"Inspiration comes from many sources, sometimes an old friend, sometimes the old man.

After Tim Lincecum became Tim Lincecum again in Thursday's 2-1 victory against Minnesota, giving the Giants a series win, he said he heard many supporting voices during his earlier June struggles. One belonged to his dad, Chris, another to his former catcher, Bengie Molina.

"They said, 'You've got to believe in yourself,' " Lincecum said. "I know it's a cliche, but you've got to believe you're the best. You've got to believe that and carry it onto the field."

Lincecum did that and showed an American League foe he had not faced what all the Freakish fuss was about, that his 7.59 ERA for the month was a fluke. He pitched seven shutout innings, allowed three hits and struck out 12, one short of his season high.

The bottom five hitters in Minnesota's order - Danny Valencia, Luke Hughes, Rene Rivera, Matt Tolbert and pitcher Brian Duensing - together had 13 plate appearances against Lincecum and struck out 11 times. Their two moral victories were Valencia's groundball and Hughes' walk.

Unlike the pitcher who lacked command all month, this Lincecum was a grand puppet master. If he wanted to get ahead with a 92-mph sinker on the inside black or a curveball, he did. If he wanted to finish a strikeout with a slider or changeup, so be it. Twice, he struck out the side."