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 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.
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 on 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 Tuesday night against Barry Zito would go a long way toward a membership card.
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, manager Jim Tracy inserted Eric Young Jr. into the leadoff spot, benching second baseman Clint Barmes likely for the entire series. He also moved Seth Smith 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 reached twice and stole a base, but 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 the back injury that forced him to skip his previous start.
All the support that Lincecum required came in the third inning off Rockies starter Jason Hammel. The Giants strung together four straight 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 and 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
