Lincecum leaves with small cut on middle finger of pitching hand as Giants top Angels 5-3

Lincecum cuts finger as Giants beat Angels 5-3

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tim Lincecum left early with a small cut on the middle finger of his pitching hand in the San Francisco Giants’ 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

The two-time defending NL Cy Young winner had hoped to pitch about six innings but lasted only four, leaving the game with the Giants trailing 1-0. Lincecum threw 84 pitches, giving up a run on six hits while walking two and striking out seven.

The right-hander didn’t mention the cut to reporters afterward, but manager Bruce Bochy said it was a combination of the dry Arizona air with Lincecum’s grip. Bochy said the same situation also surfaced last spring.

Bochy doesn’t expect Lincecum to miss his final start of the spring on March 31, and his ace remains on target to start the season opener at Houston on April 5.