In their second head-to-head matchup, so to speak, Phillies ace Cole Hamels, a 24-year-old portrait of San Diego suaveness, was outpitched by Giants cornerstone Tim Lincecum, a baby-faced, 23-year-old charcoal sketch of Northwest grit.

"To me, he looks like a little clubhouse guy or something," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said, good-naturedly. "Or a bat boy, with long hair. I wouldn't say he's real pretty, neither."

Lincecum pitched pretty.

He gave up four runs in six innings, although none was earned since two errors were made behind him, lowering his league-best road earned run average to 0.39 in four games. A righthander, his 97-mph fastball, occasional curve and 80-mph changeup simply overmatched lefty Chase Utley, an early MVP candidate. Lincecum - who debuted against the Phils and Hamels in San Francisco about 1 year ago - drew raves from the hitters.

"He's got tremendous stuff," said Hamels, who whiffed at three straight 96-mph fastballs "before I knew it."

Hamels, meanwhile, gave up four runs, all earned, including two doubles and a homer to Rich Aurilia.

"He wasn't what I'd call real sharp today," Manuel said of his handsome lefty.

Neither got a decision yesterday, but both showed the promise that excites their organization. They combined for one nonintentional walk (Lincecum's) with five strikeouts apiece. Both pitched six innings.

Hamels is 27-16 with a 3.66 ERA in 58 games, with 363 strikeouts in 365 innings. Lincecum is 11-6 with a 3.44 ERA in 31 games, with 195 strikeouts in 188 2/3 innings.

"It'll be interesting to see how he does on the West Coast, with all that great pitching out there," Hamels said, referring to the likes of Arizona's Brandon Webb and San Diego's Jake Peavy.

When such young talents meet, as they did yesterday, said Manuel: "I like it. That's what baseball's all about."

That, and bone structure.

Hamels, married to a Playboy Playmate and a fancier of Euro-cut suits and shoes, has pretty good hair and a predictable nickname.

"They call Cole 'Hollywood,' " Manuel said. "I don't think they're going to call Lincecum 'Hollywood.' "

Maybe not . . . but, hey, Randy Johnson's no prize, either.

Drive for Five

Lidge has been effective, yes, but he was pitching for the fourth consecutive day for the first time since June 5-8 last season, with the Astros.

"I was surprised," said Lidge, who threw just five pitches. "But anytime they want to bunt early in the count, I'll take it."

And if he is called upon tonight in Arizona? "If I have to do more than that . . . I actually feel pretty good."

Lidge, now in his sixth season, has never pitched on 5 consecutive days.

For my next trick . . .

"It means I've had some great players along the way," said Manuel, a mentor of Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, among others. "I told the guys in there, 'I want to win at least 500 more.' "

Phillers