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Giants-Pirates Preview

Jun 6, 2010 - 4:04 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

San Francisco (29-24) at Pittsburgh (22-32), 1:35 p.m. EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off their best day at the plate in weeks, but to deliver a repeat performance, they'll have to go through the NL's two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner.

Then again, there may never be a better time to face Tim Lincecum.

Control problems have plagued the San Francisco Giants ace as he's endured his worst three-game stretch since his rookie season, though Sunday's series finale in Pittsburgh could provide Lincecum an ideal opportunity to get back on track.

Lincecum (5-2, 3.14 ERA) appeared to be the overwhelming early favorite to take home a third consecutive Cy Young Award after his first eight starts, going 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA.

In an otherwise dominant 2-1 win over Houston on May 15, though, Lincecum tied a career high with five walks - something he hadn't done since Aug. 23.

Those control issues have carried over, and they've led to much worse results for him and the Giants (29-25). Lincecum has walked five apiece in his three subsequent outings as he's gone 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA, having given up four runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 4-0 loss to Colorado on Monday.

Not since a four-game stretch in June 2007, when Lincecum went 0-2 with a 10.61 ERA and 14 walks, has the slender right-hander labored so much.

"I'm continuing to struggle here and it's hard to find my way out of it," Lincecum said. "I'm trying to take something out of every game and not dwell on the negative stuff too much. I went through a struggle like this my first year but this is still longer than I was hoping it would be."

Lincecum has never lost three consecutive decisions, and he'll have a few things working in his favor to avoid that fate Sunday.

The NL's strikeout leader the past two seasons certainly had the Pirates fooled in two 2009 starts. He was 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA and 25 strikeouts, including a career-high 15 in a complete-game, 4-2 win at AT&T Park on July 27.

Additionally, Pittsburgh (23-32) has scored the fewest runs in the majors this season. However, the Pirates scored more than five for the first time in 15 games Saturday in a 6-3 victory, preserved by Lastings Milledge's diving catch at the warning track with the bases loaded in the ninth.

Andrew McCutchen had two doubles and a homer among his four hits as the Pirates finished with 13, their most since May 14.

McCutchen has a .480 on-base percentage since manager John Russell moved him to the top of the order May 29.

"I feel like I can do a lot from the leadoff spot," said McCutchen, 0 for 6 against Lincecum. "I can start things off, I can get on base, steal bases, get doubles and hit home runs."

Pirates scheduled starter Ross Ohlendorf (0-3, 4.26) experienced control problems in his first four outings after returning from back spasms on May 10, walking 15 while posting a 5.49 ERA.

His latest start was by far his best. Ohlendorf held the Chicago Cubs to three hits and a run over seven innings Monday, striking out six and walking two in a 2-1 win.

"When you're pitching well, it's easier to relax and have confidence in yourself," Ohlendorf told the Pirates' official website.

Ohlendorf, who has never faced the Giants, is 0-2 in his last seven starts at PNC Park despite a 2.85 ERA.