Red Sox

AL jumps on Lincecum

By Nick Cafardo

July 14, 2009

ST. LOUIS – Not exactly a crisp first inning for Tim Lincecum or the National League defense.

The AL took a 2-0 lead when the NL couldn’t turn two potential double-play balls and also saw an error by hometown favorite Albert Pujols.

Lincecum surrendered a leadoff single to right to Ichiro, then hit Derek Jeter with a pitch. Joe Mauer’s tapper near the mound was fielded by Yadier Molina, who threw out Ichiro at third, but David Wright made a weak throw to first and couldn’t complete the twin killing. Mark Teixeira’s grounder was booted by Pujols allowing the first run to score.

After Jason Bay singled to center, Josh Hamilton drove in the second run with a fielder’s choice on a grounder to Pujols, but Hanley Ramirez didn’t make the throw to first to attempt the double play.