him 7-1. In the second outing Smith never appeared settled or recovered from his first loss, and Lewis offered words of sympathy at the conclusion of the drubbing.T

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Lincecums no-hitter last weekend at San Diego provided a rare first-half highlight for the stumbling San Francisco Giants. And, perhaps, a glimpse into the Freaks immediate future in the Bay Area. General manager Brian Sabean said on his regular radio show Thursday that the Giants dont plan to trade the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner this season. "Thats definitely good. Ive always had a great time here in SF and I just hope to see that go further," Lincecum said after the Giants held a post-All-Star break workout at AT&T Park on Thursday night. Lincecum is in the final season of a $40.5 million, two year contract. "I expect Timmy to be in a Giant uniform," Sabean said on KNBR-680. "I find it hard to believe that hed pitch elsewhere this year." Now, the defending World Series champions must get back to work in a hurry if they want to hang around in an NL West that is still wide open. The first-place Arizona Diamondbacks are in town for a three-game series starting Friday night to kick off the second half. "We know where were at, and what has to happen in the second half, and thats us getting more consistent in all facets of the game," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said as the Giants held a light workout Thursday evening. "This things not going to happen right away as far as getting right back to where you want to be. Its a gradual thing, and that happens by playing good baseball." At 50-45, Arizona leads the fourth-place Giants (43-51) by 6 1/2 games -- so this series will be important for both clubs. Arizona will look to separate, while San Francisco hopes to gain ground in a tight division. The Giants are struggling in every phase, with a daunting August schedule on the horizon. First, theres an important nine-game homestand, which includes a 10th game at AT&T Park on Tuesday in a doubleheader with Cincinnati in which the first game features the Reds as home team to make up a July 4 rainout. Players and coaches held a team meeting Friday in San Diego. Nobody is counting out the Giants at this stage. "This is the team thats won two out of the last three World Series. Theyre still the king of the hill in this division," D-backs infielder Cliff Pennington said. "Just being ahead of them after the first half doesnt knock the team that won the World Series two out of the last three years out of it." Still, San Francisco has lost 14 of its last 20 games and is desperately seeking some momentum. Not to mention some good fortune. "They seem eager to get back. Thats great news," Bochy said. "I think its pretty simple, really: Early, our pitching wasnt what it normally is, and we went through a month really not hitting, not putting runs on the board. That was our biggest issue. It got contagious and we had a hard time getting out of it. ... Its going to be up to us to find a way to get some runs. We just got shut down too many times the last four or five weeks." Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson expects the Giants to fight their way back into the race despite all the challenges, saying, "I dont look at them as a fourth-place team." While centre fielder Angel Pagan hit an inside-the-park home run May 25, he hasnt played since and had surgery on his left hamstring that will sideline him perhaps for the rest of the year -- though the Giants and Pagan remain optimistic it wont be that long. It was a tough blow for the Giants after Pagan re-signed during the off-season for $40 million over four years. "He feels he will be back before the seasons over," Bochy said. The Giants hope to get right-hander Ryan Vogelsong back sometime next month after he heads out on a rehab assignment, perhaps soon. The 2011 All-Star broke two bones in his right pinkie area and also dislocated a knuckle in the hand on a swing May 20 and underwent surgery the next day. Vogelsongs return would be a boost to a rotation that, aside from All-Star lefty Madison Bumgarner, has been far from steady. Both Vogelsong and Pagan have been in Arizona working back from their injuries. Lincecum tossed a 148-pitch gem against the Padres last Saturday at Petco Park for his first career no-hitter. "Im just glad I dont see a cast on his arm," Bochy said. Lincecum said he feels "normal." Thursday would have been his turn to pitch without the break. He is set to start Monday night at home against the Reds. "I felt fine today throwing," he said. "I felt like if I had to throw, if today had been the would-be day, I would have been fine." If Lincecums outing provides a positive entering the second half, Bochy will take it. Hell take just about any advantage right now. Yet plenty of teams would like nothing more than to take down the franchise that has won two of the past three World Series championships. Gibson, for one. He is thinking big in mid-July, like October big. "I dont want a vacation. I want a short off-season," he said, referring to a long post-season run. "That goes without saying." Notes: The Giants All-Stars, Buster Posey, Bumgarner, Sergio Romo and Marco Scutaro, had the night off. So did Jeff Francoeur and Sandy Rosario, as both were waiting for the births of babies. ... Arizona RHP Ian Kennedy had his beard shaved off at a barber shop during the break. "I treated myself to an actual shave Monday," he said. "Its the first time in 26 months since my daughter, Nora, was born." Why the new look? At 3-6, "I needed a change."Custom Golden Knights Jersey China .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. http://www.customgoldenknightsjersey.com/ . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Marc-Andre Fleury Jersey Large . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. Wholesale Custom Golden Knights Shirts .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey.Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade kicked off the Premier League Darts season with impressive victories but there were difficult defeats for Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.REPORT: Barney batters Taylor All the details from Leeds on PL opening night Ah, weve missed the darts! But what did we learn from last Thursdays opening night in Leeds?Weve looked back over the results and given our assessment… When will Wade get credit? James Wade v Michael Van Gerwen - Premier League Darts Wade can be world beater Wayne Mardle credits The Machine Has anybody out there backed James Wade to be crowned 2016 Premier League Darts champion? If not, why not? The Machine outplayed Michael van Gerwen and defeated the worlds top player 7-4 having conceded the first three legs yet isnt always mentioned among the likeliest contenders for the top prizes.Hes No 6 in the world and reached the top of the mountain in 2009 in the Premier League so knows what it takes to lift the big trophies. People arent beating Michael when they have their chance, Wade told Sky Sports before their match-up and it appeared like he would join that unsuccessful list when he went 3-0 down.But Wades darts are meticulous and methodical, rather than the type of explosiveness than Van Gerwen demonstrated in the video above. Perhaps thats why Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and co are frequently favoured above Wade, but the Aldershot thrower proved on the opening night that he has the arsenal to beat anybody.Barney can still rise to the occasion Highlights as Barney defeated Taylor At this point in his career, we know that Raymond van Barneveld has the audacity to defeat any player on the PDC roster but the issue arises when he must do it consistently. Take the World Championships in January, for example, when he delivered a classic display to eliminate Van Gerwen but was then flung out by Adrian Lewis.He threw with almost unerring accuracy at his doubles in a 7-2 thrashing of Phil Taylor on the Premier Leagues opening night. Hitting all six of his first darts at a double, he then crucially missed as he threw for a tournament record. It didnt matter, as Taylor had already been overwhelmed by this point and Van Barneveld cruised over the finishing line.The result cant be attributed to Taylors performance - he hit a lovely 113 checkout - because Van Barneveld simply didnt give him a moment to breathe. Its a perfect start for the Dutch master, the 2014 Premier League winner, but will he still be competitive by the time we head to his home country for the Rotterdam leg?MvG isnt unbeatable MVG hit this stunning checkout.dddddddddddd. but it wasnt enough No sportsman or woman is indestructible but Van Gerwens form over the past couple of years makes him as intimidating as any of his dominant peers across other sporting landscapes. That fearsome reputation has been earned but weve seen a few cracks in the windscreen recently.Wade wore him down with relentless scoring last Thursday, and it wasnt long before an uncomfortable Van Gerwen had a frustrated scowl on his face. He won last week Masters in Milton Keynes but losing to Wade was his first Sky Sports appearance since he was beaten by Van Barneveld at Ally Pally. Your memory might even stretch far back enough to remember Van Gerwens shock loss to Robert Thornton in the World Grand Prix final in October.Of course, these examples of defeat are hand-picked and do not reflect the green-clad Dutchmans vice-like grip over darts. Although Anderson might be creeping up on Van Gerwens No 1 spot dont expect him to remain in the losing column for long. And who does Van Gerwen play next week in the Premier League? Anderson.Premier League is a baptism of fire Funny moment as Lewis third dart gets stuck between other two Everyone has to earn their stripes somewhere but inexperience on the Premier League circuit can be an unforgiving and inhospitable existence. Michael Smith, the world No 8, is touted as one of darts rising stars by everybody in-the-know but endured a miserable start to his Premier League career.Picked in the 10-man line-up for the first time, Smith lost a coin toss which forced him to compete twice last Thursday to cover for Andersons late withdrawal. He was dealt a harsh lesson in his first match, losing 7-2 to Peter Wright, before Adrian Lewis mercilessly beat him 7-1. In the second outing Smith never appeared settled or recovered from his first loss, and Lewis offered words of sympathy at the conclusion of the drubbing.Thornton, meanwhile, returned to the Premier League after a year out and just couldnt adapt quickly enough. Dave Chisnall whitewashed him, reminding Thornton what life is like in the fast lane. For Smith and Thornton in particular, the learning curve will be steep.Anderson must make up ground Gary Anderson is yet to start his Premier League title defence The reigning champion withdrew from the opening night at a few hours notice due to illness meaning hes already got some making up to do. At some point this season he will be forced to play twice in the same night which, in such a quick format tournament, brings unique challenges.As mentioned, Smith found the double outing too tough to handle but Anderson, in contrast, is vastly experienced at this level. He will need to call on every ounce of composure to begin the defence of his title a week later than his nine challengers. You can watch the second round of Premier League action, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm in Newcastle on Thursday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.We will be building up to the coverage on our live blog here www.skysports.com/darts and the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action.Also See:Brutal Barney shuts Power offWade has the whole gameWATCH: Ten years at the topWhos got the X Factor? ' ' '