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Lincecum: Feels great to compete at pro level again

MiLB / Twitter

Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum resumed his award-winning career Thursday in the unlikeliest of places: on a minor-league diamond in his home state.

Lincecum, who was signed by the Los Angeles Angels last month, allowed three runs and three hits over five innings for Triple-A Tacoma, his first professional appearance since undergoing season-ending hip surgery in September. The 31-year-old right-hander struck out five, walked three, hit a batter, and balked in a run with the bases loaded during his 88-pitch comeback start, one that featured his trademark windup and fastball velocity ranging from 89-91 mph.

"It feels great, to be honest with you, just to be out there competing at this level," Lincecum told MLB.com's Doug Miller. "Just kind of getting ready for the next one. But just to be around the guys, the camaraderie, the team atmosphere is something I missed a lot. So it's good to be back."

Pitching in front of family, friends, and a crowd of 5,643, the Washington native said he struggled early on while he nibbled at the strike zone, but seemed pleased with how he recovered, particularly a stretch of nine consecutive batters retired.

"I think right now I'm just trying to pitch and not overthrow," Lincecum said. "I think the emotions of the game and the situations just got the better of me a little bit in the beginning, but I settled in and was able to just pitch with what I had."

Lincecum's expected to make one more rehab start Tuesday ahead of his anticipated MLB return June 12 in Cleveland.

(Video courtesy: MiLB.com)

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