Close call for Tim Lincecum as he bruises left knee on hard-hit ball by Oakland's Daric Barton

Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin, right, and batting coach Chili Davis watch from the dugout during the third inning of a spring exhibition baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, March 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (The Associated Press)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum throws against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning of a spring exhibition baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, March 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (The Associated Press)

Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum escaped what appeared to be a serious injury with only a bruised left knee in his final spring start.

Now, he hopes he won't miss his first outing of the regular season, scheduled for Thursday at Arizona.

The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner left Friday night's 4-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics after going down writhing in pain when he was hit on the inside of his knee by a grounder from Daric Barton in the fourth inning.

Lincecum tried to run toward first but immediately fell to the ground, unable to put any pressure on his leg, but said later it was "dead leg" from the initial force and pain of the ball hitting him. He limped off the field with the assistance of two trainers. X-rays were negative.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/close-call-for-tim-lincecum-as-he-bruises-left-knee-on-hard-hit-ball-by-oaklands-daric-barton