SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum tipped his cap, Rich Aurilia said goodbye, and Randy Johnson provided the finishing finesse as the Giants ended their home schedule with a sunny 7-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

At 52-29, the Giants will boast the strongest home record in the National League. And although three games remain at San Diego, Giants owner Bill Neukom apparently is confident he has the right baseball leadership going forward.
Earlier in the homestand, Neukom informed general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy that he wished to retain their services, a major league source confirmed to the San Jose Mercury News. Contract length and other terms are being negotiated presently, but both men are expected to receive multiyear deals.
Neukom’s decision was not a surprise. He consistently has praised Sabean’s baseball acumen as well as Bochy’s ability to create stability in the clubhouse.
Sabean has been the Giants’ GM for 13 seasons and Bochy is completing the third and final year of his contract. The Giants did not play well enough in September to reach the postseason, but they exceeded overall expectations, while breaking a streak of four consecutive losing seasons.
Bochy declined comment when asked about reports that he would return.
“No, I can’t,” Bochy said. “We have three more games and I’m under contract. That’s my focus. Like all the players, I tell them the same thing. I’m focused on going to San Diego and finishing out the season.”
The timing is sensitive because Bochy and Sabean must discuss the rest of the coaching staff, which could feature changes.
The Giants left their fans at AT&T Park wanting more. Lincecum departed with a shutout in the eighth inning and earned a standing ovation when Bochy replaced him. Helped by some suggestive pantomiming from pitching coach Dave Righetti, Lincecum doffed his cap.
“I’ve never taken off my cap before,” said the mop-topped pitcher, smiling wide. “Kinda crazy. It was pretty cool to see what would happen with the crowd.”
The crowd didn’t seem to care that Aurilia was 0-for-4 with an RBI ground out. The fans cheered his every act, knowing they were seeing him in a Giants uniform for the final time. The 14-year veteran hasn’t announced he’ll retire after the season, but he knows it’s a good possibility “” and unlike Bochy and Sabean, he won’t return to the Giants.
Aurilia took a curtain call after hitting a fly out to center field in the eighth, then enjoyed a final walk through the grass when Bochy replaced him at first base to end the ninth.
“I’m not going to any Hall of Fame, I’m not chasing any records, but I’ve enjoyed my career,” Aurilia said. “If it’s about to end, then I’m OK with that. It’s been neat to play with Bay Area guys like John Bowker, Nate Schierholtz and Kevin Frandsen, who grew up watching me. I can only hope all of them can enjoy 14 years in the big leagues like I did, because it’s been a great ride.”
Aurilia and Lincecum represent two eras in the franchise’s history. Both of them endorsed Sabean and Bochy.
“I like playing for him,” Lincecum said of Bochy. “He gives me, and a lot of players, the freedom to be ourselves. That’s been the key to a lot of our success. We surprised a lot of people this season and we can still get closer to 90 wins. That’s impressive, especially after the last couple years.”
Said Aurilia: “I’ve known Brian for 15 years and I know every move he makes is designed to make us win. Some work out and some don’t, but all he’s ever done is try to win. And the job Bruce did with a supposed lack of talent shows what a great job he did. With those guys, things can only get better.”
Johnson doesn’t expect his scoreless ninth inning to be the end of his Hall of Fame career. The 46-year-old wants to throw an inning or two this weekend at Petco Park, and he’s undecided about making a run at pitching next season.
It’s clear he’s not ready to leave the stage. When Chad Tracy grounded out to end the game, Johnson absent-mindedly walked toward the dugout instead of shaking the catcher’s hand.
“You can see relieving is not my gig,” he said, smirking. “I guess they call it a senior moment, don’t they?”