SAN FRANCISCO — Different reporters asked Tim Lincecum several times about the possibility of him starting Game 4 in the NLCS. The San Francisco Giants relief pitcher of the moment pursed his lips and politely answered. "I don't know," Lincecum said after perhaps the fifth time. "It's not up to me." Lincecum finds himself in a tough spot, wanting to say the right thing and do whatever thing the Giants ask him to do. He turned in two scoreless innings Sunday in Game 1, the fifth and sixth, holding the St. Louis Cardinals after they had jumped to a six-run lead against left-hander Madison Bumgarner. The Giants struck for four runs in the fourth inning, but the St. Louis bullpen stifled them from there and the Cardinals hung on for a 6-4 victory at AT&T Park. Giants manager Bruce Bochy has said Lincecum remains a possibility to start Game 4 in St. Louis on Thursday, and his 24-pitch relief appearance doesn't preclude that.