .223 average this season, although Pablo Sandoval (5-for-16) has given him some problems. Barry Zito (9-12, 3.99), in his biggest game as a Giant, beat the Rockies on Aug. 29. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Wednesday: Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (14-9, 4.37 ERA) vs. Giants’ Matt Cain (13-5, 2.61), 8:15 p.m., ESPN, FSN
Thursday: Off
Friday: Rockies’ Jason Marquis (15-11, 3.78) vs. Diamondbacks’ Kevin Mulvey (0-1, 11.88), 7:40 p.m., FSN
Saturday: Rockies’ Jason Hammel (8-8, 4.38) vs. Diamondbacks’ Max Scherzer (9-9, 4.05), 6:10 p.m., FSN
Sunday: Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (13-10, 3.32) vs. Diamondbacks’ Billy Buckner (2-6, 6.94), 2:10 p.m., FSN
