NL | Giants' Lincecum not star struck, even after SI cover appearance

Tim Lincecum the cover boy soon could be Tim Lincecum the All-Star starter — or at least All-Star. And in his second big-league season, no less.

The 24-year-old from Liberty High School of Renton and the University of Washington struck out eight in San Francisco's 8-3 win over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

Lincecum (10-1) seemed unfazed — and certainly not jinxed — in his first start since he made the Sports Illustrated cover this week, trailing all of two innings before holding down the Cubs' dangerous lineup.

"They're excited for Timmy," manager Bruce Bochy said of his Giants teammates. "I'm sure he's taking some razzing."

Actually, Lincecum's teammates have gone easy on him. So far.

"I'm not thinking out there, 'I'm the Sports Illustrated cover kid,' " Lincecum said. "That's the last thing going through my mind. ... Most guys are pretty cool about it, saying, 'Hey, man, I'm happy for you.' It is what it is. It's just a magazine. I'm prepared for whatever."

Lincecum insists he's not thinking about being an All-Star or even the NL starting pitcher.

"I don't even know what determines that. I haven't thought about it," he said. "I'm just real fortunate to get the run support I have."

Atlanta: Slumping OF Jeff Francoeur heard boos from Braves fans as he went 0 for 4, dropping his average to .234.

Chicago: 3B Aramis Ramirez rejoined the Cubs after missing three games to be home in the Dominican Republic for a family matter.

Florida: LHP Taylor Tankersley was recalled from AAA Albuquerque, where he was 0-1 with a 1.98 ERA for the Isotopes.

Houston: RHP Roy Oswalt will miss his next scheduled start, Saturday in Atlanta, because of a strained hip.

Los Angeles: SS Rafael Furcal had back surgery and is expected to miss at least eight weeks.

Philadelphia: LHP J.A. Happ will be called up from AAA Lehigh Valley to start today.

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