Tim Lincecum

Tim Lincecum was hit hard by the Chicago Cubs Tuesday night for six runs in four innings. Lincecum allowed eight hits, walked one and struck out four. The four runs in the first inning were the most he’s ever given up in the opening frame. He pitched mostly from the stretch and did retired 10 of 11 batters after Kosuke Fukudome’s two-run homer which highlighted the Cubs’ first-inning outburst.

Fantasy owners of Lincecum have not gotten the Cy-Young version of the pitcher they had hoped for this year. All of his problems in 2010 surfaced in the four-run first inning. He threw 34 pitches with only two swing-and-miss strikes. The Cubs took full advantage of Lincecum’s inability to hold runners and locate the strike zone. Since his rough stretch in late May, he has been pretty consistent. But, to see him struggle against the Cubs who have trouble hitting most teams 4th and 5th starters, it was extremely disappointing outing for Lincecum. He has now lasted less than five innings in four games this year, and is 11-6 with a 3.41 ERA. He’ll look to rebound against the Padres in his next start.

In other fantasy news from Tuesday…..

• Jay Gibbons hit his first home run as a Dodger. Gibbons went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in Tuesday’s win. On Sunday, he delivered a pinch-hit single in his first big league at-bat since 2007. Before getting the call from Triple-A Albuquerque, Gibbons was batting .347 with 19 homers and 83 RBIs in 94 games.
• Chris Johnson has been moved up from sixth to seventh in the Astors order, but it is unlikely he will be put any higher in the order.
• Interesting interview with Mark Prior on the Orange Country Flyers Website. Prior claims he feels better now than he has in the last five years and says he is in better shape now than he was at age 22 when he almost pitched the Cubs to the World Series. He is going to pitch for the Flyers on Saturday.
• Rafael Furcal was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to back stiffness. The Dodgers want to be cautious with Furcal and he should be fine when he is eligible to come off the DL on August 17th.
• Ryan Braun and Corey Hart were not in the lineup for a second straight game.
• Domonic Brown could be heading back to the minors when Shane Victorino comes off the disabled list on Friday.
• Stephen Strasburg was roughed up in his first start since returning from the disabled list. He allowed a career-high 6 earned runs in a career-low 4 1/3 innings. Look for Strasburg to have a better outing in his next start.