What happens when one of the best pitchers in baseball can't figure out if he's Sandy Koufax or Sandy Duncan?
Well, against the Orioles, Tim Lincecum is allowing two or three baserunners every inning and he's given up just two runs and struck out nine batters over five. He's struggling with his command and has thrown 96 pitches, but the Orioles -- as usual -- have left runners all over the place.
The O's have eight hits and have had 12 runners on base so far, but they continue to struggle with runners in scoring position. Even when they scored in the fourth, they ended up getting no more from a second-and-third, no-out situation. When they had Lincecum on the ropes in the fifth, they gave him an out back on a double steal attempt.
All that said, they're lucky to be tied, 2-2 in the fifth -- and have run-scoring hits from Cesar Izturis and Julio Lugo -- so I guess we should count our blessings. The guy has won the last two Cy Young Awards.
Give some credit to Jeremy Guthrie. He's been the more efficient pitcher, giving up just five hits and two walks over five innings.
