Giants fans couldn’t have asked for a better start.
The remaining members of the San Francisco-based Grateful Dead belted out the National Anthem in style, starter Tim Lincecum retired the Phillies in order in the first inning and the rain that settled over AT&T Park during pregame festivities was light and nonthreatening.
Then Andres Torres drew a walk against Phillies ace Roy Halladay in the bottom of the first inning, Freddy Sanchez followed with a single and Torres scored moments later when rookie catcher Buster Posey grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Lincecum came out in the top of the second and again established his dominance, striking out both Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth before inducing a groundout from Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins. “The Freak” has held opposing hitters to a .228/.301/.326 batting line in 123 career games at home and is looking awfully comfortable out there tonight.
Halladay, meanwhile, has already reached 43 pitches in two innings of work.
In a game that features two of baseball’s top pitchers, a 1-0 lead might mean big things. That’s exactly what the Giants have as this NLCS Game 5 moves to the third.