SAN FRANCISCOTwo years ago, Tim Lincecum was a holyterror to anyone with a hot microphone in a champagne-soaked clubhouse. He snuckenough four-letter words on the air to make the FCC blush.
But Saturday night, as the Giants celebrated another NL Westtitle, Lincecum was nowhere to be found.
The Giants sent him home early so he could rest up to startSundays day game, manager Bruce Bochy said. Following the clinching victory,the club scratched Lincecum and will replace him with right-hander YusmeiroPetit against the San Diego Padres.
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Bochy said Lincecum was contacted and invited to join thecelebration, but the congestion around the ballpark wouldve made it difficult.
Prior to Saturdaysgame, Lincecum was at the park on time; members of the Baseball Writers Association of America presented him withthe annual good guy award for his professionalism in dealing with reportersafter all of his starts, many of which have not gone his way this season.
Even with a much improved second half, Lincecums 4.91 ERAranks 46th out of 47 NL starting pitchers who qualify for the ERAtitle.
Bochy said he would confer with pitching coach Dave Righettito form a plan for the rest of the rotation over the final 10 games.