Giants blank Astros, again

Lincecum dazzles in 3rd straight win

By Janie McCauley
The Associated Press

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Lincecum doesn't keep track of such things as scoreless innings streaks. He does know he's on a roll that might just earn him the starting nod for National League in the All-Star game.

"It would mean a lot -- the hard work paid off," said Lincecum, who missed last year's Midsummer Classic because of an illness and was hospitalized. "If I do happen to start, it will make up for the fact I didn't even make it to the field last year."

NL manager Charlie Manuel of the World Series champion Phillies certainly will notice Lincecum's recent run.

Lincecum (9-2) extended his career-best scoreless innings stretch to 23 in winning his third straight start and also scored the first run in the San Francisco Giants' 9-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

"Obviously Timmy has the numbers to go out there and start," center fielder Aaron Rowand said of the All-Star game. "Timmy's got to be in the running."

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner struck out nine and allowed three hits with two walks in seven innings. Brandon Medders and Merkin Valdez each pitched an inning to finish the three-hit shutout, a major-league best 11th and fourth in the Giants' last seven games.

San Francisco had 12 hits a day after producing a season high in runs and pounding 15 hits in a 13-0 victory Friday night.

Pablo Sandoval singled home Lincecum in the fifth and Randy Winn added a two-run double and scored on a passed ball that got by Astros catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Aaron Rowand added a two-run single and Bengie Molina an RBI double.

"It was a good game there for a while and then it got away from us," said Houston's Lance Berkman, whose double was the team's only extra-base hit.

Lincecum, expected to be named an All-Star today for the second straight year, outpitched former Giant Russ Ortiz (3-4).

Lincecum struck out Michael Bourn looking on his third pitch of the game. After Lance Berkman doubled to start the fourth, Lincecum struck out the side.

He has gone 18 consecutive innings without allowing a baserunner past second.

"He's throwing as well as I've seen him since he's been here and that's saying a lot," manager Bruce Bochy said.

Lincecum's scoreless streak is the longest by a Giant since Robb Nen went 25º consecutive innings without allowing a run in 2000.

Lincecum has won six of his last seven decisions.