Flashback: Lincecum throws 2nd career no-hitter
Two years ago today, The Freak didn't give up a hit against the San Diego Padres, but two years to the day, he couldn't have imagined being with the Los Angeles Angels.
It's been a tumultuous ride for Tim Lincecum since his days of dominance with the San Francisco Giants. Though he pitches down the road, he's trying to carve his way back into being a premier big-league pitcher.
This season he was stellar in his first start against the Oakland Athletics, but the second time, the A's got to him and chased him after three innings.
All that said, Lincecum's second no-hitter came at a time where he wasn't the dominant pitcher he used to be, so anything can happen. Here, we take a look at where that no-hitter ranks with five Lincecum moments we'll never forget.
5. Postseason bullpen dominance
By 2012, two years after he was clutch in the Giants' 2010 title run, Lincecum welcomed a bullpen role. He proved to be instrumental as he became a proverbial starter out of the 'pen. In his first outing he made his presence felt, striking out eight Cincinnati Reds hitters over 6 1/3 innings. He would go on to pitch 17 2/3 innings in relief, giving up four runs.
4. Lincecum's first no-no
The San Diego Padres never saw it coming. Lincecum's numbers began going south in 2013, but that didn't stop him from tossing his first-career no-hitter. Lincecum's struggles in his previous two years made this one that much sweeter.
3. "15 Ks for Lincecum, and the Giants come back home!"
In his second Cy Young season in as many years, Lincecum was beyond amazing on this night. In an 11-3 win, the Pittsburgh Pirates didn't stand a chance as Lincecum diced to the tune of a complete game with a career-high 15 strikeouts.
2: The Freaky second no-hitter
The only baserunner allowed was a walk in the second inning. By 2014, "The Freak" was only "Freakish," but that didn't mean his stuff wasn't still nasty. On June 25, well past his prime and in a season where his ERA was 4.74, Lincecum flashed his stuff, no-hitting the San Diego Padres again.
1: Game 1, 2010 NLDS
On the heels of his third consecutive All-Star season, Lincecum made his playoff debut with two Cy Young Awards under his belt - and it was memorable. The righty went the distance, giving up two hits against the Atlanta Braves, walking one while fanning 14 as the Giants would go on to win their first World Series since 1954.