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Diamondbacks look to solve Giants RHP Lincecum

Sep 18, 2008 - 10:17 AM San Francisco (68-84) at Arizona (75-76) 9:40 p.m. EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks finally have some momentum, but it could come to a grinding halt on Thursday when Cy Young Award candidate Tim Lincecum takes the hill looking to help the San Francisco Giants avoid a four-game sweep.

Arizona (75-76) picked up a game in the National League West on Wednesday, as Brandon Webb tossed seven strong innings and belted a two-run double in a 7-6 victory. The win coupled with the Los Angeles Dodgers' (79-73) loss to Pittsburgh trimmed Arizona's deficit to 3 1/2 games.

The Diamondbacks will try to win four straight for the first time since July 29 - August 1. It will not be easy against Lincecum (17-3, 2.43 ERA), who is Webb's main competition for the NL Cy Young Award.

The 24-year-old leads the NL in ERA, and is coming off his first career shutout - a four-hitter against San Diego on Saturday. The good news for Arizona is that Lincecum may be on a short leash after throwing 138 pitches in that outing.

However, Lincecum has had little problem with the Diamondbacks. The 5-11, 170-pound righthander is 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA in five career starts against the Arizona, including 2-0 with a 2.38 ERA in three outings this season.

Lincecum faces a pitcher nearly twice his age, in 45-year-old lefthander Randy Johnson (10-9, 4.11). Johnson, who is seeking career win No. 295, is winless in his last four starts. The five-time Cy Young Award winner allowed one run and five hits in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to Cincinnati in his last start.