Evaluations on Lincoln and Tabata's MLB Debut's

By John Perrotto

Washington DC -- They weren't Steven Strasburg but Mike Lincoln and Jose Tabata weren't so bad in making their major-league debuts with the Pirates on Wednesday night.

Lincoln started and got a no-decision in a 7-5 loss to the Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington. He allowed five runs, all earned despite some suspect defense behind him, and seven hits in six innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

Tabata played left field and batted leadoff, going 2-for-4 with two singles, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored. He was removed from the game after flying out in the top of the eighth inning because of a cramp in his right hamstring, which could sideline him for two games.

Both Lincoln and Tabata were recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis earlier in the day, continuing a youth movement that started two weeks when Neil Walker was called up from the top farm club and installed as the second baseman. Indianapolis third baseman Pedro Alvarez figures to be the next prospect called up, possibly by the end of the month.

Lincoln and Tabata's debut came a night after Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 Pirates in his first major-league game.

Lincoln served up a two-run home run to Adam Dunn in the first inning and the Nationals scored three runs in the fifth to move ahead 5-4 as third baseman Andy LaRoche, shortstop Ronny Cedeno and right fielder Lastings Milledge all failed to make plays. Lincoln was encouraged by his first outing.

"It was awesome," Lincoln said. "It's something that I've looked forward to for a long time now and it was really exciting. I was happy I was able to keep the team in the game. It's a good way to start and now I want to build on it."

Lincoln threw 86 pitches, 51 for strikes. His fastball averaged 92 mph, his changeup 84 and his curveball 81.

However, Lincoln was far from dominant as the Nationals had well-hit balls in nine of their 25 at-bats against him. His fastball was also left wanting as the Nationals went 7-for-18 against the heater and put the ball in play in 17 of their 26 swings against it. Furthermore, Lincoln threw 41 pitches out of the strike zone but enticed the Nationals to swing at only seven.