Giants Win! Giants win! Giants Win!

Giants Win!  Normally that would not be such a big deal, but since it was the first time in over a week, it merits a big deal...No surprises that "The Franchise," Tim Lincecum was on the winning end of the proposition.  He climbed to 11-2, facing fellow All-Star Ryan Dempster, who also had 10 wins to his credit.  'Lights Out Lincecum' struck out nine, had the rythym going as was in complete control all the way....Timmy, as they call him in the clubhouse, because he really does look like a 14 year old batboy who has lost his way, is on his way as the team repesentative, with saves leader Brain Wilson (25), to Yankee Stadium for the All-Star game on Tuesday.  He may pitc h one inning.  Who knows if Wilson will see the mound on Tuesday...Lincecum was the feature on Sports Illustrated a few weeks back.  The infamous 'SI curse' didn't seem to phase him, though he did have an off game and a loss in the week following the cover...Looking ahead-Timmy has a good shot at winning 20 games, that has not happened in San Francisco recently.  After the break the Giants have about 75 games left.  With a five man rotation, even with one or two September callups, he has about 15 starts left.  He would have to have a minimum of 9 wins to reach the lofty goal.  (There are not a lot of pitchers who never reach that lofty plateau any more.)  Right now, his 11-2 record gives him an 84.6 percent winning percentage.  Unless the team breaks down totally, nine wins is very doable.  At the very least, a 60 percent winning percentage will get him the 20...I've done the math for you...Trade rumors; Not a lot comng out of AT&T park: Not a lot of interest in the Giants' veterans; Both Ray Durham and Rich Aurila are on the last year of their contracts, both could help a contending team, but please, make it an American League trade, so they don't come back and haunt us...I cannot foresee any circumstances in which the two will be signed next year.  Remember they are both old at 37 (I wish I were that old again.)...Solid Randy Winn is their steadiest player right now, though he banged a ball of his foot the other day and is day-to-day.  But, Nate Schierholtz has been waiting in the wings for a long time and there is only so much you can do in beautiful downtown Fresno, California...I've always contended that team needs some veteran presence to show the young guys how it's done, but the team has a benchful of young talented players who need to play.  The mere presence of Omar Vizquel makes the team better, and his eventual replacement, Emmanuel Burris can see how it is done, not that anyone can ever replace Omar.  Next up...The new and improved Milwaukee Brewers, with new acquisition C.C. Sabathia, he of last year's Cy Young Award and an imposing figure if there ever was one on the mound.  He pitches the first of three at AT&T, the 19th and 20th rounding out the series...The Nationals coming in for three the 22nd-24th...Arizona rounds out the home stand 25th-27th, then it's down to Dodgerland...Good readin' and good rootin'  July 14th, 2008 (Bastille Day.)