Lincecum Sharp In Giants 2-1 Win Over Padres
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- Tim Lincecum pitched eight sharp innings in his longest start of the season and had an infield single with two outs in the sixth for the Giants' first baserunner against Anthony Bass as San Francisco beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 Saturday night.
Brandon Belt hit a two-run double off Bass with two outs in the seventh for San Francisco.
Lincecum (2-2) overcame some early control problems and allowed three hits. The former two-time NL Cy Young Award winner struck out five and walked four.
Pablo Sandoval went hitless in four at-bats for the Giants, ending his 20-game hitting streak that was the longest in the majors this year.
Bass (1-3) allowed six hits and struck out a career-high eight.
Lincecum threw 121 pitches and retired 17 of the last 19 batters he faced after giving up an unearned run in the second inning.
It was the type of performance the Giants have come to expect from their ace, who was off to the worst start of his career before picking up wins in his last two starts.
Santiago Casilla pitched the ninth for his third save.
San Francisco evened the series with San Diego despite a stellar effort from Bass.
The Padres' spot starter retired the first 17 batters. He didn't walk a batter but took the loss after coming up short in his bid to become the first pitcher in Padres history to throw a no-hitter.
San Diego scored its only run without the benefit of a hit.
Two walks by Lincecum in the third and the Giants' 24th error this season loaded the bases for Nick Hundley, who hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Will Venable.
Melky Cabrera hit a leadoff double in the seventh, took third on Nate Schierholtz's two-out infield single then both runners scored on Belt's double to left-center. Belt has been filling in part-time at first base for San Francisco since Aubrey Huff went on the disabled list with anxiety disorder.
NOTES: Giants 2B Freddy Sanchez has a strain in his right shoulder, an MRI revealed. Manager Bruce Bochy said he was encouraged by the test results and said the team will have Sanchez rest a few days before resuming his rehab. ... The Padres placed OF Jeremy Hermida on the 15-day DL with a strained right adductor. Blake Tekotte was recalled from Triple-A Tucson to replace Hermida on the roster. ... San Francisco INF Ryan Theriot received his World Series championship ring from former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa in a private ceremony before the game. ... LHP Madison Bumgarner (3-1) tries to become the Giants first four-game winner this season in Sunday's series finale. LHP Clayton Richard (1-2), who has allowed three earned runs or less in his previous seven starts vs. the Giants, goes for the Padres.
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