Tim Lincecum's No-Hitter

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MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) is surrounded by teammates after a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

I normally get my USA Today Sports Images schedule a month at a time. But everyone once in a while, there will be a last minute request because it's something that wasn't on the calendar or another photographer has something come up. Last Thursday was one of those times where Kyle emailed me and asked if I could pick up Wednesday's game against the Padres. And boy, I'm glad I did!

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) on his final pitch of a no-hitter during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

In the 5th, despite a nice lead by the Giants, I hadn't made any exciting pictures and thought "hmm nothing really happening this game." Then I realized, "oh, something very special is happening!" With Lincecum's early walk allowed, I hadn't realized Lincecum was working a no-hitter.

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) pitches the ball against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

I've covered some no-hitters that get broken up in the 7th and a part of me was waiting for that Padres hit. But Timmy kept going with the support of his teammates and the fans began to buzz with more and more excitement through each inning. By the time he came out for the top of the 9th, you could feel it.

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) enters the field for the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park in a no-hitter. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) heads to the mound during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park in a no-hitter. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) on the mound during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

I was a little nervous for myself, this is a big moment, and I don't want to mess it up! I had spent all game in the inside first base photo well and I could hear Brad Mangin's voice in my head telling me to move and get in position. I saw him set up behind home but figured the inside first position I was at was actually going to be the best spot for me.

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) on the final pitch of a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Sitting next to John Mabanglo and Jason Watson who had both covered no-hitters and perfect games in their career, they reassured me that I shouldn't over think it or I'd pysch myself out. So I followed the pitch, tried to stay on Lincecum, with my 300mm and a 70-200 ready to go.

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) follows the ball on the final out for a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) reacts after the final out in a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Lincecum's "jump" into Hector Sanchez was a little awkward where he didn't quite leap but just sort of let Hector pick him up.

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) celebrates with catcher Hector Sanchez (29) after a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) hugs catcher Hector Sanchez (29) after a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

But did catch that lil Timmy smile as his teammates surrounded him.

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsJun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) celebrates with catcher Hector Sanchez (29) and third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) after a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

It's rewarding to have the editors on desk be aware of the no hitter happening, move my images quickly and have them be picked up by ESPN. Every once in a while my photos end up on ESPN for a couple of minutes, but with such a historical moment, it's cool to see it stay on the homepage. I text my mom and told her she better be ready for some pinning to my pinterest published board, because there were going to be a lot of stories about Lincecum =)