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Lincecum hopes for a better result against Dodgers

Apr 12, 2011 - 2:53 PM (Sports Network) - Tim Lincecum was nearly untouchable in his season debut versus the Dodgers, but the Giants ace still walked away with a loss. He'll be out for some revenge tonight as San Francisco tries to draw even in its three- game series with Los Angeles at AT&T Park.

Lincecum has looked like a two-time National League Cy Young Award winner over his first two starts, but has split his first two decisions despite a 0.64 earned run average.

The 26-year-old squared off against the Dodgers on Opening Day, giving up just one unearned run over seven innings in a 2-1 loss. He also fell to 5-2 with a 3.07 ERA in his career against Los Angeles.

Lincecum was just as solid next time out on Wednesday in San Diego. After striking out five versus the Dodgers, the righty fanned 13 Padre hitters in an 8-4 win, allowing a run and three hits over seven innings.

"It's probably as good as I've seen his fastball all spring," said Giants catcher Buster Posey after the Padres game. "He just had great command ... and it showed on the scoreboard."

Lincecum will also be looking to get his club on track versus the Dodgers. San Francisco visited its NL West rival for four games to begin the season and dropped three of those contests, then fell by a 6-1 score in last night's opener.

Pat Burrell accounted for the Giants' lone run, a ninth-inning homer. Madison Bumgarner, meanwhile, yielded five runs in five innings for his second loss of the season and San Francisco's second straight following three straight wins.

"We just haven't got in the flow yet," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We need to get it going."

The Dodgers got it going in the fifth inning, when Rod Barajas ignited a four- run frame with a solo homer. Andre Ethier added two hits and a pair of RBI in the win, while Clayton Kershaw picked up the victory with 6 2/3 scoreless innings.

Kershaw outdueled Lincecum on Opening Day and wasn't about to waste the run support he got last night.

"When we get a lead like that, you just got to keep coming after them," Kershaw said.

Los Angeles, which has won three of four, did lose shortstop Rafael Furcal to a broken left thumb suffered on a slide attempt while stealing third in the big fifth inning. It is currently unknown how long the injury will sideline him.

Chad Billingsley will make his third start of the season tonight for the Dodgers and second against the Giants. The 26-year-old struggled in Colorado last Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over just three innings to take a 7-5 loss and lift his ERA to 8.00.

The 26-year-old righty beat the Giants back on April 1, getting charged with three runs on five hits over six innings to improve to 7-3 with a 2.73 ERA in his career against the club.