New York ? Tim Lincecum didn’t make it to his first All-Star game Tuesday night.

The National League sure could have used him.

Hospitalized earlier in the day with flulike symptoms, the hard-throwing San Francisco Giants star wasn’t available when NL manager Clint Hurdle called to his bullpen late in the game.

And called. And called again.

Massaging and managing a tired pitching staff, Hurdle got by until the game went to extra innings. Aaron Cook got out of jams in the 10th, 11th and 12th, thanks to some slick defense behind him, and Carlos Marmol and Brandon Webb each survived an inning.

The only pitcher still available for either side, Brad Lidge come on in the 15th and gave up a leadoff single to Justin Morneau, who scored on Michael Young’s sacrifice fly to right that ended the longest game in All-Star history by time after 4 hours, 50 minutes. It tied the 1967 game, a 2-1 win by the National League, for longest by innings.

Lincecum’s big right arm would have come in handy, but the 24-year-old was taken from his hotel to New York Presbyterian Hospital for flulike symptoms and dehydration earlier in the day.

He was released Tuesday afternoon but was not well enough to make the game, the Giants said in a statement.

Lincecum’s locker at Yankee Stadium between Sheets and Volquez was untouched before the game. His jersey and Giants hat hung on a hook on the wall.

Giants reliever Brian Wilson, who retired the only two batters he faced in the eighth inning, said he hadn’t spoken with Lincecum, who also missed the All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade on Tuesday.

“I think it was just one of those things that just hit him this morning,” said Wilson, who was left to ride alone in the back of a pickup truck up Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.

Lincecum was among several pitchers on the NL roster who threw Sunday, giving manager Clint Hurdle a tired group for the Midsummer Classic. Lincecum struck out nine over eight innings to beat fellow All-Star Ryan Dempster and the Cubs.

One of three pitchers in Giants history to win 10 of his first 11 decisions, Lincecum (11-2) leads the major leagues with 135 strikeouts and is fourth among starters with a 2.57 ERA. He’s lost just once since April 29.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that Matt Cain would start their first game after the All-Star break, Friday against Milwaukee. Jonathan Sanchez is scheduled to pitch Saturday and Lincecum on Sunday.

The probable order means Lincecum is unlikely to miss his next start.