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Lincecum makes his major league debut as Giants face Phillies

May 6, 2007 - 3:17 PM Philadelphia (13-17) at San Francisco (16-13), 8:05 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Cole Hamels burst on the scene for the Philadelphia Phillies last season. The San Francisco Giants hope for similar results when Tim Lincecum makes his debut Sunday night.

Lincecum, the prized prospect in San Francisco's minor league system, gets his first taste of major league action when the Giants face the Phillies in a series that's seen San Francisco take two of the first three games.

The 23-year old righthander, who was the 10th overall draft selection last season, has been unhittable at Class AAA Fresno this season. In 31 innings, Lincecum is 4-0, with a 0.29 ERA in five starts. He allowed one run, 12 hits and 11 walks, while striking out 46.

The Phillies send the 23-year old Hamels (3-1, 3.54 ERA) to the mound. The lefthander, in his second year, had his best game of the season on April 21 when he pitched a five-hitter, striking out 15 in a 4-1 win vs. Cincinnati.

However, Hamels has struggled in his last two starts, going 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA and just 10 strikeouts. He did get a victory last Tuesday, beating the Atlanta Braves, 6-4.

Hamels probably won't face Giants slugger Barry Bonds, who belted his 744th career home run as the Giants held off the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-4 Saturday. Bonds, whose 10th blast of the season, moved him within 11 of tying Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755.

However San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said Bonds will sit Sunday night's game out.

"Barry needs a break," Bochy said. "It's not easy to not put his name in the lineup, but we have a lot of baseball left."