Working in a 3-2 game, Tim Lincecum came out in the seventh knowing that he could ill afford to let the Phillies extend their lead. And yet he very nearly did just that before escaping due to a little dumb luck.
Phillies Vs. Giants, NLCS Game 5: Tim Lincecum Gets Lucky Break In Seventh
Lincecum allowed a leadoff single to Jimmy Rollins on a sharp groundball off Freddy Sanchez's glove. Following a strikeout of Raul Ibanez, Rollins then stole both second and third base, and Carlos Ruiz drew a hard-fought walk to put men on the corners with only one out.
Out came Ross Gload to pinch-hit for Roy Halladay. Gload only needed to lift a fly ball or hit a slow roller to drive in an insurance run. He managed to do even better than that, ripping a line drive to right. His liner, though, was snared by Aubrey Huff at first, and Huff stepped on the bag to double up Ruiz and end the inning.
You never plan for line drive double plays, but you take them when you get them, and it's still 3-2 Phillies going into the bottom of the seventh. Jose Contreras is out to pitch for Philadelphia. Roy Halladay's line:
6 innings
6 hits
2 runs
2 walks
5 strikeouts
108 pitches (74 strikes)
And Lincecum’s line:
7 innings
4 hits
3 runs (2 earned)
1 walk
7 strikeouts
104 pitches (69 strikes)
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