Game #77: Diamondbacks vs. Giants

Tim Lincecum RHP, 5-4, 4.81

Josh Collmenter RHP, 4-4, 4.05

Diamondbacks Lineup

1. Gerardo Parra - RF
2. Chris Owings - SS
3. Paul Goldschmidt - 1B
4. Miguel Montero - C
5. Aaron Hill - 2B
6. Martin Prado - 3B
7. David Peralta - LF
8. Ender Inciarte - CF
9. Josh Collmenter - P

Remember when Tim Lincecum was A Thing? Winning back-to-back Cy Youngs in 2010-11 at age 25, it seemed like he would be kicking sand in Arizona's face for years to come. But since the start of 2012, he has gone 25-33, with a 4.77 ERA - that's an ERA+ of just 77 - and was even reduced to a bullpen arm during their most recent run to the World Series. He'll have earned $57 million from the Giants over these three seasons, and they're on the hook for $18 million more next season. But another lackluster season from Timmeh doesn't seem to have bothered the Giants, as they lead the NL West by a clear four games.

Of course, the main narrative tonight will be the renewal of his rivalry with Goldscmidt. Though usage of the term "rivalry" usually implies some measure of competition, which hasn't exactly been the case here, since Paul homered in his second plate-appearance against Tim. After a brief respite last year - Goldschmidt not homering in six at-bats - the onslaught resumed this year, the two games having seen Paul go 3-for-4 with two home-runs and six driven in. That brought the overall line to 13-for-24 with seven homers and 17 RBI. That's .542/.536/1.458. Not just video-game numbers. Video-game set on "easy", playing your grandmother, who died last year, numbers.

Here's to more of that continuing this evening.